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 Amp Designer models
You can learn about different Amp Designer models, their tone and sonic character, and the musical styles they have traditionally been associated with.
Tweed Combos
The Tweed models are based on American combos from the 1950s and early 1960s that helped define the sounds of blues, rock, and country music. They have warm, complex, clean sounds that progress smoothly through gentle distortion to raucous overdrive as you increase the gain. Even after half a century, Tweeds can still sound contemporary. Many modern boutique amplifiers are based on Tweed-style circuitry.
Model | Description | ||||||||||
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Small Tweed Combo | A 1 x 12” combo that transitions smoothly from clean to crunchy, making it a great choice for blues and rock. For extra definition, set the Treble and Presence controls to a value around 7. | ||||||||||
Large Tweed Combo | This 4 x 10” combo was originally intended for bassists, but it was also used by blues and rock guitarists. It is more open and transparent-sounding than the Small Tweed Combo, but it can deliver crunchy sounds. | ||||||||||
Mini Tweed Combo | A small amp with a single 10” speaker, used by countless blues and rock artists. It is quite punchy-sounding and can deliver the clean and crunch tones that Tweed combos are known for. |
Tip: Tweed combos are responsive to playing dynamics. Adjust the knobs to create a distorted sound, then reduce the level of your guitar volume knob to create a cleaner tone. Turn up your guitar volume knob when soloing.
Classic American Combos
The Blackface, Brownface, and Silverface models are inspired by American combos of the mid 1960s. These tend to be loud and clean with a tight low-end and restrained distortion. They are useful for clean-toned rock, vintage R & B, surf music, twangy country, jazz, or any other style where strong note definition is essential.
Model | Description | ||||||||||
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Large Blackface Combo | A 4 x 10” combo with a sweet, well-balanced tone favored by rock, surf, and R & B players. Great for lush, reverb-saturated chords or strident solos. | ||||||||||
Silverface Combo | A 2 x 12” combo with a loud, clean tone. It has a percussive, articulate attack that is suitable for funk, R & B, and intricate chord work. It can be crunchy when overdriven, but most players favor it for clean tones. | ||||||||||
Mini Blackface Combo | A 1 x 10” combo that is bright and open-sounding, with reasonable low end impact. It excels at clean tones with a minimal overdrive. | ||||||||||
Small Brownface Combo | A 1 x 12” combo that is smooth and rich-sounding, but retains a level of detail. | ||||||||||
Blues Blaster Combo | A 1 x 15” combo that has a clear top end with a tight, defined low end. This model is favored by blues and rock players. |
Tip: Although these amps tend toward a clean and tight sound, you can use a Pedalboard distortion stompbox to attain hard-edged crunch sounds with sharp treble and extended low-end definition. See Logic Pro Pedalboard distortion pedals.
British Stacks
The British Stack models are based on the 50- and 100-watt amplifier heads that have largely defined the sound of heavy rock, especially when paired with 4 x 12” cabinets. At medium gain settings, these amps are suitable for thick chords and riffs. Raising the gain yields lyrical solo tones and powerful rhythm guitar parts. Complex peaks and dips across the tonal spectrum keep the tones clear and appealing, even when heavy distortion is used.
Model | Description | ||||||||||
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Vintage British Stack | Captures the sound of a late 1960s 50-watt amp famed for its powerful, smooth distortion. Notes retain clarity, even at maximum gain. After four decades this remains a definitive rock tone. | ||||||||||
Modern British Stack | 1980s and 1990s descendants of the Vintage British amplifier head, which were optimized for hard rock and metal styles of the time. Tonally, it has a deeper and brighter sound at the low and high end, with a more “scooped” midrange than the Vintage British amp. | ||||||||||
Brown Stack | Unique tones can be coaxed from a British head by running it at lower voltages than its designers intended. The resulting “brown” sound—often more distorted and loose than the standard tone—can add interesting thickness to a guitar sound. |
Tip: The classic British head and 4 x 12” cabinet combo is ideal for riffs at high gain levels. These heads can also sound good through small cabinets, or at clean, low-gain settings.
British Combos
The British Combos capture the brash, treble-rich sound associated with 1960s British rock and pop. The sonic signature of these amps is characterized by their high-end response, yet they are rarely harsh-sounding due to a mellow distortion and smooth compression.
