Logic Express 8 Getting Started
Apple Inc. © 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Apple. Your rights to the software are governed by the accompanying software licence agreement. The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
1 Preface 5 6 Contents Welcome to Logic Conventions of This Manual Chapter 1 7 9 9 10 13 18 21 22 Starting Your Project and Importing Media Files A Quick Note About Templates Getting to Know the Arrange Window Creating Tracks Adding Media Files Navigating Your Project Undoing Operations Selecting Tracks and Regions Chapter 2 25 25 28 30 Recording Preparing to Record Audio Recording Audio Regions Recording an Instrument Part Chapter 3 33 34 36 38 44 Creating Your Arrangement Choosing Tools Mutin
Chapter 7 63 64 65 67 70 Mixing and Exporting Your Project Using the Channel Strip Controls Changing the Routing of Channel Strips Automating Your Mix Exporting Your Project Chapter 8 71 71 72 73 Speeding Up Your Workflow Using Key Commands Using Screensets Using Control Surfaces Appendix A 75 75 76 Audio and MIDI Basics MIDI Audio Appendix B 79 79 80 Audio and MIDI in Mac OS X Core Audio Core MIDI Appendix C 81 83 Optimizing Your Computer Audio System Troubleshooting Glossary 89 Index 4
Preface Welcome to Logic This guide is designed to get you up and running with Logic in the shortest possible time. It does not cover all areas of the program. What you will find are descriptions of the most essential aspects of Logic’s interface, commands, and menus—the “tip of the iceberg,” if you will. In most cases, one method will be shown. As you become more familiar with Logic, you’ll discover that there are often several ways to achieve an end result.
Conventions of This Manual The following conventions are used in this manual: Menu Functions For functions that can be reached via hierarchical menus, the different menu levels are illustrated as follows: Menu > Menu entry > Function. Important Entries Some text will be shown as follows: Important: Information on function or parameter. These entries discuss a key concept or technical information that should, or must, be followed or taken into account. Please pay special attention to these entries.
1 Starting Your Project and Importing Media Files 1 The basic Logic file (or document) type is the project. A project can contain audio recordings, MIDI performances, and your personal working preferences. A project must be open before you can work in Logic. To launch Logic, open and save a new project: 1 Double-click the Logic icon in the Applications folder. The Templates dialog appears. 2 Choose the Empty Project item in the Templates dialog.
The empty project will open, and you will see the New Tracks dialog. 3 Ensure that the Audio button is highlighted. If not, click it. 4 For now, simply click the Create button at the lower-right corner of the New Tracks dialog. The main Logic window—the Arrange—is shown, with one audio track visible. 5 Choose File > Save As, which will open the Save As dialog. 6 Type in a new name, such as “test.” Choose the desired folder path (or create a new one).
A Quick Note About Templates When you first open Logic, it looks for a project file. If no suitable files are found, the Templates dialog automatically opens. You can also open it at any time by choosing File > New. The Templates dialog contains a number of “ready-to-wear” projects that have been customized for particular jobs; creating a printed score, working with film, creating a hip-hop track, and so on. Take a look at each of them, after you’ve read the guide.
 Toolbar: Toolbar buttons execute several major functions. The Media and Lists buttons open/close the Media and Lists areas (shown below the buttons, when open).  Local menu bar: Provides access to window-specific functions.  Tool menu: Provides access to tools, used for selection and editing tasks.  Bar ruler: Horizontally displays Logic’s time axis—from left to right. It is also used for navigation, playback, and recording tasks.  Track list: This is where you select, create, move, and delete tracks.
Check out the Format, Input, and other options available while the dialog is open. 4 Click the Create button. The dialog closes, and three new audio tracks (“Audio 2,” “Audio 3,” and “Audio 4”) are created in the Arrange track list. 5 Repeat the steps above, but click the Software Instrument button, and type “4” in the numeric field of the New Tracks dialog to create four new software instrument tracks (“Inst 1,” “Inst 2,” and so on). Important: Now would be a great time to save your project.
3 Click on any of the entries (known as settings) shown in the second or third column. Play your keyboard after loading each setting. You will see that the left Arrange channel strip automatically updates—usually with at least two or more (blue) Insert slots, plus the Instrument slot—being activated. These are known as channel strip settings, rather than individual instrument settings. Not only is an instrument plug-in loaded, but also all effect plug-ins used by the channel strip.
Adding Media Files When you record or add MIDI or audio files (media, in other words) to the Arrange window, narrow rectangles called regions appear—horizontally aligned on track lanes. An audio region represents an underlying audio file (or a portion of it). This can be an existing or new audio recording. A MIDI region represents an individual recording, or take of MIDI data. Again, this can be an existing or new recording.
