Snap items to the grid in Logic Pro for Mac

The Tracks area includes a grid that helps you align regions, automation points, and other items with the time divisions in the ruler. When you perform any of the following actions, the items move according to the current Snap value:

Moving and resizing regions
Moving the playhead
Adjusting the cycle region
Dragging loops to the Tracks area
Moving automation points in automation curves

When Enable Complete Features is selected in Logic Pro > Settings > Advanced, the Snap pop-up menu is available in the Tracks area and in time-based editors, such as the Piano Roll Editor and Audio Track Editor. Using the Snap pop-up menu, you can set the Snap value and perform other functions.

By default, the Snap function is relative. When you move or edit an item, it retains the same relative distance from its original grid position. For example, if a region is placed at position 1.2.1.16, and you move the region two beats forward (with the Snap value set to Bar), the region snaps to position 2.2.1.16, not 2.1.1.1 (or 2.2.1.1). You can move items so that they align with the nearest grid value by choosing Snap to Absolute Value from the Snap pop-up menu.

You can show the grid in the Tracks area, to help you visualize the positions of items in the Tracks area relative to the Snap value.

Set the Snap value for the Tracks area

In Logic Pro, choose a value from the Snap pop-up menu in the Tracks area menu bar:
- Smart: Edit operations snap to the nearest bar, beat, sub-beat, and so on, depending on the current ruler division value and the zoom level.
- Bar: Edit operations snap to the nearest bar.
- Beat: Edit operations snap to the nearest beat in a bar.
- Division: Edit operations snap to the nearest division value. (This is the time signature shown in the LCD and the ruler.)
- Ticks: Edit operations snap to the nearest clock tick (1/3840 of a beat).
- Frames: Edit operations snap to the nearest SMPTE frame.
- Quarter Frames: Edit operations snap to the nearest SMPTE quarter frame.
- Samples: Edit operations snap to the nearest sample.
- Off: To turn off Snap To Grid, do one of the following:
  - Click the On/Off button on the left side of the Snap pop-up menu.
  - Choose the “Snap to Grid” menu item when it is checked.

Note: You can make sample-accurate edits only at a high zoom level. Use the Zoom slider to zoom in, and take advantage of the Save and Recall Zoom Setting key commands to speed up your workflow.

Show the grid in the Tracks area

In Logic Pro, choose View > Grid Lines from the Tracks area menu bar.

Snap to an absolute position

In Logic Pro, choose Snap > Snap Regions to Absolute Value from the Tracks area menu bar.
A checkmark appears to the left of this option when it’s active. This feature works in conjunction with the chosen snap grid division. For example, if the Snap value is set to Bar, and Snap Regions to Absolute Value is active, moving a region (from position 1.2.1.16) two bars forward results in the region being snapped to position 2.2.1.1 rather than its relative position (2.2.1.16).
To return the Snap function to relative values, choose Snap > Snap Regions to Relative Value from the Tracks area menu bar.

Snap flexed audio regions to the first downbeat

When “Snap Flexed Audio Regions to First Downbeat” is selected in the Snap pop-up menu, the first downbeat marker of a flexed audio region snaps to the Snap grid position. In case beats and downbeats are not correctly detected, you can correct the position in the Smart Tempo Editor.

In Logic Pro, make sure that Snap Regions to Absolute Value is selected in the Snap pop-up menu.
In the Snap pop-up menu, choose Snap Flexed Audio Regions to First Downbeat.

Override the Tracks area grid

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Select the region (or other item), then press and hold Control while dragging the item in the Tracks area:
- The division value you choose in the control bar (1/16, for example) determines the editing grid scale at lower zoom levels (wider view).
- At higher zoom levels, (close-up view), the editing grid scales by a certain factor relative to the division value.
Select the region (or other item), then press and hold Control and Shift while dragging the item in the Tracks area:
- The editing grid switches to ticks if editing at lower zoom levels (wider view).
- At higher zoom levels (close-up view), the editing grid switches to samples.

When the Tracks area is zoomed out so that the current Snap value would result in extremely large movements or edits, the Snap pop-up menu is temporarily dimmed, and Smart snap is used instead.

When the Tracks area is zoomed in very far, and a smaller Snap value (such as Division or Frames) is chosen, normal mouse movements move items by larger grid units. To use the chosen Snap value, either zoom out or press and hold Control while moving items.

Using Control-Shift breaks the 1:1 relationship between the pointer and region (or Edit tool) movements. This means that you may need to move the pointer a long way (horizontally) to make the region (or Edit tool) move one pixel. Watch the help tag for an exact numerical indication.

Download the guides:

Logic Pro User Guide: PDF

Logic Pro Instruments: PDF

Logic Pro Effects: PDF

Control Surfaces Support Guide: PDF

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Logic Pro User Guide for Mac