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Welcome
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 11.1
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 11
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 10.8
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 10.7.8
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 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
- Get started overview
- Workflow overview
- Logic Pro main window
- Projects
- Playback and navigation
- Tempo, key, and time signature
- Patches
- Arranging regions
- - Piano Roll Editor
  - Audio Track Editor
- Session Players
- Smart Controls
- Live Loops
- Mixing
- Apple Loops
- Smart Tempo
- Sharing
- What is Logic Pro for Mac?
- Logic Pro project basics
- Use menu commands and key commands
- Use the complete set of Logic Pro features
- Undo and redo edits
- Manage Logic Pro content
- How to get help
- Hardware connection overview
- Projects overview
- Create projects
- Open projects
- Save projects
- Delete projects
- Use Logic Remote to control Logic Pro projects
- Preview projects in the Finder
- Close projects
- View project information
- Tracks overview
- Control timing with the groove track
- Use selection-based processing
- Edit track parameters
- Overview
- Use the metronome
- Using loops and other media in Logic Pro
- Bookmark folders in the All Files Browser
- Import compressed audio files
- Arranging overview
- Extract vocal and instrumental stems with Stem Splitter
- - Remove silent passages
  - Uses for Remove Silence
- Create groove templates
- Overview
- Select audio regions
- Cut, copy, and paste audio regions
- Move audio regions
- Trim audio regions
- Split and join audio regions
- Snap edits to zero crossings
- Delete audio regions
- Use Flex Time and Pitch in the Logic Pro for Mac Audio Track Editor
- Use automation in the Audio Track Editor
- Overview
- View multiple MIDI regions
- Split chords
- Automation/MIDI area in the Piano Roll Editor
- Open other editors
- 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
- Flex Time and Pitch overview
- Use Varispeed to alter the speed and pitch of audio
- Logic Pro for Mac advanced editors overview
- Mixing overview
- - Channel strip types
  - Channel strip controls
- Set channel strip input format
- Set channel strip pan or balance positions
- Mute and solo channel strips
- Reorder channel strips in the Mixer
- Work with channel strip settings
- Surround panning
- Use the I/O Labels window
- Undo and redo Mixer and plug-in adjustments
- Automation overview
- Track automation vs. region automation
- Show automation curves
- Choose automation modes
- - Select, copy, and move automation
  - Delete automation
- Snap automation to grid positions
- Edit automation in the Automation Event List
- Write automation with external controllers
- 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
- Live Loops overview
- Start and stop cells
- Work with Live Loops cells
- - Record to cells
  - Record and edit takes in 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
- Step Sequencer overview
- Use Step Sequencer with Drum Machine Designer
- Record Step Sequencer patterns live
- Step record Step Sequencer patterns
- Load and save patterns
- Modify pattern playback
- Edit steps
- Edit rows
- Step Sequencer inspector
- Customize Step Sequencer
- Global changes overview
- Control transposition with the Pitch Source parameter
- Control project volume
- Overview
- Add notes
- Use automation in the Score Editor
- Share a score
- Sharing overview
- Share songs to the Music app
- Share songs to Voice Memos
- Share songs using AirDrop
- Share songs using MailDrop
- Share a project to GarageBand for iOS
- Share a project to Logic Pro for iPad
- Overview of surround and spatial audio
- - Overview of spatial audio with Dolby Atmos
  - - Bed tracks and object tracks
    - Rendering a Dolby Atmos mix in Logic Pro for Mac
- - Surround Panner overview
  - Surround Panner parameters
- - 3D Object Panner overview
  - 3D Object Panner parameters
- - Bounce surround audio files
  - Export ADM BWF files
- Video and synchronization overview
Touch Bar shortcuts
- Environment overview
- Common object parameters
- - Environment Layers overview
  - Create, name, delete, and switch layers
- Customize the Environment
- - Effects overview
  - Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins
- - Instruments introduction
  - Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins
  - Use multi-output instruments
- - Alchemy overview