To add an audio region by importing an audio Apple Loop to an audio track: 1 In the Media area to the right of the Arrange window, click the Loops tab. The Loop Browser replaces the Library. Column View button 2 Click the Column View button towards the top right of the Loop Browser. 3 Click All in the left column, at the top of the Loops Browser. A list of sub-categories appears in the center column. 4 Click All Drums in the center column, and click All Drums in the right column, when it appears.
To add other audio file types with the Browser: 1 Click the Browser tab at the top of the Media area. The Browser replaces the Loop Browser. Path menu Bookmark buttons View buttons Back and Forward buttons Search field Search filters File list Play button 2 Locate the desired file in the Browser. Navigation in the Browser is much like using the Mac OS X Finder. The method of navigation is the same for all file types. The bookmark buttons, Path menu, and Back and Forward buttons aid navigation.
You can switch the Browser between two views: List and Browser view. List view Browser view  List view displays folders and their contents in a list. You enter a folder by doubleclicking it.  Browser view exposes the contents of a folder in new frames to the right of the selected folder. You only need to click once on a folder to enter it. To switch between List and Browser view: m Click on the Browser button to access the Browser view. Click on the List button to access List view.
You can consider the MIDI region a container for MIDI information. This can include— either individually or in combination—note events, controllers, program changes, or even SysEx for your MIDI tone generators. All MIDI event types are discussed in the Logic user manual. Important: The Arrange window only deals with regions—it does not allow you to edit the MIDI events or audio information in regions! If you need to make precise changes to the region content, you can do so in the editor windows.
To create a track and import an audio file in one step, either: m Double-click on an audio file name in the Browser. m Drag an audio file from the Finder into the Arrange window. A new audio track is created at the bottom of the track list. An audio region is created at the playhead position on the new track. Navigating Your Project Navigation—and playback—of Logic projects can be achieved in several ways: with the Transport, in the Bar ruler, or by using markers or locators.
Using the Bar Ruler The Bar ruler displays the project timeline, from left to right. It is broken down into bar and beat divisions, indicated by vertical lines and numbers. You can also view actual time values by clicking on the note icon at the right-hand end of the Bar ruler, and choosing a suitable option from the pop-up menu. Playhead The Bar ruler and Transport are closely tied to each other, with several functions accessible in both.
Setting and Using the Cycle The upper portion of the Bar ruler contains the cycle stripe—shaded gray when inactive, or green when active. The cycle acts as a set of playback markers (or locators). When Logic is in Cycle mode, the playhead will continuously loop between the start and end points of the cycle. The cycle can be placed anywhere in your project, and can be of any length. Beyond playback duties, the cycle can also be used to define a section of your project for editing operations.
To change the cycle length: m Move the mouse over the right or left-hand end of the cycle in the Bar ruler (the cursor will change to a resize icon), and drag it to the right or left. Keep an eye on the locator display in the Transport bar while changing the cycle length. Left locator Playhead Position display Right locator Undoing Operations Before getting too far into the “hands-on” portion of this guide, you should know about the Logic safety net—the Undo function.
To reverse a number of operations, commands, or functions: 1 Choose Edit > Undo History (or press Option-Z) to open the Undo History window. The Undo History window shows a list of all operations. All operations are listed from the bottom up—with the most recent operation shown at the foot of the list. 2 Click on any step to reverse all operations, starting with the most recent (bottom of the list), and working backwards (up the list). To undo or redo an isolated step: m Command-click on the desired step.
Selecting Regions Regions can be freely selected on any track, at any time—regardless of whether or not the parent track is selected. To select a region: m Click directly on the audio region on the Audio 1 track. Selected regions are easily identified by a black name bar that spans the top of the region. To select several regions, do one of the following: m Click-hold on the Arrange area background, and drag across several regions. As you do so, you’ll see a rubber band selection area.
2 Recording 2 Both audio and MIDI information can be recorded directly in the Arrange area. The procedure is more or less the same for any recordings you make: select (and arm) a track, start recording, perform, stop recording. Recordings can even automatically start and end at predefined positions (punch recording), can be comp-ed, offset, and much more. See the Logic user manual for full details.
To set the project sample rate: m Choose File > Project Settings > Audio (or use the Open Audio Project Settings key command), and choose the desired sample rate in the Sample Rate menu. The Importance of the Sample Rate Digital audio needs to play at its original sample rate, or be converted to a different one, before playback at another sample rate.
To alter the metronome settings: 1 Click the Settings button in the Arrange Toolbar, and choose Metronome from the menu. In general, you won’t need to alter the Metronome settings, but some people prefer to only hear the click during the count-in. 2 Do one of the following  Check the “Only during count-in” checkbox to limit the click to the count-in.  Uncheck the “Click while recording” checkbox to disable the metronome while recording.
Recording Audio Regions The following assumes you have correctly connected a microphone, guitar, or some other audio source that you can record. For more information on doing this, see the Logic user manual. To make a standard audio recording: 1 Turn off Cycle mode, if enabled. 2 Click the Record Enable button on the Audio 2 track (or another region-free audio track, if you added a few Apple Loops or other files earlier). This arms the track.
