Use the cycle area in Logic Pro for iPad

You can use the cycle area to play a defined part of a project repeatedly. The cycle area can be used for composing, practicing a part before recording, recording multiple takes, and more. The cycle area is available in the Tracks area, and also in the Piano Roll Editor, the Audio Editor, and the Automation view of the Drummer Editor.

Figure. Top of the Tracks area showing active cycle area, with Cycle button in the control bar.

When Cycle mode is on, the cycle area is displayed as a yellow strip in the upper part of the ruler (or in the center, when the secondary ruler is visible).

The left and right locators are the start and end points of the cycle area. When Cycle mode is turned off, the cycle area is dimmed.

You can also create a skip cycle to skip a passage during playback; for example, to try out different transitions from one section to another without moving regions. A Skip cycle is also useful when editing, to leave out parts of the project that you don’t want to be affected by the edit.

You can show or hide the Cycle button in the control bar. See Customize the control bar.

Turn Cycle mode on or off

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Tap the Cycle button in the control bar.
Tap the upper part of the ruler.

Set the cycle area in the ruler

In Logic Pro, drag left or right in the upper part of the ruler.

The cycle area appears as a yellow strip in the ruler, and Cycle mode is automatically turned on.

Move the cycle area

In Logic Pro, drag the center part of the cycle area and drag it left or right.

Resize the cycle area

Drag the left or right edge of the cycle area, then drag left or right to move the start or end point.

Set the cycle area to a selection

Select one or more regions.
Do one of the following:
- Tap one of the selected regions, tap Cycle, then tap Selection.
- To round the cycle area to the nearest bar, tap one of the selected regions, tap Cycle, then tap Rounded Selection.

Create a skip cycle

In Logic Pro, set the cycle area to the part of the project you want to skip.
Touch and hold the Cycle button in the control bar, then tap Skip Cycle.
The cycle area changes to black with a yellow outline, indicating that it is now a skip cycle.
When you finish using the skip cycle, touch and hold the Cycle button, then tap Skip Cycle to deselect it.
The cycle area returns to its yellow color.

Cut or copy the regions below the cycle area

In Logic Pro, tap the More button in the Tracks area menu bar, then do one of the following:
- To cut the regions below the cycle area, tap Cut Cycle Section.
- To copy the regions below the cycle area, tap Copy Cycle Section.

Note: When the cycle area extends over part of a region, only the part below the cycle area is cut or copied.

Repeat the regions in the cycle area

In Logic Pro, tap the More button in the Tracks area menu bar, then tap Repeat Cycle Section.
The regions below the cycle area are repeated after the end of the cycle area.

Insert silence within the cycle area

In Logic Pro, set the cycle area to the part of the project where you want to insert silence.
Tap the More button in the Tracks area menu bar, then tap Insert Silence within Cycle.

Regions inside the cycle area are moved by the length of the cycle area. Regions extending below the start of the cycle area are cut at that point, and the following part moved by the length of the cycle area.

Download this guide: PDF

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Logic Pro User Guide for iPad