  - Alchemy interface overview
  - Alchemy Name bar
  - Alchemy file locations
  - - Preset browser overview
    - Browser results list
  - - Main filter controls
    - Filter types
  - Alchemy master voice section
  - Alchemy Extended parameters
- - Drum Kit Designer overview
  - Edit pane
  - Use Drum Kit Designer
  - Extended parameters
  - Drum Kit Designer mappings
- - Drum Machine Designer overview
  - Drum Machine Designer interface
  - Kit controls
  - - Pad controls bar
    - Use pad controls
  - Kit Tone and Effect Smart Controls
  - Kit Piece Tone and Effect Smart Controls
- - Drum Synth overview
  - Drum Synth Kicks
  - Drum Synth Snares and Claps
  - Drum Synth Percussion
  - Drum Synth Hats and Cymbals
- - ES1 overview
  - Global parameters
  - - Filter parameters
    - Overdrive the filter
  - Amplifier parameters
  - MIDI controller assignments
- - ES2 overview
  - ES2 interface overview
  - - Use the dynamic stage
    - Enhance sounds with the Sine Level control
  - ES2 integrated effects processor controls
  - Use ES2 in Surround mode
  - Extended parameters
  - - Use randomization parameters
    - Restrict randomization
- - EFM1 overview
  - Modulation parameters
  - Global parameters
  - Output parameters
  - Create random sounds
  - Extended parameters
  - Assign MIDI controllers
- - ES E overview
  - Oscillator parameters
  - LFO parameters
  - Filter parameters
  - Envelope parameters
  - Output parameters
  - Extended parameters
- - ES M overview
  - Oscillator parameters
  - Filter and filter envelope controls
  - Level envelope and output controls
  - Extended parameters
- - ES P overview
  - Oscillator parameters
  - LFO parameters
  - Filter parameters
  - Envelope and level controls
  - Integrated effects processor
  - Extended parameters
- - - EVOC 20 PS overview
    - Vocoder basics
  - EVOC 20 PS interface
  - Analysis controls
  - (U/V) detection parameters
  - Formant filter controls
  - Modulation parameters
  - Output parameters
  - Vocoder history
  - EVOC 20 block diagram
- - Quick Sampler overview
  - Add audio to Quick Sampler
  - Quick Sampler waveform display
  - Use Flex in Quick Sampler
  - - Mod Matrix pane
    - LFO controls
  - Quick Sampler Pitch controls
  - Quick Sampler Filter controls
  - Quick Sampler filter types
  - Quick Sampler Amp controls
  - Quick Sampler extended parameters
- - Retro Synth overview
  - Analog oscillator controls
  - Sync oscillator controls
  - - Table oscillator parameters
    - Use the Wavetable menu
  - FM oscillator controls
  - Filter controls
  - Filter types
  - Amp and effect controls
  - Global and controller settings
  - Extended parameters
- - 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
- - Sampler overview
  - Load and save instruments in Sampler
  - Sampler articulation handling
  - Sampler memory management
  - Sampler extended parameters
- - Sculpture overview
  - Sculpture interface
  - - Pickup parameters
    - Spread controls
  - Global parameters
  - Amplitude envelope parameters
  - Use the Waveshaper
  - Filter parameters
  - Output parameters
  - Use surround range and diversity
  - Define MIDI controllers
  - Extended parameters
- - Studio Bass overview
  - Main view parameters
  - Details view parameters
  - Keyswitch mapping
  - String and position MIDI Out channel assignments
- - Studio Horns overview
  - Extended parameters
  - Keyswitch mapping
  - Section MIDI channel assignments
- Studio Piano
- - Studio Strings overview
  - Extended parameters
  - Keyswitch mapping
  - Section MIDI channel assignments
- - Ultrabeat overview
  - Ultrabeat interface
  - Synthesizer section overview
  - Filter section controls
  - Distortion circuit controls
- - Utility instruments
  - External Instrument
  - Klopfgeist
- - Vintage B3 overview
- - Vintage Clav overview
  - Vintage Clav interface
  - Extended parameters
  - - D6 Clavinet history
    - D6 mechanical details
- - Vintage Electric Piano overview
  - Vintage Electric Piano interface
  - - Model controls
    - Pitch controls
  - Extended parameters
  - - Rhodes models
    - Hohner and Wurlitzer models
  - MIDI controller assignments
- - Vintage Mellotron overview
  - Vintage Mellotron controls
- - Legacy instruments overview
  - - Bass
    - Church Organ
    - Drum Kits
    - Electric Clav(inet)
    - Electric Piano
    - Guitar
    - Horns
    - Piano
    - Sound Effects
    - Strings
    - Tuned Percussion
    - Voice
    - Woodwind
    - Tonewheel Organ
- - Synthesizer basics overview
  - Synthesizer fundamentals
Glossary
Copyright

