Logic Pro 9 Exploring Logic Pro
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Contents 7 Chapter 1: Welcome to Logic Pro 8 Opening the Demo Project 8 Using Key Commands 9 9 13 16 18 24 28 29 30 33 Chapter 2: Building a Basic Project Creating a Project Exploring the Arrange Window Playing Instruments Adding Apple Loops Navigating the Project Setting the Project Tempo Exploring the Audio Bin Choosing Tools Creating a Basic Arrangement 36 Exploring a Track’s Channel Strip 39 Exporting the Project 41 Key Concepts 3
5 46 51 54 58 Chapter 3: Working with Instruments and Effects Adding Individual Instruments and Effects Working with Plug-in Settings Loading Channel Strip Settings Key Concepts 59 59 62 65 67 70 75 77 79 Chapter 4: Recording and Comping Audio Setting the Metronome and Count-in Making an Audio Recording Recording Audio Takes Exploring Take Folders Creating and Editing Comps Editing Take Regions Managing Take Folder Contents Key Concepts 81 Chapter 5: Recording MIDI 81 84 86 88 89 91 4 Making a MIDI R
93 94 96 98 99 103 Chapter 6: Creating an Arrangement Previewing the Demo Project Dividing Regions Merging Regions Copying Regions Cropping Regions 105 Editing Arrange Sections 106 Key Concepts 107 109 111 119 121 123 Chapter 7: Flex Time Editing Exploring Flex View and Flex Modes Creating and Moving Flex Markers in Flex View Creating and Moving Flex Markers with the Flex Tool Quantizing Audio Key Concepts 125 Chapter 8: Editing MIDI Events 125 128 130 131 133 135 Exploring the MIDI Editors Selecting N
136 Editing the Velocity of Notes 138 Quantizing Notes 139 Key Concepts 141 Chapter 9: Mixing the Project 142 Exploring the Mixer 144 147 149 150 153 Working with Channel Strip Groups Adding Effects to Multiple Channel Strips Creating a Submix Routing Signals with a Multi-Output Instrument Key Concepts 155 156 159 162 163 Chapter 10: Automating Your Mix Exploring Track Automation Using Touch and Latch Modes Creating and Editing Automation Nodes and Lines Key Concepts 165 Chapter 11: Getting Answers 165
Welcome to Logic Pro 1 If you are new to Logic Pro or have a limited knowledge of the application, this guide is for you. Each chapter of this book presents major features and guides you in trying things out. Chapter 2 lets you build a basic project from scratch, while the remaining chapters take you through the entire production process including recording, arranging, editing, and mixing. This guide assumes that you’ve installed Logic Pro on your computer.
Opening the Demo Project While you can use your own projects to support the tasks in this guide, many of the tasks from Chapter 4 onward reference the contents of “The Numbers Game,” a demo project taken from Thievery Corporation’s fifth studio album, Radio Retaliation, and featuring Chuck Brown. To open “The Numbers Game” demo project: mm Open Logic Pro, then choose Help > Exploring Logic Pro Demo Project.
Building a Basic Project 2 This chapter gets you up and running with Logic Pro in the shortest possible time. If you are new to digital music production, you can use this chapter to learn how to use the basic features of Logic Pro to build a simple music project from scratch. Creating a Project You’ll start by opening Logic Pro and creating a new project, then you’ll save it. Open Logic Pro and create a new project: 1 Double-click the Logic Pro icon in your Applications folder.
2 In the Templates dialog that appears, click the Empty Project button. Empty Project button 3 In the New Tracks dialog, select the Software Instrument option, then click the Create button.
Understanding Tracks and Regions An audio track is a lane in the Arrange area that is used for the playback, recording, and editing of audio regions. An audio region is a rectangular object that resides on an audio track. It can be freely edited and its boundaries correspond to start and end points within the underlying audio file it is associated with.
After creating a project, you can quickly save it. When you save a project, a project file is saved within a project folder—which can contain the project’s audio files and other assets (such as sample and movie files). Saving a project with assets simplifies archiving and exchanging projects but increases the project folder’s size. Save the project: mm Choose File > Save As in the main menu bar (or press Command-Shift-S), make the following selections in the Save As dialog, then click Save.
Exploring the Arrange Window The Arrange window is the primary working window of Logic Pro. It incorporates all working areas and editors, including the Arrange area. The Arrange area is the primary working space of Logic Pro. It is used to record, edit, and arrange the audio and MIDI regions of a project.
Try This Explore the Inspector: mm Click the Inspector button to hide or show the Inspector. The Inspector shows parameters for the selected working area or editor. For example, if the Arrange area is active (indicated by a white frame), you can set region and track parameters. Also shown are the channel strips that reference the selected track in the Arrange area. mm Click the Score button at the bottom of the Arrange area.
View the editors: mm Click the Sample Editor, Piano Roll, and Score buttons at the bottom of the Arrange area. Clicking these buttons shows or hides the editors—where you edit audio and MIDI regions. mm Click the Mixer button. This shows or hides the area where you mix your project. Get to know the Transport bar: mm Control-click the Transport bar, then choose Customize Transport Bar from the shortcut menu. This dialog shows the full list of functions accessible from the Transport bar.
Playing Instruments You use the Library to insert an instrument, plus its effects, into a track’s channel strip. This allows you to play the instrument from the selected track. Getting Ready mm Click the Library tab in the Media area if the Library is not open. Try This Load an instrument (plus its effects): 1 Navigate through the categories and subcategories in the Library, then click any of the entries (known as settings).
Use the Caps Lock keyboard to generate MIDI notes: 1 Press the Caps Lock key on your computer keyboard to reveal a virtual keyboard on the screen. 2 Use your computer keys as follows to generate MIDI notes: ÂÂ Use the numeric keys to define the octave for the MIDI keyboard. ÂÂ Use the first two rows of letter keys as counterparts for MIDI keyboard keys. ÂÂ Use the lowest row of letter keys to set MIDI note velocity. ÂÂ Use the Space bar for the Sustain function.
Adding Apple Loops You can start composing a song by dragging Apple Loops from the Loop Browser to the Arrange area. Apple Loops are prerecorded musical phrases or riffs that are available in a variety of instruments, genres, and moods. There are two types of Apple Loops—Apple Loops audio files and software instrument Apple Loops files—and you can add them to your project in the following ways: ÂÂ Add Apple Loops audio files to audio tracks.
Getting Ready Open the Loop Browser: mm Click the Loops tab in the Media area, then click one of the category buttons. Reset button View buttons Search field Category buttons Green labels indicate software instrument Apple Loops files. Blue labels indicate Apple Loops audio files.
Try This Preview Apple Loops: mm Click any loop at the bottom of the tab to start playback. A second click stops playback. Repeat this for different loops. Add a software instrument Apple Loops file: 1 Click the Reset button in the Loops tab to reset any active category button selection. 2 Click the Rock/Blues category button, locate Classic Rock Steel 01, then drag the loop onto the Inst 1 track, aligning its start position at bar 1. A MIDI region is added to the track.
