10.6

107Logic Pro Instruments
Use the Alchemy sequencer step editor
In Logic Pro, the step editor shows steps numbered from left to right across the top of
the display. The appearance and behavior of the step editor is determined by the active
Edit Mode menu choice. In the default Value mode, for example, the value of each step is
represented by a vertical bar. A blank column is shown when the value is zero.
• Drag a bar vertically to adjust its value, or click directly at the required height.
• Set the values of multiple bars by dragging horizontally across them.
• Option-click a bar to set it to zero.
• Tie one step to the next by clicking below it. A small chain-link symbol appears below
each tied step. When two or more steps are tied together, they behave like one longer
step.
Import data from a MIDI file into the Alchemy sequencer
Alchemy can extract information from a short MIDI file and can apply this information to
patterns in the step editor.
You can extract velocity data and set step values to match. If the MIDI file consists of notes
of equal duration, such as a succession of eighth or sixteenth notes, every step in the
resulting pattern will have an associated non-zero value. If the MIDI file consists mainly of
notes of equal duration with occasional gaps, such as a succession of eighth notes with
occasional eighth rests, the gaps are represented by step values of zero. If the MIDI file
has irregular timing, or if it consists of chords rather than single notes, the results of this
process are less predictable and usually less useful.
You can extract groove data (timing inflections) and set step swing values to match. If the
MIDI file consists of nearly equal durations, such as eighth notes or sixteenth notes with
timing inflections, this process yields useful results.
You can also extract note pitch data and set step values to match. The MIDI file should
consist of equal durations with no gaps and should be limited to single pitches between
a low C and a C two octaves higher. For example, a MIDI file could consist of notes C1
through C3, with the low C corresponding to a step value of zero. Because the pitch range
is always two octaves, you should use the sequencer to modulate pitch with a depth of 24
semitones in order to reproduce the pattern of notes in the original MIDI file.
• In Logic Pro, choose one of the following Import commands from the File pop-up menu.
• Import Velocity: Set step values based on extracted velocity data and swing values
based on extracted groove data.
• Import Note: Set step values based on extracted note data and swing values based
on extracted groove data.
• Import Groove: Set swing values based on extracted groove data.