Logic Pro User Guide for Mac
- Welcome
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- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 11.1
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 11
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 10.8
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 10.7.8
- What’s new in Logic Pro for Mac 10.7.5
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.7.3
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.7
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.6
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.5
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.4
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.3
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.2
- What’s new in Logic Pro 10.0
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- What is Logic Pro for Mac?
- Logic Pro project basics
- Use menu commands and key commands
- 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 for Mac
- 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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- Tracks overview
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- Create tracks
- Create tracks using drag and drop
- Create tracks using existing channel strips
- Assign tracks to different channel strips
- Choose the default region type for software instrument tracks
- Select tracks
- Duplicate tracks
- Rename tracks
- Change track icons
- Change track colors
- Reorder tracks
- Zoom tracks
- Replace or double drum sounds
- Control timing with the groove track
- Use selection-based processing
- Edit track parameters
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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
- Replace software instrument recordings
- Record to multiple software instrument tracks
- Record multiple MIDI devices to multiple tracks
- Record software instruments and audio simultaneously
- Use step input recording techniques
- Record MIDI messages from another music app
- Route MIDI internally to software instrument tracks
- 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
- Normalize audio regions in the Tracks area
- Create aliases of MIDI regions
- Convert repeated MIDI regions to loops
- Change the color of regions
- Convert a MIDI region into a pattern region in Logic Pro for Mac
- Replace a MIDI region with a Session Player region in Logic Pro for Mac
- Convert audio regions to samples for a sampler instrument
- Rename regions
- Delete regions
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- Chords overview
- Add and delete chords
- Select chords
- Cut, copy, and paste chords
- Move and resize chords
- Loop chords on the Chord track
- Transpose chords
- Edit chords
- Work with chord groups
- Use chord progressions
- Change the chord rhythm
- Choose which chords a Session Player region follows
- Analyze the key signature of a range of chords
- Extract vocal and instrumental stems with Stem Splitter
- 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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- Session Players overview
- The Session Player Editor
- Choose a Session Player type and style
- Chords and Session Players
- Choose Session Player presets
- Regenerate a Session Player performance
- Follow rhythm of chords and other tracks
- Work with Drummer multi-channel kits
- Convert Session Player regions into MIDI or pattern regions
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- Logic Pro for Mac 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 format
- Set channel strip pan or balance positions
- Mute and solo channel strips
- Reorder channel strips in the Mixer
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- Plug-ins overview
- Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins
- Search for plug-ins in the Mixer
- Insert a plug-in on a track using drag and drop
- Activate plug-ins on inactive channel strips
- Use the Channel EQ
- Work in the plug-in window
- Work with plug-in settings
- Work with plug-in latencies
- Work with Audio Units in Logic Pro for Mac
- 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
- Control transposition with the Pitch Source parameter
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- Tempo overview
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- Smart Tempo overview
- Use free tempo recording
- 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
- Correct tempo analysis results using beat markers
- 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 for Mac
- Copy staffs or voices in the Staff Style window in Logic Pro for Mac
- 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
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- Logic Pro projects
- Various windows
- Controller Assignments window
- Control bar
- Tracks area
- Global tracks
- Automation
- Live Loops grid
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll Editor
- Score Editor
- Event List
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer
- Flex Time
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Surround Panner
- Channel EQ
- Space Designer
- Sampler
- Touch Bar shortcuts
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- Working with your control surface
- Connect control surfaces
- Add a control surface to Logic Pro for Mac
- 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 for Mac
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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 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 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
- Wide unison mode
- Source modulations
- Morph controls
- Alchemy master voice section
- Alchemy Extended parameters
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- ES2 overview
- ES2 interface overview
- ES2 integrated effects processor controls
- Use ES2 in Surround mode
- Extended parameters
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- Sample Alchemy overview
- Interface overview
- Add source material
- Edit mode
- Play modes
- Source overview
- Synthesis modes
- Granular controls
- Additive effects
- Additive effect controls
- Spectral effect
- Spectral effect controls
- Filter module
- Lowpass, bandpass, and highpass filters
- Comb PM filter
- Downsampler filter
- FM filter
- Envelope generators
- Mod Matrix
- Modulation routing
- Motion mode
- Trim mode
- More menu
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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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- Studio Piano
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- Ultrabeat overview
- Ultrabeat interface
- Synthesizer section overview
- Filter section controls
- Distortion circuit controls
- Glossary
- Copyright
Sampler overview in Logic Pro for Mac
Sampler is a sophisticated software sampler with which you can quickly create multisample instruments using drag-and-drop workflows.
