How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify – Playback Speed Adjustment

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Adjusting Spotify’s playback speed changes the tempo of songs without affecting pitch. If you’ve ever wondered how to speed up songs on spotify for workouts, learning, or just fun, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through every method, from the built-in player to third-party tools, so you can control your listening experience.

Spotify doesn’t have a direct speed slider for music tracks, but there are clever workarounds. Whether you want to fast-talk through a podcast or pump up the BPM for running, these steps will help. Let’s get started.

Why Speed Up Songs On Spotify?

Speeding up songs can change how you enjoy music. For example, faster tempos can boost energy during exercise. Some people use it to learn instruments by slowing down or speeding up parts.

Others just like remixing tracks in real-time. The feature is also handy for audiobooks or podcasts—you can save time by listening at 1.5x or 2x speed. But note: Spotify’s official speed control is only for podcasts, not music. That’s where the workarounds come in.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify: Built-In Methods

Spotify offers a built-in playback speed feature, but it’s limited to podcasts and audiobooks. For music, you’ll need to use a different approach. Here’s how to access the podcast speed control:

  1. Open the Spotify app on your phone or desktop.
  2. Play any podcast episode.
  3. Tap the “Now Playing” bar at the bottom.
  4. Look for the speed icon (usually a circle with “1x” inside).
  5. Tap it to cycle through speeds: 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, 2x, and 3x.

This works perfectly for spoken content. But for music, the speed option doesn’t appear. So what do you do if you want to speed up songs? You have to think outside the box.

Using Spotify’s Equalizer To Simulate Speed

Some users tweak the equalizer to make songs feel faster. While this doesn’t actually change tempo, it can alter the sound. Here’s a quick trick:

  • Go to Settings > Playback > Equalizer.
  • Boost the high frequencies (treble) and cut the lows.
  • This makes the track sound brighter and more energetic.

It’s not a true speed increase, but it can give a similar effect. For actual tempo changes, you need external tools.

Third-Party Apps To Speed Up Spotify Songs

Since Spotify doesn’t support music speed changes natively, third-party apps fill the gap. These tools capture Spotify’s audio and let you adjust playback speed in real-time. Here are the best options:

1. VLC Media Player (Desktop)

VLC is a free media player that can play Spotify audio through a virtual audio cable. Here’s the step-by-step:

  1. Download and install VLC and a virtual audio cable (like VB-Cable).
  2. Set your computer’s audio output to the virtual cable.
  3. Open VLC, go to Tools > Preferences > Audio.
  4. Set the audio output to “DirectX” or “WaveOut.”
  5. Play a song on Spotify—the audio routes through VLC.
  6. In VLC, use the “Playback Speed” slider (under Playback menu) to speed up.

This method works but requires some setup. It’s great for desktop users who want precise control.

2. Mobile Apps: SpeedTube Or Tempo Slow Mo

On mobile, apps like SpeedTube (Android) or Tempo Slow Mo (iOS) can adjust Spotify’s audio. They work by capturing the sound from your phone’s speaker or headphones. Here’s how:

  • Download the app from your app store.
  • Open Spotify and start a song.
  • Switch to the speed app and enable audio capture.
  • Use the slider to change tempo.

Note: Audio quality may drop slightly, and some apps have ads. But they’re fast and easy for casual use.

3. Web-Based Tools: Spotify Web Player + Chrome Extensions

Chrome extensions like “Video Speed Controller” can also affect Spotify’s web player. However, they usually control video speed, not audio. A better option is “Audio Speed Changer” extension:

  1. Install the extension from Chrome Web Store.
  2. Open Spotify Web Player (open.spotify.com).
  3. Play a song and click the extension icon.
  4. Adjust the speed slider (e.g., 1.25x, 1.5x).

This method is simple but may lag or distort audio. Test it to see if it works for you.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify For Workouts

Many people want faster songs for exercise. Instead of changing tempo manually, you can use Spotify’s built-in “Running” feature. Here’s how:

  • Open Spotify and search for “Running” in the search bar.
  • Select a running playlist (e.g., “Running Beats”).
  • Tap the “Running” icon (a running figure) in the playlist header.
  • Enter your running pace (e.g., 6 mph).
  • Spotify adjusts the song tempo to match your stride.

This feature uses BPM matching, not speed control. It picks songs with a tempo close to your pace. For true speed changes, use the third-party methods above.

Speeding Up Podcasts Vs. Music On Spotify

Spotify treats podcasts and music differently. Podcasts have a dedicated speed control, as mentioned. Music does not. Why? Licensing agreements and audio quality concerns. Speeding up music can distort the sound, while podcasts are more forgiving.

If you mainly want to speed up spoken content, use the built-in slider. For music, you’ll need external tools. Here’s a quick comparison:

  • Podcasts: Built-in speed control (0.5x to 3x). No extra apps needed.
  • Music: No native option. Use VLC, mobile apps, or web extensions.

