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 sequencer in Logic Pro for Mac
Modulation components are shown only in advanced view. Click the Advanced button to switch to advanced view.
The sequencer module is a programmable step-based modulator that can play patterns of up to 128 steps that are synchronized with the project tempo. The level of each step, groove/swing, and envelope can be controlled globally for the pattern and per step.
Alchemy sequencer controls
Current sequencer pop-up menu and field: Access each Sequencer control panel by choosing a number from the pop-up menu or with the Previous and Next arrows. Alchemy provides up to 16 sequencers—one by default, but more if you create them when assigning modulators.
Trigger pop-up menu: Choose On to play the sequencer pattern from the beginning with each MIDI note-on. Off makes the sequencer run continuously. Voice On/FX Off modulates voice parameters only, not effects. The sequencer module is always synchronized with the Logic Pro tempo, regardless of the Trigger setting.
Note: Settings from earlier application versions may not behave as expected because of the additional trigger option. Change to VoiceOn/FX Off to match the former version behavior, then resave the setting.
Rate pop-up menu and field: Set the duration of every step in the sequencer pattern, expressed as a fraction of a beat. For example, assuming a quarter-note beat, a value of 1/2 produces eighth note steps and a value of 1/4 produces sixteenth note steps. You can also step through Rate values with the Previous and Next buttons (the arrows).
Value Snap pop-up menu and field: Quantize sequencer step values, limiting them to exact fractions of the available range. For example, a setting of 1/2 aligns bars to the values 0%, 50%, and 100% when dragged vertically. Off disables quantization, which lets you set step values freely. You can also step through available values with the Previous and Next buttons (the arrows).
Note: Value Snap doesn’t move existing step values into alignment with quantized positions; it only affects the response of step values when you move or create them in the step editor.
Edit Mode pop-up menu: Choose one of three edit modes. Your choice affects the appearance and behavior of the step editor to the right.
Value: View and edit the value of each step in the pattern.
Length: View and edit the length of each step in the pattern. Technically, you create a pattern of longer and shorter envelope shapes so that the attack, sustain (gate), and release stages fill a larger or smaller portion of the fixed step duration. These lengths are combined with the overall sequencer Attack/Gate/Release settings to determine the envelope shape of each step.
Swing: Create variations in the timing of steps. Each swing value ranges from 0 to 2; the middle value of 1 represents standard timing, while smaller values play earlier and larger values play later. These swing values are combined with the overall sequencer timing pattern set with the Swing knob.
File button: Open a pop-up menu with sequencer-related commands.
Preset submenu: Choose a preset sequencer configuration. This can be used as is, or as a starting point for your own sequences.
Save: Store the current sequencer configuration (step values, lengths, and swing settings plus the sequencer control settings) in a new disk file (*.seq). The new sequence name appears at the bottom of the Preset submenu.
Copy/Paste: Store the current sequencer configuration in the Clipboard. Paste applies the configuration currently found on the Clipboard.
Clear: Reset the sequencer controls and pattern to default settings.
Randomize: Apply random offsets to the Swing, Attack, Gate, and Release parameter values.
Import: See the Import data from a MIDI file task in this section.
Swing knob: Adjust timing to create swing effects. Values over 0% increase the duration of odd-numbered steps (1, 3, 5, and so on) while decreasing even-numbered step lengths.
Attack knob: Set the time required for each step to reach its peak level.
Hold knob: Set the amount of time each step is held at its peak level.
Release knob: Set the time required for each step to fall from its peak level to zero.
Step editor: Shows steps numbered from left to right across the top of the display. Steps are represented by vertical bars that you can edit directly. The appearance and behavior of the step editor is determined by the active Edit Mode menu choice.
Scroll bar: Drag the middle of the scroll bar to view steps that are not visible in the display area.
Use the Alchemy sequencer step editor
In Alchemy in Logic Pro, the step editor shows steps numbered from left to right across the top of the display. The appearance and behavior of the step editor is determined by the active Edit Mode menu choice. In the default Value mode, for example, the value of each step is represented by a vertical bar. A blank column is shown when the value is zero.
Drag a bar vertically to adjust its value, or click directly at the required height.
Set the values of multiple bars by dragging horizontally across them.
Option-click a bar to set it to zero.
Tie one step to the next by clicking below it. A small chain-link symbol appears below each tied step. When two or more steps are tied together, they behave like one longer step.
Import data from a MIDI file into the Alchemy sequencer
Alchemy can extract information from a short MIDI file and can apply this information to patterns in the step editor.
You can extract velocity data and set step values to match. If the MIDI file consists of notes of equal duration, such as a succession of eighth or sixteenth notes, every step in the resulting pattern will have an associated non-zero value. If the MIDI file consists mainly of notes of equal duration with occasional gaps, such as a succession of eighth notes with occasional eighth rests, the gaps are represented by step values of zero. If the MIDI file has irregular timing, or if it consists of chords rather than single notes, the results of this process are less predictable and usually less useful.
You can extract groove data (timing inflections) and set step swing values to match. If the MIDI file consists of nearly equal durations, such as eighth notes or sixteenth notes with timing inflections, this process yields useful results.
You can also extract note pitch data and set step values to match. The MIDI file should consist of equal durations with no gaps and should be limited to single pitches between a low C and a C two octaves higher. For example, a MIDI file could consist of notes C1 through C3, with the low C corresponding to a step value of zero. Because the pitch range is always two octaves, you should use the sequencer to modulate pitch with a depth of 24 semitones in order to reproduce the pattern of notes in the original MIDI file.
In Alchemy in Logic Pro, choose one of the following Import commands from the Sequencer File pop-up menu.
Import Velocity: Set step values based on extracted velocity data and swing values based on extracted groove data.
Import Note: Set step values based on extracted note data and swing values based on extracted groove data.
Import Groove: Set swing values based on extracted groove data.