Logic Pro User Guide for Mac
- Welcome
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- 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
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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 a MIDI region into a pattern region in Logic Pro for Mac
- Replace a MIDI region with a Session Player region in Logic Pro for Mac
- 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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- 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
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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 format
- Set channel strip pan or balance positions
- Mute and solo channel strips
- Reorder channel strips in the Mixer
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- Plug-ins overview
- Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins
- Search for plug-ins in the Mixer
- Insert a plug-in on a track using drag and drop
- Activate plug-ins on inactive channel strips
- 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
- Space Designer
- 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
Logic Pro for Mac Smart Tempo overview
Smart Tempo brings powerful new tempo analysis and editing capabilities to Logic Pro for Mac. With Smart Tempo, you can record a performance without the metronome, then have Logic Pro analyze the recorded region and either apply the region tempo to the project, or apply the project tempo to the region and flex the region. Smart Tempo also makes it easy to create remixes using audio files and MIDI regions with different tempos that all conform to the project tempo, or to adapt the project tempo to the tempo of an imported audio file or MIDI region.
You can use Smart Tempo by making free tempo recordings in a new or existing project, and then viewing the analysis results in the Smart Tempo Editor and adding hints to improve the tempo analysis or editing beat markers to correct the analysis results. You can also choose the Project Tempo mode to set the overall tempo behavior for the project, and use the Flex & Follow setting for individual audio regions to set how they interact with the chosen Project Tempo mode.
Unlike audio quantization, which identifies transient peaks in an audio file, Smart Tempo analysis places beat markers based on the musical tempo detection of an audio file. When used with complex musical material, Smart Tempo analysis can deliver better results (particularly when Flex & Follow is set to Bars or Beats) than using audio quantization. You can view and edit Smart Tempo beat markers and other tempo information in the Smart Tempo Editor.
You can also use Smart Tempo with MIDI regions in a project. MIDI regions always follow the project tempo, and so behave similarly to flexed audio files with the Flex & Follow region setting set to On. Because MIDI regions have no source audio file, the Smart Tempo analysis and any edits you make in the Smart Tempo Editor are saved directly to the MIDI regions and stored with the project.
Free tempo recording
Using free tempo recording, you can record audio in a new or existing project without a metronome or a defined project tempo. When you are done recording, you can choose whether to apply the tempo of the recorded region to the project, apply the project tempo to the region, or proceed without analyzing the region tempo or changing the project tempo. Free tempo recording is useful when you want to capture ideas quickly without worrying about the precise tempo, record material with flexible tempo and preserve the nuances of tempo and timing, or record complex parts more slowly, then speed them up to match the project tempo.
When you start a free tempo recording, recording starts immediately, without a count-in. The metronome is turned off and the selected track or tracks are soloed, so no other sound is audible during the recording. When you finish, you can choose which tempo behavior to apply to the newly recorded region and the project. You can set the default behavior for free tempo recordings in the Smart Tempo project settings.
After making a free tempo recording, you can view the analysis results in the Smart Tempo Editor, add hints to improve the analysis, and edit beat markers to correct the analysis results for specific beats.
The Project Tempo mode
The Project Tempo mode determines whether the project tempo is maintained, or adapts to the tempo of audio recordings, imported audio files, and MIDI regions. You choose the Project Tempo mode in the LCD Tempo display.
The Project Tempo modes are:
Keep Project Tempo: Maintains the project tempo when you record audio or MIDI, or when you import audio files. Audio regions for which the Flex & Follow parameter is not set to Off conform to the project tempo. Choose this mode to work as in previous versions of Logic Pro for Mac.
Adapt Project Tempo: Alters the project tempo to match the tempo of recorded or imported regions. When you move or copy regions, the tempo information of the regions moves with them. Choose this mode for free recording without the metronome or other tempo reference, or when you want the project tempo to follow region edits.
Automatic: Logic Pro chooses the appropriate behavior (Keep or Adapt) based on whether or not a musical tempo reference (such as the metronome or another region) is present. When a musical tempo reference is present, the project tempo is maintained. When no musical tempo reference is present, the project tempo adapts to match the tempo of recorded or added material.
In the Tempo track, the Tempo curve changes color depending on the Project Tempo mode and tempo analysis:
Blue: The project tempo is unchanged.
