Logic Pro User Guide for Mac
- Welcome
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- What’s new in Logic Pro 12
- What’s new in Logic Pro 11.2
- What’s new in Logic Pro 11.1
- What’s new in Logic Pro 11
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.8
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.7.8
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.7.5
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.7.3
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.7
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.6
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.5
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.4
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.3
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.2
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.0
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- What is Logic Pro for Mac?
- Logic Pro project basics
- Undo and redo edits
- Download additional sound packs
- How to get help
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- Tracks overview
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- Create tracks
- Create tracks using drag and drop
- Create tracks using existing channel strips
- Assign tracks to different channel strips
- Choose the default region type for software instrument tracks
- Select tracks
- Duplicate tracks
- Rename tracks
- Change track icons
- Change track colors
- Reorder tracks
- Zoom tracks
- Replace or double drum sounds
- Control timing with the groove track
- Use selection-based processing
- Edit track parameters
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- Overview
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- Before recording software instruments
- Play software instruments
- Record software instruments
- Record additional software instrument takes
- Overdub software instrument recordings
- Spot erase software instrument recordings
- Use Note Repeat
- Replace software instrument recordings
- Record to multiple software instrument tracks
- Record multiple MIDI devices to multiple tracks
- Record software instruments and audio simultaneously
- Use step input recording techniques
- Record MIDI messages from another music app
- Route MIDI internally to software instrument tracks
- Use the metronome
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- Arranging overview
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- Regions overview
- Select regions
- Select parts of regions
- Cut, copy, and paste regions
- Move regions
- Add or remove gaps
- Delay region playback
- Loop regions
- Repeat regions
- Resize regions
- Mute and solo regions
- Time stretch regions
- Reverse audio regions
- Split regions
- Demix MIDI regions
- Join regions
- Create regions in the Tracks area
- Change the gain of audio regions in the Tracks area
- Normalize audio regions in the Tracks area
- Create aliases of MIDI regions
- Convert repeated MIDI regions to loops
- Change the color of regions
- Convert a MIDI region into a pattern region in Logic Pro for Mac
- Replace a MIDI region with a Session Player region in Logic Pro for Mac
- Convert audio regions to samples for a sampler instrument
- Rename regions
- Delete regions
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- Chords overview
- Add and delete chords
- Select chords
- Cut, copy, and paste chords
- Move and resize chords
- Loop chords on the Chord track
- Transpose chords
- Edit chords
- Work with chord groups
- Use chord progressions
- Change the chord rhythm
- Choose which chords a Session Player region follows
- Analyze the key signature of a range of chords
- Analyze the chords in audio or MIDI regions in Logic Pro for Mac
- Extract vocal and instrumental stems with Stem Splitter
- Create groove templates
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- Overview
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- Add notes
- Select notes
- Snap items to the grid
- Move notes
- Copy notes
- Change the pitch of notes
- Resize notes
- Edit note velocity
- Quantize the timing of notes
- Quantize the pitch of notes
- Change note articulations
- Lock the position of events
- Mute notes
- Change note color
- View note labels
- Delete notes
- Time stretch notes
- View multiple MIDI regions
- Split chords
- Automation/MIDI area in the Piano Roll Editor
- Open other editors
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- Session Players overview
- The Session Player Editor
- Choose a Session Player type and style
- Chords and Session Players
- Choose Session Player presets
- Regenerate a Session Player performance
- Follow rhythm of chords and other tracks
- Work with Drummer multi-channel kits
- Convert Session Player regions into MIDI or pattern regions
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- Logic Pro for Mac advanced editors overview
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- Audio File Editor overview
- Play audio files in the Audio File Editor
- Navigate audio files in the Audio File Editor
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- Audio File Editor edit commands
