Scratch that, I think I figured it out:
Put the cursor at the beginning of the next chunk of music you don't want altered. Make a note of the tempo at that point
Ctrl-A, then Edit | Select | From = Now
Edit | Cut Special, and select Events, Automation, Tempo changes, Meter changes and Markers
Create a marker at that position and lock it to SMPTE
Now you can backtrack and make tempo changes.
Put the cursor at the new marker
Insert tempo of whatever it was before
Paste.
Everything SHOULD retain its exact timing with this method. It won't be in the same position relative to the grid/meter, but that suits my process fine!
post edited by Trapezoid - 2016/02/02 00:21:10