Apple Logic Express - 8 User Manual
Logic Express 8
User Manual
Apple Inc.
© 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be
copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent
of Apple. Your rights to the software are governed by
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Apple logo (Option-Shift-K) for commercial purposes
without the prior written consent of Apple may
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this manual is accurate. Apple Inc. is not
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Note: Apple frequently releases new versions and
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different to those displayed on your screen.
Apple Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014-2084
408-996-1010
www.apple.com
Apple, the Apple logo, Bonjour, Final Cut, Final Cut Pro,
FireWire, iMovie, iPod, iTunes, Jam Pack, Logic, Mac,
MacBook, Macintosh, Mac OS, PowerBook, QuickTime,
Soundtrack, and Ultrabeat are trademarks of Apple Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Finder, GarageBand, and Safari are trademarks of
Apple Inc.
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Other company and product names mentioned herein
are trademarks of their respective companies. Mention
of third-party products is for informational purposes
only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a
recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with
regard to the performance or use of these products.
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Contents
Preface 15 Logic Express 8: Documentation and Resources
16 Logic Express 8 Documentation Conventions
Logic Express Onscreen Help
Apple Websites
Chapter 1 19 An Introduction to Logic Express
20 Creating Music in Logic Express
The Basics: Projects and Regions
Chapter 2 27 Overview of the Logic Express Interface
28 A Tour of the Logic Express Interface
Common Features of Logic Express Windows
Interactions Between Arrange Window Areas
Using Logic Express Interface Elements
Using the Computer Keyboard
Chapter 3 59 Customizing Your Window Setup
59 Window Types
Opening and Closing Windows
Moving and Resizing Windows
Working at Different Hierarchy Levels
Selecting the Working Area
Zooming
Relationships Between Windows
Customizing the Transport Bar
Customizing the Arrange Window Toolbar
Hiding or Revealing the Inspector
Adjusting the Bar Ruler Display
Displaying Global Tracks
Using Screensets
3
4
90
98
98
99
Chapter 4 83 Setting Up Your System
83 Designing Your Music Production System
Connecting Your Audio and MIDI Devices
Using External MIDI Devices
Using External Audio Effects
Configuring Your Audio Hardware
Chapter 5 103 Navigating Your Project
10 3 Setting the Playhead Position
10 6 Using the Transport Buttons
10 7 Using Transport Key Commands
10 8 Using Cycle Mode
11 4 Using the Chase Events Function
11 6 Customizing the Transport Bar
Chapter 6 123 Working With Markers
12 4 Opening Marker Areas and Windows
12 5 Creating Markers
12 8 Selecting Markers
12 8 Deleting Markers
12 9 Naming Markers
131 Changing the Appearance of Marker Text
13 2 Editing Markers
13 4 Navigating With Markers
13 5 Customizing the Marker Display in the Marker List
Chapter 7 137 Working With Projects
13 7 Learning About Projects
13 9 Creating Projects
141 Opening Projects
14 3
Opening and Creating Projects Automatically
14 4
Importing Settings From Other Projects
14 5
Checking and Repairing Projects
14 6
Setting Project Properties
15 3
Managing Projects
15 5
Saving Projects
157
Closing and Quitting
Chapter 8 159 Basic Operations
15 9
Using the Mouse
160
Entering Numerical Values
161
Entering Text
162
Working With Key Commands
17 0
Working With Tools
Contents
17 6 Working With Help Tags
17 7 Using the Shortcut Menu
17 7 Selection Techniques
183 Working With the Clipboard
18 4 Undoing and Redoing Editing Operations
Chapter 9 187 Working With Tracks
18 9 Configuring the Track Header
19 0 Reclaiming Workspace Used by the Track Header
191 Creating Tracks and Channels
19 8 Deleting Tracks
19 8 Selecting Tracks
19 9 Rearranging Tracks
19 9 Naming Tracks
201 Assigning Tracks to Channels
203 Zooming Individual Tracks
204 Assigning Track Icons
205 Muting Tracks
207 Soloing Tracks
208 Record-Enabling Tracks
208 Freezing Tracks
212 Hiding Tracks
213 Protecting Tracks
214 Using Track Button Slide Activation
Chapter 10 215 Working With Instruments and Effects
216 A Quick Mixer and Channel Strip Primer
220 Inserting, Moving, and Removing Plug-ins
228
Loading and Removing Entire Channel Strip Configurations
232
Using the Plug-in Window
235
Common Plug-in Window Functions
242
Using the Library to Choose Plug-in Settings
243
Learning About Effect Routings
247
Working With Instruments
260
Working With ReWire Applications
261
Working With External Audio Effects
262
Using Plug-ins From Other Manufacturers
Chapter 11 265 Adding Pre-Recorded Media
265