Recording Takes Logic provides advanced take management facilities. A take is a part (a guitar solo, for example) that is performed and recorded multiple times. You can record several consecutive versions of a solo, and pick the best take, for example. Takes are usually created by recording in Cycle mode, but can also be created by simply recording over existing regions. Takes also form the basis for comping tasks, where the best performances (from several takes) are compiled into a single “super take.
To select different takes when viewing an open take folder: m Click on the corresponding take header. All take editing operations are covered in the Recording chapter of the Logic user manual. Recording an Instrument Part Earlier on, you used the Library to load an instrument into the Inst 4 track, and chose a setting. To record an instrument region: 1 Click the Inst 4 track name in the track list. The name shown in the track list is that of the active channel strip setting.
To correct the timing of your recording: m Click on the Quantization value in the Region Parameter box, and try out a few quantization values. If you find one that nicely tightens things up—keep it! If you really blew it, re-record the part. Press the Backspace key (or choose the Eraser tool, and click on the region—see Tools section in next chapter) to delete the region, then repeat steps 1 and 2.
3 3 Creating Your Arrangement The large gray space to the right of the track list is the Arrange area. This is where recorded or imported audio or MIDI regions (such as the Apple Loops you’ve added, and your recordings) are arranged into a song structure. You can freely drag and drop your regions from position to position, loop, copy, cut, and resize them. Arrange area Bar ruler Just above the Bar ruler—to the top right of the Arrange area—you’ll see the Drag and Snap menus.
Choosing Tools Key to selecting, and altering, audio and MIDI regions in the Arrange (and events or data in other editing windows) are the tools. The Tool menus contain a Pointer, Pencil, Eraser, Scissor, and Glue tools (amongst others) that allow you to select, create, and edit regions (or events). Left-click Tool menu Right-click Tool menu Command-click Tool menu The Tool menus are context-sensitive. This means that different tools are available in different windows.
∏ Tip: You can quickly access tools by pressing the Esc key on your computer keyboard. The Tool menu will float at the current mouse pointer position. When this floating menu appears, simply click the appropriate tool (or press the corresponding keyboard key, shown to the right of the tool names) to make it active. Effective Range of the Tools  Tools are only effective in the working area of the editing window that they were selected in.
 Editing lengths (by click-holding the bottom right or left corner of a region or event, and dragging horizontally).  Click-holding and dragging—horizontally and/or vertically—anywhere on the window’s background allows you to rubber band select multiple regions (or events). Pencil The Pencil is used to add new regions or events. You can also select, drag, and alter the length of regions/events with this tool. Eraser The Eraser deletes regions/events. This is done by clicking on them once.
To mute several regions with the Mute tool: 1 Shift-click, or rubber band select the regions that you want to mute (this selection can be made when the Mute or Pointer tool is active). 2 Click on any of the selected regions with the Mute tool. ∏ Tip: You can also mute one or more selected regions by right-clicking in the Arrange area. This opens the shortcut menu, where Mute and many other functions are available. Simply choose Mute in the menu to mute the selected regions.
Muting Tracks You can click on a track’s Mute button to stop the track (and therefore all regions on the track lane) from playing. The button turns blue when active. To mute multiple tracks: m Click-hold the Mute button of one track, and drag the mouse up or down. The Mute buttons of all swiped tracks will switch to the same state. Soloing Tracks Both MIDI and audio tracks offer Solo buttons. Soloing a track isolates it while playing—and mutes all other tracks. The button turns yellow when active.
Moving Regions Key to creating any arrangement is the ability to move song segments (regions) to where they are needed. To move a region: m Select the region, and drag it to a new position. To move several selected regions: m Click-hold any of the selected regions, and drag (all regions) to a new position. Dragged regions automatically “snap” to increments defined by the Snap menu setting. The Drag menu setting can also impact on behavior, when you drag regions to a position that overlaps other regions.
Dividing Regions You can slice any region into several parts, thus creating several individual regions. This allows you to move, copy, delete, or individually process each region. This is particularly handy when you want to use portions of a drum loop in different locations (as drum fills), for example. To divide a region: 1 Select the Scissors tool, then place the cursor over the desired region. 2 Click-hold, and drag to the left or right, while keeping an eye on the help tag.
Copying Regions Regions can be replicated, allowing their use at other points in your project. An alternative to copying are the looping options, and the creation of alias MIDI regions, or clone audio regions. The looping options are discussed shortly. Details on alias and clone regions can be found in the Logic user manual. To copy a region, do one of the following: m Select the Pointer tool, and click on the desired region, then choose Edit > Copy (default key command: Command-C).