Search for a software instrument Apple Loops file: 1 Click the Reset button, type “Woody Latin Bass 01” in the Search field, then press the Return key. The matching file is displayed in the file list. Search field Search result 2 Drag Woody Latin Bass 01 into the empty Arrange area, to start at bar 1. A new software instrument track is created, with the loop added to it.
Add an Apple Loops audio file to your project: mm Click the All Drums button, then drag Live Edgy Drums 05 into the empty Arrange area, to start at bar 1. A new audio track is created, with the original audio recording added to it. Audio region Add a software instrument Apple Loops file to an audio track: mm Click the Reset button, followed by the Elec Piano button, then drag Fusion Electric Piano 01 onto the existing audio track lane, directly after Live Edgy Drums 05.
2 Click the By Genres category folder, followed by Electronic in the second column, followed by Beats in the third column. The value in brackets indicates the number of files that fall into this subcategory (Beats). The files are shown at the bottom of the tab. Tag Apple Loops as Favorites: mm For any Apple Loops that you like, or wish to use again later, select the Fav (Favorites) checkbox. This adds the loop to the Favorites category, displayed whenever you click the Favorites button or category.
Navigating the Project You control navigation and playback actions with the Transport bar or Bar ruler. ÂÂ Transport bar: ÂÂ Bar ruler: Bar ruler Playhead (indicates the current playback position) The Transport bar and Bar ruler are closely tied to each other, with several functions accessible in both. These include the Play and Stop commands, activation of Cycle mode, and setting the cycle length.
Try This Start and stop playback: mm Click the Play button on the Transport bar (or press the Space bar on your computer keyboard) to start playback. Stop button Play button mm Click the Stop button on the Transport bar (or press the Space bar) to stop playback. mm Double-click the lower part of the Bar ruler to start playback from the clicked position. Another double-click stops playback. Double-click the lower part of the Bar ruler.
Move the playhead: mm Click the lower part of the Bar ruler to move the playhead to the clicked position. mm Drag the playhead to a new position. mm Press the Return key when the project is not playing. The playhead moves to the project start position. mm Click the Rewind or Forward button on the Transport bar during playback. Rewind button Forward button With each click, the playhead either jumps back to the previous bar (Rewind) or ahead to the next bar (Forward).
Loop playback of a project section: 1 Click the shaded gray cycle area in the top part of the Bar ruler. Click here to activate the cycle. The cycle range is activated between the left and right locator positions. Left locator Right locator 2 Drag the left or right locator in the Bar ruler to extend or shorten the cycle range. 3 Press the Space bar to start playback. The playhead continually loops playback within the cycle range.
Setting the Project Tempo New projects default to a project tempo of 120 bpm or to the native tempo of the first Apple Loops file added. When you add subsequent Apple Loops, they automatically play at the project tempo. You can adjust the tempo to suit the style or mood of your music. Tempo display Try This Set the project tempo: 1 Press the Space bar to start playback of the project. 2 Drag the Tempo display vertically—upward for a faster tempo or downward for a slower tempo.
Exploring the Audio Bin The Audio Bin can be viewed as an audio file catalog for your project. Once an audio file has been added to your project, it appears in the Bin. Getting Ready Open the Bin: mm Click the Bin tab at the top of the Media area (or press the B key). The two Apple Loops audio files you added to the audio track in the previous section appear in the Bin. The Info column displays audio file and region information. The horizontal bars indicate the overall audio file length.
Choosing Tools Key to selecting and altering audio and MIDI regions in the Arrange area are the tools. You change the currently active tool by choosing the appropriate Tool menu item. The pointer adopts the shape of the selected tool, making it easy to recognize. In this section, you’ll assign tools that can be accessed via left-clicking or Command-clicking.
Try This Choose a tool: mm Click the Left-click Tool menu at the upper right of the Arrange area, then choose a tool. mm Press the Esc key on your computer keyboard. The Tool pop-up menu floats at the current pointer position. Choose a tool from the pop-up menu to make it active. Press the Esc key twice more to make the Pointer tool active. mm Click the Command-click Tool menu at the upper right of the Arrange area, then choose a tool. A second tool is assigned for use via Command-click.
Zoom regions: mm With the Zoom tool selected, drag across the Classic Rock Steel 01 region. The screen is zoomed in on the selected area. mm With the Zoom tool selected, click anywhere in the Arrange area background. The zoom level returns to the original setting or backtracks through previous zoom steps if the tool was used multiple times. Tip: If the Zoom tool is not assigned in the Tool menu, holding down the Control and Option keys provides quick access to the zoom in and out behaviors just described.
Creating a Basic Arrangement You’ll do the majority of region editing and arrangement in the Arrange area. Besides standard copy, cut, and paste operations, you can move, delete, loop, and resize regions, and more. Try This Move regions: mm Using the default Pointer tool, drag Woody Latin Bass 01 to bar 5 and Live Edgy Drums 05 to bar 9. Delete a region: mm Select the Fusion Electric Piano 01 audio region on the audio track, then press the Delete key.
mm Drag across the other two regions to select them, then select the Loop checkbox in the Inspector’s Region Parameter box. The two selected regions loop to the project end. Region Parameter box Loop checkbox Tip: Press the L key to quickly loop or unloop selected regions.
Change the length of regions: mm Drag the lower-right corner of the Woody Latin Bass 01 region from bar 9 to bar 7. The looped regions are also resized in length.
Exploring a Track’s Channel Strip A track’s content is played back through a channel strip. ÂÂ Audio channel strips control the playback and recording of audio signals on audio tracks. ÂÂ Instrument channel strips allow you to use and control software instruments. Software instrument plug-ins are inserted into the channel strip’s Instrument slot. The instrument channel strip can then be driven by a recorded MIDI region, or by direct MIDI input—playing your MIDI keyboard.
Getting Ready Display a track’s channel strip: mm Select any software instrument track in the Arrange area, and activate the Inspector button (or press the I key).
Try This Mute and unmute channel strips and tracks: mm Click the channel strip Mute (M) button. The track Mute button is also activated. mm Click the track Mute button (or press Control-M). The channel strip Mute button is also activated. mm Drag over the Mute buttons of several tracks. They are all activated in one swipe. mm Command-click the track Mute button. The mute state of all Mute buttons is cleared.
Exporting the Project To share your music project, you can export it in various audio file formats such as MP3 or AIFF. You can also add it directly to your iTunes library. This export process is known as bouncing. Try This Bounce your mix: 1 Click the Bounce button in the top right of the Arrange toolbar.
2 In the Bounce dialog, choose your settings for MP3 file creation: Note: If the cycle is active, only the project section spanned by the cycle area is exported. You can change this by editing the Start and End fields in the Bounce dialog. 3 Select the “Add to iTunes library” checkbox to add the file to your iTunes library. 4 Click the Bounce button. The project section is bounced.