Audio files, called samples, are combined into tuned, organized collections called sampler instruments. A sampler instrument is the file type that is loaded into Sampler with the plug-in Settings pop-up menu. When you choose a sampler instrument, the associated audio files are automatically located on the hard disk (or disks) and are loaded into your computer’s RAM. You play and record the loaded sampler instrument in the same way as any software instrument.
Because sampler instruments are based on audio recordings, they are ideally suited to emulating real instruments such as guitars, pianos, and drums. Sampler provides an extensive library of sampler instruments that includes these and many other sounds. Sampler is fully compatible with EXS instrument libraries.
You can also use Sampler to edit and create your own sampler instruments. You can quickly assign samples to specific key and velocity ranges in existing or new sampler instruments by dragging them into Sampler. You can graphically resize and move individual samples or groups of samples, as well as assign a number of playback parameters to a single sample or a group of samples.
Sampler is a flexible synthesizer in its own right. You can create expressive sounds by using any sample as a basic synthesizer waveform, which you can then process with an extensive collection of filters and modulators. If you’re new to the concepts and use of synthesizers and samplers, see Synthesizer basics overview.
You can use Sampler as a mono, stereo, or surround instrument, and can route loaded samples to multiple audio outputs. This lets you independently process individual drum sounds in a drum kit, for example. If you want to play and edit a single sample instrument, try using Quick Sampler.
If you’re new to using plug-ins in Logic Pro for Mac, see Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins in Logic Pro for Mac and Use multi-output instruments in Logic Pro for Mac.
The Sampler interface is contained in a single scrolling window, with shortcut buttons shown in the Navigation bar at the top. You can show or hide sections (panes) of the interface and can use the Navigation bar buttons to resize and quickly navigate between panes.
Synth pane: This pane contains synthesis options that you use to set global pitch, filter, pan and volume settings for your sounds. See Sampler Synth pane and Sampler Synth Details.
Mod Matrix pane: This pane contains modulation routing options that you can configure to affect the playback of your sounds. See Use the Sampler Mod Matrix.
Modulators pane: This pane contains LFO and envelope modulators that you use to control the pitch, amplitude, and filter settings of your sounds. These modulators can be routed to parameters in the Mod Matrix. See Sampler modulation overview.
Mapping pane: You use this pane to create and edit sampler instruments, and to set and control group and zone parameters. See Sampler Mapping and Zone pane overview.
Zone pane: You use this pane to edit individual samples (zones) within sampler instruments. See Sampler Zone pane.
Use the Navigation bar shortcut buttons
In Logic Pro, you can use the Navigation bar shortcut buttons to hide or show panes within the Sampler interface, to quickly navigate between visible panes, and to resize panes within the visible area. The Navigation bar Action pop-up menu 
provides commands used to manage synthesizer parameter and mapping data.
Navigation bar parameters
Navigation buttons: Use to view, and scroll to panes. Double-click to switch pane zoom levels. Click the LED to hide panes. Drag samples here to add them. You can do the following:
Click a navigation button to scroll the main UI to the corresponding pane.
Click the yellow LED inside a navigation button to hide the corresponding pane.
Click the navigation button of a hidden pane to show the pane and automatically scroll to it.
Double-click a navigation button to expand the corresponding pane vertically. The pane expands to the maximum useful pane height, in proportion to the height of other open panes and the overall height of the plug-in window.
Double-click the navigation button of a vertically expanded pane to reduce the pane to its default height or to a height that you have set.
Tip: You can resize panes vertically by moving the pointer over the boundary between panes until it becomes a handle, then dragging the handle.
Option-click a navigation button to expand the corresponding pane vertically and hide all other panes.
