Apple LOGIC PRO 8 New Features

New Features in Logic Pro 8

This is an overview of the new features in Logic Pro 8. For more information on these features and their use, see the documents mentioned in the following sections.

Logic Pro 8 Changes

This section provides a summary of new or enhanced Logic Pro 8 features. Further details, including usage information, for these functions is found in the

Logic Pro 8 User Manual.

Interface

The user interface of Logic Pro 8 has undergone a significant transformation. This includes general graphical enhancements that improve visibility and make things easier to use. Further changes include a number of new, or revamped, windows and dialogs, and simplified preferences and project settings. Menu structures have also been altered—again, streamlining use.

The changes to the interface have resulted in the renaming of many on screen elements, settings, and preferences. This is also reflected in the documentation. See “Renaming of Functions and Elements” on page 6, for details on the main changes.

New Arrange Window

The key change to Logic Pro 8 is a new Arrange window that can incorporate all editor windows, the Mixer, and several new windows and on screen elements:

Media or Lists area:

of the Arrange window. It contains all list editors, the Audio Bin, Loop Browser, Library, and Browser. See “Media and Lists Area” on page 2.

Inspector:

earlier Logic versions. See “The Inspector” on page 3.

The Inspector is an enhanced replacement for the Parameters area of

This new Arrange window area can be displayed at the right side

Toolbar and Transport bar:

A customizable Toolbar spans the top of the Arrange window. It contains buttons that open or close other Arrange window areas, plus several function buttons. The customizable Transport bar spans the lower edge of the Arrange window. See “Customizable Arrange Toolbar and Transport Bar” on page 4.

Editing area:

You can open the Mixer, Sample Editor, Piano Roll Editor, Score Editor or Hyper Editor in the Arrange window by clicking the corresponding button—just above the Transport bar.

The level of integration between these windows and elements streamline your workflow

As examples, you can create a new track (and corresponding channel strip) by dragging audio files from the Browser into the Arrange area, or insert an instrument and several effects into a channel strip (inclusive of settings) with a single click in the Library.

A further benefit of these new features is that it is (generally) unnecessary to use the Environment window for tasks such as channel creation and routing. In fact, setup has been simplified to such a degree that the Logic Setup Assistant, and several preferences of earlier versions, have been removed.

You can continue to open windows independently, and use screensets as you did in earlier Logic versions (although you can now name them). The new Arrange window facilities, however, are likely to change your approach.

Note:

The screensets of projects created in Logic Pro 7 will be “adapted” to take

advantage of the new interface features.

Media and Lists Area

The right-hand side of the Arrange window can accommodate the Lists and Media areas. The Lists area is opened by clicking the Lists button in the Arrange Toolbar. It contains four sub-windows, accessed by clicking the appropriate tab at the top of the area: the Event List, Marker List, Tempo List, and Signature List. Cosmetically, these are a little different to the equivalent windows of earlier Logic versions. There are a few small usability enhancements, but overall, they are functionally identical.

The Media area—accessed by clicking the Media button in the Arrange Toolbar— displays all media files in the project, or on any storage device attached to your system, including local network devices. This provides direct access to all available audio files, Apple Loops, sample libraries, and more, from the Arrange window. The Media area offers four sub-windows, outlined below:

Audio Bin

A catalogue of all audio files (and regions) in the project. This is the equivalent of the Audio window of earlier Logic versions. An enhanced version of the Audio Bin, that allows direct region edits, can be opened as an independent window.

Loop Browser

All Apple Loops (and other loop format files, such as ReCycle files) can be browsed or searched for, and added to your arrangement. This is an enhanced version of the Loop Browser of earlier Logic revisions.

Library

The Library is new to Logic Pro 8. It provides access to all settings files—for all channel strip, effect, and instrument plug-in settings (including EXS instruments). It can also integrate with MIDI devices and (active) ReWire applications, providing rapid access to MIDI sub-channels and ReWire instruments.

