Logic Pro User Guide
- Welcome
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- What is Logic Pro?
- Logic Pro project basics
- Use menu commands and key commands in Logic Pro
- 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
- 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
- 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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- 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
- 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 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
- 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 in Logic Pro
- 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 in Logic Pro
- Correct tempo analysis results using beat markers in Logic Pro
- 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
- Copy staffs or voices in the Staff Style window in Logic Pro
- 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
- 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
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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 the 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 MIDI plug-in 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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- 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
Overview of Touch Bar shortcuts in Logic Pro
If your computer has a Touch Bar, you can use gestures to start and stop playback and recording, navigate through your song, adjust track and instrument levels, and play instruments. The controls in the main area of the Touch Bar (to the left of the Control Strip) change depending on the Touch Bar screen you are using and your selections in the app.
For more information about the Control Strip button, see MacBook Pro Essentials. To learn more about the Touch Bar, see the Apple Support article Use the Touch Bar on your MacBook Pro.
Note: If your computer has a Touch Bar that features the Esc (Escape) control, you can use it to perform a number of standard functions. For example, tap Esc to return an application in Full Screen mode to normal view. This control can also operate as the Cancel button in dialog windows, and close some pop-up windows.
Toolbar screen shortcuts
These shortcuts appear in the Touch Bar when you first open Logic Pro.
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Go to Selection Start | Moves the playhead to the beginning of the selection. |
 | Play from Selection | Starts playback from the beginning of the selection. |
 | Go to Project Start | Places the playhead at the beginning of your project. |
 | Play or Stop | Starts or stops playback at the current playhead position. |
 | Record | Starts recording on record enabled tracks at the current playhead position. |
 | Cycle | Turns Cycle mode on or off. |
 | Move Locators Backward by Cycle Length | Moves the locators backward by the Cycle length. |
 | Move Locators Forward by Cycle Length | Moves the locators forward by the Cycle length. |
Smart Controls screen shortcuts
When you tap the Smart Controls button in Logic Pro, the following controls appear in the Touch Bar.
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Smart Controls | Switches to the Configuration screen. |
 | Level | Hold the Level button until it becomes a Level slider. Drag the Level slider to adjust the volume of the track. Release the button when you are done. You can also tap the Level button to switch to the Level slider screen. On this screen, drag the Level slider to adjust the volume of the track, then tap the Close button to the left of the Level slider to return to the previous screen. |
The remainder of the Smart Controls screen shows buttons for the screen controls in the Smart Controls pane. The buttons change for each type of track and available effects.
To adjust the Smart Controls using the Touch Bar in Logic Pro:
Buttons controlling levels (the button has a colored line under the text indicating a slider): Touch and hold the button until the slider appears, and drag to adjust the slider. Release the button when you are done.
You can also tap the button to switch to a slider screen. In the slider screen, drag the slider left or right to adjust the slider, then tap the Close button to return to the Smart Controls screen.
Buttons not controlling levels (no colored line under the text): Tap the button to either access additional buttons or toggle a control on or off, depending on the button.
Configuration screen shortcuts
These shortcuts appear in the Touch Bar on the Configuration screen in Logic Pro. Note that the fifth button is different for each track type.
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Close | Returns you to the previous screen. |
| Smart Controls | Returns you to the Smart Controls screen. |
 | Overview | Switches to the Overview screen. |
 | Key Commands | Switches to the Key Commands screen. |
The fifth button on the Configuration screen changes based on what kind of track is selected in the Tracks area:
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Audio | Switches to the Audio screen (audio tracks only). |
 | Keyboard | Switches to the Keyboard screen (instrument tracks only). |
 | Drum Pads | Switches to the Drum Pads screen (Drummer or drum instrument patches only). |
Overview screen shortcuts
The Overview screen is a representation of the Tracks area in Logic Pro, with each track appearing as a thin colored line. The view rectangle shows the part of the song currently visible, with the vertical line showing the playhead position.
The Overview button remains visible at the left of the Overview screen:
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Returns you to the Configuration screen. |
To use the Overview to navigate through your song:
Drag the view rectangle left or right to move the visible area of the project.
Drag the line to move the playhead.
Key Commands screen shortcuts
When you tap the Key Commands button 
, the following controls appear by default. Some buttons change depending which window or editor is in focus.
