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
Manipulate loops in Logic Pro Alchemy
Logic Pro X provides great options for working with loops and Apple Loops on tracks. If you want to trigger loops live, or shape them with synthesis tools, you can do so using Sampler, Ultrabeat, and Alchemy. Alchemy supports playback of Apple Loops as well as .aif, .caf, and .wav audio files and can manipulate tempo and pitch in real time. Alchemy’s sophisticated synthesis engines can transform loops with multiple forms of resynthesis and extensive filter, modulation, and effects options.
Note: Images shown in tutorials are not specific to presets used in tasks. They are included as a guide to help you find areas and parameters in the Alchemy interface.
Time stretch and pitch shift samples in real time in Alchemy
If you cannot find the loop used for this example, you’ll need to download additional content packages. To do so, choose Download Additional Content... from the Logic menu in the menu bar.
In Logic Pro X, switch to advanced view and choose Initialize Preset from Alchemy’s File menu.
This resets Alchemy’s settings and makes it easier to build sounds from scratch.
Set the project tempo to 110 BPM.
Click the source select field for source A, and choose Import Audio from the pop-up menu.
The Import window opens.
Open the Apple Loops browser, and type “Basic Vintage Break” in the search field. Drag the Vintage Funk Loop 03 file from the Apple Loops browser to the Dropzone area of the Import window.
Note that the original tempo of this file is 100 BPM and that it is 8 beats (2 bars) long.
Click the Spectral and Formant analysis mode buttons at the lower left, then click the Import button.
This determines the synthesis engine used for resynthesis of the audio sample. Spectral + Formant is a good general purpose option that works well for drum loops. It’s also the default setting in a new instance of Alchemy. When analysis is complete, you can trigger the loop at its native pitch and speed by playing C3 on your keyboard. Playing other pitches transposes the loop, but retains the tempo.
Set the Speed knob in the source main controls section to zero percent (full left).
This stops the loop from playing forward in time and repeats the first few samples at the current position.
Hold a note and rotate the Position knob to hear how playback is affected.
The Position knob moves playback forward and backward through the loop. Set the value to zero percent (full left).
Modulate position with an LFO in Alchemy
In Logic Pro X, Control-click the Position knob and choose Add Modulation > LFO > LFO1 from the shortcut menu.
This assigns LFO 1 to control the Position knob, and the central modulation section automatically updates to display the controls for LFO 1.
Switch the LFO shape from Sine to Ramp Up, and set the Rate to 2 (measures) to match the length of the Apple Loop.
Tip: Changing the LFO shape to Ramp Down plays the loop backward by starting the Position at 100% and moving back to 0%.
Click the Bipolar button to turn it off.
When Bipolar is active, the LFO outputs both negative and positive values in each cycle (from -50% to 50%). When off, only positive values are output (from 0% to 100%). If you play and hold a note on your keyboard, a small dot around the Position knob indicates its values changing from 0% to 100%. Bipolar is useful for controlling parameters like pan where 0 is in the midpoint of the knob’s rotation and you want the value to oscillate around the center.
Play C3 to hear the loop at its native pitch but at a tempo that matches the project (110 BPM).
Explore further loop manipulation options in Alchemy
In Logic Pro X, explore these additional options with the same loop to get a feel for Alchemy’s loop manipulation capabilities.
Turn off Trigger mode to hear the loop position continue to move through the file only when you play a note. This allows you to create gating and stuttering effects by rhythmically triggering notes. Try playing a series of very short 8th notes over this loop to change its feel.
You can play notes of different pitches or can use pitch bend to add a chopped and screwed effect to your loops. The default pitch bend range is 2 semitones, but Alchemy supports bi-directional pitch bends of up to 36 semitones. To set this, click the Global view button and set the up and down pitch bend values independently in the master section.
Modulate position with an MSEG in Alchemy
The MSEG envelope can duplicate the same kind of looping Ramp Up pattern used in the LFO task but is capable of longer, more complex patterns than a simple repeating ramp. MSEG envelopes are useful when you have specific ideas about how you want parameters to change over time. MSEG modulators are capable of creating a range of patterns from simple short ramps to very long, complex sequences.
In Logic Pro X, click the Position knob, then click the button next to the modulation area to disable the LFO.
Play a few notes and you will hear that the loop no longer plays forward.
Control-click the Position knob, and choose Add Modulation > MSEG Env > MSEG1 from the shortcut menu.
This assigns MSEG 1 to control the Position knob. The central modulation section automatically updates to display the controls for MSEG 1.
Click the File button in the MSEG editor, and load the Ramp Up preset.
This creates an 8 beat (2 bar) ramp from 0% to 100%. When you play a note, the result is identical to that of the LFO modulation used in the previous task.
Click along the graph line in the MSEG editor to add three points near bars 5, 7, and 9. Double-click a point to remove it.
Note: The exact position of each point in the MSEG is important for keeping a consistent tempo.
Drag points horizontally to move them, noting that they snap to the tempo grid. Drag vertically to set the following values for each point.
Bar 1: Point value 0%
Bar 5: Point value 50%
Bar 7: Point value 25%
Bar 9: Point value 50%
Hold a note to hear the loop play forward, backward, and then forward again at the project tempo.
More complex MSEG settings can cause the position to jump to specific points in the loop, thus creating variations of the original loop.