Logic Pro X 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
- Change the color of regions
- Convert audio regions to Sampler sample 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
- 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 Logic Pro 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
Logic Pro Sampler Mapping pane zone view
There are three views in the Mapping pane: keyboard view, group view, and zone view. Click the buttons at the top right to switch between views. The menu bar at the top of the Mapping pane contains elements that are common to all views. See Mapping pane menu bar.
You can use the Zone parameter editor to: View and edit all zone parameters, organized in columns, with related parameters shown in subcolumns. The zones from one or more selected groups can be shown.
Note: The Group and Zone parameters found in the Mapping pane keyboard view are a subset (duplicates) of the parameters found in the Mapping pane zone view. An edit in one view will be reflected in the other.
In the Mapping pane zone view, you can:
Click a zone or group to select it. Shift-click to select multiple zones or groups. You can also select zones or groups with Edit menu commands or with your MIDI keyboard. When multiple zones are selected, you can click the number to the left of the zone name to move focus to that specific zone. This limits previewing and edits to the focused zone, while retaining your multi-zone selection.
Note: Changes to parameter values affect all selected zones. Value changes are relative. For example, in two selected zones with High Velocity values of 12 and 27, reducing the value of the first zone to 10 reduces the second zone value to 25.
Click parameter subcolumn headers to sort zones. For example, click the Key subcolumn header to sort zones by note names.
Horizontally drag parameter columns to resize.
Control-click a parameter column header to open a shortcut menu where you can hide or show individual zone parameters. You can also quickly show all columns, restore the default column view, and restore the default column width.
Drag the scrollbars to navigate to non-visible zone parameters. You can also use a two-finger swipe on your trackpad to scroll vertically or horizontally. If you are using a Magic Mouse, use single-finger swipes.
Mapping pane zone view parameters
Drag vertically in parameter value fields to change them. For example, vertically drag the value shown for a zone in the Tune column to change it. Alternatively, you can double-click in a field and type in a value, then press the Enter key.
Zone parameters: New zones are automatically assigned a consecutive number.
Zone Mute button: Mute or unmute a zone.
Zone Name field: Displays the zone name. Double-click to enter a new zone name.
Audio filename pop-up menu: Displays the audio filename. Click to open a shortcut menu that contains the following commands:
Note: If at least one audio file is missing an extra column is shown to the left of the audio file column. Each missing file is marked with an exclamation mark icon. You can sort this column by clicking on the column header (exclamation mark icon). The column is visible only if there are missing audio files.
Load Audio File: Opens a dialog where you can select an audio file. Default key command: Control-F.
Reveal in Finder: Shows the full path of the loaded audio file in the Finder.
Open in Audio File Editor: Opens the selected sample in the Logic Pro Audio File Editor, or the sample editor chosen in the Open External Sample Editor preference. The default key command is Control-W.
Note: This command is available only when Destructive audio editing is enabled in the Logic Pro preferences.
Pitch parameters: Use to determine the tuning of the zone.
Key field: Set the root note of the zone—in other words, the note at which the sample assigned to the zone is heard at its original pitch.
Tune field: Use to fine-tune the zone.
Key Range parameters: Use these parameters to define a key range for the zone. When you play notes outside this range, you will not trigger or hear the sample assigned to this zone.
Low field: Set the lowest note for the zone.
High field: Set the highest note for the zone.
Velocity Range parameters: Use these parameters to define a velocity range for the zone. When you play notes outside this range, you will not trigger or hear the sample assigned to this zone.
Low field: Set the lowest velocity that triggers the zone.
High field: Set the highest velocity that triggers the zone.
Mixer parameters: Use these parameters to define zone output handling.
Volume field: Set the overall output level of the zone.
Pan field: Set the pan position of the zone. This parameter works only when Sampler is used in stereo.
Scale field: Balance the level of a zone (sample) across the defined key range. A negative value makes lower notes softer than higher notes; positive values have the opposite effect.
Output pop-up menu: Set the outputs used by the zone. Choices include the main outputs, paired channels, or individual outputs. This allows individual zones to be routed independently to aux channel strips (in a multi-output Sampler instance).
