Logic Pro User Guide
- Welcome
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- What is Logic Pro?
- Logic Pro project basics
- Use the complete set of Logic Pro features
- Undo and redo edits
- Manage Logic Pro content
- How to get help
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- Projects overview
- Create projects
- Open projects
- Save projects
- Delete projects
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- Play a project
- Set the playhead position
- Control playback with the transport buttons
- Use transport shortcut menus
- Use transport key commands
- Customize the control bar
- Change the LCD display mode in Logic Pro
- Monitor and reset MIDI events
- Use the cycle area
- Use the Chase Events function
- Use Apple Remote to control Logic Pro
- Use Logic Remote to control Logic Pro projects
- Preview projects in the Finder
- Close projects
- View project information
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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
- Record to multiple software instrument tracks
- Replace software instrument recordings
- Record multiple MIDI devices to multiple tracks
- Record software instruments and audio simultaneously
- Use step input recording techniques
- 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
- Normalize audio regions in the Tracks area
- Create aliases of MIDI regions
- Convert repeated MIDI regions to loops
- Change the color of regions
- Convert audio regions to samples for a sampler instrument
- Rename regions
- Delete regions
- 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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- Logic Pro 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 formats
- Set channel strip pan or balance positions
- Mute and solo channel strips
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- Plug-ins overview
- Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins
- Insert a plug-in on a track using drag and drop
- Activate plug-ins on inactive channels
- Use the Channel EQ
- Work in the plug-in window
- Work with plug-in settings
- Work with plug-in latencies
- Work with Audio Units plug-ins in Logic Pro
- Support for ARA 2 compatible plug-ins
- 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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- 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
- Copy staffs or voices in the Staff Style window in Logic Pro
- 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 key commands
- Global Control Surfaces Commands
- Various windows
- Windows Showing Audio files
- Main Window Tracks and Various Editors
- Live Loops Grid key commands
- Various Editors
- Views showing Time Ruler
- Main Window Tracks
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll
- Score Editor
- Event Editor
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer key commands
- Project Audio
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Sampler
- Step Input Keyboard
- Tools
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- Various windows modifier keys and actions
- Controller Assignments window modifier keys and actions
- Tracks area modifiers and actions
- Global tracks modifier keys and actions
- Automation modifier keys and actions
- Live Loops Grid modifier keys and actions
- Mixer modifier keys and actions
- MIDI Environment window modifier keys and actions
- Piano Roll Editor modifier keys and actions
- Score Editor modifier keys and actions
- Event List modifier keys and actions
- Step Editor modifier keys and actions
- Step Sequencer modifier keys and actions
- Flex Time modifier keys and actions
- Touch Bar shortcuts
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- Working with your control surface
- Connect control surfaces
- Add a control surface to Logic Pro
- Automatic assignment for USB MIDI controllers
- Grouping control surfaces
- Control Surfaces preferences overview
- Modal dialog display
- Tips for using your control surface
- Supported control surfaces
- Software and firmware for Logic Pro
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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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- Effects overview
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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 the 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 MIDI plug-in controls
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- Instruments introduction
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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
- Source modulations
- Morph controls
- Alchemy master voice section
- Alchemy Extended parameters
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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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- Ultrabeat overview
- Ultrabeat interface
- Synthesizer section overview
- Filter section controls
- Distortion circuit controls
- Glossary
- Copyright
Record to Live Loops cells in Logic Pro
You can record to an audio or MIDI cell, even while other cells are playing. The settings for audio signal flow, software instruments, and the metronome are the same as when you record regions in the Tracks area.
If you need both hands to play an instrument while recording, you can set the length of the recording to a predefined value (determined by the cell length); otherwise you can set it to the nearest bar or beat while recording.
When the end of the recording length is reached, you can stop recording and automatically play what you recorded, continue recording multiple takes to the cell, or merge software instrument performances.
Once you have enabled tracks for recording, a Cell Record button appears on empty cells when you move the pointer over them. Clicking the Cell Record button triggers the cell to start recording at the next quantize start point. If the quantize start is longer than one bar, recording begins at the next bar.
You can use the Record Into Cell key command to trigger cells to start and stop recording and to set the record length while recording. You can assign the key command to a controller, such as a footswitch or pedal to accelerate your workflow.
You can control cell recording using the following parameters in the Cell inspector:
Recording: Determines what happens to existing cell content when you record in a cell. You can replace the previous performance with the current one, record new performances to a take folder, or, for software instruments, merge the performances.
Rec-Length: Determines the duration of the recording. You can set it to match the Cell Length value, or manually set it to the next bar or beat while recording.
At Rec-End: Determines what happens when the Record-Length is reached. You can set it to immediately play back what you record, continue recording multiple takes of a performance, or merge multiple software instrument performances, depending on the Recording setting.
Note: You can’t record to Drummer or Pattern cells.