- Edit audio files with transient markers
- Use the Audio File Editor Pencil tool
- Trim or silence audio files
- Remove DC offset
- Set audio file levels
- Normalize audio files
- Fade audio files
- Reverse audio and invert phase
- Audio File Editor Loop commands
- Undo Audio File Editor edits
- Backup audio files
- Use an external sample editor
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- Mixing overview
- Set channel strip input format
- Set channel strip pan or balance positions
- Mute and solo channel strips
- Reorder channel strips in the Mixer
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- Plug-ins overview
- Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins
- Search for plug-ins in the Mixer
- Insert a plug-in on a track using drag and drop
- Activate plug-ins on inactive channel strips
- Use the Channel EQ
- Work in the plug-in window
- Work with plug-in settings
- Work with plug-in latencies
- Work with Audio Units in Logic Pro for Mac
- Use MPE with software instruments
- Use the Plug-in Manager
- Work with channel strip settings
- Surround panning
- Use the I/O Labels window
- Undo and redo Mixer and plug-in adjustments
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- Smart Controls overview
- Show Smart Controls for master effects
- Choose a Smart Control layout
- Automatic MIDI controller assignment
- Map screen controls automatically
- Map screen controls
- Edit mapping parameters
- Use parameter mapping graphs
- Open the plug-in window for a screen control
- Rename a screen control
- Use articulation IDs to change articulations
- Assign hardware controls to screen controls
- Compare Smart Control edits with saved settings
- Use the Arpeggiator
- Automate screen control movements
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- Live Loops overview
- Start and stop cells
- Work with Live Loops cells
- Change loop settings for cells
- How the Live Loops grid and Tracks area interact
- Edit cells
- Edit scenes
- Work in the Cell Editor
- Bounce cells
- Record a Live Loops performance
- Change Live Loops grid settings
- Control Live Loops with other devices
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- Global changes overview
- Control transposition with the Pitch Source parameter
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- Tempo overview
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- Smart Tempo overview
- Use free tempo recording
- Choose the Project Tempo mode
- Choose the Flex & Follow setting
- Use Smart Tempo with multitrack audio
- Work in the Smart Tempo Editor
- Improve the tempo analysis using hints
- Correct tempo analysis results using beat markers
- Protect Smart Tempo edits by locking a range
- Match audio recordings to the project tempo
- Match the tempo to an audio region
- Use audio file tempo information
- Record tempo changes
- Use the Tempo Interpreter
- Use the tempo fader
- Control project volume
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- Overview
- Add notes
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- Part box overview
- View score symbols
- Select score symbols
- Add notes and rests
- Add notes and symbols to multiple regions
- Add key and time signature changes
- Change the clef sign
- Add dynamic marks, slurs, and crescendi
- Change note heads
- Add symbols to notes
- Add trills, ornaments, and tremolo symbols
- Add sustain pedal markings
- Add chord symbols
- Add chord grids and tablature symbols
- Add bar lines, repeats, and coda signs
- Add page and line break symbols
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- Select notes
- Move and copy notes
- Change note pitch, duration, and velocity
- Change note articulations
- Quantize the timing of notes
- Restrict note input to the current key
- Control how ties are displayed
- Add and edit tuplets
- Override display quantization using tuplets
- Add grace notes and independent notes
- Delete notes
- Use automation in the Score Editor
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- Staff styles overview
- Assign staff styles to tracks
- Staff Style window
- Create and duplicate staff styles
- Edit staff styles
- Edit staff, voice, and assign parameters
- Add and delete staffs or voices in the Staff Style window in Logic Pro for Mac
- Copy staffs or voices in the Staff Style window in Logic Pro for Mac
- Copy staff styles between projects
- Delete staff styles
- Assign notes to voices and staffs
- Display polyphonic parts on separate staffs
- Change the staff assignment of score symbols
- Beam notes across staffs
- Use mapped staff styles for drum notation
- Predefined staff styles
- Share a score
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- Key commands overview
- Browse, import, and save key commands
- Assign key commands
- Copy and print key commands
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- Global Commands
- Global Control Surfaces Commands
- Various Windows
- Windows Showing Audio Files
- Main Window Tracks and Various Editors
- Various Editors
- Views Showing Time Ruler
- Views Showing Automation
- Main Window Tracks
