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
Scrub a project in Logic Pro for Mac.In the Tracks area, you can apply audio effect plug-ins to individual audio regions and to marquee selections of audio regions. You can preview the result and make further adjustments before applying the resulting changes to the selection.
A typical characteristic of analog filter circuits that occurs when the filter, at high resonance values, feeds back into itself and begins to oscillate at its natural frequency.
The smallest interval between two pitches in the standard diatonic scale in Western music. A semitone is also called a half step or half tone.
Short for aux send. An output on an audio device used for routing a controlled amount of the signal to another device. Sends are often used to send several signals to the same effect, letting you use computationally intensive effects such as reverb more efficiently.
A panel on mixer channel strips used to send (via a bus) some or all of the audio signal to an aux channel strip. You can use multiple sends on channels.
A computer app used to record both audio and MIDI data and blend the sounds together in a software mixing console. Early sequencers controlled synthesizers via a series of control voltages and gates, or via MIDI only. No audio recording or control was available. See also DAW.
A feature in Logic Pro for Mac that allows you to add virtual Bass Players, Keyboard Players, and Drummers to your project using Session Player regions. You can edit the Session Player’s performance in the Session Player Editor.
The editor you use to modify a Session Player’s playing style by choosing presets and adjusting individual settings, including patterns and fill settings.
A rectangular segment in the Tracks area that represents a realistic bass, piano, or drum performance, which you can edit using various settings in the Session Player Editor.
(1) A parameter value. (2) A set of plug-in parameter values that can be loaded, saved, copied, or pasted via the Settings pop-up menu. A plug-in setting is also known as a preset. See also preset, Setting button, and Settings pop-up menu.
A panel on mixer channel strips used to load, copy, and save channel strip settings. These settings contain setup information for a channel strip, including plug-ins.
The menu in the gray header at the top of all plug-in windows used to save, load, copy, and paste settings (the parameter values of effects and software instruments).
Refers to the process of distributing your projects. Logic Pro for Mac provides several options: the Music app, XML, MusicXML, and others.
A type of EQ that allows the frequency range above or below the specified frequency to be increased or decreased.
A button in the Tracks area and Audio Track Editor. In the Tracks area, it is used to show or hide a Track Flex button and Flex Mode pop-up menu on audio track headers. In the Audio Track Editor, it is used to show or hide the Flex Mode pop-up menu in the Editor.
An alternative input signal—usually routed into an effect—used to control an effect parameter. For example, you could use a side chained track containing a drum loop to act as the control signal for a gate inserted on a sustained pad track, creating a rhythmic gating effect of the pad sound.
A pane that lists all time and key signatures of a project.
A global track that shows all time and key signatures of a project.
A term associated with synthesizers such as the ES1. In this mode, envelopes are not retriggered when tied (legato) notes are played.
Smart Controls let you control the sound of the selected track using a set of onscreen controls. Smart Controls can control both channel strip and plug-in parameters, including software instruments and effects. See also screen control.
Smart Tempo lets you record a performance without the metronome and have Logic Pro adapt the project tempo to match the tempo of the recording, or keep the project tempo and flex the recording to match it. Using Smart Tempo, you can also also create remixes using audio files and MIDI regions with different tempos that all conform to the project tempo, or adapt the project tempo to the tempo of an imported audio file or MIDI region.
In the Smart Tempo Editor, you can view and edit Smart Tempo analysis results including beat markers and other tempo information. After recording a region or importing a file using Smart Tempo, you can refine the tempo analysis and correct any tempo detection errors to define the musical intent more accurately.
Abbreviation for Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. The organization responsible for establishing a synchronization system that divides time into hours, minutes, seconds, frames, and subframes (SMPTE timecode). SMPTE timecode is also used for synchronizing different devices. The MIDI equivalent of SMPTE timecode is MIDI Time Code (MTC). See also MTC.
Refers to the Logic Pro for Mac ruler when set to display time in SMPTE format. The SMPTE Time ruler can display timecode if a movie is added to a project.
A pop-up menu found in the local menu bar of linear editing windows that determines the behavior of regions or events when edited. Lengths and cuts will snap to the nearest possible position as determined by the value chosen in the Snap pop-up menu.