Supported File Formats
266
About Pre-Recorded Media Types Supported by Logic Express
267
Accessing Media Files in the Browser
273
Finding Apple Loops in the Loop Browser
Contents
5
281 Adding and Removing Audio Files
290 Adding MIDI and Project Files
Chapter 12 291 Getting to Know Regions
291 What Are Regions?
295 MIDI and Audio Regions Compared
296 Handling Regions in the Audio Bin and Sample Editor
Chapter 13 307 Creating Your Arrangement
309 Making Region Edits Faster and Easier
319 Selecting Regions
320 Selecting Parts of a Region
322 Adding and Recording Regions
322 Removing and Restoring Regions
324 Moving Regions
328 Resizing Regions
334 Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Regions
335 Adding or Removing Song Passages
339 Repeating Regions
346 Dividing, Demixing, and Merging Regions
354 Using Folders
358 Creating Crossfades and Fades on Audio Regions
362 Setting Region Parameters
6
Chapter 14 367 Recording in Logic Express
367 Recording Audio
367 A Quick Overview of the Recording Steps
368 Preparations for Recording
377 Setting Up Track Channels
379 Making an Audio Recording
390 Handling Audio Recordings
391 Creating Comps
394 Managing Take Folders
396 Recording MIDI
396 Recording MIDI Regions in Real Time
402 MIDI Step Input Recording
407 Using the Caps Lock Keyboard
Chapter 15 409 Introduction to MIDI Editing
410 Opening the Editors
412 Hearing MIDI Events When Editing
412 Editing MIDI Events in the Arrange Area
413 Monitoring and Resetting MIDI Events
Contents
Chapter 16 415 Editing MIDI Events in the Piano Roll Editor
415 Learning the Piano Roll Editor Interface
418 Creating and Editing Note Events
432 Splitting Chords
433 Using Hyper Draw
434 Customizing the Piano Roll Editor
435 Piano Roll Editor Shortcuts
Chapter 17 437 Editing MIDI in the Hyper Editor
439 Creating and Editing Events in the Hyper Editor
448 Working With Event Definitions
455 Working With Hyper Sets
Chapter 18 459 Editing MIDI Events in the Event List
460 Learning and Using the Event List Interface
463 Selecting and Creating Events
466 Editing Events
468 Deleting and Muting Events
469 Soloing and Renaming Regions or Folders
469 Learning About Event Types
475 The Event Float Window
Chapter 19 477 Quantizing MIDI Events
478 Quantizing Regions
483 Event and Note Quantization
485 Creating Groove Templates
Chapter 20 491 Editing MIDI Events in the Transform Window
492 Choosing and Using Transform Sets
501 Using the Transform Window Parameters
508 Creating Your Own Transform Sets
508 Importing Transform Sets From Other Projects
509 Usage Examples
Chapter 21 515 Editing Audio in the Sample Editor
516 Playing Audio Files
518 Navigating Audio Files
519 Changing the X and Y Axis Scales
521 Displaying the Waveform as Sample Bits
522 Making Selections
523 Copying, Pasting, Deleting, and Cutting
524 Destructive Audio Editing and Processing
529 Adjusting the Project Tempo
530 Sample Loop Functions
Contents 7
530 Undoing Editing Steps in the Sample Editor
531 Creating Manual Backups
533 Working With the Digital Factory
548 Using an External Sample Editor
Chapter 22 549 Removing Silent Passages From Audio Regions
549 How You Can Use Strip Silence
551 Using Strip Silence
Chapter 23 553 Adjusting the Tempo of Audio Regions
553 Automatic Tempo Matching
554 Setting the Project Tempo to Match an Audio Region
555 Time Stretching Regions
556 Using the Follow Tempo Function
Chapter 24 559 Managing Audio Files
559 Sorting, Grouping, and Renaming Files in the Audio Bin
564 Moving Audio Files
565 Copying or Converting Audio Files
566 Deleting Audio Files
567 Optimizing Audio Files
567 Saving Regions as Individual Audio Files
568 Exporting Tracks as Audio Files
569 Dealing With SDII Files
569 Finding and Replacing Orphaned Audio Files
Chapter 25 571 Mixing
573 Basic Mixing Steps
575 Channel Strip Elements
576 Setting Channel Strip Levels
579 Setting the Pan or Balance Control
580 Soloing and Muting Channels
582 Adding Effects: Using Inserts
582 Working With Sends
582 Working With Channel Strip Settings
583 Monitoring With Effect Plug-ins
583 Arming Channel Strips
583 Changing the Channel Input Format
583 Setting the Automation Mode
584 Handling Mixer Inputs and Outputs
584 Adjusting Elements of Multiple Channel Strips
586 Adjusting Channel Strips in Record or Playback Mode
587 Working With Groups
590 Channel Strip Types
8 Contents
598 Customizing the Mixer
603 Using the I/O Labels Window
Chapter 26 605 Working With Automation
606 Displaying Track Automation
609 Setting an Automation Mode
612 Writing Track Automation Data
613 Editing Track Automation in the Arrange Area
618 Editing Track Automation Data in an Event List
618 Writing Track Automation With External Controllers
620 Using Hyper Draw
624 Conversion of Automation Data
Chapter 27 625 Bouncing Your Project
626 Creating a Bounce
626 Routing Channels to an Output
627 Defining the Bounce Range
627 Using the Bounce Window