Orange: The project tempo will be defined by the tempo of a new recording.
Red: The existing project tempo will be replaced, affecting existing regions.
Each Project Tempo mode is useful for different workflows. For detailed information about Project Tempo modes, see Choose the Project Tempo mode. You can also set the Project Tempo mode in the Smart Tempo project settings.
The Flex & Follow audio region parameter
When Flex is enabled for a track, the Flex & Follow pop-up menu is available in the Region inspector for audio regions, replacing the Flex checkbox in earlier versions of Logic Pro. You use the Flex & Follow setting to enable Flex for a region, to control whether it follows the project tempo, and to set whether it additionally uses Smart Tempo beat markers at the bar or beat level.
The choices for the Flex & Follow parameter are:
Off: The region is not Flex enabled, and does not follow changes to the project tempo.
On: The region is Flex enabled, and so follows any manual Flex edits. It also follows changes to the project tempo.
Bars (On + Align Bars): The region is Flex enabled, and follows project tempo changes. Additionally, Smart Tempo beat markers are used to conform the region to the project tempo at every downbeat (bar).
Beats (On + Align Bars and Beats): The region is Flex enabled, and follows project tempo changes. Additionally, Smart Tempo beat markers are used to conform the region to the project tempo at every beat.
There is no Flex & Follow setting for MIDI regions. MIDI regions always follow the project tempo, similarly to flexed audio regions with Flex & Follow set to on.
For information about choosing Flex & Follow settings, see Choose the Flex & Follow setting. You can change the default settings for the Flex & Follow region parameter for new recordings and imported audio files in the Smart Tempo project settings, and set whether they are trimmed to the downbeat.
Musical tempo reference
When using Smart Tempo in Adapt mode (or when Auto uses Adapt behavior), the results depend on whether a musical tempo reference is present in the part of the project to which you are recording or adding a file. A musical tempo reference exists when the metronome is active, when audio, MIDI, or Session Player regions are present in the part of the project where you are working, or when Cycle mode is turned on.
In most cases, when you hear any musical material while recording, a musical tempo reference is present. If you do not hear any material, no musical tempo reference is present.
Tip: To avoid having a musical tempo reference while recording, solo the track you are recording to before recording.
Use Smart Tempo with remixes
When creating a remix, you often work by combining files recorded at different tempos, and that may contain tempo changes. With the Project Tempo mode set to Keep, imported files do not affect the project tempo.
Imported audio files conform to the project tempo, as long as their Flex & Follow parameter is not set to Off. By setting the Flex & Follow parameter for the audio regions to Bars or Bars and Beats, beat markers are additionally used to conform them at the bar or beat level. The audio regions from the files can be transposed as needed so they play back in the same key. Any audio regions with their Flex & Follow parameter set to Off keep their original tempo, and do not conform to the project tempo. MIDI regions always follow the project tempo.
Use Smart Tempo with existing projects
You can use Smart Tempo with existing projects, including projects created in an earlier version of Logic Pro. For most projects, the workflow described in Use Smart Tempo with multitrack audio files is recommended, because it allows you to define which audio files contribute to the Smart Tempo analysis, and allows the analysis results to be shared between all audio files. In cases where you do not want the Smart Tempo analysis results to be shared across audio files, and in which the project contains a single region having a clearly audible and consistent rhythmic pattern throughout (for example, a stereo recording of the overhead mics of a drum kit), you can use the following workflow:
After opening the project, make sure the Project Tempo mode is set to Keep, and open the audio file corresponding to the rhythmic region in the Smart Tempo Editor. Turn on the Smart Tempo Editor metronome and audition the file to verify that the Smart Tempo analysis is correct, making any needed edits. After verifying and correcting the region, choose Apply Region Tempo to Project Tempo from the Edit pop-up menu (or Control-click the region in the Tracks area and choose the corresponding command from the shortcut menu). In the dialog, make sure both the “Align downbeat to nearest project downbeat” and “Maintain relative position of all other regions” checkboxes are selected, then click Apply. This writes the analyzed tempo from the selected region to the Tempo track, aligns the selected region to the downbeat, and maintains the relative positions of the other regions (as well as other data such as automation curves) to the analyzed region. Using this workflow, tempo-synced regions (such as Apple Loops or Session Player regions) and effects added to the project also conform to the project tempo.