The Library is intimately connected with the Logic Pro 8 channel strips, and will update to reflect the current channel strip type (audio, software instruments, or external MIDI) and element selection (Channel Strip Settings menu, Insert or Instrument slot). This makes it easy to change channel strip and plug-in settings from the Arrange window, which is particularly handy for software instruments.

Browser

The Browser provides direct access to all supported media files (except settings files which are more easily accessed via the Library) on any device connected to your computer, including locally networked storage units. It features advanced search facilities, making it easy to find any file—even in the largest of media file libraries. Only Logic-relevant files are displayed: Logic projects, OMF, AAF, OpenTL, XML (Final Cut Pro), audio files (SDII, AIFF, Wave, CAF, Apple Lossless, AAC, MP3, Apple Loops), MIDI files, SysEx files (SYX), and movies. The Browser replaces the Project Manager of earlier Logic Pro versions.

The Inspector

The Inspector can be displayed by clicking the Inspector button in the Arrange Toolbar. It is an enhanced replacement for the Parameters area of earlier Logic versions. The actual Inspector content depends on the area in key focus: either the Arrange or one of the editing areas—simply click in an area, on a region or event, on an area title bar, menu, tab, or other element to give it key focus. Logic Pro 8 also includes a number of new key commands that you can use to quickly switch between areas and windows. As an example: You can use Tab or Shift-Tab to cycle through the Arrange window areas: Tab cycles forward, Shift-Tab cycles backwards.

The Inspector basically consists of the parameter area for the window with key focus, and the arrange channel strips (see below). If the key focus window does not provide a parameter area (Mixer, Sample Editor, Piano Roll Editor, all Media and Lists area tabs), the Arrange area parameters are displayed in the Inspector.

If the current project contains a movie file, the top part of the Arrange area Inspector (above the Region Parameter box) can display a small movie window.

Arrange Channel Strips

A second channel strip has been added to the Arrange area Inspector, which shows the primary destination channel strip for the track channel strip. This enables you to alter the settings of the bus (aux channel strip), output, or master channel strip associated with a track/channel—without leaving the Arrange window.

Customizable Arrange Toolbar and Transport Bar

A customizable Arrange Toolbar spans the top of the Arrange window. It contains buttons that open or close various Arrange window areas (Media, Inspector, and so on), plus other buttons that directly access key functions. You can alter these to meet your working needs and methods.

The Transport bar spans the lower edge of the Arrange window. It is completely customizable, and features a new Master Level fader, which acts as a remote control for the Master fader in the Mixer. Other enhancements include integrated CPU and HD load meters, and the Low Latency mode button (see “Software Instrument Live Mode” on page 24).

Control-click on either the Toolbar or Transport bar, and choose Customize Transport bar/Toolbar from the shortcut menu—to access, and alter, the customization options.

Enhanced Bar Ruler Functions

The appearance of the Bar ruler can be changed by clicking the small note icon at the right-hand edge. This opens a menu of alternate Bar and (SMPTE) Time display settings, including the new time linear views. These ensure that grid lines and region lengths are altered with tempo changes. (The bar linear views of previous Logic Pro versions spaced grid lines and region lengths consistently, even when the project contained tempo changes.)

To activate a time linear view:

Choose the Time, or Time and Bar entry from the menu.

To activate a bar linear view:

Choose the Bar, or Bar and Time entry from the menu.

A further setting in this menu is the Marquee Stripe. When activated, a thin row is shown at the top of the Bar ruler (see “Marquee Operations” on page 7).

Changed Link Behavior

The Content Link function is now activated by Option-clicking the Link button (doubleclick still works). Control-click (or click-hold) the button to access a shortcut menu, offering: No Link, Same Level Link, and Content Link modes.

Piano Roll Editor

The Piano Roll Editor Link button now provides only two states: On and Off. On behaves as follows:

If you select a single region in the Arrange area, the Piano Roll Editor only displays the content of this region—with start and end markers shown in the Bar ruler.

If you select multiple regions in the Arrange area, the Piano Roll displays the contents of all selected regions.

The new behavior makes the Piano Roll Editor’s Hierarchy button and Show Selected Regions Only setting obsolete, so they were removed.