Deleting Regions You can remove regions from your project by using any of the methods outlined below. To delete a region, do one of the following: m Select the Eraser tool, and click on the desired region. Eraser tool m Use any of the selection methods discussed earlier (for one, or multiple regions), and either: Â Click on one of the selected regions with the Eraser tool. Â Press the Backspace or Delete key. Â Right-click, and choose Delete from the shortcut menu. All selected regions will be deleted.
Looping Regions Regions can be continuously played back, by creating a number of loop repeats. These look like ghost versions of the original region, as that is essentially what they are— reflections of the source region. As mentioned earlier, you can reduce or extend the length of any region by dragging the start or end point of the region (lower right or left corner). This has a direct impact on the length of the region, obviously, and also affects the length of all loops.
Using the Inspector The Inspector, to the left of the Arrange window, is divided into three main areas. From top to bottom: the Region Parameter box, the Track Parameter box, and the Arrange channel strips.
To change a parameter value: m Simply click-hold to the extreme right of the Region Parameter box—alongside the desired parameter name (Quantize, for example). Â This will open a menu for some parameters. For others, the mouse pointer acts as a slider. Â Drag the mouse on the vertical axis (up and down) to change the value of these parameters. Please give this a try for each parameter (on both an audio and MIDI region)—to familiarize yourself with the methods used to interact with each of them.
Use the Track/Channel Transposition parameter when you want to transpose all regions on a track (or for a particular channel strip), rather than selecting and transposing each region (with the Transposition parameter in the Region Parameter box). ∏ Tip: If you want to transpose most regions on a track, use the Track/Channel parameter, and then individually use the Region Transposition parameter on the few regions that you don’t want to transpose.
4 Editing MIDI Events 4 The individual events in MIDI regions can be edited. Most commonly, you will adjust the position, pitch, and length of MIDI note events. On occasion, you may need to alter other types of MIDI data, such as controller events. Â MIDI note event editing is best handled in the Piano Roll Editor. Â MIDI note events are represented as standard musical notation (and can also be edited) in the Score Editor.
If necessary, resize the editor area, by dragging in the space between it and the Arrange area above. Resize pointer You can vertically slide the contents of the editor area by dragging the scroll bar at the right of the window. The horizontal scroll bar slides the window contents left or right (if some events in the region aren’t visible). Take a look at all three editors, and keep an eye on the Inspector while doing so. Once you’re done, leave the Piano Roll Editor open.
To open or close the Event List: 1 Click the Lists button in the Arrange Toolbar (top right). The Lists area replaces the Media area, if open (the list editors available are: Event, Marker, Tempo, and Signature—click the respective tabs to open each). 2 Click the Event tab, if not already active. The events in either the Software Instrument Apple Loop, or your recorded MIDI region are shown as a list. Columns indicate the position, length, value, and so on, of events.
Editing and Creating Events Full details on the use of each editor are found in the Logic user manual. For now, revisit the sections on “Selecting Regions” on page 23, and “Editing Regions” on page 38. All of the techniques for region selection and editing (except looping) also apply to event selection and editing. ∏ Tip: Don’t forget the shortcut menu, accessed with a right-click.
To quantize one or more selected notes: 1 Choose the Pointer tool, and select the notes by clicking, Shift-clicking, or rubber banding. 2 Choose the desired quantization value in the Quantization menu at the top center of the Piano Roll Editor. Quantization menu Quantize button You can also click the Quantize button to quantize selected events (with the value chosen in the Quantization menu).
5 Using Instruments and Effects 5 When you added the Software Instrument Apple Loop to the Inst 1 track, you undoubtedly noticed that the corresponding Arrange channel strip was filled with a number of new fields. These are known as Insert slots, which are used for insert effects. Instrument channel strips also feature an Instrument slot (just below the I/O label on the channel strip).
To directly insert an instrument into an instrument channel strip: 1 Click the Inst 2 track name in the track list. The Inspector updates, to reflect your selection. 2 Click the Instrument slot (the slot just below I/O) on the left Arrange channel strip. A menu of all available software instruments is shown. 3 Simply click the ES E (Ensemble Synth) name, and the ES E synthesizer will be loaded into this instrument channel. The ES E plug-in window automatically opens.
To directly insert an effect into a channel strip: 1 As the Inst 2 track is already selected, simply click the top Insert slot (the slot just below Inserts) on the left channel strip. A menu of all available effect plug-ins is shown. 2 Hover the mouse pointer over the Distortion menu item, and click on Bitcrusher in the sub-menu. The Bitcrusher is loaded into the top Insert slot of this instrument channel. Its plug-in window automatically opens.
To directly insert an EQ into a channel strip: m As the Inst 2 track is already selected, simply double-click the EQ panel at the top of the left Arrange channel strip. A Channel EQ is automatically inserted into the top Insert slot (or the first available Insert slot if the top one is already used, which it would be if you’ve followed the steps above). The effects are chained, from the top Insert slot to the bottom.
