Logic Pro User Guide
- Welcome
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- 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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- 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
- 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 in Logic Pro for Mac
- 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
- 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 plug-ins 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
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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
- 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
- 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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- 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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- Ultrabeat overview
- Ultrabeat interface
- Synthesizer section overview
- Filter section controls
- Distortion circuit controls
- Glossary
- Copyright
Phat FX filter types in Logic Pro for Mac
Phat FX provides dozens of filter types.
Phat FX filter types: lowpass, bandpass, highpass
A lowpass (LP) filter passes the portion of a signal below a specified cutoff frequency and rolls off the portion above that frequency. A bandpass (BP) filter passes the portion of a signal occupying a band surrounding the cutoff frequency and rolls off the portions above and below that band. A highpass (HP) filter passes the portion of a signal above a specified cutoff frequency and rolls off the portion below that frequency.
There are multiple two-pole, four-pole, multi-pole state-variable and analog-modeled LP, BP, and HP filter designs in Phat FX, each with distinctive characteristics that you may prefer for a given purpose. The available LP, BP, and HP filter designs include Smooth, Edgy, Rich, Sharp, Clean, and Gritty variants.
Smooth: Two- or multi-pole state-variable filters.
Edgy: Two- or four-pole analog-modeled filters. Four-pole variants provide a steeper roll-off of frequencies beyond the cutoff.
Rich: Two- or four-pole analog-modeled filters. Four-pole variants provide a steeper roll-off of frequencies beyond the cutoff.
Sharp: Two-pole analog-modeled filters.
Clean: Bi-Quad filters. These filters have no Drive option.
Gritty: Two-pole filters designed to saturate heavily at higher Res and Drive settings.
The three principal filter controls have standard functions for all filter types.
Cutoff: Controls the filter cutoff frequency.
Res(onance): Controls the filter resonance or emphasis. Higher settings boost frequencies in the immediate vicinity of the cutoff frequency.
Drive: Allows the filter to be overdriven; the precise effect varies with each filter design.
Phat FX filter types: notch and peaking
A notch filter cuts a narrow band around a resonant frequency. The remainder of the signal is affected minimally.
Cutoff: Sets the frequency of the cut band.
Amount: Controls the amount of attenuation.
A peaking filter boosts a narrow band around a resonant frequency. The remainder of the signal is affected minimally.
Cutoff: Sets the frequency of the boosted band.
Gain: Controls the amount of boost. Higher values are generally the most effective.
BW: Sets the bandwidth around the cutoff frequency.
Phat FX filter types: comb filters
A comb filter mixes the original signal with one or more copies of the signal, which are delayed by a very short time interval. At some frequencies this mixture causes phase cancelations, while at other frequencies it causes reinforcements. The result is a spiky frequency spectrum with multiple resonant peaks. Graphically, these peaks resemble the teeth of a comb, which gives this filter type its name.
Phat FX offers three comb filter designs, each with its own character. The best choice depends on your preference and the type of sound you are trying to create. That said, there are some distinguishing characteristics that may help guide you.
Comb Pos uses positive feedback on the delay lines, while Comb Neg uses negative feedback to produce less extreme effects, often with a hollow quality. These two are the less powerful combs and offer a much more gradual increase in resonance. They can be useful when you require either a less dramatic effect or you want to hear more of the exciter signal character in your sound. The latter point is noteworthy as this trait can be useful when you want a more naturalistic sound.
Comb PM uses bipolar feedback on the delay lines. The resonance control is bipolar, allowing you to freely shift from negative (hollow sound) on the left to positive (bright and peaky) on the right. This comb is useful for classic bright Karplus-Strong style sounds, where the exciter impulse is not easily heard and the comb is more prominent. Take care with your resonance level because it is capable of quickly going to extremes, which can lead to feedback. Start with a resonance level of zero and increase (or decrease) slowly to find a suitable effect strength.
Cutoff: Controls the delay time in the comb circuit. Lower cutoff values equate to a longer delay.
F-Back: Controls the amount of feedback in the comb circuit.
Damp: Softens the frequency peaks in the comb-filtered spectrum.
Note: Sending a percussive sound into a highly resonant comb filter causes it to ring at a frequency determined by the delay time you have set with the Cutoff knob.
Phat FX filter types: ring modulation
Ring modulation is a process in which a modulator and a carrier signal are multiplied. Each frequency component of the modulator interacts with each frequency component of the carrier to produce two sidebands: a sum and a difference (carrier – modulator). When a filter is set to the RingMod type, the signal entering the filter acts as the modulator, while the carrier is supplied internally by the filter.
Frequency: Controls the carrier frequency.
Mix: Applies a constant offset to the carrier.
At 0%, the carrier wave varies between –1 and +1, resulting in classic ring modulation.
At 100%, the carrier wave varies between 0 and 1, resulting in classic amplitude modulation. In this case, the carrier signal itself is present alongside the sum and difference sidebands.
Phat FX filter types: distortion
Phat FX filters offer several distortion effects.
Bitcrusher is a harsher-sounding digital effect.
Downsampler is a lo-fi digital effect (similar to Bitcrusher but is frequency dependent).
Mech is a metallic-sounding distortion.
Tube is a classic tube distortion effect.
The filter controls work as follows when the filter type is set to a distortion effect:
Amount: Controls the intensity of the distortion effect.
Mix: Controls the mix between clean and distorted signals. A 0% value results in the clean signal only. A 50% value results in an equal mix of clean and distorted signal. A 100% value results in the distorted signal only.
Freq: Sets the frequency for the Downsample distortion type.
Download the guides:
Logic Pro User Guide: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Instruments: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Effects: Apple Books | PDF