Set the recording mode
The recording mode determines what happens to existing cell content when you record to a cell. You can replace a previous recording or create multiple takes. With software instruments, you can also record continuously in a loop, merging each pass in a single cell. This can be useful for creating drum patterns or melodies on the fly. You can choose one of three recording modes:
Takes: Each new recording is added to a take folder in the cell. After recording, you can preview the takes and choose the one you want to use in the cell.
Merge: Each new recording merges with the previous recording.
This mode is available only for software instruments.
Replace: Each new recording replaces the previous recording.
In Logic Pro, do either of the following:
Select the cell you want to record to, then choose a mode from the Recording pop-up menu in the Cell inspector.
Control-click the cell you want to record to, choose Recording > Mode, then choose a recording mode from the submenu.
Set the Rec-Length parameter
You can set the length of the cell recording using the Rec-Length parameter. You can choose from the following settings:
Cell Length: The length of the recording is determined by the Cell Length value under the Play From settings in the Cell inspector.
Automatic (Bars): The length of the recording is set to the nearest bar when you click the cell or use the Record Into Cell key command while recording.
Automatic (Beats): The length of the recording is set to the nearest beat when you click the cell or use the Record Into Cell key command while recording.
In Logic Pro, do either of the following:
Select the cell you want to record to, then choose a setting from the Rec-Length pop-up menu in the Cell inspector.
Control-click the cell you want to record to, choose Recording > Rec-Length, then choose a setting from the submenu.
Set the At Rec-End action
The At Rec-End action determines what happens at the end of a recording pass. Depending on how you set this up, it can be useful for recording multiple takes of a performance, or for merging multiple performances when recording a software instrument. You can choose either of the following settings:
Change to Play Mode: At the end of the recording, Live Loops stops recording and the cell immediately begins playing the performance you just recorded.
Continue Recording: At the end of the recording, Live Loops continues recording and overwrites the previous recording, creates takes, or merges each subsequent recording, depending on the recording parameter. When Continue Recording is selected and the Rec-Length parameter is set to Automatic, a Plus button (+) is visible in the middle of the cell while the cell is recording. Clicking the button sets the Rec-Length to the nearest bar or beat and starts the next recording pass.
In Logic Pro, do either of the following:
Select the cell you want to record to, then choose a setting from the At Rec-End pop-up menu in the Cell inspector.
Control-click the cell you want to record to, choose Recording > Rec-End Action, then choose a setting from the submenu.
Record to a cell
In Logic Pro, click the Record Enable button in the track header of the track containing the cell you want to record to.
Set the metronome and count-in for recording if desired.
Select a cell and set the parameters for Recording, Rec-Length, and At Rec-End in the Cell inspector if necessary.
Do any of the following:
Move the pointer over an empty cell and click the Cell Record button in the center of the cell.
Select a cell and use the Record Into Cell key command (Option-R).
Control-click a cell and choose Record Into Cell from the shortcut menu.
If cells are already playing, recording starts at the next Quantize Start point.
Play, sing, or otherwise create the sound you want to record.
If the Rec-Length is set to Cell-Length and the At Rec-End action is set to Change to Play Mode, recording stops automatically and the cell plays.
If you use different cell recording settings, do either of the following:
If the Rec-Length is set to Automatic and the At Rec-End action is set to Continue Recording, click the Plus button (+) in the cell to set the record length to the nearest bar or beat.
If the Rec-Length is set to Automatic and the At Rec-End action is set to Change to Play Mode, or the Rec-Length is set to Cell Length and the At Rec-End action is set to Continue Recording, click the Play button in the cell to stop recording and play the cell.
You can also use the Record Into Cell key command to start and stop cell recording and set the record length while recording.
Set recording defaults for cells by type
In some cases it can be convenient to set the cell length, recording mode, and MIDI quantization for cells before recording. You can set defaults for all cells of a particular type (audio or MIDI).
In Logic Pro, click in the Live Loops grid to ensure it is active.
Select a track of the type for which you want to set the defaults.
Deselect all cells in the grid (use Shift-D).
In the Cell inspector, Cell: Audio Defaults or Cell: MIDI Defaults appears, depending on the track type you selected.
In the Cell inspector, set the default values, including default cell length, recording settings, or quantize value for MIDI recordings.
Note: Some default settings you make in the Cell inspector apply to both newly recorded cells and regions of the specified type.
Set recording defaults for an individual cell
You can also set defaults for individual cells. This can be useful when you want to predefine different recording lengths for different scenes, while keeping automatic recording lengths in bars as a general default.
In Logic Pro, select one or more cells for which you want to set recording defaults. The cells must all be of the same type (audio or MIDI).
In the Cell inspector, set the default values, including default cell length, recording settings, or quantize value for MIDI recordings.
Download the guides:
Logic Pro User Guide: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Instruments: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Effects: Apple Books | PDF