 The selected channel strip section: EQ, Instrument slot, Insert slot, Channel Strip Settings slot This interaction with different parts of the Arrange channel strips makes it very easy to reconfigure your effects routings and settings. It also simplifies a number of mixing and recording tasks. To open or close the Library: 1 Click the Media button in the Arrange window Toolbar (top right). 2 Click the Library tab, if not already active.
Editing Instruments and Effects As you’ve discovered, an instrument or effect plug-in window opens when inserted into a channel strip. Full details on the parameters, and use, of each plug-in are found in the Instruments and Effects manual. For now, here are a few basics on the plug-in window.
6 Working With Audio Files 6 Projects can potentially contain thousands of audio files that you need to manage and edit. Audio file management tasks, such as renaming, creating backups, or converting to other formats are best handled in the Audio Bin. Many audio file handling tasks, such as resizing, can be performed on regions—rather than editing the underlying audio file. When you require extremely precise audio edits, however, it’s best to use the Sample Editor.
To open the Sample Editor, do one of the following: m Select an audio region or file (in the Arrange area or Audio Bin), and open the Sample Editor by clicking on the button above the Transport bar. m Double-click on an audio region or file (in the Arrange area or Audio Bin).
Managing Your Audio Files Once an audio file (of any supported format) has been added to, or recorded in, your project, it will appear in the Audio Bin (Media area). You can also directly import audio files into the Audio Bin. The Bin can be viewed as an audio file catalogue for your project. It also displays regions, derived from imported audio files. Click the Bin tab at the top of the Media area to take a look at the files you’ve imported. Audio file info Regions associated with audio file.
7 Mixing and Exporting Your Project 7 The Mixer window can show all, or some, of the channel strips used in your project. While most mixing tasks can be achieved with the Arrange channel strips, you may prefer to use the Mixer—particularly as your arrangement grows, or once you’ve finished the recording phase of your project, and are ready to “polish” your mix. To open or close the Mixer window: m Click the Mixer button, just above the Transport.
To change the Mixer view: m Click on the Single, Arrange, or All buttons at the top of the Mixer window. Â Single: Shows all channel strips in the signal path of the selected track. Â Arrange: Shows channel strips that correspond to tracks used in the Arrange window. Â All: Shows all channel strips in the project. m The Audio, Inst, Aux, and other buttons to the right act as “filters.” You can click one or more of them to refine the Mixer view.
To adjust the level of a channel strip: m In either the Mixer or Arrange (channel strips), grab the Level fader, and move it up or down. A channel strip does not need to be selected in the Mixer to adjust parameters. To adjust the panning (or balance) of a channel strip: m Click on the center of the Pan/Balance control, and move the mouse vertically. Upwards movements pan to the right, and downwards movements pan to the left.
To send a channel to a bus: m Click the top, unused Send slot of any channel, and choose Bus 1 from the menu. The following happens: Â A new auxiliary channel strip (Aux 1) is created in the Mixer—with Bus 1 shown in the Input slot (I/O section). Â A blue Bus 1 label appears on the Send slot of the channel, along with a small Send Amount knob to the right of the slot. To adjust the amount of the channel signal sent to the bus (aux channel): m Vertically drag the Send Amount knob.
Automating Your Mix At this stage, you’ve seen how many controls and parameters are available in the channel strips, and several plug-ins. Changes that you make to virtually all of these controls and parameters can be recorded and played back, just like your MIDI and audio performances. This allows you to create complex, animated mixes—with automatic channel mutes, signals that pan from side to side, synthesizer filter sweeps, channel groups slowly fading in or out, and much, much more.
To display track automation in the Arrange area, do one of the following: m Choose View > Track Automation in the Arrange area (or use the View Track Automation key command, default: A). m Click the Automation button in the Arrange Toolbar. A gray automation lane appears on all tracks, and the Automation Parameter menu is displayed in the track header. This allows you to choose the visible automation parameter. It is automatically set to Volume.
To write volume automation to an automation track: 1 Ensure that Volume is shown in the Automation Parameter menu. 2 Choose Touch, Latch, or Write in the Automation slot of the Arrange channel strip. 3 Start playback by clicking the Transport bar’s Play button. 4 Move the Level fader on the Arrange channel strip. 5 End automation recording by clicking the Transport bar’s Stop button. Note that the Automation slot of the channel strip automatically switches to Read.
Exporting Your Project Once you’ve recorded and mixed all parts, you will generally want to export your song as an audio file—for use on a CD, internet delivery, playback on your iPod, and so on. This is achieved through a process known as bouncing. To bounce your mix: 1 Click the Bounce button, towards the right of the Arrange Toolbar. 2 In the Bounce dialog, use the settings shown in the image below to create a file that is suitable for CD delivery.