Model | Description | ||||||||||
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British Blues Combo | This 2 x 12” combo has a loud, aggressive tone that is cleaner than the British heads, yet delivers rich distorted tones at high gain settings. | ||||||||||
British Combo | A 2 x 12” combo based on early 1960s amps. Perfect for chiming chords and crisp solos. | ||||||||||
Small British Combo | A 1 x 12” combo with half the power of the British Combo, this amp offers a darker, less open tone. | ||||||||||
Boutique British Combo | A 2 x 12” combo that is a modern take on the original 1960s sound. The tone is thicker, with stronger lows and milder highs than the other British Combos. |
Tip: You can often use higher Treble and Presence knob settings with the British Combos than with other amp types. If the British Blues Combo is too clean for your needs, combine it with the Pedalboard Hi Drive stompbox for an aggressive blues tone, or the Candy Fuzz stompbox for a heavy rock tone. See Logic Pro Pedalboard distortion pedals.
British Alternatives
The late 1960s amplifier heads and combos that inspired the Sunshine models are loud and aggressive, with full mid frequencies. These amps are useful for single note solos, power chords, and big, open chords—making them popular with the “Brit-pop” bands of the 1990s. The Stadium amps are famed for their ability to play at extremely high levels without dissolving into an indistinct distortion. They retain crisp treble and superb note definition, even at maximum gain settings.
Model | Description | ||||||||||
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Sunshine Stack | A robust-sounding head paired with a 4 x 12” cabinet. It is a good choice for powerful pop-rock chords. If the tone is too dark, use a high Treble knob setting to open up the sound. | ||||||||||
Small Sunshine Combo | A 1 x 12” combo based on a modern amp known for a “big amp” sound. It is brighter than the Sunshine Stack head and has tonal qualities similar to the 1960s British Combo. This amp also sounds good with a 4 x 12” cabinet. | ||||||||||
Stadium Stack | A classic head and 4 x 12” cabinet configuration popular with 1970s arena rock bands. Its tones are cleaner than other Amp Designer 4 x 12” stacks, but it retains body and impact. A good choice if you need power and clarity. | ||||||||||
Stadium Combo | A 2 x 12” combo based on a modern amp. The tone is smoother than the Stadium Stack. |
Tip: The Stadium amps can be slow to distort, so most famous users have paired them with aggressive fuzz pedals. Try combining them with the Pedalboard Candy Fuzz or Fuzz Machine stompboxes. See Logic Pro Pedalboard distortion pedals.
Metal Stacks
The Metal Stack models are inspired by the powerful, high gain amplifier heads favored by modern hard rock and metal musicians. All are paired with 4 x 12” cabinets. Their signature tones range from heavy distortion to extremely heavy distortion. These models are ideal if you want powerful lows, harsh highs, and long sustain in your guitar tones.
Model | Description | ||||||||||
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Modern American Stack | A powerful high-gain amp that is ideal for heavy rock and metal. Use the Mids knob to set the right amount of scoop or boost. | ||||||||||
High Octane Stack | Although a powerful, high-gain amp, this model offers a smooth transition between gain settings and natural compression. It is a good choice for fast soloing and for two- or three-note chords. | ||||||||||
Turbo Stack | An aggressive-sounding amp with spiky highs and noisy harmonics, especially at high gain settings. Use the Turbo Stack when you need a guitar tone that cuts through a mix. |
Tip: Combining the Turbo Stack with distortion and fuzz pedals can diminish the edgy tone. A dry sound is often the best choice for high-impact riffs.
Additional Combos
The combos and utility models in this category are versatile amps that you can use for a wide variety of musical styles.
Model | Description | ||||||||||
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Studio Combo | A 1 x 12” combo based on boutique combos of the 1980s and 1990s. These models use multiple gain stages to generate smooth, sustain-heavy distortion and bold, bright, clean sounds. Can deliver a heavier sound when paired with a 4 x 12” cabinet. | ||||||||||
Boutique Retro Combo | A 2 x 12” combo inspired by expensive modern amps that combine the sounds of several 1960s combos. It excels at clean and crunch tones, making it a good choice when you want an old-fashioned flavor but with the crisp highs and defined lows of a modern amplifier. This model has very sensitive tone controls that can deliver countless guitar tones. | ||||||||||
Pawnshop Combo | A 1 x 8” combo based on the inexpensive amps sold in American department stores in the 1960s. Despite their limited features and budget workmanship, these amps are the secret behind the sound of many rock, blues, and punk players. The clean sounds are warm, and distorted sounds are thick, despite the small speaker. | ||||||||||
Transparent Preamp | A preamp stage with no coloration. Note that Transparent Preamp is activated in the Amp pop-up menu, not in the Model pop-up menu. |
Tip: Combine the Pawnshop Combo amp with the Pedalboard Hi Drive or Candy Fuzz stompboxes to emulate hard rock tones of the late 1960s. See Logic Pro Pedalboard distortion pedals.