Would love to have a project tempo fader (like logic) that would give me full automation capability of project tempo by (for example) assigning a pedal/controller to project tempo in real time while recording. The old tempo view is a bit long in the tooth.

I'd prefer an automation envelope following the timeline myself...  
 

Don't forget that the tempo determines where the audio clips are placed with respect to the timeline. I don't see how this could be varied during playback.
 

I was just thinking something like a Tempo Automation lane/track near the top, like the Video track.  So instead of displaying the tempo line(s) in a separate view it would be right in the Track View.   Hypothetically speaking. 

Can't you use the pencil tool in the tempo view to create gradual tempo changes?

Sure.   I'd just like to see that superimposed against the TV, similar to these:
 
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13205?viewlocale=en_US
 
http://en.wikiaudio.org/Digital_Performer:Tempo_changes
 
 
Hopefully this is the general idea the OP was shooting for - if not, sorry for going a little OT. 
 

Kev999
Don't forget that the tempo determines where the audio clips are placed with respect to the timeline. I don't see how this could be varied during playback.
 

I don't think placement is by tempo, it is by MBT - independent of tempo. It has to be or there would be no way to vary the tempo in tempo view without disrupting the placement of your clips, etc.
Any way - logic can do it.

stevec
Sure.   I'd just like to see that superimposed against the TV, similar to these:
 
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13205?viewlocale=en_US
 
http://en.wikiaudio.org/Digital_Performer:Tempo_changes
 
 
Hopefully this is the general idea the OP was shooting for - if not, sorry for going a little OT. 
 

Hi Steve - not locked into how it should work, and for much of what I would want simple automation would be killer as a replacement for the old tempo view. However, thinking about DnBaer's midi conductor app, what I would really like is the ability to control the envelope in real time, not (only) after the fact. Set up a metronome, play to the click, step up or back on a midi pedal or a fader/knob when you want to speed up or slowdown the tempo and the click moves right along with the tempo. Would be great for subtle and elegant ritardandos, etc, and for fleshing out song ideas to build on.
Thanks for your input!

Ah, real-time Tap Tempo, huh...  
 
Thanks for starting the thread!

Brando

Kev999
Don't forget that the tempo determines where the audio clips are placed with respect to the timeline. I don't see how this could be varied during playback.

I don't think placement is by tempo, it is by MBT - independent of tempo. It has to be or there would be no way to vary the tempo in tempo view without disrupting the placement of your clips, etc.

Track View displays a "timeline" ruler calibrated in equal beats rather than equal time intervals. The beginning and end points of each audio clip (with respect to the ruler) will change when the tempo is altered. If tempo could be varied during playback you would see audio clips constantly being stretched or squeezed into new placements.