A virtual instrument for which the sound is calculated by the computer processor, and played via the audio interface outputs. Often colloquially called softsynths or soft samplers. Logic Pro for Mac includes a large collection of native software instruments to use in your projects.
Logic Pro for Mac supports the use of software-based instruments. Software instrument plug-ins are inserted into the Instrument slot of instrument channel strips. Software instrument recording takes place on instrument tracks in the Tracks area. Playback of these tracks is routed via the instrument channel strip in the Mixer.
To temporarily isolate one or more tracks, regions, or events, allowing them to be heard without the rest of the project.
A tool used to play a region or event in isolation.
Short for Sony/Philips Digital Interface. A standard transmission format for professional stereo digital audio signals. The format is similar to AES/EBU, but uses 75 ohm coaxial or optical connectors and cabling. Depending on the type of devices involved, AES/EBU and S/P-DIF coaxial interfaces can communicate directly. Most digital audio interfaces available today will feature S/P-DIF connectors.
Often the channels of multichannel audio files (stereo or surround) are interleaved, so that edits to one channel affect the others equally. Logic Pro for Mac allows you to separate these files into split channel audio files, so that you can edit each channel independently. See also interleaved audio file.
Abbreviation for Song Position Pointer. A MIDI Clock timing pulse sub-message that indicates the current “song” (project) position. It is accurate to bars (and beats for some devices), but is not as accurate as MIDI Time Code (MTC), which is preferred when you have a choice when synchronizing Logic Pro for Mac. See also MIDI Clock and MTC.
Determines the appearance of notation on a musical staff. You can define note sizing and spacing, number of staff lines, fonts, and more for each staff style.
The standard file format for exchanging songs between different sequencers or MIDI file players. Standard MIDI files are not specific to a particular sequencer program, type of computer, or device. Any sequencer should be able to interpret at least the type 0 MIDI file format. Standard MIDI files contain information about MIDI events, including time positions and channel assignments, names of individual tracks, instrument names, controller data, and tempo changes.
The first byte in a MIDI message, which defines the type of message being sent.
A beam in the Step Editor that represents a MIDI event. The value of the event is denoted by the beam height, providing an at-a-glance view of one, or dozens, of different events and their values.
A graphical editor in Logic Pro for Mac that can be used to create and edit MIDI note and controller data. The Step Editor is ideal for drawing drum parts and creating crescendi, among other tasks. In earlier versions of Logic Pro for Mac, the Step Editor was called the Hyper Editor. See also event definition.
A feature that allows you to insert MIDI notes into a MIDI region, one at a time, when real-time recording is not active. This technique allows you to input notes accurately, even when they may be too fast for you to play “live.” Step input can be performed onscreen with the mouse or with the computer or MIDI keyboard, or any combination of these devices. See also MIDI In button.
Originally a hardware device from the early years of analog synthesizers with knobs that controlled the gate time (note length) and pitch of a connected synthesizer, now both hardware and software instruments, particularly drum synthesizers, include an integrated step sequencer that synchronizes with project playback. Logic Pro for Mac includes Step Sequencer, which lets you sequence not only drum and instrument sounds but also stepped parameter changes, and provides greatly increased control and flexibility in creating and playing patterns. Ultrabeat incorporates a step sequencer that is also more flexible than a classic analog sequencer.
Short for stereophonic. Refers to the sound reproduction of two different audio channels. Compare mono.
A subdivision of a SMPTE frame, corresponding to its individual bits. One frame consists of 80 bits.
A type of track stack that lets you combine multiple tracks and route their output to an audio subgroup. When you create a summing stack, the outputs from the subtracks are routed to a bus, the destination aux of which is assigned to the main track. When the main track is selected, you can mute, solo, and adjust volume and send levels for the summing stack, and add and edit plug-ins, affecting the sound of all the subtracks in the summing stack. See also track stack.
Describes playback systems that make use of multiple speakers. The most common surround format is 5.1 channels (front left, front center, front right, left surround, right surround, and an LFE, or subwoofer, channel), typically used in home theater systems and in cinemas. Logic Pro for Mac supports all common surround formats, and provides surround recording, plug-in, and mixing facilities.
Replaces the standard Pan/Balance knob of channel strips for surround projects. The Surround Panner control allows you to control the relative positioning of the channel signal between the available speakers (in the chosen project surround format).
