Logic Pro User Guide
- Welcome
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- What is Logic Pro?
- Workflow overview
- Logic Pro project basics
- 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
- 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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- 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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- 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 key commands
- Various Editors
- Views showing Time Ruler
- Main Window Tracks
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll
- Score Editor
- Event Editor
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer key commands
- Project Audio
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Sampler
- Step Input Keyboard
- Tools
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- Various windows modifier keys and actions
- Controller Assignments window modifier keys and actions
- Tracks area modifiers and actions
- Global tracks modifier keys and actions
- Automation modifier keys and actions
- Live Loops Grid modifier keys and actions
- Mixer modifier keys and actions
- MIDI Environment window modifier keys and actions
- Piano Roll Editor modifier keys and actions
- Score Editor modifier keys and actions
- Event List modifier keys and actions
- Step Editor modifier keys and actions
- Step Sequencer modifier keys and actions
- Flex Time modifier keys and actions
- 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
- Supported Control surfaces
- Software and firmware for Logic Pro
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- Effects overview
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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
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- Instruments introduction
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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
Edit a drummer’s performance in Logic Pro
There are a number of settings in the Drummer Editor that affect the drummer’s playing style. These settings are located to the right of the presets area.
You can edit the complexity and loudness of the performance, mute and unmute drum kit and percussion pieces, and choose whether a pattern is played on the toms, cymbals, hi-hat, or percussion instruments. You use the percussion icons to turn on different instruments, and you can choose between different variations for the drum and percussion pieces. You can also play half time or double time for kick and snare.
Adjust the complexity and loudness of the performance
In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, drag the puck to a different position in the XY pad.
The farther right you place the puck, the more complex the sound becomes; the higher you place the puck, the louder the sound plays.
Choose a pattern variation for acoustic drum or percussion instruments
In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, select an instrument, then drag the slider to the right of the instrument to choose an increment. You can also click a specific increment.
In some cases, you can select more than one instrument in a category.
Choose a pattern variation for electronic drum or percussion instruments
In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, select an instrument, then drag the slider to the right of the instrument to choose an increment. You can also click a specific increment.
In some cases, you can select more than one instrument in a category.
Mute or unmute a drum or percussion instrument
To include the piece in the performance: In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, click the piece so that it’s selected, or unmuted.
To remove a piece from the performance: In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, click the piece so that it’s dimmed, or muted.
Use a half time or double time variation for acoustic kick and snare drums
In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, choose 1/2 or 2x at the right end of the Kick & Snare slider.
Adjust the snare brush technique of drummers using a brush kit
When using a drummer who uses snare brushes, the Brush Sweep or Brush Tap checkbox appears under the Kick & Snare slider. Selecting Brush Sweep enables a swirling, sweeping brush technique reminiscent of percussion fills. Selecting Brush Taps enables a gentle tapping snare brush technique.
In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, select the Brush Sweep or Brush Taps checkbox below the left end of the Kick & Snare slider.
Note: The checkbox name reflects the brush technique used by the chosen drummer. For example, when Austin is chosen, it becomes the Brush Taps checkbox, because he performs brush taps. However, when Tyrell is chosen, it becomes the Brush Sweep checkbox, because he plays brush sweeps.
The drummer performs using the selected snare brush technique.
Edit fills and swing settings
Reduce or increase the number and length of fills: In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, drag the Fills knob downward or upward.
You can click the lock to prevent any changes to the fills setting when switching presets or drummers.
Adjust the shuffle feel of the currently playing pattern: In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, drag the Swing knob vertically.
You can click the lock to prevent any changes to the swing setting when switching presets or drummers.
Determine whether the swing is based on eighth notes or sixteenth notes: In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, click the 8th or 16th button.
Edit other acoustic drum performance settings
In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, click the Details button, then do any of the following:
Drag the Feel knob to the right to have the drummer play ahead of the beat or to the left to play behind the beat, or sloppy.
Drag the Ghost Notes knob to adjust the level of ghost notes—syncopated snare and kick hits—in the beat.
Note: The presence of ghost notes depends on the chosen drummer and the complexity setting.
Drag the Hi-Hat knob to adjust the degree to which the Hi-Hat is opened and closed during the drum performance.
Note: This is only relevant if the hi-hat is selected in the drum kit representation.
Edit other electronic drum performance settings
In the Logic ProDrummer Editor, click the Details button, then do any of the following:
Drag the Humanize knob to generate drum patterns that are not perfectly quantized, making the performance more realistic, or human. You can click the lock to prevent any changes to the humanize setting when switching presets or drummers.
Drag the Phrase Variation knob to determine the amount of rhythmic change that occurs over the course of several bars within a region. You can click the lock to prevent any changes to the phrase variation setting when switching presets or drummers.
Select the Auto half-time checkbox to have Drummer regions generated in half time, if the project tempo is a multiple of the preferred tempo.
Drag the Complexity Range sliders to offset the complexity of individual kit pieces against the XY pad.
Click the drum or percussion instruments to mute the complexity offset setting of individual kit pieces.
Any changes or selections you make in the Drummer Editor affect only the selected region, not the entire track. Drummer regions are regenerated when adjusting the XY pad. When you adjust the Swing and Fills knobs, the region timing is changed. When you adjust a kit piece variation slider, the pattern for that kit piece is regenerated.
You can also refresh the selected region, without editing any region settings, to play back a subtly different version.
Note: The Drummer Editor is disabled when recording a Live Loops performance. See Record a Live Loops performance in Logic Pro.
Logic Pro User Guide: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Instruments: Apple Books | PDF
Logic Pro Effects: Apple Books | PDF