Key Concepts ÂÂ Project: A Logic document. It contains all MIDI regions and references to the audio files to be played back. A project file is saved within a project folder, which can contain the project’s audio files and other assets (such as video and sample files). Saving a project with assets simplifies archiving and exchanging projects but increases the project folder’s size. ÂÂ Audio track: A lane in the Arrange area that is used for the playback, recording, and editing of audio regions.
ÂÂ Editors: Areas below the Arrange area where you can edit audio and MIDI regions, or mix your project. ÂÂ Transport bar: Area at the bottom of the Arrange window where you can control recording and playback functions. ÂÂ Media area: Area containing several tabs where you can access audio and MIDI files, either your own or prerecorded. ÂÂ Bin tab: Tab within the Media area that is used for project audio file and region management and conversion tasks.
ÂÂ Apple Loops: Prerecorded audio and MIDI-based files located in the Loop Browser. ÂÂ Channel strip: A virtual representation of a mixing console channel strip. Contains Mute and Solo buttons, Volume fader, Pan/Balance control, Insert slots, and more. ÂÂ Audio channel strip: Controls the playback and recording of audio signals on an audio track. ÂÂ Instrument channel strip: Allows you to use and control software instruments.
Working with Instruments and Effects 3 Logic Pro provides a number of ways to add instruments and effects to your channel strips. Channel strips contain Insert slots, which are used for inserting effects. Effects color or shape the tone of existing audio recordings, software instruments, and external audio sources in real time. Instrument channel strips also feature an Instrument slot, which is used for inserting instruments. Instruments are used for real-time playback in Logic Pro.
You can choose whether to insert effect and instrument plug-ins on an individual basis, directly on the channel strip’s Insert and Instrument slots, or to load channel strip settings. You’ll experiment with both methods in this chapter. Adding Individual Instruments and Effects In this section, you’ll add instrument and effects plug-ins directly on the channel strip.
Try This Insert an instrument into a channel strip: mm Click the Instrument slot on the left Arrange channel strip, then choose any instrument from the plug-in menu. The plug-in is loaded and the window opens. Use your MIDI keyboard (or the Logic Pro Caps Lock keyboard; see Chapter 2) to play some notes.
Insert an effect into a channel strip: mm Click the top Insert slot on the left Arrange channel strip, then choose any effect from the plug-in menu. The plug-in is loaded and the window opens.
Insert an EQ into a channel strip: mm Double-click the EQ area at the top of the left Arrange channel strip. A Channel EQ is automatically inserted into the first available Insert slot if the top one is already used, which it would be if you’ve followed the previous steps. EQ area Insert slot with Channel EQ loaded You can also Option-double-click the EQ area to insert the Channel EQ as the first plugin, moving all existing plug-ins one slot down.
Remove a plug-in: mm Click any occupied Instrument slot or Insert slot, then choose No Plug-in from the popup menu. The plug-in is removed from the slot, leaving it empty. Deactivate a plug-in without removing it: mm Option-click the occupied Instrument slot or Insert slot. The slot turns from blue to gray, which indicates that the plug-in is on the channel strip but no longer active.
Working with Plug-in Settings A plug-in setting is a set of plug-in parameter values that can be loaded, saved, copied, or pasted via the Settings menu. Click here to access the Settings menu in the plug-in header. Plug-in settings are stored with the project file and are automatically recalled the next time the project is loaded. You can change these settings individually by adjusting individual parameters or by loading an entire setting for the plug-in.
Try This Adjust individual plug-in settings: mm Adjust individual controls in any open plug-in window. ÂÂ Click switches or buttons to turn the parameter on or off. ÂÂ Drag knobs vertically to adjust the parameter value. ÂÂ Drag slider handles to adjust the parameter value. ÂÂ Option-click a parameter to reset it to the default value. Save the new plug-in settings: mm Choose Save Setting As from the Settings menu, type a name for the new setting, then click Save.
Load a setting: mm Choose a different setting from the list of presets at the bottom of the Settings menu. mm Reload the setting you saved previously from the Settings menu. mm Click the Next or Previous Setting buttons in the plug-in header. The next or previous setting from the list of presets is loaded. Previous Setting button Next Setting button mm Click any occupied Instrument slot or Insert slot.
Loading Channel Strip Settings You can load a whole chain of plug-ins using channel strip settings. When you load a channel strip setting to an audio channel strip, you load a chain of effects. In the case of instrument channel strips, you load an instrument and a chain of effects. Channel strip settings can be accessed from the Setting button directly on the channel strip or from the Library tab in the Media area.
Try This Load a channel strip setting from the Library: 1 Navigate through the categories and subcategories in the Library, then click any of the entries (known as settings). The Setting button, Insert slots, and Instrument slot on the left Arrange channel strip are updated to reflect the channel strip setting and its effect and instrument plug-ins. Setting button Insert slots Instrument slot 2 Use your MIDI keyboard (or the Logic Pro Caps Lock keyboard; see Chapter 2) to play some notes.
3 Repeat steps 1 and 2, trying out different channel strip settings. Play some notes on your keyboard after each change of setting. Load a channel strip setting in the Arrange channel strip: mm Click and hold down the Setting button in the left Arrange channel strip, navigate through the setting categories and subcategories, then click one.
Select the previous or next channel strip setting: mm Click the Setting button in the left Arrange channel strip, then choose Previous Channel Strip Setting or Next Channel Strip Setting from the pop-up menu. The Setting button, Insert slots, and Instrument slot on the channel strip are updated to reflect the new setting. Save and recall a channel strip setting: 1 Navigate through the categories and subcategories in the Library, then click any of the entries.
Key Concepts ÂÂ Channel strip: A virtual representation of a mixing console channel strip. Can be used to insert instruments and effects using the channel strip’s Instrument and Insert slots. ÂÂ Instrument slot: A panel on a channel strip where you insert an instrument plug-in. ÂÂ Insert slot: A panel on a channel strip where you insert an effect plug-in. ÂÂ Effects: Color or shape the tone of existing audio recordings, software instruments, and external audio sources, in real time.
Recording and Comping Audio 4 You can record and comp audio directly in the Arrange area. In this chapter, you’ll try out some basic audio recording techniques and experiment with take folder editing and comping. Setting the Metronome and Count-in As preparation for recording, you should check the metronome and count-in settings. ÂÂ Metronome: Produces a click in the project’s tempo that can be heard during recording or playback. The click makes it easier to play in time with the tempo.
2 In the Metronome pane, define when you want to hear the metronome click—on every bar, beat, or division—by selecting the corresponding checkboxes. 3 Select the “Click while recording” and “Only during count-in” checkboxes. This allows you to hear a count-in of 1 bar before recording begins. If you want to change the default count-in setting, see the following task.
Change the count-in: mm Click the Recording button in the Project Settings window. In the Recording pane, choose an option from the Count-in pop-up menu. You can record without a count-in, set a count-in of a specific amount of bars, or set a count-in time signature.