8 Speeding Up Your Workflow 8 There are hundreds of functions and commands in Logic, and as many ways to use them. Ultimately, it’s your choice as to how you want to approach music making in Logic, as it generally allows you to work in a way that makes most sense to you. Most importantly, any customizations you make should accelerate and simplify your workflow. Using Key Commands You can activate most Logic functions and operations with computer keyboard shortcuts, known as key commands.
Using Screensets Every project created in Logic can contain up to 90 screensets. Screensets are window combinations that can be customized by you, and stored to numeric computer keyboard keys/key combinations. Each screenset remembers the type of editor or Arrange windows opened, plus their individual size, position, and zoom settings. This facility accelerates your workflow massively, and allows you to tailor Logic to fit your needs and tastes.
Using Control Surfaces Any device used to remotely control Logic functions is known as a control surface. Many Logic operations, including control of channel strip parameters, execution of key commands, screenset switching, track arming, muting, soloing, transport functions, and much more—can be done remotely, with any MIDI device, such as your MIDI keyboard. More flexibility is offered by dedicated hardware controllers, however.
Audio and MIDI Basics A Appendix A This appendix offers a brief overview of MIDI and digital audio basics. If you want to know what an audio file is, how audio is converted into (and from) computer information, and what this MIDI thing is all about, you’ll find it here. MIDI MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. To break this down further—the Musical Instrument part of MIDI refers to electronic musical instruments such as synthesizers, samplers, and even MIDI guitars.
The MIDI Connection MIDI, as mentioned, is also a hardware “interface” which consists of a standardized set of connectors labeled IN, OUT, and THRU. MIDI connectors consist of a round socket with five holes arranged in a semicircle. MIDI cables, used for connecting MIDI devices, have a matching plug that features five pins. Only three of the pins actually carry information. MIDI only works in one direction on each connector.
Digital and Analog Recording While digital audio recording is similar in concept to analog recordings made on tape, the technical differences are significant. For much of the 20th century, and into the 21st, analog tape recordings have been used for the storage of audio performances— spoken, sung, and played. The analog tape medium is a thin plastic strip coated in tiny metal particles. It is usually stored on a roll or spool, or as a cassette tape.
Digital Conversions When an analog audio signal arrives at the inputs of your audio interface, it must be converted into digital information before the computer can deal with it. This process is called analog to digital conversion—handled by the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) of your audio interface. At the other end of the signal path, the digital signal needs to be reconverted into an analog signal, so that it can be heard through analog audio playback systems—an amplifier and speakers.
Audio and MIDI in Mac OS X B Appendix B This chapter covers the audio and MIDI facilities of Mac OS X. Your audio and MIDI hardware can be used by all “media-aware” applications in Mac OS X. This is achieved through the use of the operating system’s Core services. Core Audio All audio devices are accessed via Core Audio in Mac OS X. Core Audio is a flexible, high-performance, low-latency audio system. Logic is compatible with any audio hardware that is supported by a Core Audio driver.
Note: Reduce the level setting of your amplification system when adjusting the volume, to avoid any speaker damage. Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) Apple’s Audio MIDI Setup application is integrated into the operating system. The AMS application is found in the Applications/Utilities folder. Note: You may find it useful to move the AMS application into the Dock.
Optimizing Your Computer Audio System C Appendix C Logic is known for its stable and reliable operation. You can further enhance your system performance by optimizing your computer configuration for music applications. Outside of music, a well-configured and well-maintained computer performs more reliably, with fewer crashes, and that’s got to be a good thing! The following pages feature tips and tricks that may help you to optimize your computer configuration.
Audio applications place high demands on the platters and mechanical parts of a hard drive. Regular hard drive maintenance is particularly important for ensuring stable, and consistent, drive operation. This includes de-fragmentation and performance checks. Frequent de-fragmentation has a positive effect on the life of a hard drive. The hard drive tools that ship with the operating system are a safe choice but these may not detect, or repair, all problems.
Troubleshooting They may be rare, but every computer user inevitably experiences seemingly severe computer problems, at some point. These may be crashes where the mouse freezes, the screen locks up, or the display is plastered with error messages. Even mature, wellwritten operating systems cannot protect you completely from hardware conflicts, bugs, or other problems. Experience has shown that such system problems are rarely caused by a defect in Apple programs or hardware products.
If Disaster Strikes Your first priority should be to make a backup of your most important documents. Attempt to copy your files (lyrics, songs, tax records) to other hard, or removable drives, without launching their associated applications. You can skip this step for CD-ROMs, but be aware that even CDs require a little care when handling: neither side of the disk should be scratched. Once you have made backups of your files and programs, the chances of a true disaster are all but eliminated.
Does the problem persist? Hard Disk Checking and File Structure Repair Logical file structure errors can be diagnosed and repaired with suitable software. Hard disk hardware defects can also be diagnosed. The boot drive (Start Volume) cannot generally be repaired if a critical error occurs. If you usually start your computer from the internal hard drive, you will need to choose another Start Volume, which will boot the computer from another drive.
