Logic Pro User Guide for Mac
- Welcome
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- 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
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- 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
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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 for Mac
- 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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- 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 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
- 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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- 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 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 in Logic Pro for Mac
- 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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- 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
- Channel EQ
- 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
Alchemy Transform pad in Logic Pro for Mac
When simple view is active, or if the Perform button is on in the Perform/Arp/Effects section in other views, the performance controls subpage is displayed.
Alchemy presets contain eight snapshots of performance control settings, numbered 1 to 8. By default, snapshot 1 is selected. This is indicated by the framing box.
Transform pad controls
In addition to the parameters outlined, you can Control-click directly on snapshots in the Transform pad to open a shortcut menu with a number of snapshot and other commands. See the tasks in this section for details about use of these commands.
Transform pad: Drag the framing box to different positions to morph between performance snapshots in real time. The performance control knobs update, modulating the associated parameters.
Action menu button: Open a pop-up menu with a number of snapshot-related commands.
Copy Snapshot: Store all performance control settings of the selected snapshot in a buffer.
Paste Snapshot: Paste all performance control settings from the buffer to the selected snapshot.
Copy 1 To All: Copy all performance control settings of snapshot 1 into snapshots 2 to 8.
Clear: Capture the current performance control values and apply them directly to target parameters, preserving the current sound. Following use of the command, all performance control and Transform pad assignments are cleared, all controls are reset to zero, and the knob and pad name fields are wiped.
Randomize Snapshots: Create random performance control values for all snapshots except the currently active snapshot.
Auto Assign All: Automatically assign all performance controls to appropriate parameters in the current preset. This command also generates a random set of snapshots that are derived from the settings in snapshot 1. This is the quickest way to start with the performance controls.
Auto Assign Empty: Automatically assign all unused performance controls to appropriate parameters in the current preset. Existing performance control assignments are not affected, and no snapshot settings are created.
Snapshot Update: Enable to immediately write changes of performance control values to the nearest Transform pad snapshot. This prevents the performance knob from reverting to its previous position when you move a performance knob and then move the Transform pad framing box slightly.
Tip: This parameter is on by default, but you can enable or disable it as preferred and then save the default preset in the plug-in header to recall this behavior in new presets.
Octave pop-up menu: Define an octave range used to switch between Transform pad positions when you play notes within the specified range.
Rate field: Drag vertically or use the arrows to set the speed of movement (interpolation) between snapshots when switching from a MIDI keyboard.
ModWheel pop-up menu: Assign your keyboard modulation wheel to a performance control. This can be any knob, the x- or y-axis of pads, or the envelope controls. Set to None to disable modwheel control of performance controls. A setting of None is remembered between presets. See Alchemy performance control knobs in Logic Pro for Mac, Alchemy XY pads in Logic Pro for Mac, and Alchemy performance control envelopes in Logic Pro for Mac.
Each modwheel target offers an inverted option. This is useful when using a spring-loaded modulation wheel as it stops the target performance control from closing when the modulation wheel is released.
Snap Vol field: Set the intensity of change from one snapshot to the next. In essence, this sets an initial level between snapshots.
All snapshots should be approximately the same volume, with a peak level around -5dB. You should also be mindful of relative volume levels between snapshots. For example, a soft pad and a distorted lead could both peak at -5dB, but the lead may seem louder. In this scenario, lower the volume of the lead, rather than increase the pad level, so that relative volume levels seem similar between the pad and lead sounds.
Create and store a Transform pad snapshot
Unique variations should be created for each snapshot. Though the degree of variation is up to you, the changes should be significant, rather than simple filter or effect level changes. If your snapshots all sound like basic variations of the same sound, look at changing your performance control assignments to make them more flexible and complex. This will allow you to create more interesting and dynamic snapshots.
In Alchemy in Logic Pro, click the Transform pad snapshot you want to use.
Set each of the performance controls as required.
Control-click anywhere on the Transform pad, then choose Store Current Snapshot from the shortcut menu.
Note: Store Current Snapshot only applies if; Update Snapshot is disabled in the Transform pad File pop-up menu, if the framing box is not directly aligned with a Transform pad slot, or if you want to save the current settings to a different Transform pad slot.
Name or rename the selected Transform pad snapshot
Aim for a unique and descriptive name for each snapshot. Keep things simple and clear; if snapshot 1 is a bass, snapshot 2 is a pad, and snapshot 3 is arpeggiated, this should be represented in the name. If your variations are less straightforward to differentiate, use a name that describes the effect on the sound.
Note: Snapshot names are indexed and appear as text search results in the Browser. Snapshot names are also passed to Smart Controls.
In Alchemy in Logic Pro, click the Transform pad snapshot you want to name or rename.
Control-click anywhere on the Transform pad, then choose Rename Current from the shortcut menu.
Enter text in the highlighted text input field, then press Enter.
Replicate the selected Transform pad snapshot
In Alchemy in Logic Pro, click the Transform pad snapshot you want to replicate.
Control-click anywhere on the Transform pad, then choose Store Current Snapshot from the shortcut menu.
Control-click anywhere on the Transform pad, then choose Store Snapshot > (target snapshot) 1-8, or All from the shortcut menu.
The stored snapshot is replicated in the target snapshot. If All is chosen, all eight snapshots are identical.
Swap a Transform pad snapshot
In Alchemy in Logic Pro, click the Transform pad snapshot you want to swap.
Control-click anywhere on the Transform pad, then choose Swap Current Snapshot from the shortcut menu.
Choose the target snapshot 1-8 from the submenu.
The positions of the two snapshots are swapped.
Switch between Transform pad snapshots with your MIDI keyboard
In Alchemy in Logic Pro, select a MIDI note name, such as C4 from the Octave pop-up menu below the Transform pad.
The first eight notes of the chosen octave are assigned to snapshots 1–8.
Press one of the assigned keys on your controller to select the corresponding snapshot.
Note: MIDI notes assigned to snapshots do not trigger Alchemy voices. Choose Off from the Octave menu to make notes play across the entire range of MIDI note numbers.
Drag vertically in the Rate field to set the speed of movement between snapshots. You may also want to adjust the Snap Vol field value to set initial levels between snapshots.