Making an Audio Recording When you make a single audio recording, an audio region that displays a graphical overview of the waveform is created on the selected Arrange track. Getting Ready Create a new audio track: mm If you’re using an existing project, click the Add (+) button above the track list, select the Audio option in the New Tracks dialog, then click Create. mm If you want to create a new project, see Chapter 2 for details.
Set up a channel strip’s track for recording: 1 Click the Input slot of the left Arrange channel strip to choose the input for the connected instrument. Insert slot Input slot Input Monitoring button 2 If you want, you can add effects that fit your instrument to the channel strip. For example, if you want to record a guitar, click the top Insert slot of the left Arrange channel strip, then choose Amps and Pedals > Amp Designer from the pop-up menu.
Try This Record an audio track: 1 Click the selected audio track’s Record Enable button. The track is ready for recording. 2 Click the Record button on the Transport bar to start recording. You can also press the Asterisk (*) key on keyboards with a numeric keypad, or the R key on other keyboards. Record button Recording will begin after the predefined count-in. 3 Play your instrument. 4 Click the Stop button on the Transport bar (or press the Space bar) to stop recording.
Recording Audio Takes When you record over a pre-existing region, Logic Pro creates what is called a take folder, which contains multiple take regions. A common scenario is when you record multiple passes while in Cycle mode; for example, if you are recording multiple versions of a solo. You can also do this by simply recording over an existing region. Note: Make sure that the Replace button on the Transport bar is turned off.
Try This Record multiple audio takes: 1 Press the Return key. The playhead moves to the project start position. 2 Press the Asterisk (*) or R key to start recording. Recording begins after the predefined count-in. 3 Play your instrument and record as many cycle passes as you wish. 4 Press the Space bar to stop recording. The selected audio track contains a take folder with multiple take regions inside.
Exploring Take Folders In this section, you’ll look at how to open take folders and how to choose individual takes for playback in your project. You’ll also listen to an original comp—the best parts from several take recordings combined into one master take—in the demo project. Getting Ready Open the demo project and set an appropriate zoom level: 1 Open “The Numbers Game” demo project. 2 Turn on the track Solo button for Track 1: Chuck Vox.
Try This Open the take folder: mm Double-click the closed take folder Chuck Vox.3 on Track 1: Chuck Vox. The take folder opens, displaying two takes, Chuck Vox Alt and Chuck Vox 2, on individual lanes. Chuck Vox 2 is the most recent take. Take folder Individual takes Listen to the current comp: mm Press the Space bar to listen to the current comp selection.
Choose a take region for playback: mm Click the triangle in the upper-right corner of the take folder, then choose Take 1: Chuck Vox Alt from the Take Folder pop-up menu. Click here to open the Take Folder pop-up menu. The chosen take is displayed in color (the color is also reflected in the take folder) and the take that is not selected is displayed in gray.
mm Choose Take 2: Chuck Vox 2 from the Take Folder pop-up menu. Again, the chosen take is displayed in color (the color is also reflected in the take folder) and the take that is not selected is displayed in gray. Creating and Editing Comps You can select individual take regions for playback in your project. But what if you want to combine selected parts of each take region for playback—the first section of Chuck Vox Alt followed by the end section of Chuck Vox 2, for example? This section shows you how.
Verify the take folder’s editing mode: mm Make sure that Quick Swipe Comping is active in the Take Folder pop-up menu. You can also click the icon in the upper-right corner of the take folder so that it looks as follows: Icon shows that Quick Swipe Comping mode is on.
Try This Create a new comp: mm With Take 2: Chuck Vox 2 selected from the last task in the previous section, place the pointer over the left edge of Chuck Vox Alt, and drag to the right, as far as bar 30. The selected area on Chuck Vox 2 is shortened. Playing back the project plays Chuck Vox Alt to bar 30, followed by the rest of Chuck Vox 2. When you create a new comp, it is automatically added to the Comp list in the Take Folder menu (Comp 3 in this case).
Save the comp: mm Choose Duplicate Comp from the Take Folder pop-up menu. The current comp (Comp 3 in this case) is duplicated and the duplicate (Comp 4) becomes the active comp for any further changes. Edit the comp: mm Place the pointer over the right edge of the take region Chuck Vox 2, and drag to the left, as far as bar 35. The end of Chuck Vox 2 is removed from the comp, leaving silence.
Switch take region selections between takes: mm Click the area that is not selected at the end of Chuck Vox Alt. The clicked area is selected and the same area in Chuck Vox 2 is deselected. Switch back to the saved comp: mm Choose the comp you saved in an earlier task from the Take Folder pop-up menu (Comp 3 in this case). The comp is reloaded along with the edits you made at that time.
Editing Take Regions What if you want to cut a take region into multiple sections, or move these sections around, or even delete them? Next you will experiment with each of these tasks. Getting Ready This section assumes that the Quick Swipe Comping mode is off, allowing you to cut, drag, and delete take folder and take region elements. Change the take folder’s editing mode: mm Deselect Quick Swipe Comping from the Take Folder pop-up menu.
Try This Cut a take region: mm Using Comp 3 from the previous section, select the Scissors tool, then click Take 2 at bar 35. The take is cut at the clicked position, giving you two separate take regions on the same lane. Drag a take region: mm Drag the take region—the one you cut in the previous task—from bar 35 to bar 37. The length of the take folder is extended up to the end point of the take region. Listen to the playback.
Managing Take Folder Contents In this section, you’ll experiment with some commands in the Take Folder pop-up menu that can help with take folder management. Try This Export an active comp to a new track: mm Using the current comp in the take folder, choose “Export active Comp to New Track” from the Take Folder pop-up menu. The active comp is copied to a new track, which is created below the take folder track. The content of the original take folder remains intact.
Move an active comp to a new track: mm Choose “Move active Comp to New Track” from the Take Folder pop-up menu. The active comp is moved to a new track, which is created below the take folder track. This comp is no longer available in the original take folder. You might use this option when you are ready to commit to a comp but want to keep all other takes and comps archived in the original take folder. Flatten a take folder: mm Choose Flatten from the Take Folder pop-up menu.
Key Concepts ÂÂ Metronome: A click in the project’s tempo that can be heard during recording or playback. The click makes it easier to play in time with the project’s tempo. ÂÂ Count-in: Clicks heard before the start of a recording, making it easier to get into the project’s groove. ÂÂ Input slot: A panel on an audio channel strip where you assign the channel strip input. ÂÂ Insert slot: A panel on a channel strip where you insert an effect plug-in.
Recording MIDI 5 You can use a MIDI keyboard to record MIDI in real time in Logic Pro. This chapter focuses on recording options that are specific to recording MIDI in real time. You’ll learn how recording over the top of a previous performance can have different outcomes—merging recordings, replacing recordings, or creating take folders—depending on your recording setup. You’ll also experiment with quantization, a process that allows you to correct the timing of MIDI notes.