636 Setting the Bounce File Name and Folder
637 Bouncing and POW-r Dithering
Chapter 28 639 Creating Apple Loops
640 Creating Apple Loops in Logic Express
642 Creating Apple Loops in the Apple Loops Utility
643 Converting ReCycle Files into Apple Loops
644 Adding Apple Loops to the Loop Browser
645 Global Tracks and Apple Loops
647 Converting Apple Loops to Audio Files
648 Apple Loops and Sample Rates
Chapter 29 649 Project and File Interchange
650 Sharing Logic Express Data Over a Network
654 Backing Up Audio Files
655 Backing Up and Sharing Projects
656 Working With Standard MIDI Files
659 Importing GarageBand Projects
660 Working With OMF Files
661 Working With OpenTL Files
663 Opening, Importing, and Exporting AAF Files
664 Importing and Exporting Final Cut Pro XML Files
665 Exporting Regions
665 Exporting Tracks as Audio Files
Contents 9
Chapter 30 667 Advanced Tempo Operations
667 Tempo Display
668 Using the Tempo Track
672 Recording Tempo Changes
673 Adjusting the Tempo to Fit Audio Regions
673 Using the Tempo List
676 Using the Tempo Operations Window
679 Using the Tempo Interpreter
681 Using the Tempo Fader
Chapter 31 683 Beat Mapping Regions
684 Beat Mapping With MIDI Regions
686 Beat Mapping With Audio Regions
687 Beats From Region
688 Beat Mapping to Scene Markers
688 Beat Mapping to Markers
Chapter 32 689 Transposition With the Chord and Transposition Tracks
690 How MIDI Events and Apple Loops Are Transposed
691 Creating and Editing Transposition and Chord Events
693 Analyzing MIDI Regions
Chapter 33 695 Working With Notation
696 Learning About the Score Editor
702 Entering Notes and Symbols in the Score Editor
702 Real Time MIDI Recording
703 Step Input
704 Mouse Input (Using the Part Box)
707 Using Hyper Draw in the Score Editor
708 Working With the Part Box
711 Learning About Part Box Groups
721 Editing Notes and Symbols: Basic Operations
721 Using the Shortcut Menu
721 Changing Several Objects Simultaneously
722 Deleting Objects From the Score Editor
723 Moving or Copying Objects With the Mouse
726 Working With Aliases in the Score Editor
727 Changing the Graphical Position of Objects
728 Resizing Notes and Symbols
729 Editing Notes and Symbols: Advanced Operations
729 Editing Notes
735 Creating and Inserting Rests
736 Editing Clefs
10 Contents
738 Editing Slurs and Crescendi
740 Editing Repeat Signs and Bar Lines
742 Working With Text
742 Inserting Text
744 Editing Text
745 Using Musical Symbol Fonts
745 Learning About Text Styles
746 Working With Text Styles
747 Working With Global Text
749 Working With Automatic Text Objects
749 Creating Lyrics
751 Creating Chord Symbols
755 Working With Time and Key Signatures
756 Creating Time Signatures
757 Creating Key Signatures
757 Selecting Signatures
758 Copying Signatures
759 Editing Signatures
759 Deleting Signatures
760 Creating and Choosing Signature Alternatives
761 Transcribing MIDI Recordings
762 Default Settings for New MIDI Regions
763 Selecting Multiple Regions in the Score Editor
763 Display Parameters
769 Hidden MIDI Regions
769 Using Note Attributes to Change Individual Notes
775 Working With Staff Styles
796 Using Score Sets to Create Scores and Parts
804 Printing the Score
804 Preparing the Score Layout for Printing
808 Printing the Score
809 Exporting the Score as a Graphic File
809 Preparing the Export
809 Exporting the Score
810 Customizing the Score Editor’s Appearance
810 Choosing a Color Mode
810 Displaying Folders
811 Displaying Global Tracks
811 Displaying Instrument Names
811 Project Settings for Score Display
812 Global Score Settings
816 Numbers & Names
820 Guitar Tab
Contents 11
824 Clefs & Signatures
826 Layout
828 MIDI Meaning
830 Colors
832 Score Preferences
Chapter 34 835 Working With Video
836 Using the Movie Window
837 Using the Video Track
838 Working With Scene Markers
839 Creating Scene Markers
840 Handling QuickTime Movie Audio Tracks
841 Video Project Settings
843 Video Preferences
Chapter 35 845 Synchronizing Logic Express
846 The Synchronization Master and Slave Relationship
846 Using External Synchronization
849 Synchronization Project Settings
859 Displaying and Using SMPTE Positions
861 MIDI Machine Control
863 Synchronization Problems and Solutions
Chapter 36 865 Working With Plug-in Latencies
865 About Latency
866 Working With the Low Latency Mode
867 Working With Plug-in Delay Compensation
Chapter 37 871 Working With Split Channel Audio File Formats
871 Importing Split Channel Files
872 Working With Split Stereo Files
873 Exporting Split Channel Files
Chapter 38 875 Working in the Environment
876 Using the Environment
876 An Introduction to the Environment
877 Working With Layers
880 Customizing the Environment Display
882 Working With Objects
886 The MIDI Signal Path
893 Common Environment Object Parameters
895 Exchanging Environments
899 The Environment Objects
899 Standard Instruments
12 Contents
901 Multi Instruments
