Specifications

50 Chapter 6 Importing Files

Importing MIDI Files

Opening and importing MIDI files behaved in a similar fashion in earlier Logic versions.

Both the Import and Open commands loaded all data (including global information,

such as tempo events) into a new song. This may not be the behavior one would

normally expect from an “import”: usually an import only loads MIDI Region data

(notes, controller, SysEx, pitchbend, specific meta events) into an opened song. This

import behavior was available in previous Logic versions: when you dragged a MIDI

file from the Finder into the Arrange window, only MIDI Region data was loaded. The

MIDI Import menu command of Logic Pro 7 initiates a “true” import.

To import a MIDI file, either:

m Choose File > Import from the main menu bar (or use the Import key command), then

select the desired MIDI file in the ensuing file selector box.

Note: You can only import MIDI files if a “target” song is already open. If no song is

open, the File > Import item is dimmed.

The MIDI file is placed at the SPL position, rounded to bars.

m Drag the desired MIDI file from the Finder into the Arrange window.

The mouse position—when the mouse button is released—determines the position

(rounded to the nearest bar) and destination of the first track in the imported file.

Both methods only load MIDI Region data (notes, controller, pitchbend, SysEx, certain

meta events), with global data (such as tempo events, signatures, chords, track names,

SMPTE start and so on) being ignored.

If you want to load all information contained in a MIDI file, you must open it.

To open a MIDI file:

1 Choose File > Open from the main menu bar (or use the Open key command), then

select the desired MIDI file in the ensuing file selector box.

If a song is loaded, a dialog will ask if you want to create a new environment or copy

the current environment for the MIDI file.

2 Do one of the following:

Â Click Copy to replicate the existing environment. The tracks of the MIDI file are

automatically assigned to suitable instruments.

Â Click New to load the environment of the default song template (this template is

based on choices made when you ran the Logic Setup Assistant).

The MIDI file is loaded as a new song that contains all MIDI events—inclusive of time

positions and channel assignments, names of individual tracks, names and positions of