- Live Loops Grid
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll
- Score Editor
- Event Editor
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer
- Project Audio
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Library
- Sampler
- Drum Machine Designer
- Step Input Keyboard
- Smart Controls
- Tool Menu
- Control Surface Install Window
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- Logic Pro projects
- Various windows
- Controller Assignments window
- Control bar
- Tracks area
- Global tracks
- Automation
- Live Loops grid
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll Editor
- Score Editor
- Event List
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer
- Flex Time
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Surround Panner
- Channel EQ
- Space Designer
- Sampler
- Touch Bar shortcuts
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- Working with your control surface
- Connect control surfaces
- Add a control surface to Logic Pro for Mac
- Automatic assignment for USB MIDI controllers
- Grouping control surfaces
- Control Surfaces settings overview
- Modal dialog display
- Tips for using your control surface
- Supported control surfaces
- Software and firmware for Logic Pro for Mac
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- Environment overview
- Common object parameters
- Customize the Environment
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- Fader objects overview
- Use fader objects
- Play back fader movements
- Work with object groups
- Fader styles
- Fader functions: MIDI events
- Fader functions: range, value as
- Fader functions: filter
- Vector fader
- Special faders overview
- Cable switchers
- Meta event faders
- SysEx faders
- Work with SysEx messages
- Special functions
- Ornament objects
- MMC record buttons
- Keyboard objects
- Monitor objects
- Channel splitter object
- Physical input objects
- Physical input objects
- MIDI click objects
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- Use MIDI plug-ins
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- Arpeggiator overview
- Arpeggiator control parameters
- Note order parameters overview
- Note order variations
- Note order inversions
- Arpeggiator pattern parameters overview
- Use Live mode
- Use Grid mode
- Arpeggiator options parameters
- Arpeggiator keyboard parameters
- Use keyboard parameters
- Assign controllers
- Modifier controls
- Note Repeater controls
- Randomizer controls
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- Use Scripter
- Use the Script Editor
- Scripter API overview
- MIDI processing functions overview
- HandleMIDI function
- ProcessMIDI function
- GetParameter function
- SetParameter function
- ParameterChanged function
- Reset function
- JavaScript objects overview
- Use the JavaScript Event object
- Use the JavaScript TimingInfo object
- Use the Trace object
- Use the MIDI event beatPos property
- Use the JavaScript MIDI object
- Create Scripter controls
- Transposer controls
- Record MIDI to Track
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- Alchemy overview
- Alchemy interface overview
- Alchemy Name bar
- Alchemy file locations
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- Alchemy source overview
- Source master controls
- Import browser
- Source subpage controls
- Source filter controls
- Source filter use tips
- Source elements overview
- Additive element controls
- Additive element effects
- Spectral element controls
- Spectral element effects
- Pitch correction controls
- Formant filter controls
- Granular element controls
- Sampler element controls
- VA element controls
- Wide unison mode
- Source modulations
- Morph controls
- Alchemy master voice section
- Alchemy Extended parameters
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- ES2 overview
- ES2 interface overview
- ES2 integrated effects processor controls
- Use ES2 in Surround mode
- Extended parameters
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- Sample Alchemy overview
- Interface overview
- Add source material
- Edit mode
- Play modes
- Source overview
- Synthesis modes
- Granular controls
- Additive effects
- Additive effect controls
- Spectral effect
- Spectral effect controls
- Filter module
- Lowpass, bandpass, and highpass filters
- Comb PM filter
- Downsampler filter
- FM filter
- Envelope generators
- Mod Matrix
- Modulation routing
- Motion mode
- Trim mode
- More menu
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- Sculpture overview
- Sculpture interface
- Global parameters
- Amplitude envelope parameters
- Use the Waveshaper
- Filter parameters
- Output parameters
- Use surround range and diversity
- Define MIDI controllers
- Extended parameters
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- Studio Piano
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- Ultrabeat overview
- Ultrabeat interface
- Synthesizer section overview
- Filter section controls
- Distortion circuit controls
- Glossary
- Copyright and trademarks
Match EQ parameters in Logic Pro for Mac
Match EQ offers the parameters described in this section.
