Updated · By BeatSlide
Random BPM Mode Explained: Ranges, Tempo Holds and Pauses
Quick answer
BeatSlide random mode selects BPM from a difficulty preset and holds that tempo for a random duration. None uses the full 20–300 BPM range; Easy, Medium and Hard use their own narrower ranges and timing rules.
What happens during a random state
A state consists of one selected BPM and a randomly chosen hold duration. Beats repeat at that tempo until the state expires. At the next beat boundary the app either selects another tempo or, for Medium and Hard, may start a pause first.
The progress bar shows elapsed time within the current tempo hold. It does not predict the next BPM. The current BPM display identifies the active tempo; a new selection can repeat the preceding value, so a completed bar need not produce a visibly different number.
Current preset rules
| Preset | BPM range | Tempo hold | Pause chance at state end | Pause duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 20–300 | 10–120 seconds | 0% | None |
| Easy | 80–120 | 30–120 seconds | 0% | None |
| Medium | 60–160 | 15–60 seconds | 30% | 3–15 seconds |
| Hard | 40–220 | 5–20 seconds | 50% | 5–30 seconds |
Hold durations are sampled within these limits. The change is checked on a beat, so observed wall-clock timing can differ slightly from the sampled duration. Pause probabilities apply at state boundaries, not on every beat or at fixed minute intervals.
None does not mean no randomness
None removes the difficulty restriction. It still randomizes, including potentially large jumps across the full BPM range. Easy has a narrower range and longer holds, making the tempo more constrained, but its minimum is 80 BPM—not a custom slow-tempo setting.
The visible settings let you choose presets, not enter arbitrary random minimums, maximums or hold durations. The preset also does not limit each change to a fixed plus-or-minus increment.
What happens to images?
With Sync to beat, the slideshow follows each beat and changes pace when BPM changes. With Fixed timer, image timing is independent. Holding the image suppresses image advancement but does not suspend the audio or random-state clock.
During an automatic pause the countdown overlay appears. In fixed-timer mode, slide indexes may continue advancing behind that overlay. Press Stop if you want the session to end instead of automatically resume.
A practical test
Start without images so you can watch the BPM and bar clearly. Enable Random and select Easy. Listen for a steady tempo within one state, then watch the bar restart. Compare with Medium if you want to see the possibility of a pause; a 30% chance does not guarantee a pause during a brief test.
Do not use short observations to infer that the random process is broken merely because two consecutive tempos are similar.
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