Playback parameters: Use these options to determine zone playback behavior.
Pitch button: Turn on to change the sample pitch when you play different keys. When disabled, the sample is always played at its original pitch, regardless of which note you play.
1Shot button: Turn on to make the zone ignore the length of incoming MIDI note events—resulting in the sample assigned to the zone always being played from beginning to end whenever you play a note (or a note-on event is received). This is useful for drum samples, where you often don’t want the MIDI note length to affect sample playback. Also see the Fade field parameter below.
Reverse button: Turn on to play the sample from the sample end marker to the sample start marker.
Group Assignment pop-up menu: Shows the group assignment of a zone. You can choose another group to reassign the selected zone or zones. For more information, see Create Sampler groups and Sampler Mapping pane group view.
Sample parameters: Use to define zone sample parameters. Sample parameters can be graphically edited in the Zone pane.
(Sample) Start and End fields: Set the sample start and end points, respectively.
Fade-in and Fade-out fields: Use to set the fade times for a zone. Values are shown in samples. The higher the value, the longer it takes for the fade.
Note: This parameter defaults to a value of 0, except when the Sampler Instrument is created with the Track > Convert Regions to New Sampler Track command in Logic Pro. This feature uses transient markers and results in a default Fade field value that matches the slicing offset of the following transient marker.
Anchor field: Set a value to trigger playback of the sample earlier in the project. To explain further, on playback, Logic looks into the future and advances sample playback by the amount set in the anchor field. The sample is played earlier, so that the anchor sounds exactly on the downbeat of the note. The sample anchor is useful for instruments such as shakers that have a rhythmic anchor at a position after the beginning of the sample.
Note: The Anchor field value affects only sequenced playback of the sample. Live keyboard playing triggers the sample at the anchor point, so any sample data that precedes this is not played.
Loop parameters: You can control all aspects of zone loops with these options.
Loop ON/OFF button: Turn on to enable looping and to set other loop parameters.
Loop Mode pop-up menu: Choose a looping mode.
Forward: Playback cycles from the loop start point to the loop end point while you hold a key.
Reverse: Playback cycles from the loop end point to the loop start point while you hold a key.
Alternate: Playback continuously cycles from the loop start point to the loop end point, then switches from the loop end point to the loop start point, while you hold a key.
Play to End on Release ON/OFF button: Turn on to continue playback to the end marker position after you have released the key—provided that the amp release time is long enough for the audio portion after the loop to be audible. This feature is useful for allowing the natural decay of a sampled acoustic instrument to be heard during the envelope release phase, for example.
(Loop) Start and End fields: Use to define the loop start and end points, allowing you to loop a portion of the audio file.
Tune field: Change the tuning of the looped portion of the audio file in cent increments.
Xfade (Crossfade) field: Use to define the crossfade time between the loop end and loop start points. In a crossfaded loop, there is no step between the loop end and loop start points. The higher the value, the longer the crossfade and the smoother the transition between the loop end and start points. This is especially convenient with samples that are hard to loop, and would normally produce clicks at the transition point—the join in the loop.
E. Pwr (Equal Power) ON/OFF button: Turn on to enable an exponential crossfade curve that causes a volume boost of 3 dB in the middle of the crossfade range. This fades the join between the loop end and start points at an equal volume level.
Note: The ideal settings for the Xfade and E. Pwr parameters depend on the sample material. A loop that cycles reasonably smoothly is the best starting point for a perfectly crossfaded loop, but a crossfaded loop does not always sound better. Experiment with both parameters to learn how, when, and where they work best.
Audio File Tail parameters: Use these options to add and control a sample that is added to the end of a zone. This is typically used to add a reverb tail, or a section of reversed audio, but you are free to use any audio material.
Name pop-up menu: Displays the audio file tail filename. Missing files are indicated with an icon in a column to the left. Click to open a shortcut menu that contains file handling commands.
Tune field: Tune the audio file tail.
Volume field: Set the overall output level of the audio file tail.
(Audio File Tail) Start and End fields: Set the audio file tail start and end points, respectively.