907 Mapped Instruments
911 GM Mixer
914 MMC Record Buttons
914 Keyboard
915 Monitor Object
915 Channel Splitter Object
916 Arpeggiator
918 Transformer Object
923 Delay Line Object
924 Voice Limiter Object
925 Chord Memorizer Object
927 Touch Tracks Object
930 Physical Input and Sequencer Input Objects
932 MIDI Click Object
933 Internal Objects
934 Alias
935 Ornament
936 Macros
938 Faders
957 Channel Strip Objects
Chapter 39 961 Project Settings and Preferences
962 Saving Project Settings and Preferences
962 Project Settings
962 Synchronization Settings
963 Metronome Settings
965 Recording Settings
967 Tuning Settings
973 Audio Settings
974 MIDI Settings
975 Score Project Settings
975 Video Project Settings
975 Assets Project Settings
976 Preferences
976 Global Preferences
981 Audio Preferences
987 MIDI Preferences
990 Display Preferences
993 Score Preferences
993 Video Preferences
993 Automation Preferences
994 Control Surfaces Preferences
Contents 13
994 Sharing Preferences
Appendix 995 Learning More, Service, and Support
996 AppleCare Service and Support Information
Glossary 997
Index 1029
14 Contents
Logic Express 8: Documentation and Resources
Logic Express 8 offers an extensive documentation collection
that will help you to learn and make full use of all application
features.
Further information about Logic Express, including data on updated versions and
support texts, can be found on the Apple web site.
Logic Express 8 ships with the following documentation:
 Logic Express 8 User Manual: This book is the final arbiter on all things in
Logic Express, and covers all areas of the program in detail, with the exception of
plug-ins.
 Logic Express 8 Getting Started: This book is designed to quickly get you up and
running with Logic Express.
 Logic Express 8 Control Surfaces Support: This document covers the use of control
surfaces with Logic Express 8.
 Logic Express 8 Working With Apogee Hardware: This document covers the use of
Apogee hardware in Logic Express 8.
 Logic Express 8 Instruments and Effects: This book covers the use of all Logic Express
effect and instrument plug-ins. It does not cover the application-specific use of plugins—only the plug-in functions, parameters, and usage are discussed.
 Late-Breaking News: This document is published online and may be updated as new
versions of Logic Express 8 are released, or new information becomes available
Preface
Important: All topics described in this manual were accurate at the date of writing. For
up to date information on changes or additions made after writing, please refer to the
Late-Breaking News document in the Logic Express Help menu, and to the Update Info,
included with each Logic Express update.
15
Logic Express 8 Documentation Conventions
The following section introduces you to conventions used throughout the
Logic Express 8 documentation.
Menu Functions
For functions that can be reached via hierarchical menus, the different menu levels are
illustrated as follows: Menu > Menu entry > Function.
Important Entries
Some text will be shown as follows:
Important: Information on function or parameter.
These entries discuss a key concept or technical information that should, or must, be
followed or taken into account. Please pay special attention to these entries.
Notes
Some sections provide additional information or tips that will assist your use of
Logic Express. These are displayed as shown below:
Note: Information on function or parameter.
Key Commands
Many Logic Express functions can be activated or accessed with key commands—
computer keyboard shortcuts. The key commands mentioned in this guide are based
on the standard key command set.
Tips
A number of shortcuts, alternative methods, or general working tips are included
throughout the documentation. These may help your workflow, or provide additional
information on other uses for functions. Tips are shown as below:
∏ Tip: Information on function or parameter.
Warnings
A few warning messages are included for functions that are destructive, and could
result in irretrievable data loss, or could cause damage to your equipment. Warnings
are displayed as follows:
Warning: Information on function or parameter.
Please pay special attention to these entries, as they can save you from making costly
mistakes.
16 Preface Logic Express 8: Documentation and Resources
Logic Express Onscreen Help
The Logic Express Help incorporates the Logic Express 8 user documentation in
electronic form. These documents have the advantage of being at your fingertips
whenever you need them, and are searchable, making it quick to find the information
you need.
 The Logic Express Help menu also provides additional features, including direct
access to the Logic Express pages on the Apple website.
 A comprehensive bookmark list allows you to quickly choose (and tag) what you
want to see, and navigates to the resource when the link is clicked.
