Getting started

1. Get in

DropWave 3.1.0 is in closed beta. Join the Discord: every build is posted there first, with its install notes.

You need macOS 26 or later on a Mac with Apple silicon.

2. Install

1. Download the newest build from the builds channel and unzip it.
2. Drag DropWave into Applications.
3. Open it. The first time, macOS says it can't check the app, because DropWave isn't notarised yet. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click Open Anyway. You only do this once.

From then on DropWave keeps itself up to date. See Updates.

3. Analyse something

• Drag files or a folder onto the window.
• File → Open… (⌘O).
• Right-click a file in Finder → Open With → DropWave. Works for video files too.

A full song takes well under a second for a full song. DropWave never changes your audio.

4. Read the result

Key, Tempo and Length across the top. The key carries its Camelot code; the tempo has Half / As detected / Double, so you can pick the level you count in. Under the length is the tuning in cents from A = 440 Hz.

The waveform shows the beat grid, with the first beat of each bar marked, and, when a song changes key, a strip underneath with each section's key. Click the waveform to jump anywhere.

True peak and Loudness below: the two numbers worth checking before a file leaves your Mac. Close to 0 dBTP it says hot; above 0 it says clips.

Confidence for key and tempo, with how many sections of the song agreed, and the runner-up when it was close. And the Camelot wheel, with the keys that mix with yours.

5. Check it by ear

• Click on beats plays a metronome along with the track, locked to the detected grid. If it stays glued to the drums, the tempo is right.
• Hear key plays the key's chord, tuned to the track. Play it over the music; if it sits, the key is right.

Folders and the table

Drop a folder and every file is listed in the sidebar and read one after another. Press ⌘2 for the table: every file with its key, Camelot, tempo, loudness, true peak and length. Sort by any column and search by name, key or Camelot code. ⌘1 goes back to one file.

• Export everything as CSV with ⌘E.
• Tag Filenames (⇧⌘T) writes the key and tempo into the names, like vocal_chop_loop [11A 88].wav. You see every change first; it never overwrites a file, and ⌘Z undoes it.

6. Get the numbers out

• Copy Readings (⇧⌘C) puts the key, Camelot, tempo and levels on the clipboard.
• Show in Finder (⇧⌘R).

Keyboard

Updates

DropWave checks for updates when it starts and about twice a day. A new version downloads in the background; a small bar appears with Restart. Click it, confirm, and DropWave installs the update and reopens with your files. DropWave → Check for Updates… checks right away.

In Settings → Updates you can switch between Closed Beta and Dev Beta (builds first; needs a personal code from the team).

Next

Supported formats · Key · FAQ