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 notes in 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
Logic Pro Studio Strings extended parameters
The extended parameters provide advanced control of performance and controller functions.
Click the disclosure triangle at the lower left to view the extended parameters.
Note: The parameters are different for solo and section instruments.
Studio Strings common extended parameters
The following parameters apply to solo or section instruments.
Vibrato Controller pop-up menu: Choose a MIDI controller to adjust vibrato.
Dynamic Controller pop-up menu: Choose the MIDI controller used to adjust an instrument’s dynamics (soft-loud) while a note is playing. This function requires the Dynamics via CC button in the main interface to be turned on.
Dynamic Controller Mode pop-up menu: Choose a mode that determines assigned MIDI controller behavior and instrument response to incoming velocity data.
Controller (Absolute): Dynamics are controlled only by the absolute value of the assigned MIDI controller.
Velocity & Controller (Catch): Dynamics are controlled by both incoming velocity data and by the value of the assigned MIDI controller when it matches any existing controller value. For example, a MIDI control knob with a value of 15 has no impact on dynamic behavior until it reaches a velocity value of 47 in an existing region. Once this controller value is reached, the assigned MIDI control knob will have an impact on instrument dynamics.
Velocity & Controller (Relative): Dynamics are controlled by both incoming velocity data and by the value of the assigned MIDI controller, relative to any existing controller value. For example, a MIDI control knob with a value of 15 will immediately impact dynamic behavior, relative to the existing velocity value. Adjusting a knob with a value of 15 to a value of 18 will adjust an existing velocity value of 47 to a value of 50.
Legato Transitions checkbox: Turn on to enable legato transition samples for both monophonic and polyphonic modes, enhancing the realism of instruments played in a legato style.
Release Samples slider and field: Set the volume of release samples. Release samples, as the name suggests, are triggered when you release a key. These allow for a natural-sounding decay in sustained articulations, for example. If a low release sample value is set the sound may cut off abruptly, which can sound unnatural.
Pitch Bend Range slider and field: Determine the range for pitch bend modulation. This is bipolar, with a range of ±12 semitones.
Extended Key Range checkbox: Turn on to allow the instrument (or instruments in a section) to play beyond its normal key range.
When off, the instrument (or instruments in a section) plays in the original key range. This is the default, and should be used if you are aiming for authentic-sounding performances.
When on, the instrument uses the full keyboard range, allowing you to create parts that extend beyond the realistic range of the instrument (or instruments in a section).
Studio Strings Auto Voice Split extended parameters
The following parameters apply only to section instruments when the Auto Voice Split button is active in the main window.
Allow Unison checkbox: Turn on to enable unison mode for split voices.
When enabled, multiple instruments within a section can play the same note simultaneously when a single or multiple keys are pressed.
When disabled, one instrument within the section is played per key. To have all instruments of a seven piece section play, you need to press seven keys.
Split Voicing pop-up menu: Determine the octaves used by the respective voices/instrument(s) in the section. Results vary based on your Split Mode pop-up menu choice.
8va: Double the top part an octave up. This is a common technique used to make melody lines more prominent.
Drop 2: Transpose the second note from the top of the chord down an octave. This technique is used to make an arrangement sound thicker and richer.
Drop 2+4: Transpose the second and fourth note from the top of the chord down an octave. This technique is used to thicken an arrangement. It is more suitable for sections with five or more instrument “voices,” but can be useful with smaller sections.
Split Mode pop-up menu: Choose the mode used to split individual or grouped ensemble instruments.
Start with Lead Voice: The first incoming note is assigned to the Lead Voice, which is usually a higher-range instrument such as a violin. All subsequent notes are assigned, in descending order, to the Middle and Bass Voices.
Start with Bass Voice: The first incoming note is assigned to the Bass Voice. All subsequent notes are assigned, in ascending order, to the Middle and Lead Voices.
Start by Key Split: Incoming notes below the defined split key (set with the Split Key pop-up menu) are assigned to the Bass Voice and the lower Middle Voices. Notes above the split key are assigned to the Lead Voice and the higher Middle Voices.
Split Key pop-up menu: Set the MIDI note number used as the split point for individual ensemble instruments.
Note: This parameter applies only when Start By Key Split is chosen in the Split Mode pop-up menu.
Inst via MIDI Channel checkbox: Turn off to play the full section on any incoming MIDI channel. Active Unison / Auto Voice Split / MIDI Split settings apply. When on (default), the following applies:
MIDI Channel 1: Full section is played with the active Unison / Auto Voice Split / MIDI Split settings.
MIDI Channels 2-16: Access individual instruments within the section. See Logic Pro studio instruments section MIDI channels.