Logic Pro User Guide
- Welcome
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- What is Logic Pro?
- Workflow overview
- Logic Pro project basics
- Advanced tools and additional options
- 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 keyboard shortcuts
- Customize the control bar
- Change the LCD display mode
- Monitor and reset MIDI events
- Use the cycle area
- Use the Chase Events function
- Control Logic Pro using Apple Remote
- Control Logic Pro projects using Logic Remote
- 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
- Record to multiple software instrument tracks
- Replace software instrument recordings
- Record multiple MIDI devices to multiple tracks
- Record software instruments and audio simultaneously
- Use step input recording techniques
- Use the metronome
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- 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
- Split regions
- Demix MIDI regions
- Join regions
- Create regions in the Tracks area
- Normalize audio regions in the Tracks area
- Create aliases of MIDI regions
- Clone audio regions
- Convert repeated MIDI regions to loops
- Change the color of regions
- Convert audio regions to Sampler zones
- Rename regions
- Delete regions
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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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- Flex Time and Pitch overview
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- Flex Pitch algorithm and parameters
- Edit the pitch of audio in the Audio Track Editor or a zoomed in track
- Edit the pitch of audio in the Tracks area when the track is not zoomed in
- Correct the timing of audio regions with Flex Pitch
- Quantize the pitch of audio regions
- Create MIDI from audio recordings
- Change the gain of audio regions
- Use Varispeed to alter the speed and pitch of audio
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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
- Support for ARA 2 compatible plug-ins
- 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 in Logic Pro
- 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 in Logic Pro with other devices
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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 Logic Pro Staff Style window
- Copy staffs or voices in the Logic Pro Staff Style window
- 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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- 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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- Key commands overview
- Browse, import, and save key commands
- Assign key commands
- Copy and print key commands
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- Global Commands key commands
- Global Control Surfaces Commands
- Various windows
- Windows Showing Audio files
- Main Window Tracks and Various Editors
- Live Loops Grid
- Various Editors
- Views showing Time Ruler
- Main Window Tracks
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll
- Score Editor
- Event Editor
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer
- Project Audio
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Sampler
- Step Input Keyboard
- Tool key commands in Logic Pro
- Touch Bar shortcuts
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- Working with your control surface
- Connect control surfaces
- Add a control surface to Logic Pro
- Automatic assignment for USB MIDI controllers
- Grouping control surfaces
- Control Surfaces preferences overview
- Modal dialog display
- Tips for using your control surface
- Control surfaces supported by Logic Pro
- Software and firmware
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- Learn about Effects
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- Learn about Amps and Pedals
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- Bass Amp Designer overview
- Bass amplifier models
- Bass cabinet models
- Build a custom combo
- Amplifier signal flow
- Pre-amp signal flow
- Use the D.I. box
- Amplifier controls
- Bass Amp Designer effects overview
- Bass Amp Designer EQ
- Bass Amp Designer compressor
- Bass Amp Designer Graphic EQ
- Bass Amp Designer Parametric EQ
- Bass Amp Designer microphone controls
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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 controller parameters
- Modifier MIDI plug-in controls
- Note Repeater MIDI plug-in controls
- Randomizer MIDI plug-in controls
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- Use the Scripter MIDI plug-in
- 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 MIDI plug-in controls
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- Learn about included Instruments
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- Alchemy overview
- Name bar
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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
- Master voice section
- Alchemy extended parameters
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- Logic Pro Quick Sampler overview
- Add content to Logic Pro Quick Sampler
- Logic Pro Quick Sampler waveform display
- Use Flex in Logic Pro Quick Sampler
- Logic Pro Quick Sampler Pitch controls
- Logic Pro Quick Sampler Filter controls
- Quick Sampler filter types
- Logic Pro Quick Sampler Amp controls
- Logic Pro Quick Sampler 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
- Assign MIDI controllers
- Extended parameters
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- Ultrabeat overview
- Ultrabeat interface
- Synthesizer section overview
- Filter section controls
- Distortion circuit controls
- Glossary
Add dynamic marks, slurs, and crescendi to a score in Logic Pro
Dynamic marks indicate the dynamic level at which a performer should play a musical phrase or section. You can add dynamic marks such as p (piano), ff (fortissimo), and sfz (sforzando). Dynamic marks are visual symbols only, and don’t affect the volume of notes during playback.
You can add slurs to indicate notes that should be played legato, and add dynamic crescendo and decrescendo symbols (sometimes called hairpins). Automatic slurs can cover a selected group of notes, and adjust when the notes are copied, moved, or transposed. Using key commands, you can quickly add and edit automatic slurs for an entire phrase, part, or score.
After adding these symbols, you can adjust their length to indicate which notes they apply to. These symbols are visual symbols only, and have no effect on playback.
The Part box is available when Show Advanced Tools is selected in Logic Pro Advanced preferences.
Add a dynamic symbol
If the Dynamics section of the Part box isn’t visible, click the Dynamics button in the Part box.
Drag a dynamic symbol from the Part box to the place in the score where you want to add it.
Add an automatic slur
You can add and edit automatic slurs, which automatically adjust to cover a selected group of contiguous notes. Automatic slurs adjust when notes are copied, moved, or transposed. They do not overlap with notes, accidentals, or most score symbols.