Display and view parameters
Main display: Shows four different frequency response curves depending on which buttons are activated. Choices are:
Current button: Select to show the loaded frequency spectrum for the Current signal. This is shown in green.
Reference button: Select to show the loaded frequency spectrum for the Reference signal. This is shown in purple.
EQ Curve button: Select to show the frequency response curve applied to the signal on this channel strip (the Match button has to be active). This is shown in yellow, or in a dimmed yellow color, if the Current or Reference button is selected.
Analyzer button: Select to show the real-time frequency spectrum of the audio signal on the channel strip during playback. It is displayed in addition to the Current, Reference, or EQ Curve. The curve remains visible when pausing playback.
Analyzer Pre/Post button: Choose whether the Analyzer displays the signal on the channel strip before (Pre) or after (Post) it passes through the EQ curve.
Smoothing slider and field: Set the amount of smoothing for the EQ curve. Increase the value to even out sudden value changes.
Note: Smoothing has no effect on any manual changes you make to the EQ curve.
Channel pop-up menu: Click to choose which channels are displayed by the Analyzer, Current, and Reference spectrum. Choose L&R for stereo, or an individual L or R channel. In surround instances, choose “All channels” or an individual channel. Changes to the EQ curve affect the chosen channel if a single channel is selected.
Note: The Channel pop-up menu is not available when you use the effect on a mono channel strip.
Hide Others checkbox: Hide or show other channels in the display when an individual channel is chosen in the Channel pop-up menu. The visible impact of this parameter is directly tied to the Channel Link slider value.
Note: The Hide Others checkbox is not available when you use the effect on a mono channel strip.
Channel Link slider and field: Refine settings made with the Channel pop-up menu.
When set to 100%, all channels are represented by a common EQ curve.
When set to 0%, a separate EQ curve is displayed for each channel (chosen with the Channel pop-up menu).
Settings between 0 and 100% blend these values with your EQ curve changes for each channel. This results in a hybrid curve.
Note: The Channel Link slider and field is not available when you use the effect on a mono channel strip.
LFE Handling buttons: In surround instances, click to process or bypass the LFE channel. Click the disclosure triangle in the lower-left corner to show the Extended Parameters area.
Scale display: Drag the scale on the left of the display vertically to move the 0 dB reference line up or down to adjust the visible dB range of the display. The Analyzer button has to be activated for that.
Learn and match frequency spectrum parameters
The following buttons and menu commands let you create the source material (for example, the frequency spectrum of your song) and the reference material (for example, the frequency spectrum of your reference song) to have the plug-in create a matching frequency response curve. This represents how your song needs to be equalized to sound similar to the sonic quality of your reference song.
Current Learn button: Start and stop the process of learning the frequency spectrum of the audio signal you play back on the channel strip. It represents the source material that you match against the reference material. The learned frequency spectrum is shown in the main display when the Current button is selected.
Reference Learn button: Start and stop the process of learning the frequency spectrum of the audio signal you receive on the side chain input of the Match EQ plug-in during playback. It represents the reference material the source material is matched against. The learned frequency spectrum is shown in the main display when the Reference button is selected.
EQ Curve Match button: Click to turn the EQ curve on or off. This is the frequency response curve that, during playback, is applied to the audio signal on the channel strip (your song) to match the frequency spectrum of the reference material (your reference song).
Action menus: Choose and execute commands from the Current or Reference Action menus.
Clear Current/Reference Material Spectrum: Clears the Current/Reference frequency spectrum.
