Quantize parameters for MIDI regions in the Tracks area in Logic Pro for iPad
The Quantize parameters in the Region inspector move the position of the MIDI notes inside the MIDI region. You can see those changes when viewing the region in the Piano Roll Editor. However, the Quantization parameters are non-destructive, and you can move the notes back to their original position at any time by setting the Quantize parameter to Off. In addition to the parameter that sets the quantization grid, you have six advanced parameters to further adjust the quantization, plus two quantize algorithms to choose from.
Quantize parameters
Quantize: All note events in the MIDI region are time corrected to the (quantize) grid format chosen in the pop-up menu. There are two types of region quantization: Classic Quantize and Smart Quantize. You select the type by tapping the Q-Algorithm menu in the Region inspector. For information, see MIDI quantization types.
Q-Swing: This percentage value alters the position of every second point in the current quantization grid. Values over 50% delay the beats, and values under 50% pre-delay them. The most practical settings fall between 50% and 75%, imparting a swing feel to strictly quantized (or tightly played) audio or MIDI regions.
Q-Strength: This percentage value determines how far a note is shifted toward the nearest grid position. 100% results in full quantization; 0% leaves the note at its recorded position.
Q-Range: Defines which notes are quantized based on their proximity to quantization grid positions. At the default value of 0, every note is quantized. At positive Q-Range values, only notes outside the set range (that is, farther away from the grid position) are quantized, and notes in the range keep their original position. At negative Q-Range values, only notes in the set range are quantized, and notes outside the range remain unchanged. The amount by which notes shift toward the grid positions depends on the Q-Strength setting.
For example, with Q-Range set to 20 ticks and Q-Strength to 50%, only notes that are more than 20 ticks off are quantized. Those notes are quantized by 50%, which improves the timing without making the performance sound mechanical.
Q-Flam: Notes with the same time position (chords) are spread out by this parameter. Positive values produce an ascending (upward) arpeggio; negative values a descending (downward) arpeggio. The position of the first note (either the bottom or top note, assuming all notes start at the same position) in the arpeggio is unaltered.
Q-Velocity: When used with a groove template, this parameter (expressed as a percentage) determines the amount that the velocity values of quantized notes are affected by the velocity values of a template MIDI region. At a value of 0%, the notes retain their original velocity. At 100%, they adopt the velocity values of the template. Negative values alter the velocity, making the deviation from the template even greater.
Q-Length: When used with a groove template, this parameter (also expressed as a percentage value) determines how the lengths of quantized notes are affected by the equivalent note lengths (notes at the same position) of a template MIDI region. A value of 0% has no effect, while at 100%, the notes adopt the exact note lengths of the template region. Negative values alter note lengths further, resulting in a more significant deviation from the template.
Quantization grids
The values of the Quantize parameter in the Region inspector are grouped in the following categories:
No quantization: The Off setting plays the notes at the finest possible timing resolution: 1/3840 note, which is unquantized playback, for practical purposes.
Normal quantization: The 1/1-Note, 1/2-Note, 1/4-Note, 1/8-Note, 1/16-Note, 1/32-Note, and 1/64-Note settings quantize the MIDI region to the equivalent note value.
Triplet quantization: The Triplet settings quantize the MIDI region to triplet note values. The equivalent values are shown in parentheses.
Swing quantization: The 1/16 Swing A-F settings delay the position of every second point in the quantization grid by a fixed percentage. You can also manually alter the swing factor of any Quantize value.
Odd quantization: The 5-Tuplet/4 setting is quarter quintuplets (1 bar = 5 beats), 5-Tuplet/8 is eighth quintuplets (1 bar = 10 beats), 7-Tuplet is septuplets (1 bar = 7 beats), and 9-Tuplet setting denotes novetuplets (1 bar = 9 beats).
Mixed quantization: These combine “straight” and tuplet values of 1/16 and 1/8. Mixed quantization always applies to both note values and requires greater playing precision when recording.
Quantize setting | Swing percentage |
|---|---|
Swing F | 71% |
Swing E | 66% |
Swing D | 62% |
Swing C | 58% |
Swing B | 54% |
Swing A | 50% |
Quantize MIDI regions
In the Tracks area menu bar, tap the Trim button
.Tap a MIDI region to select it, or select multiple MIDI regions.
Tap the Inspector button
on the left side of the view control bar (or press I on your external keyboard) to open the Region inspector.Tap the Quantize disclosure arrow to show the Quantize parameters.
Tap the Quantize pop-up menu and choose a quantize grid.
To further adjust that quantization, set any of the advanced quantize parameters: Q-Swing, Q-Strength, Q-Range, Q-Flam, A-Velocity, Q-Length, and Q-Algorithm.
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