An envelope parameter that sets the steady amplitude level produced when a key is held down. See also envelope.
A momentary footswitch connected to a MIDI keyboard. The sustain pedal transmits MIDI controller number 64, which is recorded and played back by Logic Pro for Mac, and which can be edited as an automation parameter.
A parameter that alters the rigid timing of a quantization grid by delaying every other note of a specified subdivision by a definable amount.
A button in the control bar used to turn external synchronization mode on and off.
Refers to the method of keeping several recording or playback devices time-locked with one another. In virtually all synchronized setups, there is one transmitter device and one or more receiver devices that derive their synchronization clock from the transmitter.
The central unit used to control the synchronization of several devices. In most situations, Logic Pro for Mac will act as the device that sends or transmits synchronization signal to other (receiving) devices.
A hardware or software device that can generate sounds. The word is derived from early attempts with mechanical and electronic machines to emulate (or synthesize) the sounds of musical instruments, voices, birdsong, and so on. Logic Pro for Mac features several software synthesizers, including the ES1, ES2, EFM1, ES E, ES M, and ES P.
Short for System Exclusive data. SysEx data forms the top tier in the hierarchy of MIDI commands. These messages are tagged with an identification number for each manufacturer (known as the SysEx manufacturer ID number). The actual content of these MIDI commands is left to the manufacturer. SysEx data is often used to transfer sound programs or system settings, or to address individual sound generation or signal-processing parameters.
A container for multiple take recordings.
A term used to describe a recording. Logic Pro for Mac allows you to create several takes, one after the other, without leaving record mode. These takes can then be compiled into a composite take, or comp. See also comping.
The playback speed of a piece of music, measured in beats per minute. Logic Pro for Mac allows you to create and edit tempo changes in the Tempo track.
An event inserted into the Tempo track (as a tempo point) that indicates a change in tempo at a particular bar or beat position.
One of the Logic Pro for Mac global tracks. A Tempo track displays tempo changes as nodes.
A tool used for editing the name of regions and other items. In the Score Editor, you can use the Text tool to add text to a score.
The smallest unit of timing resolution in a MIDI sequencer. In Logic Pro for Mac, this equals 1/3840 of a note. Logic Pro for Mac allows edits at single sample accuracy (at sufficient zoom levels) for edits and positioning, which exceeds what the MIDI protocol is fast enough to support for playback.
A format for assigning a unique, sequential time unit to each frame of video (or project) position. The SMPTE timecode format is measured in hours, minutes, seconds, frames, and subframes.
The button (labeled with a Q) that you click to quantize selected events. See also Quantize tool and quantization.
The Logic Pro for Mac menu from which you choose the quantize value. See also Quantize tool and quantization.
Refers to musical notation that tells you how to interpret the rhythm of a piece of music. The time signature can be thought of as a fraction where the top number (the numerator) tells you the number of beats in a bar and the bottom figure (the denominator) the value of those beats. For example, a 4/4 time signature means there are four quarter beats in a bar.
A measure of the ability to play notes in time (in keeping with the tempo). Timing can also refer to synchronization between events, regions, and devices.
A menu in a local menu bar that contains the tools for editing, zooming, cropping, and otherwise manipulating items in that specific window.
A collection of buttons and other controls used for working with regions in the Tracks area. By default the toolbar is hidden, but you can make it visible by clicking the Toolbar button in the control bar. You can customize the toolbar to meet your individual needs.
A horizontal row in the Tracks area that contains either audio, MIDI, Session Player, or pattern regions that can be played back over time. Each track has a specified channel strip that data is routed to. A Logic Pro for Mac project can contain hundreds of tracks.
A Logic Pro for Mac inspector used to non-destructively set the playback parameters for each track, for example, channel and MIDI channel, Freeze mode, transposition, and velocity. These parameters do not alter the regions on the track.
A button in the track header that protects or unprotects tracks from further editing. See also protected track.
Track stacks provide a convenient way to organize and control tracks, to manage projects with high track counts, and to create and manage audio subgroups. There are two types of track stacks: folder stacks and summing stacks. Both types have a main track and one or more subtracks. See also folder stack and summing stack.
