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12 Preface Introduction
Control Surface Plug-ins
Supported control surfaces communicate with Logic Express via special plug-in files
that are installed along with Logic Express. The plug-in files are located in the /
Contents/MIDI Device Plug-ins sub-folder of the Logic Express application bundle. To
view the bundle contents, Control-click the Logic Express application icon, and choose
Show Package Contents from the menu. Logic Express also checks for (optional) control
surface plug-ins installed in the /Library/Application Support/Logic/MIDI Device Plug-
ins and ~/Library/Application Support/Logic/MIDI Device Plug-ins (the “~” denotes your
user home directory) folders.
When new control surface plug-ins are released independently from a Logic Express
update (or supplied directly by the device manufacturer), please place them in the
folders mentioned above (or as advised in the documentation supplied with the plug-in).
About Software and Firmware
Most control surfaces depend on Logic Express for their functionality, and cannot be
operated if Logic Express is not running. They do not provide any additional
functionality that is not available in Logic Express itself. One advantage of this
approach is that as new functions are added to Logic Express, or as you create new
assignments, your control surface will be able to access and control them.
Most control surface units do include a form of software called firmware. Firmware is
similar to the low-level boot software found in your computer, cellular phone, iPod, and
so on.
New behaviors, such as improved control of motorized faders and changes to the
display, can be provided by firmware updates. You should periodically check the
manufacturer’s website for your device, to check for updates that may enhance use or
performance.
The firmware is usually stored on an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory) chip. It can often be updated via a simple MIDI dump procedure,
in the form of a MIDI file. Should new firmware become available, you can simply
download the appropriate MIDI file and play it (from Logic Express) to your control
surfaces, which will be updated accordingly. The steps required to perform a firmware
update will be outlined in the documentation that accompanies the MIDI file. Please
read this before attempting any update.
Note: Some control surfaces may require that you physically replace the chip for
firmware updates. Please contact the manufacturer of your device for details.