Hyper Editor

The Hyper Editor Link button now provides only two states: On and Off. Switching it on activates Content Link: The Hyper Editor always displays the content of the region selected in the Arrange area. The display updates whenever the selection changes.

The new behavior makes the Hyper Editor’s Hierarchy button obsolete, so it was removed.

Further to these changes, the Arrange level view in both the Piano Roll Editor and Hyper Editor was removed, as it serves no purpose in the new interface.

Renaming of Functions and Elements

Changes to the interface have brought about a number of terminology changes. Many functions, commands, preferences, settings, and alert dialogs have been altered, making them simpler and clearer. The following table covers the main changes to on screen elements:

Former term New term

audio object channel strip

audio instrument software instrument

multi channel software instrument multi output software instrument

Parameters area Inspector

Matrix Editor Piano Roll Editor

Audio window Audio Bin

Track Mixer/Audio Mixer Mixer

Global view (Track Mixer) All view

Audio layer (Environment) Mixer layer

song position line (SPL) playhead

song project

drop recording punch recording

format value (Transport bar) division value

Crosshair tool (Hyper Editor) Line tool

Instrument Set (Score Editor) score set

Score Style staff style

Arranging

Apart from the new look, the Arrange window now offers several features and functions that enhance editing operations. You should take a look at “General Editing

Improvements” on page 8, which covers program-wide changes that also affect the

Arrange window.

Sample Accurate Arrange Editing

The Arrange window now allows you to make sample accurate region edits. This is tied to the zoom level and Snap menu. In order to make sample-accurate edits:

A high zoom level must be chosen

The Snap menu needs to be set to Smart or Samples.

A further, associated, enhancement is the ability to snap automation accuracy, and an automation offset facility (see “Snapping Automation to Grid Values” on page 17.)

edits

with sample-

Marquee Operations

The new Bar ruler marquee stripe can be used as a selection and navigation tool. When activated, a thin marquee stripe is shown at the top of the Bar ruler. You can simply drag in this area to create a marquee.

To activate the marquee stripe:

Click the note icon at the right-hand end of the Bar ruler, and choose the Marquee setting from the menu.

To make a marquee selection:

Click-drag in this area to create a marquee stripe selection area (also shown on selected Arrange tracks).

To remove the marquee selection:

Click outside the marquee selection.

To add or remove individual tracks from the marquee selection:

Shift-click on track names in the track list.

Snap to Transient

You can extend or reduce the length of the marquee selection by moving the start or end point of the marquee to:

Transients in audio regions

Note on or off positions in MIDI regions

Region start or end positions

To change the marquee start or end point:

Use the Left/Right Arrow keys to move the marquee

These are the default Select Previous (or Next) Region/Event key commands, which behave as described above, dependent on the type of region selected (when the marquee stripe is visible).

Hold Shift while using the Arrow keys to move the marquee

These are the default Toggle Previous (or Next) Region/Event key commands, which behave as described when the marquee stripe is visible.

To move the entire marquee, either:

Press Shift-Home, the default Select First key command.

Press Shift-End, the default Select Last key command.

end

point.

start

point.

Graphical Time Stretching of Audio Regions

You can now visually time stretch or compress an audio region directly in the Arrange area: Simply Option-drag its end into the desired direction. The processing uses the currently selected Time Machine algorithm.

New Junction Tool

The new—automatically activated—Junction tool allows you to quickly resize two adjacent regions: Simply position the mouse pointer over the region that is followed by an adjacent region (or the upper left corner of a region that is preceded by an adjacent region). Drag to the left or right to resize both the selected and adjacent region.

upper

right corner of a

Waveform Zoom Slider

The new Waveform Zoom button (beside the horizontal zoom slider) accesses the Waveform Zoom slider in the Arrange window. This vertically zooms the waveform within audio regions, without actually resizing the region, making sample accurate edits easier.

General Editing Improvements

There are several enhancements that make access to editing tools and operations easier. Coupled with these are new Snap menu settings, which enable you to make edits with more precision and speed.