Another common problem is loose internal computer connections, which commonly occur after transporting the computer. Keeping the possible consequences to your warranty in mind, as well as all safety precautions, you may wish to refasten the internal connectors, with care. Be careful though: disconnect the power cable first, and wait for the high voltage to drop. Ground yourself to the computer with an anti-static strap, or by touching the metal components of the case.
Reinstall Logic after installing the operating system. If the problem still persists, a hardware conflict, or conflict between the program and the operating system is the most likely situation. If the problem only occurs with a specific program, you will need to get in touch with the software manufacturer. If the problem lies with Logic, please contact AppleCare. AppleCare Support can be reached online at http://www.apple.com/support/logic.
Glossary Glossary AD converter or ADC Short for analog to digital converter; a device that converts an analog signal to a digital signal. AIFF Abbreviation for Audio Interchange File Format. A cross-platform file format supported by a large number of digital audio and video editing applications. AIFF audio can use a variety of bit depths, most commonly 16 and 24 bit. alias A pointer to a MIDI region in the Arrange area. An alias does not contain any data.
Arrange window The primary working window of the application. It also shows the Arrange area (see above), and can incorporate all other working areas and editors. Audio Bin Window (or tab in the Media area of the Arrange window) used for project audio file and region management, and conversion, tasks. See Media area. audio file Any digital recording of sound, stored on your hard drive. You can store audio files in the AIFF, WAV, Sound Designer II (SDII), and CAF formats in Logic.
automation Automation is the ability to record, edit, and play back the movements of all knobs, controls, and buttons, including: volume faders, pan, EQ, and aux send controls, plus most effect and instrument plug-in parameters. aux channel (strip) Aux channels are found in the Mixer (and to the left of the Arrange window), and can be used as send/returns (buses) and sub-group controls. Balance control Rotary knob directly above the Level fader of stereo channels.
Broadcast Wave See Wave. Browser A Logic window (or tab in the Media area of the Arrange window) used to browse, select, and manage all media types supported by Logic. Also see Media area. bus Busses are used to send audio to aux channel strips for processing or submixing tasks. bus channel strip The bus channel type is primarily included for backwards compatibility with older Logic versions. The bus channel strip functions of earlier versions are performed with aux channel strips in Logic.
comping A process where multiple recording takes are compiled into a single perfect take (see takes). controller MIDI data type. As examples: sliders, pedals, or standard parameters like volume and panning. The type of command is encoded in the first data byte, the value being sent or received is encoded in the second data byte. Core Audio Standardized audio driver system for all Macintosh computers running Mac OS X version 10.2 or higher.
division value Adjustable value (shown in notes) for the grid used in displays and operations. Third number displayed in the Transport bar’s Position display. The division value is set in the Transport bar, below the time signature. Drag menu A pop-up menu found in the local menu of linear editing windows. It determines the behavior of regions or events when dragged to an overlapping position. drag & drop Grabbing objects with the mouse, moving them, and releasing the mouse button.
Finger tool Tool (as used in the Piano Roll Editor, for example) that looks like a hand with an extended index finger. This tool allows you to manipulate the length of events or perform other operations in other areas of the program. FireWire Apple trademarked name for the IEEE 1394 standard. A fast and versatile serial interface, often used to connect audio interfaces, and audio processing units to computers.
input monitoring This function allows you to hear incoming audio, when audio tracks are playing, record-enabled, or recording. Simply click the Input Monitoring button on Arrange audio tracks to enable or disable input monitoring. Insert slot A panel on Logic channel strips where you can patch in (insert) an effect plug-in. Inspector Area at the left edge of the Arrange and editors, containing the Parameter boxes and channel strips (Arrange) of the selected track. Also see Parameter boxes.
Library Window (or tab in the Media area of the Arrange window) used to handle all settings files for channel strips, effects, and instruments. Link button Button in the top left corner of most Logic windows that features the chain link icon. It controls the linking between different windows. Lists area Area in the Arrange window, providing four independent tabs that show a listing of the following types of data: events, regions, markers, tempo changes, and time/key signatures.
merge Mix, or combine, two or more MIDI events or regions into a single event or region. metadata Metadata is additional descriptive information that is stored in the file header of a number of file types (Apple Loops, for example). It is used to reference external media, to simplify searches, and more. metronome A device that produces a sound that taps out the beat. In Logic, it can configured in the Metronome project settings. MIDI Abbreviation for Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
mono Short for monophonic sound reproduction. The process of mixing audio channels into a single track, using equal amounts of the left and right audio channel signals. Compare with stereo. movie See video. MP3 Abbreviation for MPEG-2 Audio Layer 3. A compressed audio file format, frequently used to distribute audio files over the Internet. mute Switch off the audio output of a channel or track.