Add dynamic marks, slurs, and crescendi to a score in Logic Pro for Mac

Dynamic marks indicate the dynamic level at which a performer should play a musical phrase or section. You can add dynamic marks such as p (piano), ff (fortissimo), and sfz (sforzando). Dynamic marks are visual symbols only, and don’t affect the volume of notes during playback.

You can add slurs to indicate notes that should be played legato, and add dynamic crescendo and decrescendo symbols (sometimes called hairpins). Automatic slurs can cover a selected group of notes, and adjust when the notes are copied, moved, or transposed. Using key commands, you can quickly add and edit automatic slurs for an entire phrase, part, or score.

After adding these symbols, you can adjust their length to indicate which notes they apply to. These symbols are visual symbols only, and have no effect on playback.

The Part box is available when Enable Complete Features is selected in Logic Pro > Settings > Advanced.

Add a dynamic symbol

If the Dynamics section of the Part box isn’t visible, click the Dynamics button in the Part box.
Drag a dynamic symbol from the Part box to the place in the score where you want to add it.

Add an automatic slur

You can add and edit automatic slurs, which automatically adjust to cover a selected group of contiguous notes. Automatic slurs adjust when notes are copied, moved, or transposed. They do not overlap with notes, accidentals, or most score symbols.

Click the Slurs and Crescendi button in the Part box to show slurs, crescendo, and other symbols.
In the Score Editor, select the notes that you want the slur to apply to.
Do one of the following:
- Drag an automatic slur (with both up and down curves) from the Part box over the selected notes.
- Select an automatic slur in the Part box, then click the selected notes with the Pencil tool.
- If no notes are selected, drag or click on a note, then drag the left or right edge of the slur to cover the intended notes.

You can also add an automatic slur when no note is selected by selecting an automatic slur in the Part box, making a long click with the Pencil tool near a note, then dragging out the automatic slur to cover additional notes.

An automatic slur cannot extend across region boundaries. If you want to add an automatic slur extending between two regions, first merge the regions.

Add automatic slurs using a key command

You can add a series of automatic slurs to a line, a part, or a full score. By selecting the start and end notes for each individual slur, then applying the relevant key command, you can add multiple automatic slurs in one operation. Each pair defined by the start and end note receives an automatic slur. Individual automatic slurs cannot extend across region boundaries.

Select the start and end notes for each individual slur you want to add.
Use the “Create Auto Slurs for non-contiguous selected notes” key command.

Edit an automatic slur

To edit the start or end point of an automatic slur: Drag the start or end point to another note with the same voice in the same region.
To edit the curve of an automatic slur: Drag one or more of the inner handles.
To convert an automatic slur to a manual slur: Control-click the slur, then choose Convert to Manual Slur from the shortcut menu.
Note: A manual slur cannot be converted to an automatic slur.
To reposition an automatic slur relative to notes: Control-click the slur, then choose one of the following from the shortcut menu:
- To position the slur above notes: Choose Slur Above.
- To position the slur below notes: Choose Slur Below.
- To return to the automatic position of the slur: Choose Slur Auto Direction.
To open the Score Layout settings, do one of the following:
- Choose File > Project Settings > Score, then click the Layout button.
- Control-click the slur, then choose Settings: Extended Layout from the shortcut menu.

The Score Layout settings include a Slurs section where you can edit automatic slur settings that apply to existing automatic slurs and become the default for new ones, as well as Line Thickness settings that affect automatic and manual slurs.

Edit automatic slurs using key commands

To convert an automatic slur to a manual slur: Use the Convert Auto Slur key command.
Note: A manual slur cannot be converted to an automatic slur.
To revert all edits made to an automatic slur: Use the Reset Auto Slur key command.
To add an automatic slur with the direction set automatically: Use the Slur Auto Direction key command.
To add an automatic slur above selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Above key command.
To add an automatic slur below selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Below key command.
To position a selected automatic slur above selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Above key command.
To position a selected automatic slur below selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Below key command.
To return a selected automatic slur to the automatic position: Use the Slur Auto Direction key command.
To set the selected note as the final note of an automatic slur: Use the Slur Last Note key command.

Add a manual slur

Automatic slurs are useful in many instances, but using a manual slur may be preferable in situations where independent placement or more complex curves are needed. They are also necessary in cases where you need an enclosing slur above note groups with one or more automatic slurs.

Click the Slurs and Crescendi button in the Part box to show slurs, crescendo, and other symbols.
Do one of the following:
- Drag a manual slur from the Part box to the place in the score where you want it to start (the left edge).
- Select a manual slur in the Part box, then click with the Pencil tool at the place where you want the slur to start.
Drag the handles to reshape the slur.

Note: These are slurs, not ties. Ties cannot be inserted manually, but are displayed automatically if a MIDI note’s length requires it. For more information, see Control how ties are displayed in the Score Editor.

Add a crescendo or decrescendo

Drag a crescendo from the Part box to the place in the score where you want it to start (the left edge).
The crescendo remains selected, and small square handles appear at its end points.
Drag the handles to extend the crescendo to the place where you want it to end (the right edge).

Edit slurs and crescendi

To move a slur or crescendo: Select the item, then drag (from the center). Notice that as you move the handle, alignment guides indicate the note to which it is attached.
To change the length of a slur or crescendo: Drag the rightmost handle. Notice that as you move the handle, alignment guides indicate the note to which it is attached.
In Linear Score view, you can extend a slur to a position not visible in the Score Editor by dragging its rightmost handle to the right border of the Score Editor. The score scrolls automatically. When the end position for the slur appears in the window, move the pointer back to the left slightly to stop scrolling, then position the end of the slur. It is important that you do not release the mouse button during the entire process.
In Page Score view, you can simply drag the right handle to the desired destination on a lower staff. The slur is displayed in several sections.
The length can exceed the end of the MIDI region. It’s possible to drag the right handle of a crescendo to a position in the next MIDI region on the same track.
To change the contour of a slur: Drag one or more of the inner handles until the slur shows the correct contour.
To change the opening angle of a crescendo: Drag one or more of the rightmost handles vertically.
To change the overall angle of a crescendo: Drag one or more of the rightmost handles vertically.

The start position and length of these symbols can also be edited in the Event List or Event Float window, by changing the corresponding numerical parameter.

You can also add notes and other symbols to multiple regions.

Download the guides:

Logic Pro User Guide: PDF

Logic Pro Instruments: PDF

Logic Pro Effects: PDF

Control Surfaces Support Guide: PDF

Helpful?

Logic Pro User Guide for Mac