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Key Commands | Returns you to the Configuration screen. |
| Go to Selection Start | Places the playhead at the beginning of the selection. |
| Play from Selection | Starts playback from the beginning of the selection. |
| Go to Project Start | Places the playhead at the beginning of your project. |
| Play or Stop | Starts or stops playback at the current playhead position. |
| Record | Starts recording on record enabled tracks at the current playhead position. |
| Cycle | Turns Cycle mode on or off. |
| Move Locators Backwards by Cycle Length | Moves the locators backward by the Cycle length. |
| Move Locators Forward by Cycle Length | Moves the locators forward by the Cycle length. |
When you press the Command key, the following controls appear in the Key Commands screen by default:
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Key Commands | Returns you to the Configuration screen. |
 | Split Regions at Playhead | Splits the selected regions at the current playhead position. |
 | Split by Locators | Splits the selected regions at the current locator positions. |
  | Crop Legato | When an audio region is selected, removes all parts of selected regions that fall outside its marquee selection. When a MIDI Editor is in focus, trims Note End to the value selected in the MIDI Editor. |
 | Join Regions | Joins multiple selected adjacent regions into one contiguous region. |
 | Repeat | Repeats selected events or regions. |
  | Repeat Section Quantize Selected Events | Duplicates the project section that falls within the locator positions. The duplicated section is pasted at the right locator. When a MIDI Editor is in focus, quantizes selected events to the value selected in the MIDI Editor. |
 | Shuffle Left | Shuffles the selected regions left. |
 | Shuffle Right | Shuffles the selected regions right. |
When you press the Option key, the following controls appear in the Key Commands screen by default:
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Key Commands | Returns you to the Configuration screen. |
 | Pointer tool | Switches to the Pointer tool. |
 | Marquee tool | Switches to the Marquee tool. |
 | Scissors tool | Switches to the Scissors tool. |
 | Glue tool | Switches to the Glue tool. |
 | Pencil tool | Switches to the Pencil tool. |
 | Fade tool | Switches to the Fade tool. |
 | Brush tool | Switches to the Brush tool. |
 | Finger tool | Switches to the Finger tool. |
When you press the Control key, the following controls appear in the Key Commands screen by default:
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Key Commands | Returns you to the Configuration screen. |
 | Show/Hide Automation | Shows or hides track automation. |
 | Touch/Read | Toggles the automation mode for the selected track between Touch and Read. |
 | Read/Off | Toggles the automation mode for the selected track between Read and off. |
 | Flex | Shows or hides Flex. |
 | Enable Groups | Activates or deactivates Groups. |
 | Add Audio Track | Adds a new audio track below the selected track. |
 | Add Instrument Track | Adds a new software instrument track below the selected track. |
 | Add Drummer Track | Adds a new Drummer track below the selected track. |
When you press the Shift key, the following controls appear in the Key Commands screen by default:
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Key Commands | Returns you to the Configuration screen. |
   | Colors Show/Hide Audio Channel Strips Show/Hide Instrument Names | Opens the Color palette. When the Mixer is in focus, shows or hides all audio channel strips. When the Score Editor is in focus, shows or hides Instrument names. |
   | Tuner Show/Hide Instrument Channel Strips Show/Hide Page Rulers | When an audio track is selected, this button turns the Tuner on or off. When the Mixer is in focus, shows or hides all instrument channel strips. When the Score Editor is in focus, shows or hides the page rulers. |
  | Selection-based Processing Show/Hide Auxiliary Channel Strips | Opens the Selection-based Processing window. When the Mixer is in focus, shows or hides the auxiliary channel strips. |
  | Plug-ins Show/Hide Output Channel Strips | Opens the Plug-in window for the first plug-in on the selected track. When the Mixer is in focus, shows or hides the output channel strips. |
  | Event Float Show/Hide Output Channel Strips | Opens an Event Float window. When the Mixer is in focus, shows or hides the output channel strips. |
 | Groups | Opens the Group Settings window. |
 | Note Repeat | Transforms incoming MIDI notes into repeated MIDI notes of the same pitch. |
 | Spot Erase | When recording in Cycle mode, click to temporarily use incoming notes to delete any matching notes in the region as the playhead passes over them. |
You can use the Key Commands window in Logic Pro to replace the default commands on any of the Key Commands screens and to add additional commands to custom Key Commands screens. See Assign key commands in Logic Pro for more information.
Audio screen shortcuts
When you tap the Audio button on the Configuration screen, the Touch Bar shows the following controls:
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Input | Tap the Input button to access the Input selector screen. Tap the desired input format (mono or stereo) and the desired audio input for the selected track. Tap Close to return to the Audio screen. |
 | Gain slider | Drag the slider to adjust the input gain for the selected track. |
 | Record Enable | Enables recording for the selected track. |
 | Input Monitoring | Activates input monitoring for the selected track. |
 | Level slider | Drag the slider to adjust the volume for the selected track. |
Keyboard screen controls
When you tap the Keyboard button 
, you can use the Touch Bar to play the current patch on the selected software instrument track.
Tap the keys on the Touch Bar keyboard to play notes.
To adjust the octave range of the Touch Bar keyboard, tap one of the Keyboard Octave buttons to the left of the Touch Bar keyboard.
To limit notes to a musical scale: Tap the Scale button, then tap to select the root note and the mode.
Tap the Close button
to return to the previous Touch Bar screen.
Drum Pads screen shortcuts
When you tap the Drum Pads button, you can use the Touch Bar to play the drums on a Drummer or software instrument track with a drum kit patch.
Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Close | Closes the Drum Pads screen. |
 | Banks | Selects between three banks of percussion instrument icons. |
  | Repeat Repeat slider | Tap the Repeat button to reveal the Repeat slider. Drag the line to the desired note division. Tap the Repeat icon to repeat the held pad. |
  | Velocity Velocity slider | Tap Velocity button to access the Velocity slider. Drag the line to the desired velocity. |
   | Drum Pad instruments | Triggers the sound represented by the button. |
To play a drum instrument in Logic Pro using the Touch Bar:
Tap a specific Drum Pad button to trigger the sound.
It plays at the velocity reflected in the Velocity slider.
Download the guides:
Logic Pro User Guide: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Instruments: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Effects: Apple Books | PDF