Late-Breaking News
This document is published online and may be updated as new versions of
Logic Express 8 are released, or new information becomes available.
To check for recent updates, choose Late-Breaking News from the Help menu. The LateBreaking News PDF file is downloaded. If Safari is the default web browser for your
system, the Late-Breaking News PDF file is displayed directly in Safari. Other web
browsers may not have the ability to display PDF files directly, in which case the PDF
file is downloaded to the default download location.
Apple Websites
There are a variety of discussion boards, forums, and educational resources related to
Logic Express on the web.
Logic Express Websites
The following websites provide general information, updates, and support information
for Logic Express, as well as the latest news, resources, and training materials.
For information about Logic Express go to:
http://www.apple.com/support/logicexpress
For information on Apple Training Programs go to:
http://www.apple.com/training
To provide comments and feedback to Apple about Logic Express, go to the Apple
discussion forums:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=156
Preface Logic Express 8: Documentation and Resources 17
Apple Service and Support Website
This is the place to go for software updates and answers to the most frequently asked
questions for all Apple products, including Logic Express. You’ll also have access to
product specifications, reference documentation, plus Apple and third-party product
technical articles.
To access Apple’s Service and Support web page:
m Open your Internet browser, and type in http://www.apple.com/support.
Other Websites
 http://www.apple.com: Start at the Apple home page to find the latest information
on Apple products.
 http://www.apple.com/quicktime: QuickTime is Apple’s industry-standard technology
for handling video, sound, animation, graphics, text, music, and 360-degree virtual
reality (VR) scenes. QuickTime provides a high level of performance, compatibility,
and quality for digital video delivery. Go to the QuickTime website for information on
the types of media supported, a tour of the QuickTime interface, specifications, and
more.
 http://www.apple.com/firewire: FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards
ever developed, which makes it great for use with multimedia peripherals, such as
audio interfaces, video camcorders, and the latest high-speed hard disk drives. Visit
this website for information on the benefits of FireWire technology, FireWire software
information, and details on third-party FireWire products.
 http://www.apple.com/pro: This website provides news, information, and other
resources on seminars, events, and third-party tools used in web publishing,
document design and printing, CAD, music and audio, desktop movies, digital
imaging, modelling and animation, and the media arts.
 http://store.apple.com: Go here to buy software, hardware, and accessories direct
from Apple. You can also find special promotions and deals that include third-party
hardware and software products.
18 Preface Logic Express 8: Documentation and Resources
1 An Introduction to Logic Express
1
Logic Express is a sophisticated, fully-featured audio and MIDI
application that provides all the tools you need to create
professional-quality music productions.
Logic Express allows you to record audio and MIDI, edit audio loops plus MIDI and
software instrument parts, add high-quality effects, and mix your music in stereo. The
final mix can be exported to a standard audio file, or burned to an audio CD or DVD
that can be played on any computer, home stereo, or imported into other applications
and devices.
Some of the things you can do with Logic Express include:
 Record MIDI information via connected MIDI input devices, such as keyboards, and
play back this information via any connected MIDI device (such as a synthesizer
keyboard or module) or the integrated Logic Express software instruments.
 Create, arrange, and edit MIDI projects, and print out musical notation via a printer
connected to your computer.
 Digitally record acoustic and electric instruments, or vocal performances, into your
projects, and process these audio recordings with a huge array of built-in, real time
effects.
 Make use of the integrated software instruments, including: Ultrabeat, ES1, ES2,
EXS24 mkII, over a dozen high-quality GarageBand instruments, or third-party Audio
Unit instruments.
 Load projects or channel strips from GarageBand, and enhance them with the
additional processing and editing possibilities afforded by Logic Express.
 Mix your MIDI and audio tracks, including effects and software instrument settings,
via a sophisticated total recall mix automation system. Logic Express includes highquality effects that you can use in your projects. You can also install and use thirdparty Audio Unit effects and instruments.
 Bounce (mix down) all audio data, including instruments, effects and mix automation
settings, to a stereo file for mastering or further processing.
19
 Work in real time: You can work on Logic Express projects in real time; adding to,
and editing audio and MIDI parts while the project is playing, and hearing the results
of your changes immediately.
 Use existing loop libraries: Logic Express directly supports Apple Loops files, and is
compatible with a wide variety of existing audio file types, including those created in
ReCycle.
 Locate and preview files easily: The Media area, part of the Logic Express interface,
provides powerful file browsing and search features, making it easy to locate audio
files and other supported file types.
Creating Music in Logic Express
Logic Express can be used in a variety of ways, ranging from the simple to the
incredibly sophisticated. The following section outlines a common workflow example
that many projects adhere to. The structure of this manual will follow this basic
workflow, where applicable.
Step 1: Creating a project
You begin working in Logic Express by creating a new project, or opening an existing
one.
A project file contains MIDI data recordings plus information about the audio and other
files used, including pointers to these files.
