Create Logic Pro Sampler groups

Imagine a drum kit with a number of different samples used in several zones, mapped across the keyboard. You might decide that you want to change the parameters of each sample independently—to alter the decay of the snare, or to use a different cutoff setting for all hi-hat samples, for example.

In this context, the Sampler groups feature is useful. Groups allow for flexible sample organization. You can define as many groups as you need, and assign each zone to one of these groups. In a drum kit, for example, you could assign all kick drums to Group 1, all snares to Group 2, all hi-hats to Group 3, and so on.

A group makes it possible to define a velocity range for all assigned zones, allowing you to specify a velocity window in which the grouped zones are triggered, for example. Each group also features offset parameters for envelope 1 (amplitude), envelope 2 (assignable), and filter settings made in the Synth pane. See Mapping pane group view for information on parameters and options.

You can also play all zones without defining and assigning multiple groups—at least one group will always exist as the default location for all zones—in this case, changes to Synth and other parameter settings affect all samples (in all zones) equally.

Create a new group

In Logic Pro Sampler, click the Mapping button in the Navigation bar to view the Mapping pane, then click the group view button if group view is not already shown.
Choose New from the Group menu.
A new group appears in the Name column at the left side.

Add a zone to a group

In any of the Logic Pro Sampler Mapping pane views, do one of the following:

Select an audio file or loop in the Finder, Loop Browser, or File Browser—then drag it onto a group name displayed in the Mapping pane.
A new zone, containing the audio file, is created. Shift-click or Command-click to select multiple files.
Select an audio file or loop in the Finder, Loop Browser, or File Browser—then drag it into the empty area below the last group name displayed in the Mapping pane. This creates a new group, containing the dragged zone, or zones.
Choose New from the Zone menu.
This creates a new zone in the selected group. If no group is selected, a new group is created—containing the new, empty zone.

Assign an existing zone to a group

In Logic Pro Sampler, select a zone (or multiple zones) in the Mapping pane keyboard view or zone view.
Shift-click or Command-click to select multiple zones.
Choose Cut or Copy from the Edit menu.
Click the target group, then choose Paste from the Edit menu.

Delete a zone from a group

In Logic Pro Sampler, select a zone (or multiple zones) in the Mapping pane keyboard view or zone view.
Shift-click or Command-click to select multiple zones.
Press the Delete key or choose the Delete command from the Edit menu.

Delete all unused groups

In the Logic Pro Sampler Mapping pane Edit menu, choose Select Unused.
A group that doesn’t contain at least one zone, is not part of a round robin, and has no keyswitch is considered unused, and is selected.
Press the Delete key or choose the Delete command from the Edit menu.

Helpful?

Logic Pro X User Guide