Logic Pro Tips n' Tricks thread

[DV Daz]

Originally Posted by sureno

"SFLogicninja" + youtube = sweaty palms
thats all i have to say on the subject

+1 Very informative Videos, Definately worth a watch.

[sureno]

Originally Posted by DV Daz

+1 Very informative Videos, Definately worth a watch.

he da man i learnt a lot from this guy, essential watching if your a novice or even intermediate and using Logic

Here's his site

SFLogicNinja

[EdRyan]

ok. As asked for by Modz, I've reposted this little nugget here.

How to make Logic's Channel EQ analyser more accurate

Underneath the button where you turn the analyser on, there are two buttons. One selects which side of the eq plugin the analyser looks at. Either before the eq circuit(dry input), or afterwards (processed output). Below this, is a button that controls the resolution of the analyser. The basic principle of this control is that is dictates how many sample points logic uses to create the FFT display. that represents the signals. The more sample points Logic uses to decompose the signal, the more accurate the FFT will be.

If you then click the little arrow in the bottom left of the eq plug in, you'll get further options to select absolute or RMS monitoring. For individual tracks and insts, use peak. For checking on groups and the main output, i'd recommend using RMS. RMS is better for monitoring groups and outs, because you are looking and listening to audio that results from more then one source. In peak mode, you may be mislead if one part of the signal dominates. By reading the average, you avoid this problem.

Now, the real trick is to up the decay rate to 30dB. This makes the display appear to update quicker. It's actually altering the response time of the analyser, not the display rate. By falling quicker, the analyser shows a more accurate representation of whats happening; because it's not holding and displaying older information.

A word of warning though. If you turn up the resolution and turn down the decay, it can seriously up the load on your cpu. A couple of analysers on this setting won't sap too much, but if you setup every analyser this way, be prepared!. It's only really worth doing when you need to be very surgical. Once your done, I'd recommend turning the analyser back to normal to save cpu load.

[sureno]

1. Find the picture (synth, module, your girlfriend) you want in the highest resolution possible. Use Google Image Search or whatever. You really need to find a high res picture to begin with.

2. If necessary convert to RGB Color Mode first, then remove any ugly jpeg noise using blur/smooth or bandaid tools, then adjust contrast and colors.

3. Remove any background. Do this by changing the background layer to a normal layer and the use the magic wand or lasso, or manually delete the background.

4. Crop to the absolute edge of the actual image. Use the crop function. Remember: no empty space around the image.

5. Set Image Size to a maximum of 120 pixels in height and width.

6. Now use the Unsharp Mask filter to sharpen the image. E.g. 0,3 pixels and 120% sharpen.

7. Go set Canvas Size to 128 x 128 pixels, centered.

8. Choose the Layer Effect called Drop Shadow, and use Multiply with Opacity: 40, Angle: 90, Distance: 4, Spread: 0, Size: 4. I've tested this against the original shadow effect in Logic, it's a 100% match.

9. Command click on the layer, and choose the Save Selection from the Select Menu (default=Save as New Channel).

10. Choose the Channels pane from the Layers window and activate the new Alpha Channel 1.

11. Choose Save for Web and select the PNG24 format. Activate Transparency.

12. The file should saved as x.png (where x stands for a number that replaces an unwanted Logic icon) and put in Users/YourUserName/Library/Application Support/Logic/Images/Icons

Find some HERE

[sureno]

Logic pro - swing tip 1

Logic Pro - Aux Effects

Logic Pro - Drum Editing

Logic Pro - Mixing Drums (No he is not the honey monster)

Logic 8 - Quick Swipe

Logic 8 - Beat Mapping THIS GUY IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Logic Studio Rewire

Logic Groove Templates

Logic Studio EXS 24

Logic Studio ES 2

Logic 8 Ultrabeat 1-2

[EdRyan]

Here's a tip regarding Ultrabeat's built in Sequencer. It's also a minor gripe as well...

Basically, the built in sequencer is good for laying down patterns. You can even use it in a mode that lets you swap whole drum patterns by midi control, which is really useful for doing things like breaks and build ups.

But, the resolution of the grid isn't that great. You can only place on the beat
So I'd only recommend programming the basics of your drums within it's sequencer, and then do the rest as MIDI data in the arrange window. Unless you are happy with everything being square on the beat..

The other thing that can help speed up making music is actually setting the sample playback levels within Ultrabeat, using the velocity controls. I never used to play with this, I just used to adjust the audio outputs later. But doing it this way works a lot better for me. It helps you mix as you write, which is quite time saving !

[sureno]

I'm sure UB has a swing dial on the sequencer

[EdRyan]

I believe the swing is a global function, and doesn't let you alter swing for each sample loaded. So you set the accept and swing on/off and amount for each step in the sequencer, but not for each sample that hits on that step. Ie ou may want to swing a clap on 9, but putting the swing on would also move the kick and anything else that is at the same point in the pattern.

Even then, swing isn't a good substitute for being able to place a hit exactly where you want..

[trbguy]

I had some problems finding how to convert .rx2 loops to Apple loops. I thought I would share it here.

1. You need to install REX shared library which is free for everyone Here
And install it.
2. Open loop(s) in Logic's browser
3. Select convert ReCycle files/folders to Apple loops at the bottom of the browser.
4. You can convert files or folders. After that you can open new apple loops in apple loops utility and tag those to find them easier.

[MUSIKMAKER1]

Why did they take logic of windows???

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by MUSIKMAKER1

Why did they take logic of windows???

Because Apple bought the original developer (Emagic) !!

What would you expect? That was six years ago, btw...

[MUSIKMAKER1]

Originally Posted by terminal3

Because Apple bought the original developer (Emagic) !!

What would you expect? That was six years ago, btw...

Oh that was a stupid question yeah after the 5.5 edition it stopped maybe i'm just tired

I guess I gotta get a mac
dude chill out lol it was just a question

[tyronehowe]

This is a tip I learnt recently. If you have a lot of Track Automation and want to move or copy it around, it can be a pain. Especially if you want to copy / move in region style chunks.

Ok – so here’s how:

1) Turn Track Automation mode on (default keyboard shortcut: A)
2) Bring up the Automation Event list (default keyboard shortcut: Ctrl-Cmd-E)
3) Bring up a new Arrange window (default keyboard shortcut: Cmd-1)
4) You will now see regions on the new Arrange window that correspond to your Track Automation.

Now just move / copy at will!

[cane creek]

What is it with software vocoders some people use them quite easily whilst others panic at the thought of routing one.

[Meander]

Originally Posted by tyronehowe

1) Turn Track Automation mode on (default keyboard shortcut: A)
2) Bring up the Automation Event list (default keyboard shortcut: Ctrl-Cmd-E)
3) Bring up a new Arrange window (default keyboard shortcut: Cmd-1)
4) You will now see regions on the new Arrange window that correspond to your Track Automation.

Mate, that has been the single most helpful tip I have ever been given on Logic. That has been a major gripe of mine for ages and to think that it was that easy. TYVM