Click the Slurs and Crescendi button in the Part box to show slurs, crescendo, and other symbols.
In the Score Editor, select the notes that you want the slur to apply to.
Do one of the following:
Drag an automatic slur (with both up and down curves) from the Part box over the selected notes.
Select an automatic slur in the Part box, then click the selected notes with the Pencil tool.
If no notes are selected, drag or click on a note, then drag the left or right edge of the slur to cover the intended notes.
You can also add an automatic slur when no note is selected by selecting an automatic slur in the Part box, making a long click with the Pencil tool near a note, then dragging out the automatic slur to cover additional notes.
An automatic slur cannot extend across region boundaries. If you want to add an automatic slur extending between two regions, first merge the regions.
Add automatic slurs using a key command
You can add a series of automatic slurs to a line, a part, or a full score. By selecting the start and end notes for each individual slur, then applying the relevant key command, you can add multiple automatic slurs in one operation. Each pair defined by the start and end note receives an automatic slur. Individual automatic slurs cannot extend across region boundaries.
Select the start and end notes for each individual slur you want to add.
Use the “Create Auto Slurs for non-contiguous selected notes” key command.
Edit an automatic slur
To edit the start or end point of an automatic slur: Drag the start or end point to another note with the same voice in the same region.
To edit the curve of an automatic slur: Drag one or more of the inner handles.
To convert an automatic slur to a manual slur: Control-click the slur, then choose Convert to Manual Slur from the shortcut menu.
Note: A manual slur cannot be converted to an automatic slur.
To reposition an automatic slur relative to notes: Control-click the slur, then choose one of the following from the shortcut menu:
To position the slur above notes: Choose Slur Above.
To position the slur below notes: Choose Slur Below.
To return to the automatic position of the slur: Choose Slur Auto Direction.
To open the Score Layout settings, do one of the following:
Choose File > Project Settings > Score, then click the Layout tab.
Control-click the slur, then choose Settings: Extended Layout from the shortcut menu.
The Score Layout settings include a Slurs section where you can edit automatic slur settings that apply to existing automatic slurs and become the default for new ones, as well as Line Thickness settings that affect automatic and manual slurs.
Edit automatic slurs using key commands
To convert an automatic slur to a manual slur: Use the Convert Auto Slur key command.
Note: A manual slur cannot be converted to an automatic slur.
To revert all edits made to an automatic slur: Use the Reset Auto Slur key command.
To add an automatic slur with the direction set automatically: Use the Slur Auto Direction key command.
To add an automatic slur above selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Above key command.
To add an automatic slur below selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Below key command.
To position a selected automatic slur above selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Above key command.
To position a selected automatic slur below selected notes: Use the Auto Slur Below key command.
To return a selected automatic slur to the automatic position: Use the Slur Auto Direction key command.
To set the selected note as the final note of an automatic slur: Use the Slur Last Note key command.
Add a manual slur
Automatic slurs are useful in many instances, but using a manual slur may be preferable in situations where independent placement or more complex curves are needed. They are also necessary in cases where you need an enclosing slur above note groups with one or more automatic slurs.
Click the Slurs and Crescendi button in the Part box to show slurs, crescendo, and other symbols.
Do one of the following:
Drag a manual slur from the Part box to the place in the score where you want it to start (the left edge).
Select a manual slur in the Part box, then click with the Pencil tool at the place where you want the slur to start.
Drag the handles to reshape the slur.
Note: These are slurs, not ties. Ties cannot be inserted manually, but are displayed automatically if a MIDI note’s length requires it. For more information, see Control how ties are displayed in the Logic Pro Score Editor.
Add a crescendo or decrescendo
Drag a crescendo from the Part box to the place in the score where you want it to start (the left edge).
The crescendo remains selected, and small square handles appear at its end points.
Drag the handles to extend the crescendo to the place where you want it to end (the right edge).
Edit slurs and crescendi
To move a slur or crescendo: Select the item, then drag (from the center). Notice that as you move the handle, alignment guides indicate the note to which it is attached.
To change the length of a slur or crescendo: Drag the rightmost handle. Notice that as you move the handle, alignment guides indicate the note to which it is attached.
In Linear Score view, you can extend a slur to a position not visible in the Score Editor by dragging its rightmost handle to the right border of the Score Editor. The score scrolls automatically. When the end position for the slur appears in the window, move the pointer back to the left slightly to stop scrolling, then position the end of the slur. It is important that you do not release the mouse button during the entire process.
In Page Score view, you can simply drag the right handle to the desired destination on a lower staff. The slur is displayed in several sections.
The length can exceed the end of the MIDI region. It’s possible to drag the right handle of a crescendo to a position in the next MIDI region on the same track.
To change the contour of a slur: Drag one or more of the inner handles until the slur shows the correct contour.
To change the opening angle of a crescendo: Drag one or more of the rightmost handles vertically.
To change the overall angle of a crescendo: Drag one or more of the rightmost handles vertically.
The start position and length of these symbols can also be edited in the Event List or Event Float window, by changing the corresponding numerical parameter.
You can also add notes and other symbols to multiple regions.