All files (audio, video, samples, and so on) can be saved in a project folder. All project
files are automatically placed into appropriate sub-folders within the project folder.
More detail can be found in “The Basics: Projects and Regions” on page 23.
Step 2: Creating and importing your musical material
Getting musical material into Logic Express can basically be broken down into two
methods:
 Making new audio or MIDI data recordings (the latter can be played back through
either external MIDI synthesizers or software instruments).
 Importing existing audio recordings (audio files, samples, loops) or MIDI (and other
file data) into your projects. You can import existing audio recordings by simply
dragging them from the Media area, shown at the right of the Arrange window.
Recordings are made through suitable MIDI or audio hardware that is connected to, or
installed in, your Macintosh.
20 Chapter 1 An Introduction to Logic Express
MIDI recordings are used to trigger (play back through) either external MIDI devices,
such as synthesizers, or internal software instruments. Software instruments are
calculated on the Macintosh CPU, and played back through your audio interface or the
Macintosh audio outputs. Not only can you record the notes of your performance, but
you can also record and play back information such as synthesizer parameter
changes—all in real time.
Audio recordings can be made by playing an instrument (such as a guitar) or singing
into a microphone, as examples.
Step 3: Arranging and editing
Once your musical material has been imported or recorded into Logic Express, you will
generally organize it into a “song structure”. This is done in the main Logic Express
window, called the Arrange window.
Musical material appears as rectangular blocks, known as regions. These regions run
from left to right across the Arrange area, and are positioned on vertically stacked
lanes, known as tracks. You may freely copy, repeat, loop, move, shorten, lengthen, or
delete regions—either on a track, or across tracks. This grid-like layout and the use of
building blocks (regions) makes it easy to see, and create, the overall song structure.
There will be many occasions where you’ll need to perform more detailed edits to your
MIDI or audio data recordings than is possible at the region level. Logic Express offers a
number of editing windows that allow you to modify your musical material at a variety
of levels. As examples of where this might be useful:
 You have made a recording of a great main vocal performance, but can hear a thud
in the silent passages between two phrases, where the vocalist kicked the
microphone stand. It probably goes without saying that this isn’t a sound you’d like
to have on the finalized CD. No problem. Simply edit the recording by inserting
silence during the thud, or perhaps cut that portion out of the recording entirely.
 You have made a MIDI keyboard recording that is perfect but for one note that
should have been a C, but is a B. No problem. You can simply drag the MIDI note
event from B to C.
More detail can be found in “The Basics: Projects and Regions” on page 23.
Step 4: Mixing, automating, using plug-ins
Following the creation of your arrangement and any edits that may have been
required, you would commonly move on to the mixing phase of your project. Mixing,
as a term, generally refers to balancing the relative levels of each song component. Put
another way, the main vocal needs to be louder than the bass, guitars, drums, and
keyboards, thus allowing the lyrics to be heard.
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Logic Express 21
Mixing also entails the use of audio effects, which change, enhance, or suppress
particular song components, adding up to a unified and polished final product.
Logic Express features numerous effects that can be used to turn your basic song into a
professionally finished project.
Logic Express enables you to record, or automate, changes you make to track,
instrument, and effect parameters, such as volume, pan, filters, and other controls. This
can be done in real time or offline—with the mouse or an external MIDI device. These
changes play back when you play the project, and can be edited independently of the
musical material. This is very useful for a number of reasons:
 You can only adjust one level or setting of a playback track, if using the computer
mouse. The ability to record and play back multiple adjustments of all track elements
allows for a sophisticated mix.
 Performances are rarely consistent. To clarify, a vocalist will often sing louder or softer
during different sections of their performance, so you may need to even out these
level changes over the course of the song, or to balance the soft and loud vocal
sections against the musical backing.
 Song dynamics (the loud and soft sections of a song) benefit from animation. In
other words, building the intensity of a song section can often be achieved by
gradual or immediate level changes. Songs that are of a consistent level throughout
tend to sound flat and lifeless.
Step 5: Exporting and bouncing
The final step of the Logic Express music creation process is exporting your final
product. Logic Express allows you to produce a stereo file of your completed mix in a
variety of audio file formats. This is achieved in the Bounce window; simply choose the
desired outcome(s) in the available menus, and press the onscreen Bounce button. You
can even burn a stereo mix directly to CD or DVD with one simple step.
22 Chapter 1 An Introduction to Logic Express
The Basics: Projects and Regions
This section will provide you with an introduction to the basic elements and
terminology of a Logic Express project. Detailed, step-by-step instructions on working
with projects, regions, and events are provided in later chapters. If you are an
experienced user, you may wish to skip ahead to “A Tour of the Logic Express Interface”
on page 28.
Projects
You start working in Logic Express by creating a project, or opening an existing one.
This is similar to using a word processing application, that requires a document to be
opened before you can begin typing. Logic Express, like word processors, also allows
you to have multiple documents (projects) open at the same time, and transfer media
and other data between them.