Action pop-up menu: Choose commands used to manage synthesizer parameter and mapping data.
Note: You can directly drag one or more samples onto the Navigation bar to create new groups and zones. See Create zones with drag and drop.
Use the Navigation bar Action pop-up menu
In Logic Pro, you can use Navigation bar Action pop-up menu items to perform synth parameter handling and import commands.
These commands include functions that were used in the precursor to Sampler, the EXS24 mkII. To explain, the former EXS Instrument is now known as a mapping. The former EXS Setting is now referred to as synth parameters. If you prefer to work with these elements, you can use the Navigation bar Action pop-up menu commands.
You can choose any of the listed commands from the Navigation bar Action pop-up menu to perform these operations:
Initialize Synth Parameters: Recalls a neutral setting for all parameters in the Synth, Mod Matrix, and Modulators panes. This provides a clean slate when you are adjusting the parameters of your sampler instrument.
Note: This does not affect the existing mapping.
Copy Synth Parameters without Mapping: Copies all current parameter values from the Synth, Mod Matrix, and Modulators panes to the Clipboard.
Paste Synth Parameters without Mapping: Pastes all parameter values of the Synth, Mod Matrix, and Modulators panes stored in the Clipboard into another sampler instrument.
Note: This does not affect the mapping of the target instrument.
Import Synth Parameters without Mapping: Choose an instrument to use as a source for Synth, Mod Matrix, and Modulators pane parameter values.
Note: This does not affect the mapping of the target instrument.
New Mapping: Creates a new, empty mapping that can be used as a source (template) for your sampler instruments.
Note: This does not affect existing Synth, Mod Matrix, and Modulators pane parameter values.
Import Mapping without Synth Parameters: Choose an instrument as a sample mapping data source. Synth, Mod Matrix, and Modulators pane parameter values are ignored.
Note: This does not affect the Synth, Mod Matrix, and Modulators pane parameter values of the target instrument.
Scroll, zoom, and resize in Sampler
In Logic Pro, the overall Sampler window and panes within it can be resized. You can scroll panes vertically, and horizontally in some cases, and can zoom the Mapping and Zone panes. Combine these features and those of the Navigation bar to quickly move in, and adjust, the Sampler interface.
Important: Use of gestures, such as swiping or pinching require these features to be enabled in the Mouse or Trackpad panes of your System Settings.
Do any of the following to scroll:
Drag vertically on the scrollbar at the right edge of the Sampler window to move between panes.
Each pane provides one or more transparent scrollbars that you can drag to move vertically or horizontally within the pane.
Note: Scrollbars are shown only when the pane or Sampler window content exceeds the display area size.
Use a two-finger vertical swipe to scroll with the trackpad, or a single-finger vertical swipe with a Magic Mouse to vertically scroll a pane (except the Zone pane) or to scroll the Sampler window.
In the Mapping or Zone panes, use a two-finger horizontal swipe with the trackpad, or a single-finger horizontal swipe with a Magic Mouse to horizontally scroll.
Do any of the following to zoom:
In the Mapping or Zone panes, use a pinch gesture to zoom.
In the Mapping pane, use the zoom slider.
In the Zone pane, use a two-finger vertical swipe to zoom with the trackpad, or a single-finger vertical swipe with a Magic Mouse to zoom the waveform.
In the Zone pane, use the zoom buttons.
Tip: You can double-click any pane button in the Navigation bar to quickly switch between a maximized view and the current view of that pane.
Do any of the following to resize:
Drag vertically on the top or bottom edge of the Sampler window to change the window height.
Drag horizontally on the left or right edge of the Sampler window to change the window width.
Drag diagonally on any corner of the Sampler window to change both the window height and width.
A resize handle is shown when you move the pointer over any edge or corner of the Sampler window.
Double-click the name at the top of any pane to change its height.
Drag vertically on the top or bottom edge of a pane to change the pane height.
A resize handle is shown when you move the pointer over the boundary between panes. The adjacent pane is also resized.
Tip: You can double-click any pane button in the Navigation bar to quickly switch between a maximized view and the current view of that pane.