Parameter box Field on the left side of Logic windows (or in the Inspector). It is used to adjust the parameters of the selected track, regions, events, or objects. Also see Inspector. Pencil tool Tool used to create empty MIDI regions in the Arrange. It can also be used to add audio regions to the Arrange, when used in conjunction with the Shift key. In the Sample Editor, the Pencil can be used to draw out transient signal spikes (pops and clicks) in signals.
project settings The project settings are a collection of program settings that are specific to the current project. These are different to the global preferences that affect all Logic projects (see Preferences window). protected track A protected track cannot have its contents moved or changed. punch in, punch out Going into and out of record to replace a section of an existing recording. This process can be automated in Logic. Also see Autopunch.
region Regions are found on Arrange tracks: They are rectangular beams that act as containers for audio or MIDI data. There are three different types of regions: audio regions, MIDI regions, and folder regions (usually referred to as folders). Also see: audio region, MIDI region, and folder. Region Parameter box Box in the upper part of the Arrange Inspector, used to nondestructively set the playback parameters for individual regions, including quantization, transposition, velocity, compression, and delay.
Score Editor Logic editor that deals with standard musical notation. MIDI note events are represented as quavers, crotchets, minims, and so on. The Score Editor allows you to adjust and edit the layout of the score, and print it. screenset A layout of various windows, inclusive of all display parameters (zoom, position, size of each window, and so on) is called a screenset. You can swap between different screensets, much as you might swap between different computer monitors.
software instrument Software counterpart to hardware samplers or synthesizer modules, or acoustic sound sources such as drum kits or guitars. The sounds generated by software instruments are calculated by the computer CPU, and played via the audio interface outputs. Often colloquially called softsynths or softsamplers. solo A way to temporarily highlight one or more tracks or regions or events, allowing them to be heard in isolation.
track A horizontal row in the Arrange that contains either audio or MIDI regions that can be played back over time. Each track has a specified destination (a channel strip) that data is routed to. Logic allows hundreds of tracks to be used in a project. track arming See record enable. track list Situated to the left of the Arrange. Displays the channel strips assigned to various tracks as well as Track Solo, Mute, and other buttons.
zoom control The control that appears at the bottom right of some windows, such as the Arrange. The zoom control slider allows you to navigate through the entire length of the currently displayed project. The lines on the left and right of the slider can be clicked to zoom in and out by a fixed percentage. zoom level The amount that window contents (tracks and regions, for example) are magnified. Zooming in to a high level allows you to make more precise edits.
A adding media file. See importing AIFF file 89 alias (MIDI region) 89 aliasing 89 AMS. See Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) utility analog audio 76–78, 89 Analog to Digital Converter 77, 89 anchor point 59, 89 AppleCare 87 Apple Loop described 89 importing 14, 16 type 17 Arrange area 33, 89 Arrange channel strips 46 Arrange window channel strips 46 described 90 overview 9 resizing editing area 48 arranging 33–46 AU.
bus (Mixer) described 92 sending channel strip to 66 bypassing described 92 plug-in 56, 58 C channel strip automating 67–69 auxiliary 65, 91 controls 64 described 92 grouping 65 in Arrange window 46 level 65 overview 53 panning 65 selecting 64 sending to bus 65 Send slot 66 channel strip setting described 12, 92 loading 11, 57 checkbox 92 Clipboard 92 Command-click tool 34 computer, optimizing for audio applications hard drive 81 hardware 81 memory 81 software 82 controller, described 93 control surface 73
I M importing Apple Loop (audio) 14 Apple Loop (software instrument) 16 audio file 15 described 95 Input Monitoring button 28 inserting effect. See effect, loading Insert slot 53 Inspector 44–46, 96 instrument plug-in. See software instrument Instrument slot 53 interface 96 Media area described 97 displaying 9 media file, adding Apple Loop (audio) 14 Apple Loop (software instrument) 16 audio file 15 MIDI region 16 memory 81 metronome 27, 98 MIDI 75–76, 98 MIDI editors 47–49 MIDI event.
O Q Open Audio Project Settings key command 26 Quantize tool 101 quantizing described 101 MIDI region 31 note event 51 QuickTime movie, described 101 P panning a channel 65 Paste key command 41 Pencil tool 36, 100 Piano Roll Editor creating note events 50 described 100 editing note events 50 editing velocity 50 opening 47 quantizing note events 51 pitch, described 100 playback described 100 looping 20 position 19 starting 18, 19 playhead 19, 100 Play key command 18 plug-in See also effect and software i
screenset described 72, 103 locking 72 more than nine screensets 72 recalling 72 setting up 72 selecting channel strip 64 region 23 rubber band 23, 102 tool 34 track 22, 64 send effects 65 Send slot 66, 103 sequencer, described 103 setting See also preset choosing.