Getting Ready Create a new software instrument track and load a channel strip setting: 1 Create a new track by doing one of the following: ÂÂ If you are using an existing project, click the Add (+) button above the track list, select the Software Instrument option in the New Tracks dialog, then click Create. ÂÂ If you want to create a new project, see Chapter 2 for details. 2 In the Library tab (Media area), choose a channel strip setting that you will experiment with while recording.
Try This Record a software instrument part: 1 Click the Record button on the Transport bar to start recording. You can also press the Asterisk (*) key on keyboards with a numeric keypad, or the R key on other keyboards. Record button Recording begins after the predefined count-in. 2 Use your MIDI keyboard (or the Logic Pro Caps Lock keyboard; see Chapter 2) to play some notes. A MIDI region appears on the software instrument track.
Quantizing MIDI If you’re not happy with the timing of your performance, you can use the Quantize feature to correct the timing of MIDI notes to the nearest selected musical time value. You do this using the Quantize pop-up menu in the Inspector’s Region Parameter box. Getting Ready Set an appropriate zoom level for the MIDI region: mm Holding down the Option and Control keys, drag across the MIDI region you recorded in the previous section.
Try This Correct the timing of note events: mm Click the Quantize parameter in the Inspector’s Region Parameter box, and choose 1/16-Note from the pop-up menu. Watch how the note events change position in the MIDI region. This value is generally a good place to start for “duplet” based rhythms (dividing a beat into two even pieces). mm Click the Quantize parameter in the Inspector’s Region Parameter box, then choose “off” from the pop-up menu. The MIDI note events are returned to their original positions.
Overdub Recording MIDI Overdubbing is the process of recording a performance in multiple passes, merging the performances into a single region. You’ll experiment with recording multiple MIDI performances on top of an existing performance. Try This Record over an existing MIDI region in Cycle mode: 1 Click the Set Locators button in the Arrange toolbar. Cycle mode is turned on and the left and right locators match the start and end points of the MIDI region you recorded in the previous section.
The end result is a single MIDI region that contains the merged performances from each cycle pass. You can also overdub a MIDI recording when not in Cycle mode. To do this: 1 Control-click the Record button on the Transport bar, then choose Recording Settings from the shortcut menu. 2 In the Recording pane, choose “Merge with selected regions” from the Overlapping Recordings pop-up menu. 3 Repeat the recording steps from the last task, but without turning on Cycle mode.
Replace Recording MIDI Replace recording is the process of erasing all or part of a previous performance while recording a new one. You’ll do this by recording in Replace mode. Try This Record over an existing MIDI region in Replace mode: 1 Click the Replace button on the Transport bar. Cycle button Replace button 2 Make sure that Cycle mode is turned on. 3 Press the Return key while Logic Pro is not playing. The playhead moves to the project start position.
Recording MIDI Takes While you will usually want to record multiple cycle passes into a single region, take recording is also an option. Take recording allows you to record over an existing performance and results in the creation of a take folder with each recording inside. A common scenario is when you are recording multiple passes in Cycle mode, but you can also do this by recording over an existing region.
Try This Record MIDI takes: 1 If you want to record in Cycle mode, click the gray shaded area in the top part of the Bar ruler. 2 Press the Return key while Logic Pro is not playing. The playhead moves to the project start position. 3 Press the Asterisk (*) or R key to start recording. Recording will begin after the predefined count-in. 4 Use your MIDI keyboard (or the Logic Pro Caps Lock keyboard) to play some notes. Record a single pass or as many cycle passes as you wish.
Key Concepts ÂÂ Quantization: The process of correcting the timing of MIDI note positions. ÂÂ Quantize pop-up menu: A menu in the Region Parameter box that you use to correct the timing of MIDI notes to the nearest selected musical time value. ÂÂ MIDI region: A container for MIDI events—individual MIDI notes or commands—that are generally created with a MIDI keyboard. ÂÂ Library tab: Tab within the Media area that is used to handle all setting files for channel strips, effects, and instruments.
Creating an Arrangement 6 You create an arrangement by dividing, copying, cropping, repeating, cutting, and inserting regions and region sections. In this chapter, you’ll work with audio and MIDI regions in the Arrange area to create an arrangement for your song. You’ll use the following selection and navigation features. Left locator Cycle range Right locator Marquee tool Playhead ÂÂ Marquee tool: Tool used to select and edit parts of regions by dragging across them.
Previewing the Demo Project You can’t tackle the arrangement until you first get a feel for the content and structure of the song. You’ll preview the contents of the demo project using Solo mode, a mode in which you can select one or more tracks or regions to hear them in isolation. Getting Ready Open the demo project and turn on Solo mode: 1 Open “The Numbers Game” demo project. 2 Click the Solo button on the Transport bar (or press the S key) to turn on Solo mode.
Try This Preview different tracks and regions in the project: mm Click the Play button on the Transport bar (or press the Space bar) to start playback. Play button mm During playback, click individual track headers (or use the Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys) to hear the entire track play back in Solo mode. mm Click individual regions to hear them play back in Solo mode. mm Drag across several regions to hear the region selection play back in Solo mode. Drag across all the horn regions, for example.
Dividing Regions You can slice any region into several parts, thus creating several individual regions. This allows you to move, copy, and delete parts of your arrangment. Try This Divide a region: mm Select the Scissors tool, then click any region at the required cut position. You can also do this by dragging across the region with the Scissors tool. Scrubbing allows you to hear the audio at the playhead position, making it easier to cut at the correct position.
The cycle range is activated between the left and right locator positions. Left locator Right locator 2 Drag the left or right locator in the Bar ruler to extend or shorten the cycle range. 3 Select the region you want to split, then choose Region > Split > Split Regions by Locators in the local menu bar. The section of the region located between the locators is cut at the left and right locator positions.
Merging Regions You can merge two or more selected regions (of the same type—audio or MIDI) into a single region, making region handling much easier in your arrangement. Try This Merge audio regions: mm Select the Glue tool, drag to select multiple audio regions, then click one of them. When Logic Pro provides you with the warning that a new audio file will be created, click Continue. The selected audio regions become one audio region, with silence added for any gaps between.
Copying Regions You can copy regions or region portions. This allows you to reuse entire regions, or portions of them, at other parts of your arrangement. Getting Ready Set an appropriate zoom level: mm Select Track 13: Gtr Fill, then holding down the Option and Control keys (which activates the Zoom tool), drag across the “Gtr Fill” audio region.
Try This Copy a region section by dragging: 1 Using the Marquee tool, drag to select the area between bars 17 3 1 1 and 17 3 3 1.
2 Holding down the Option key, drag the marquee selection area, release the mouse button at bar 19 4 1 1 on the same track, then release the Option key. The marquee selection area is copied at bar 19 4 1 1. Copy a region using edit commands: 1 Click the Arrange area background to remove the previous marquee selection. 2 Move the playhead to bar 20. 3 Select the newly created region Gtr Fill.5 at bar 19 4 1 1. 4 Choose Edit > Copy (or press Command-C). The region is copied.