Snap Menu Additions

The Snap menu offers three new settings:

Snap to Absolute Value:

resulting in a snap to the beginning of a bar, for example, when Bar is chosen in the Snap menu.

Samples (Arrange window only):

accurate edits are directly tied to the zoom level. In other words, you need to zoom in to a high magnification level (using the zoom sliders), before a sample accurate snap can occur. If the zoom level is too low, the snap will intelligently use the highest possible snap resolution, based on the zoom level.

Snap Automation:

automation nodes to grid positions. Automation edits always snap to an absolute position, regardless of whether or not the Snap to Absolute Value option is enabled.

Activate to snap edits to an absolute (not relative) value—

Choose to snap edits with sample accuracy. Sample-

Activate to snap both track-based and Hyper Draw (region-based)

Shortcut Menus

Throughout the application, you can access contextual shortcut menus within editing areas (and other areas, such as the Bar ruler and track list) by Control or right-clicking. These allow quick access to a number of operations that are specific to the window or area. The menu will update to show relevant operations, dependent on selections made within the window. To explain, the options available in the Arrange area are different when a region is, or is not, selected.

Note:

Right mouse button functionality can be changed in the Logic Pro > Preferences > Global > Editing tab. By default, this is set to Opens Shortcut Menu. Other options are: Is Assignable to a Tool or Opens Tool Menu.

Tool Menus

Tools are now selected from the Tool menus shown at the upper-right of windows. You can change the currently active tool by clicking on the appropriate icon in the menu. The mouse pointer will adopt the shape of the selected tool, making it easy to recognize

You can also select a second tool—for use via a Command-click. This second tool is available when the Command key is pressed while editing. You can also assign the right mouse button (if using a multi-button mouse) to a third tool, allowing the use of three assignable tools—in each window:

Left-click tool:

Command-click tool:

Right-click tool:

Choose this from the left Tool menu.

Choose this from the right (or center, see below) Tool menu.

Choose this from the right Tool menu.

Note:

The third Tool menu will only appear when the Logic Pro > Preferences > Global > Editing > Right Mouse Button preference is set to Is Assignable to a Tool. By default, this preference is set to Opens Shortcut Menu.

As with earlier versions, you can quickly access tools by pressing the Esc key on your computer keyboard, which will open a floating Tool menu at the current mouse pointer position.

Advanced Track Creation and Configuration

Logic Pro 8 offers a number of facilities that streamline track and channel strip creation.

One-Step Region, Track, and Channel Creation

Dragging a media file into a blank Arrange area section now creates a new track, and corresponding channel strip.

Standard audio files and audio Apple Loops create new audio tracks and channel strips.

Software Instrument Apple Loops create a new instrument track and channel strip— and also insert a suitable channel strip setting (an instrument plug-in, and generally a few effect plug-ins).

In both cases, a new audio or MIDI region is created at the drop position on the new track.

New Tracks Buttons and Dialog

Two new buttons are found at the top of the Arrange track list. The left button (+) opens the New Tracks dialog, which allows you to create as many audio, (software) instrument, or external MIDI tracks as needed. The corresponding channel strips (track destinations) are automatically created. Advanced options in the New Tracks dialog enable you to configure the format and other aspects of the channel strip (mono, stereo, record-enabled, multi-timbral instruments, and so on). You can also access the New Tracks dialog by choosing Track > New in the Arrange area (or using the corresponding key command).

The right button creates a new, empty track that uses the same channel strip assignment and settings as the selected track. This is a quick and easy way to create a duplicate of an existing track and channel strip, without replicating the data on the track.

New Track Header Configuration Dialog

The appearance of the track header (the information shown in the track list), including naming options, buttons shown, icons, and so on, can now be adjusted in a single dialog. Control-click on the track list, and choose Configure Track Header.

Changed Track Reassignment Method

The track reassignment functionality of earlier versions—click-holding on a track icon—has been changed. Control-click on the track list, and choose Reassign Track Object to open a hierarchical listing of all available track destinations (MIDI ports and sub-channels, or any channel strip available in the Mixer).

+ 23 hidden pages