10.6

Table Of Contents
1123Logic Pro User Guide
Use control surfaces
Control surface requirements in Logic Pro
To use a hardware control surface to give you tactile control over Logic Pro, you need to
connect, add, and configure your control surface device for use with Logic Pro. The setup
procedures and preferences are common to all directly supported control surfaces.
Important: If you are using a music keyboard or desktop controller that is supported by
a Lua script, see Automatic assignment for USB MIDI controllers. Information presented
in MIDI Controllers preferences, and other topics may also apply. You do not need to use
these additional options, but they are available if desired. If you are using a device that
provides its own plug-in, such as the Nektar Panorama or Native Instruments Komplete
Kontrol keyboard controllers, refer to the manufacturers documentation for the plug-in.
To use one or more control surfaces with Logic Pro, you need:
A Mac running Logic Pro.
For devices equipped only with MIDI ports: A MIDI interface with a free MIDI input and
output port for each device. For example, if you are using a MIDI interface with eight
MIDI input and output ports—with one MackieControl and one MackieControlXT unit—
you need to use two MIDI In ports and two MIDI Out ports.
For all other supported devices: An available peripheral port. Ideally, this should be
a direct connection with the computer, rather than through a hub. However, if the
peripheral ports on your Mac don’t match that on your device—for example, if you have
a device that requires a FireWire port, but your Mac only offers USB/Thunderbolt ports—
you may have to use an adapter or a hub. Refer to the documentation provided by the
manufacturer of your device.
An installed driver (if required by your control surface) supported by the macOS version
running on your computer.
Important: The driver software for your MIDI interface must support SysEx communication.
Consult the documentation for your MIDI interface (or MIDI interface drivers).
In a standard control surface configuration you can use a single control surface, or several.
Each device can run independently or can be part of a control surface group comprised of
multiple devices as described in Create control surface groups in Logic Pro.
The number of devices that can be used simultaneously depends on the number of free
ports available on your system. Using multiple control surfaces allows you to control more
tracks and channels, effects, and other parameters simultaneously.