5 Choose Edit > Paste (or press Command-V). The region is pasted at bar 20. Copy an entire region: mm Hold down the Option key while dragging any region to another position, only releasing the Option key after you release the mouse button.
Cropping Regions You can remove all parts of a region that fall outside the boundaries of a marquee selection. Try This 1 Select Track 12: Guitar Rev, then using the Marquee tool, drag to select the area between bars 65 3 1 1 and 66 3 1 1.
2 Press Control-C (which activates the Crop Regions outside Locators or Marquee Selection key command). The region parts that fall outside the boundaries of the marquee selection are cropped.
Editing Arrange Sections You can remove an entire passage from your arrangement, inserting it elsewhere in the song, or you can repeat a section of your arrangement. You’ll explore these activities using the demo project. Getting Ready mm Holding down the Option and Control keys (which activates the Zoom tool), click anywhere in the Arrange area background until the project returns to its original zoom level setting.
Key Concepts ÂÂ Arrangement: The process of organizing your musical material into a song structure. ÂÂ Left and right locators: Locators that define the start and end points of a cycle range in the Bar ruler. ÂÂ Playhead: A vertical white line that indicates the current playback position in all horizontal, time-based Logic Pro windows. ÂÂ Solo mode: A mode in which you can select one or more tracks or regions to hear them in isolation.
Flex Time Editing 7 You can use Flex Time editing functions to edit the timing of single or multiple audio regions. This chapter introduces you to the techniques used for Flex Time editing as well as the track-based settings that detemine how the timing of your audio will be altered. You’ll learn how to correct a single note or the timing of an entire region, all within the Arrange window. Flex Time editing greatly simplifies the process required for altering the timing of audio material.
You edit the timing of audio material using flex markers. When you move a flex marker, it time compresses or expands the area around it. The initial boundaries within which this is done is determined by the transient markers. You manipulate flex markers either in the Arrange area’s Flex view, or invisibly using the Flex tool. You can create single or multiple flex markers in an audio file, enabling you to manipulate the position of single notes or complete phrases.
Exploring Flex View and Flex Modes You’ll start by turning on Flex view in the Arrange area and exploring some of the available flex modes. Getting Ready mm Open “The Numbers Game” demo project. Track 1: Chuck Vox is selected by default. Try This Display Flex view in the Arrange area: mm Choose View > Flex View. Flex view is turned on and the Flex Mode menu is displayed in the track header of Track 1: Chuck Vox.
Locate the available flex modes: mm Click the Flex Mode menu in the track header of Track 1: Chuck Vox. The flex modes are listed in the pop-up menu. mm Click the Flex Mode parameter in the Inspector’s Track Parameter box. The flex modes are listed in the pop-up menu.
Creating and Moving Flex Markers in Flex View You use flex markers to manually alter the timing of audio material. You can create single or multiple flex markers in an audio file, enabling you to manipulate whole or partial areas of the material by moving these flex markers. Getting Ready Define a cycle range for soloed playback and set an appropriate zoom level: 1 Click the Solo (S) button on Track 1: Chuck Vox to solo the entire track.
2 Click the gray shaded area in the upper part of the Bar ruler to turn on Cycle mode, then change the left and right locators in the Transport bar to 9 1 1 1 and 10 1 1 1, respectively. Left locator Right locator 3 Holding down the Option and Control keys (which activates the Zoom tool), drag across the first region “Chuck Vox.1” on Track 1: Chuck Vox, dragging between bars 9 and 10 only.
Try This Create and drag a single flex marker: 1 Click the Flex Mode menu in the track header of Track 1: Chuck Vox, then choose Monophonic from the pop-up menu. All audio files on the track are analyzed for transients, and all detected transients are marked and stored in the audio files. Transient marker 2 Press the Space bar to start playback.
3 Place the pointer over the upper half of the audio region just before bar 9.3, just on top of the existing transient marker. The pointer shown here indicates an existing transient marker: 4 Click the area on top of the transient marker to create a flex marker.
5 Drag the flex marker to the right, as far as bar 9 3 3 1. It should look as follows: Time expanded audio Time compressed audio The audio material to the left of the flex marker is time expanded (indicated by the orange color) and the audio material to the right is time compressed (indicated by green). 6 Listen to the result of this time stretching and compression.
Create and drag multiple flex markers: 1 Place the pointer over the lower half of the audio region after bar 9 2 3 1, just on top of the existing transient marker. The pointer shown here indicates an existing transient marker: 2 Click the transient marker.
Three flex markers are created—on the clicked transient marker, on the previous transient marker, and on the next transient marker: 3 Experiment with time compression and expansion by dragging the middle flex marker to the right or to the left. 4 Press the Space bar to listen to the result of this time stretching and compression.
Depending on the direction you move the middle flex marker, the audio material between the center and right flex markers is either time compressed or expanded, and the same is true for the audio material between the center and left flex markers.
Creating and Moving Flex Markers with the Flex Tool You also have access to Flex Time editing with the Flex tool. The Flex tool allows you to drag points in the region’s waveform and move them where you want. The waveform’s movement is restricted by transient markers on either side of the place you began dragging. To extend the editing area, drag beyond these transients and the boundary will extend to the next or previous transient.
Try This Create and drag flex markers with the Flex tool: 1 Place the pointer over the audio region to the right of 9.3. You’ll know that the pointer is on top of an existing transient marker when it looks as follows: 2 Drag from the transient marker to the left, as far as bar 9.3.
The audio material to the right of the dragged flex marker is time expanded up to the following flex marker. The audio material to the left of the dragged flex marker is time compressed up to the previous flex marker. 3 Press the Space bar to listen to the result of this time stretching and compression. Quantizing Audio If you’re not happy with the timing of your performance, you can use the Quantize feature to correct the timing of audio material to the nearest selected musical time value.
Getting Ready mm Make sure that Track 1: Chuck Vox is no longer soloed by turning off its Solo button. Try This Apply quantization to a region: 1 Select the Tambourine region on Track 32: Tambourine. 2 Click the Set Locators button in the Arrange toolbar, then press the Space bar to start playback. 3 Choose Monophonic from the track header’s Flex Mode pop-up menu. 4 During playback, choose 8C Swing from the Quantize pop-up menu. 5 Listen to the playback result.
Key Concepts ÂÂ Flex Time editing: A process that allows you to edit the timing of single or multiple audio regions. ÂÂ Flex mode: A track-based setting that detemines how the timing of your audio will be altered. ÂÂ Transient marker: A marker that denotes a significant point or peak in an audio file. ÂÂ Transient detection process: A process that analyzes audio files for transients the first time you enable a track for Flex Time editing. Detected transients are marked and stored in the audio files.