Copy Current/Reference Spectrum: Copies the Current/Reference frequency spectrum to the Clipboard.
Paste Current/Reference Spectrum: Pastes the Current/Reference frequency spectrum from the Clipboard.
Load Current/Reference Material Spectrum from settings file: Opens a Finder window showing the Match EQ plug-in settings folder to load a previously saved Match EQ plug-in setting containing the Current/Reference frequency spectrum.
Generate Current/Reference Material Spectrum form audio file: Opens a Finder window to navigate to an audio file. Select the audio file to learn its frequency spectrum to be loaded as the Current/Reference frequency spectrum.
Edit EQ curve parameters
The default EQ curve is calculated by matching the Current frequency response to the Reference frequency response loaded in the plug-in. You can use the following parameters to tweak that curve:
Gain offset: Drag the scale on the right up or down to apply a gain offset to the EQ curve.
Note: You can also drag the left scale if the Analyzer button is deactivated.
Manual adjustments: When the EQ Curve button is selected, you can adjust the frequency response curve using the following gestures:
Drag vertically to adjust the level of that specific frequency.
Drag horizontally to adjust the affected frequency.
Hold the Shift key after starting to drag vertically to change the Q factor, the width of the affected area.
Option-click to reset all manual EQ curve changes.
Note: A help tag appears while dragging, showing the frequency, gain, and Q of the applied changes.
Apply slider and field: Increase or decrease the impact of the EQ curve.
Values greater than 100% magnify the effect.
Values less than 100% reduce effect.
Negative values (−1% to −100%) invert the peaks and troughs in the filter curve.
Note: Control-click the slider to set it to 100%, which represents the default curve without manual changes.
Ease-In/Ease-Out checkbox: Select to have the EQ curve adjusted according to the frequency level. Select Ease-In to adjust in the low frequency range, and Ease-Out to adjust in the high frequency range. When the EQ Curve button is selected, the following handles appear in the main display:
Ease-In Low/High handles: Drag the left and right handles on the left to set a frequency band, representing the ease-in area. The EQ curve is adjusted so frequencies below its low frequency handle result in a flat 0 dB curve (no EQ effect), and frequencies above its high frequency handle are processed by the actual EQ curve. In the ease-in area, the EQ curve is gradually increasing from 0 dB to its actual values.
Ease-Out Low/High handles: Drag the left and right handles on the right to set a frequency band, representing the ease-out area. The EQ curve is adjusted so frequencies below its low frequency handle are processed by the actual EQ curve, and frequencies above its high frequency handle result in a flat 0 dB curve (no EQ effect). In the ease-out area, the EQ curve gradually decreases its actual values down to 0 dB.
Boost Limit checkbox: Select to set and adjust the EQ curve so it doesn’t exceed a specific positive dB value (boost). If selected, a horizontal line with a handle appears in the display on or above the 0 dB line (only visible when the EQ Curve button is selected).
Limit Boost Max line or handle: Drag the line or the handle up to set the maximum positive value (boost) the EQ curve can reach.
Note: Vertically drag between the handles to move both the upper and lower limits simultaneously.
Cut Limit checkbox: Select to set and adjust the EQ curve so it doesn’t exceed a specific negative dB value (cut). If selected, a horizontal line with a handle appears in the display on or below the 0 dB line (only visible when the EQ Curve button is selected).
Limit Cut Max handle: Drag the line or the handle down to set the maximum negative value (cut) the EQ curve can reach.
Note: Vertically drag between the handles to move the upper and lower limits simultaneously.
Phase pop-up menu: Choose the operational principle of the EQ curve, which is always a trade-off between phase shifts (inherent to equalizers), latency, and CPU load.
Linear: Processing doesn’t introduce any phase shifts, which results in higher latencies.
Minimal: Processing allows minimal phase shifts to reduce latency.
Minimal, Zero Latency: Processing allows minimal phase shifts, but achieves zero latency with a higher CPU overhead than the other options.