A Logic Express project file contains all MIDI events and parameter settings,
information about the audio and video files to be played, and all edits to MIDI and
audio data.
It is important to note that the project file points to your audio and video files, which
are stored as separate entities on disk. You have the choice of including these, and
other file types, in the project folder.
This approach has two main benefits:
 Saving a project without its “assets” (audio, video, sample files, and so on) minimizes
the memory requirements for project (and project backup) file storage.
 Saving a project with assets simplifies tasks such as archiving and transport to other
Logic Express-based studios.
The Project Folder
A project can consist of the complete collection of files used, including the “song” (the
project document) itself, song backups, all audio, sampler instruments, and samples for
the EXS24 or Ultrabeat, and video.
These are collectively known as the project assets.
When you create a new project, a project folder is generated, named, and a hard disk
location is specified. New recordings are automatically placed into an Audio Files subfolder within the project folder.
If you choose to include the project assets, further sub-folders will be created
automatically. These can include Audio Files, Project Backups, Samples, Video, ReCycle,
and Sampler Instruments folders.
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Logic Express 23
The sub-folder structure of all projects is identical, making it easy and consistent to
navigate both your projects and those of other Logic Express users.
Project Folder
Project file (“song”)
Movie Files folder
Audio Files folder
Project assets
Sampler Instruments folder
Ultrabeat Samples folder
Regions
The main window of Logic Express is known as the Arrange window. This is the window
that you first see when you open the application, and a project is loaded. This is also
the window that is used for recording, editing, and arranging your projects. Your audio
and MIDI files appear in the Arrange window as rectangular areas called regions. Audio
files are represented by audio regions, MIDI files by MIDI regions.
Audio Regions and Audio Files
Audio regions simply refer to (point to) an underlying audio file. Audio regions are used
as playback markers (start and end points) that can be as long as the entire audio file,
or may only be a few seconds long, playing a small portion of the audio file that they
point to.
Audio file
Audio region 1
Audio region 2
Audio
region 3
24 Chapter 1 An Introduction to Logic Express
Any audio file used in Logic Express is automatically linked to at least one audio region
that is, by default, the length of the entire audio file.
You can freely create as many audio regions as you require. To give you an example of
where this may be useful, imagine a live stereo drum track that runs for the duration of
your project. During the second chorus, the drummer played perfectly, but was a little
sloppy during all other chorus sections.
Logic Express allows you to create an audio region that points to the second chorus
section of the overall (drum track) audio file, and use this perfect take in multiple
places in the project.
This is achieved by creating one audio region (that points to chorus 2 in the drum track
audio file), and copying it to each position that the chorus occurs in the Arrange area.
A great benefit of working with audio regions, rather than audio files is that they use
very little memory, whereas multiple copies of the same section of the audio file would
require a lot of hard disk storage space.
It is, of course, possible to directly edit, copy, and move audio files. This is achieved in
the Sample Editor and Media area.
MIDI Regions and Events
MIDI regions, by comparison, actually contain MIDI data events. They are not related to
information stored in external files. MIDI regions can be saved as individual files, but
they can also be, and generally are, stored as part of the project.
MIDI region
MIDI note events MIDI controller events
The MIDI data events stored within MIDI regions include; note, controller, program
change, and other information. These data events represent MIDI performances that
you have recorded into Logic Express. MIDI performances are generally created with a
MIDI keyboard, but can certainly be generated with MIDI controllers, MIDI guitars, your
computer keyboard or the mouse.
MIDI data events can be affected as a group by processing the MIDI region that
contains them. Such processing includes; transposition, quantization (timing correction,
which is similar to the spell checker of a word processor, when dealing with the
language of music), timing delays, and more.
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Logic Express 25
You can also edit individual events within a MIDI region. This is achieved by opening
the region in one of the MIDI editors. These windows allow you to precisely alter the
position, length, and pitch of MIDI note events. Other MIDI event types can also be
altered in various ways. You may freely enter MIDI data with your MIDI keyboard, the
mouse, and/or computer keyboard in these editors.
More information on MIDI and MIDI event types can be found in Chapter 15,
“Introduction to MIDI Editing,” on page 409.
26 Chapter 1 An Introduction to Logic Express
2 Overview of the
Logic Express Interface
2
The Logic Express interface features several areas, each
specialized for particular tasks. The main workspace is the
Arrange window, which can incorporate all areas and editors.
This chapter introduces you to the Arrange window. You’ll learn how it interacts with
other Logic Express windows and editors. Detailed information about these editors and
their functions can be found in cross referenced chapters.
You are encouraged to open Logic Express to view these windows and familiarize
yourself with them. Click and explore the various parts of the Logic Express interface as
they are discussed. This will give you a feel for where things are, a brief overview of
what they do, and how they work with each other.
To open Logic Express:
m In the Finder or Dock, double-click the Logic Express icon in the Applications folder.