Editing MIDI Events 8 You use the MIDI editors to edit the position, length, pitch, and velocity of MIDI events in MIDI regions. You can edit individual MIDI events by selecting a MIDI region in the Arrange area and opening one of the MIDI editors. Which editor you use depends on the type of editing you want to carry out. In this chapter, you’ll explore some of the editors while also looking at the editing capabilities of the Piano Roll Editor in more depth.
Try This Select a MIDI region and open the Piano Roll Editor: mm Select the first MIDI region on Track 14: Bass, and click the Piano Roll button at the bottom of the Arrange area (or press the P key). The MIDI events are represented by horizontal rectangles. ÂÂ The horizontal placement of note events indicates their temporal (bar, beat, and subbeat) positioning within the region and project.
ÂÂ The color of the rectangle and the horizontal line through the beam indicate the velocity of the note event—how loud the note is played. Open the Score Editor: mm Click the Score button at the bottom of the Arrange area (or press the N key). The note events of the selected MIDI region are displayed as traditional notation in the Score Editor.
Selecting Notes You’ll use the Pointer tool to select note events in the Piano Roll Editor. Getting Ready mm Open the Piano Roll Editor by pressing the P key. Try This Select note events: mm Click any note event in the Piano Roll area. The note event is selected and is played back at the same time. mm Click the Piano Roll background, then drag across several note events. Select note events of the same pitch: mm Click one of the Piano Roll keys at the left of the Piano Roll area.
mm Drag across a range of Piano Roll keys. All note events in the pitch range are selected. Drag across the Piano Roll keys to select all notes of multiple pitches.
Creating Notes You’ll use the Pencil tool to create note events in the Piano Roll Editor. The Pencil tool is assigned to the Command-click tool in the Piano Roll Editor by default. Try This Create note events: mm Holding down the Command key (which activates the Pencil tool), click your chosen position and pitch in the Piano Roll Editor. Click with the Pencil tool to create a note event.
Editing the Position of Notes You can move selected note events by dragging them in the Piano Roll Editor. If you move a note event horizontally, it is moved in time. If you move a note event vertically, it is transposed—moved up or down in pitch. Try This Move note events: mm Drag any note event horizontally. mm Drag across multiple note events to select them, then drag them to another position.
Change the pitch of note events: mm Click any Piano Roll key to select all note events of the same pitch, then drag the note events vertically. The pitch of the selected note events is changed.
Editing the Length of Notes You can edit the length of note events in the Piano Roll Editor individually or in relation to one another. Try This Change the length of a note event: mm Drag the left or right edge of any note event. The event is either shortened or lengthened, depending on the direction you dragged. mm Select any two note events, then hold down the Shift key while dragging the right edge of one of them. The same end point is set for both notes.
mm Select any two note events, then hold down the Shift and Option keys while dragging the right edge of one of them. The same length is set for both notes and you can resize them. mm Select any note event, then choose Functions > Note Events > Note Force Legato (selected/any) from the local menu bar. The selected note is lengthened up to the following note event, regardless of whether the following note is selected or not.
Muting Notes You’ll use the Mute tool to mute selected note events in the Piano Roll Editor. Getting Ready mm Select the Mute tool from the Tool menu in the Piano Roll Editor. Mute tool Try This Mute note events: mm Click any note event with the Mute tool. The note is dimmed and can no longer be heard during playback. Click with the Mute tool to mute the note event. Click the note event a second time with the Mute tool to unmute it.
mm Click any Piano Roll key with the Mute tool. All note events of that particular pitch are muted. Click the Piano Roll key a second time with the Mute tool to unmute them all. Editing the Velocity of Notes You’ll use the Velocity tool to edit note velocity in the Piano Roll Editor. Both the color of the rectangle and the horizontal line through the beam indicate the velocity of the note event—the force at which the note is played.
Getting Ready mm Select the Velocity tool from the Tool menu in the Piano Roll Editor. Velocity tool Try This Change the velocity of note events: mm Drag any note event downward with the Velocity tool. A help tag indicates the velocity value of the note you have clicked, with this value decreasing as you drag downward. The note color changes and the horizontal line inside the beam shortens. mm Drag the same note event upward, while watching the help tag, the note color, and the horizontal line.
Quantizing Notes You use the Quantize pop-up menu in the Piano Roll Editor to assign a quantization value to one or more selected note events. You can also use the Quantize button to quantize selected events with the value chosen from the Quantize pop-up menu. Quantize pop-up menu Quantize button Try This Correct the timing of note events: mm Select one or more note events in the Piano Roll Editor, then choose a quantization value from the Quantize pop-up menu.
Key Concepts ÂÂ MIDI region: A container for MIDI events—individual MIDI notes or commands—that are generally created with a MIDI keyboard. ÂÂ MIDI event: Represents an individual MIDI note or command. ÂÂ Piano Roll Editor: Where MIDI note events are represented by horizontal rectangles, aligned on a grid of horizontal and vertical lines. ÂÂ Score Editor: Where MIDI note events are displayed as traditional music notation. ÂÂ Velocity: Defines the force at which a note is played.
Mixing the Project 9 You use the Mixer when you want to refine the sound of each musical element in your project—creating a unified mix. In this chapter, you’ll explore the Mixer, work with channel strip groups, work with send effects, and create submixes. When working on each of these tasks in the Mixer, you’ll encounter the following channel strip types: ÂÂ Audio channel strips: Control the playback and recording of audio signals on audio tracks.
Exploring the Mixer The Mixer provides options for changing what channel strips are being viewed and in what order. The default settings display all the channel strips in the order they appear in the Arrange area, along with the aux and output channel strips they are sending signals to.
As projects grow large and more complex, you may find it useful to temporarily limit the number of channel strips displayed to those you need to focus on for a given task. You have the possibility to switch the Mixer between three different views—Single, Arrange, and All. You can also determine which channel strips are displayed using the filter buttons. Getting Ready Open the Mixer area in the demo project: 1 Open “The Numbers Game” demo project.
Working with Channel Strip Groups You can create a channel strip group and modify selected parameters for the entire group using a single control. You do this by selecting multiple channel strips and assigning them to a particular group from the channel strip’s Group slot. Group slot Pan control Volume fader Try This Create a group from multiple channel strips: 1 Drag horizontally across channel strips 2 to 9 (over the word Inserts, or I/O text, for example) to select them.
3 Double-click the Name field, type “Horns,” then press the Return key. The group name is added to the group number on the channel strip Group slots. The selected channel strips are all assigned to group 2: Horns.
4 Close the Group Settings window by clicking the window’s close button. Add another channel strip to the last created group: mm Option-click the Group slot of channel strip 10 (another horn channel strip). The channel strip is added to the previously created group 2: Horns. Change the settings of an active group: 1 Click the Group slot of channel strip 2, choose Open Group Settings from the pop-up menu, select the Solo checkbox, then close the Group Settings window.
