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7
Preface
Introduction
You can use hardware control surfaces to control and
automate transport, mixing, recording, and other tasks in
Logic Express.
All of the Logic Express functions which correspond to mixer controls, such as setting
volume level and pan position, can be performed on screen—using your mouse and
computer keyboard. This is not ideal for precise real time control, as only one
parameter can be adjusted at a time. You can expand your creative experience, and
gain flexibility and speed, by connecting a hardware control surface to your computer,
and using it with Logic Express.
When you move a fader on the control surface, the corresponding fader in
Logic Express moves with it. Similarly, when you adjust a control on screen, the
corresponding control on the control surface is updated. You can adjust EQ or other
parameters by turning the rotary knobs on the control surface, and have the
corresponding parameters update instantly in Logic Express.
What Are Control Surfaces?
Control surfaces are hardware devices that feature a variety of controls, which can
include faders, rotary knobs, switches, and displays. These controls can be mapped to
functions in Logic Express, allowing you to change parameters—such as volume or
panning—with more precision than is possible with your mouse and computer
keyboard. You can also control multiple parameters at the same time, dependent on
the facilities of the control surface.
Control surfaces also typically provide buttons that allow you to select parameters for
editing, or to select particular tracks/channels, or banks of channels. Many also offer a
jog wheel, which allows you to precisely move the playhead, Transport buttons (Play,
Rewind, and so on), and other controls. When you use a supported control surface with
Logic Express, some controls are pre-mapped to common functions. You can map non-
assigned controls to other Logic Express commands and functions (see “Assigning
Controllers to Logic Express Parameters” on page 37).