When you open Logic Express for the first time, the Templates dialog is displayed,
allowing you to select a template for the project type you want to create (for more
information on the New dialog, see “Creating Projects” on page 139). The layout of the
Logic Express interface depends on the chosen template.
27
A Tour of the Logic Express Interface
The following section will introduce you the various elements of the Logic Express
interface. This is principally a “getting to know you” exercise, where the fundamentals of
each area are covered. Full details on all options, functions, and uses are covered in
dedicated chapters that appear later in the user manual.
The Arrange Window
The Arrange window can incorporate all working areas and editors. It features a Toolbar
at the top and a Transport bar at the bottom.
You have the choice of displaying additional areas, as follows:
 Editing area, horizontally tiled, below the Arrange area.
 Media or Lists area, vertically tiled, right of the Arrange (and editing) area.
 Inspector, vertically tiled, left of the Arrange (and editing) area.
If an area is not visible, clicking on the appropriate Toolbar or Arrange area button will
open it, and resize any existing areas to accommodate the new area.
∏ Tip: Many of the editor and other areas can also be opened as separate windows,
independent of the Arrange window. This is done in the Window menu (or with the
corresponding key commands).
Arrange window
Toolbar
Click this button to
display the Inspector
Inspector
Transport bar
Arrange area
Click these buttons to
display one of the editors
Click this button to
display the Toolbar
Click this button to
display the Lists area
Media area
 Arrange area: This is where you record audio and instrument parts as regions, and
arrange these audio and MIDI regions into a song structure.
28 Chapter 2 Overview of the Logic Express Interface
 Media or Lists area: Use the various tabs to locate and preview audio files (Browser
tab), select effects, instruments, and their settings (Library tab), and more, when the
Media button in the Arrange Toolbar is clicked. When the Lists button is clicked, you
have the choice of viewing MIDI events (Event List), tempo events (Tempo List), and
more. You can also enable the Media or Lists area via the Arrange window View
menu (or use the corresponding key commands).
 Editing area: You can open or close the Mixer, Piano Roll Editor, Hyper Editor, Score
Editor, or Sample Editor directly in the Arrange window by clicking any of the
buttons along the lower edge of the Arrange area. These windows allow you to
precisely modify, delete, or add different types of data.
 Transport bar: Used to navigate through your project. The current playback,
recording, or editing position is indicated by the playhead—the thin, vertical line
that appears in all Logic Express windows that offer real time display of playback—
namely the Arrange and editor windows.
 Inspector: Used to set track and region parameters when working in the Arrange
area, or the parameters of the editing window with key focus. As examples:
 Clicking the Score Editor area at the bottom of the editor area shows all scoring
symbols in the Inspector.
 Clicking the Hyper Editor area displays the parameters of the currently selected
hyper definition (selected row in the Hyper Editor window).
The Arrange Toolbar
The Toolbar appears at the top of the Arrange window. It contains buttons for
frequently used commands.
The Toolbar can be customized to include buttons that show the Inspector, Media, and
Lists areas, create new tracks, add audio files, and other common functions. For more
information, see “Customizing the Arrange Window Toolbar” on page 74.
The Transport Bar
The Transport bar spans the entire lower edge of the Arrange window. You can use it to
move through your project and start recording. It contains buttons that will be
immediately familiar if you’ve used a tape recorder or CD/DVD player, such as Play,
Rewind, Pause, and so on. The Transport bar also incorporates a number of features that
simplify tasks you will perform in Logic Express, such as recording over a repeatedly
cycled section, or listening to a part in isolation.
Chapter 2 Overview of the Logic Express Interface 29
Track list
The Transport bar consists of three parts:
Transport buttons Display area Mode buttons
 Transport buttons: Used to navigate your project.
 Display area: Provides information that helps with project navigation.
 Mode buttons: Enable advanced recording and playback functions.
You can alter the Transport bar by adding or removing buttons and displays, providing
faster access to the functions you need most often. You can also open an independent
SMPTE or Bar display window. For more information, see “Customizing the Transport
Bar” on page 73.
Arrange Area
The Arrange area is shown directly below the Toolbar. It is used to record, import,
collate, and organize MIDI and audio data containers, known as regions, in a project.
Bar ruler
Arrange grid
 Bar ruler: A linear bar divided into bar and beat segments. The Bar ruler can also
display time in hours, minutes, seconds, and finer divisions. It offers a number of
facilities that can be used to mark project sections for different playback and
recording tasks. More detail in Chapter 5, “Navigating Your Project,” on page 103.
 Arrange grid: This where all MIDI and audio regions are displayed on horizontal lanes,
called tracks, aligned to time positions in a grid-like layout.
 Track list: This is where you set the destination channel strip for playback of the MIDI
or audio regions on each horizontal track lane. The headers of each track list lane can
display the track name, icons, and several track buttons.
30 Chapter 2 Overview of the Logic Express Interface
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