One of the primary working spaces of Logic Pro for Mac. The Tracks area is used to record, edit, and arrange the audio, MIDI, Session Player, and pattern regions in a project. It is also used for recording and playback of automation. In earlier versions of Logic Pro for Mac, the Tracks area was called the Arrange area.
A collection of saved transform operations. Transform sets can be quickly accessed via the Presets menu in the Transform window. You can also import transform sets from other projects. See also Transform window.
An editor used to define a set of conditions and operations for selecting and manipulating specific MIDI events.
A point in an audio recording where the signal becomes louder over a short time span. It is a short burst of amplitude, normally at the onset of a sound. Because this behavior is typical for rhythmic or percussive parts of music, such as a drumstick hitting a snare drum, transients can be used to indicate where beats occur in an audio signal.
A process in which audio files are analyzed for transients the first time you enable a track for flex editing. See also flex editing.
A marker that denotes a significant point or peak in an audio file. See also transient.
A set of buttons and other controls located in the center of the control bar, used to control recording and playback functions. The transport controls include the Record, Pause, Play, Stop, and Rewind/Forward buttons, and other functions. You can also open a floating Transport window.
The process of changing the pitch of a project, a region, or individual notes or chords by a number of semitones.
One of the Logic Pro for Macglobal tracks. A transposition track allows you to transpose parts of a project and view transposition events.
A term that refers to high-frequency sounds or components within a sound. See also frequency.
You can add untagged loops or loop libraries to the Untagged Loops button of the Loop Browser, where you can preview untagged loops at their original tempo or at the project tempo, batch analyze them for tempo information, remove any existing tempo information, and synchronize the playback of untagged loops with your project.
A way of speeding up or slowing down the entire project, similar to the original varispeed feature of tape machines. You can change both pitch and speed, or only speed (while pitch remains constant).
Refers to the force with which a MIDI note is struck. Velocity is controlled by the second data byte of a note event. The velocity of recorded MIDI notes can be edited in the Piano Roll Editor.
A tool in the MIDI editors used to adjust the velocity of individual, or grouped, note events.
A tool in the Audio Track Editor used to adjust the amount of vibrato on notes in Flex Pitch mode.
A tool in the Score Editor used to separate polyphonic voices onto different staffs by drawing a dividing line (if you’re using a polyphonic staff style).
A tool in the Audio Track Editor used to adjust the amount of gain applied to notes in Flex Pitch mode.
Abbreviation for Volume Unit meter. An analog meter used to monitor audio levels, typically with a circular face and a moving needle.
The primary audio file format used by Windows-compatible computers. In Logic Pro for Mac, all recorded and bounced WAVE files are in Broadcast Wave format, which includes high-resolution timestamp information that stores positional information. This makes it easy to align these files in other audio and video apps.
A visual representation of an audio signal. Waveform graphics run from left to right, and are centered on a horizontal line. Louder portions of the waveform (amplitude peaks) are indicated as taller peaks or curves in the waveform.
Refers to the ratio of a signal that effects have been added to (wet), and the original, unprocessed signal (dry).
A type of noise in which all frequencies in a given frequency band sound simultaneously, at the same intensity. Its name is analogous to white light, which consists of a mixture of all optical wavelengths (all rainbow colors). Sonically, white noise falls between the sound of the consonant F and breaking waves (surf). Synthesis of wind and seashore noises, or electronic snare drum sounds, typically makes use of white noise.
The clock signal required by digital audio interfaces to ensure that the sampling rates of connected devices run synchronously. When two devices are connected via a standard digital audio interface (such as S/P-DIF or ADAT optical), Word Clock is transmitted via the audio circuit. If you want more than two digital audio devices to communicate with each other, you need to use separate Word Clock ports for synchronization, in most cases.
A view in the Score Editor that displays the selected track or tracks in a line-wrapped, lead sheet–style view.
A point in an audio file where the waveform crosses the zero amplitude axis. If you cut an audio file at a zero crossing, there will be no click at the cut point.
The control that appears at the top-right corner of the Tracks area and some other windows. The zoom control slider allows you to zoom in to see more details or zoom out to view more of a project. Most windows have zoom sliders.
A tool used to zoom in on any part of the active area. The Zoom tool can be accessed by pressing and holding Control-Option. Click the background with the tool to revert to the normal zoom level.