Remember: Speeding up music changes the pitch if not done carefully. Tools like VLC preserve pitch by default, which is ideal.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify Without Losing Quality

Audio quality can suffer when you speed up songs. To minimize distortion, follow these tips:

  • Use high-quality audio files (Spotify’s “Very High” streaming quality).
  • Choose apps that preserve pitch (like VLC or Audacity).
  • Avoid extreme speeds (above 2x) for music—it often sounds robotic.
  • Test with different genres. Electronic music handles speed changes better than classical.

If you’re serious about quality, consider downloading songs and editing them in software like Audacity. But that’s more advanced.

Common Issues When Speeding Up Spotify Songs

You might run into problems. Here are fixes for frequent issues:

  • Audio lag: Close other apps or use a wired connection.
  • Distorted sound: Lower the speed or use pitch correction.
  • App crashes: Update the app or try a different tool.
  • No speed option: Remember, it’s only for podcasts. Use workarounds for music.

Most issues are solvable with a quick Google search or by restarting the app.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify On Desktop

Desktop users have the most options. Here’s a detailed guide for Windows and Mac:

Using VLC (Windows/Mac)

  1. Install VLC and VB-Cable (virtual audio driver).
  2. Set VB-Cable as your default playback device.
  3. Open VLC, go to Tools > Preferences > Audio.
  4. Select “WaveOut” for audio output.
  5. Play Spotify music—it routes through VLC.
  6. Press “+” or “-” keys to speed up or slow down.

This method is free and reliable. You can also use the “Playback Speed” menu for precise control.

Using Audacity (Advanced)

Audacity can record and speed up Spotify audio. Here’s how:

  1. Set your computer’s audio to “Stereo Mix” or “What U Hear.”
  2. Open Audacity and start recording.
  3. Play a song on Spotify.
  4. Stop recording and select the audio.
  5. Go to Effect > Change Tempo.
  6. Enter a percentage (e.g., 120% for 1.2x speed).
  7. Export the file and play it back.

This takes more time but gives the best quality.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify On Mobile

Mobile users have fewer options, but they work. Here’s the best approach:

Using SpeedTube (Android)

  1. Download SpeedTube from Google Play.
  2. Open Spotify and play a song.
  3. Switch to SpeedTube and tap “Start.”
  4. Adjust the speed slider (0.5x to 2x).
  5. Audio will play through SpeedTube at the new tempo.

This app is free with ads. The paid version removes ads and offers more features.

Using Tempo Slow Mo (IOS)

  1. Download Tempo Slow Mo from the App Store.
  2. Open Spotify and start a track.
  3. Open Tempo Slow Mo and grant microphone access.
  4. Use the slider to change speed.
  5. Note: Audio quality may be lower due to microphone capture.

For better quality, use a wired connection and reduce background noise.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify Without Third-Party Apps

If you don’t want extra software, there’s one trick: use Spotify’s web player with a browser extension. Here’s how:

  • Install “Audio Speed Changer” on Chrome.
  • Open Spotify Web Player and log in.
  • Play a song and click the extension icon.
  • Adjust the speed slider.

This method is lightweight but may not work on all songs. It’s worth a try if you want a quick fix.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify For Learning

Musicians often slow down songs to learn parts. Speeding up can also help with practice. Here’s how to use speed for learning:

  • Slow down a song to hear details (use VLC at 0.5x).
  • Speed up to practice playing along at a faster tempo.
  • Use pitch preservation to keep the song in key.

Apps like “Amazing Slow Downer” are designed for this purpose. They work with Spotify audio and offer precise control.

How To Speed Up Songs On Spotify: FAQ

Can I Speed Up Music Directly In Spotify?

No, Spotify only has a speed control for podcasts and audiobooks. For music, you need third-party tools like VLC or mobile apps.

Does Speeding Up Songs Affect Audio Quality?

Yes, it can cause distortion or pitch changes. Using pitch-preserving tools like VLC minimizes quality loss.

Is It Legal To Speed Up Spotify Songs?

Yes, as long as you’re not downloading or redistributing the audio. Personal use is fine.

What’s The Best App To Speed Up Spotify Songs On Android?

SpeedTube is popular and easy to use. It works with Spotify and other music apps.

Can I Speed Up Songs On Spotify Without Internet?

If you have downloaded songs for offline listening, you can still use third-party apps to speed them up. The process is the same.

Final Tips For Speeding Up Songs On Spotify

Speeding up songs can enhance your listening experience, but it’s not always perfect. Start with small increments (1.1x or 1.2x) to avoid distortion. Experiment with different genres to see what sounds best.

For workouts, use Spotify’s running feature for automatic BPM matching. For learning, slow down first, then speed up gradually. And always use high-quality audio settings.

Remember, the built-in speed control is only for podcasts. For music, you’ll need to use the workarounds described here. With a little practice, you’ll be able to speed up any song on Spotify.

Now you know how to speed up songs on spotify using multiple methods. Pick the one that fits your device and needs. Happy listening!