Change tempo BPM without affecting audio [SOLVED]

I'm working on composing music for a podcast.

Here's my workflow:

1) Author sends me recorded garageband files, lightly edited

2) I open them up in logic pro x (10.2.1)

3) I do a timing and eq pass on the audio

4) (this is where I'm stuck) I want to change the tempo of the track to 85 BPM for the sake of the music I'll be creating, every time I do, it changes the spoken audio dramatically, obviously not usable. I've searched around and found that locking the SMPTE time code on everything prior to making the BPM change is the way to go. But I've been unsuccessful in making that work. Every time I change the BPM it alters the locked audio tracks.

I've followed the steps pasted below to the letter:

1• in the arrange page, select all regions (CMD-A). Then SMPTE-lock those regions.

2• open the automation event list on any track containing automation (using your key command)

3• open the automation event arrange window (standard key command CMD-1)

4• select ALL (standard key command CMD-A)

5• SMPTE-Lock the automation regions (using your key command)

6 Now adjust your tempo. When you're done, make sure to SMPTE-unlock automation and regions.

Please help! See attached screen shot, everything appears to be locked, but it's still altering the audio.

EDIT: Thread title

Thanks Eric, I'll give that a shot when I get home this evening. Cheers

Wes

It worked great, thanks!

Try this:

 

Select your regions and in the inspector uncheck Follow tempo.

My god I've been trying to solve this for so long. So many solutions out there but this finally worked. Thanks Eric!!

I'm in inspector, and I don't see an option for "follow tempo."

It's now called "Flex & Follow":

only problem with unchecking the "flex and follow" option is if you've already tuned the vocals....

2 hours ago, LindsayLu said:

only problem with unchecking the "flex and follow" option is if you've already tuned the vocals....

To avoid losing the edits you did with flex, you do a bounce in place.

Question for the LogicPro minds out there - can I change the Project Tempo logic WITHOUT having an effect on either the Audio AND the MIDI?   I played a song in 'free time'  (not to click) but now I want to add a click track after the fact.  But I don't want any of the audio or midi-performances to change in any way.   Is there a way to make MIDI ignore a new tempo?  (I'll be experimenting with this today and if I figure it out before anyone else replies, I'll report back).

On 6/24/2023 at 10:15 AM, timbertune said:

Question for the LogicPro minds out there - can I change the Project Tempo logic WITHOUT having an effect on either the Audio AND the MIDI?   I played a song in 'free time'  (not to click) but now I want to add a click track after the fact.  But I don't want any of the audio or midi-performances to change in any way.   Is there a way to make MIDI ignore a new tempo?  (I'll be experimenting with this today and if I figure it out before anyone else replies, I'll report back).

 

You would right click on all your regions and choose "Lock SMPTE" or something like that, so the regions stay locked in place to TIME instead of bars/beats after you adjust the tempo. But I'm finding that any automation that's in place does not lock, and therefor loses its placement with the regions. Hoping to find a solution to this.