Adding Effects to Multiple Channel Strips Chapter 3 discussed using Insert slots to add effects into a channel strip’s signal flow. But what if you want to use the same effect on more than one channel strip? You do this using Send slots—sending the signal on each channel strip to the same aux channel strip, on which you add the effects. Insert slot Send slot Add an effect to multiple channel strips: 1 Drag horizontally across channel strips 14 and 15 to select them.
The Bus number is assigned to both Send slots, and Aux 6—an aux channel strip—is automatically created (only in the case of an unused Bus assignment). Send slot Send knob 3 Drag the Send knob on channel strip 14 or 15 to set the amount of signal that you want to send to Aux 6. As you do so, the send amount value is shown on the Send slot. 4 Double-click either Send slot to jump directly to Aux 6. 5 Click the top empty Insert slot of Aux 6, then choose an effect from the pop-up menu.
Creating a Submix Another useful mixing procedure is to “submix” multiple channel strips into one aux channel strip. Like grouping, this makes it easy to control multiple channel strips. For this to work, the complete signal from each channel strip needs to be routed to an aux channel strip via the channel strip Output slots.
Try This Create a submix: 1 Drag across channel strips 11 to 13 to select them all. 2 Click the Output slot on any of these channel strips, then choose Bus 7 from the Bus pop-up menu, for example. The Bus number is assigned to the Output slot of all three channel strips, and Aux 7 is automatically created (only in the case of an unused Bus assignment). 3 Double-click any of the three Output slots to jump directly to Aux 7. 4 You now have a submix of the selected three channel strips.
Try This Insert and set up a multi-output instrument: 1 Click the Instrument slot of channel strip 39 and make sure that Ultrabeat > Multi Output is chosen. 2 Click the Add (+) button at the bottom of the channel strip. Instrument slot with Ultrabeat loaded Input slot set to UB 3–4 Add button An aux channel strip is created with its Input slot set to UB 3-4. 3 Double-click the Instrument slot of channel strip 39. The Ultrabeat plug-in window opens.
4 Click the “out” column of the Snare entry in the plug-in window, then choose 3-4. 5 Double-click the EQ area on the aux channel strip to apply EQ. 6 Click the first Send slot of the aux channel strip, then choose Bus > Bus 2 (DrumVerb). The snare signal is sent to the existing aux 2 channel strip (already set up for snare).
Key Concepts ÂÂ Mixer: Interface area where you mix your project. ÂÂ Audio channel strips: Control the playback and recording of audio signals on audio tracks. ÂÂ Instrument channel strips: Allow you to use and control software instruments. Software instrument plug-ins are inserted into the channel strip’s Instrument slot. ÂÂ Aux channel strips: Used to set up send returns, where a channel strip signal is routed to an aux channel strip for effects processing.
Automating Your Mix 10 You can record, edit, and play back fully automated mixes in Logic Pro. With the help of the Logic Pro automation features, you can automate the controls and parameters of channel strips and plug-ins by recording them and playing them back. This allows you to create complex, animated mixes—with automatic channel strip mutes, channel strip signals that pan from side to side, channel strip groups fading in or out, and much more.
Exploring Track Automation Track automation is displayed on a transparent gray shaded area that runs the length of your project. Getting Ready Open the demo project: mm Open “The Numbers Game” demo project. Try This Display track automation: mm With Track 1: Chuck Vox selected, choose View > Track Automation in the local menu bar (or press the A key). The automation lane on Track 1: Chuck Vox is displayed, along with some existing volume automation data.
Set the automation mode for a track: 1 If you cannot see the Automation Mode menu in the track header of Track 1: Chuck Vox, drag the lower-left corner of the track header downward. Automation Mode menu Drag here to zoom. This zooms the track header area, allowing you to see the Automation Mode menu. 2 Click the Automation Mode menu on Track 1: Chuck Vox, then choose Read from the pop-up menu.
3 Click the Play button on the Transport bar (or press the Space bar) to start playback. Play button Watch how the Volume fader in the left Arrange channel strip changes during playback. The volume fader follows the pre-recorded automation data on the track. Switch between automation parameters: 1 Select Track 2: Trumpet 1. The automation lane on Track 2: Trumpet 1 is displayed, along with some existing volume automation data. 2 Click the Automation Parameter menu, then choose Pan from the pop-up menu.
Using Touch and Latch Modes You can use Touch and Latch modes to create your own automation data. Important: Don’t use Write mode. All automation data on a track is erased the minute you start playback with Write mode enabled. Try This Create automation data using Touch mode: 1 Select Track 1: Chuck Vox, click the Automation Mode menu, then choose Touch from the pop-up menu. 2 Press the Space bar to start playback. 3 Drag the Volume fader on the left Arrange channel strip vertically.
The existing automation data is overwritten. 6 Release the Volume fader after a couple of bars. The Volume fader once again follows existing automation data on the track. 7 Click the Stop button on the Transport bar (or press the Space bar) to stop playback. Stop button Touch mode allows you to modify the value of the chosen automation parameter when automation is active. After releasing the fader or knob, the parameter follows existing automation data on the track.
Create automation data using Latch mode: 1 Click the Automation Mode menu on Track 1: Chuck Vox, then choose Latch from the pop-up menu. 2 Press the Space bar to start playback. 3 Drag the Volume fader on the left Arrange channel strip vertically. 4 Release the Volume fader after a couple of bars. The Volume fader does not follow existing automation data on the track as in Touch mode. Instead, the Volume fader continues to remain in the position at which you released the mouse button.
Creating and Editing Automation Nodes and Lines In this section, you’ll experiment with creating and editing automation nodes and lines. Line Node Try This Create automation nodes: mm Click on, or just outside, an automation line (not on a node). A new node is created. mm Hold down the Command key (which activates the Command-click tool with the Marquee tool currently assigned) while dragging across a region. Click the marquee selection area with the Pointer tool.
Draw in automation: mm Draw automation lines and curves in the automation track with the Pencil tool. Draw in automation data with the Pencil tool. Key Concepts ÂÂ Automation: The ability to record, edit, and play back the movements of all knobs, controls, and buttons on channel strips and plug-ins. ÂÂ Track automation: Automation displayed on an automation track. ÂÂ Automation Mode menu: A track header menu on automation tracks that determines whether you read, touch, latch, or write automation data.
Getting Answers 11 There are additional resources you can use to get answers to your questions about using Logic Pro. Now that you have learned about the basic features of Logic Pro, you probably have more questions. You can use Logic Pro Help to find the answers you need. Exploring Logic Pro Help Logic Pro Help provides in-depth descriptions and instructions about the features and controls (the tasks you can perform) with Logic Pro.
Search for a specific topic that interests you: mm Enter the topic of your choice in the search field at the top of the Help Viewer window. Select topics from the search results list that you want to know more about. When you search in the Logic Pro manual, the search results include relevant topics from the Logic Studio Instruments and Logic Studio Effects manuals as well. Search for Apple Support information: mm Choose Help > Logic Pro Help, then click Logic Pro Support. Browse topics that interest you.
