Logic Pro for Mac time and key signature overview

Time and key signatures are global events that affect all tracks in a project. When you create a new project, you can set the time and key signature in the Project Chooser. You can view time and key signatures in the Signature track, the Signature List, and the Score Editor, and add and edit signature changes in a variety of ways.

The initial time signature and key signature are project properties. See Project properties overview.

Time signatures

Time signatures determine the number of beats in each bar (as shown in the ruler), and so they define the editing grid in the Tracks area and the time-based editors (including the Audio Track Editor, Piano Roll Editor, and Step Editor). Time signature changes don’t affect the playback of audio or MIDI regions.

In addition to the ruler, time signatures affect the score display. All functions that rely on the chosen time signature and bar positions (such as MIDI metronome click or Transform window functions) are affected if bar positions are used to restrict a function to a certain part of the project.

Key signatures

When you create a project, the key signature defaults to C major unless you choose a different key signature in the Project Chooser. The initial key signature affects the playback of Apple Loops in the project. MIDI, pattern, and Session Player regions in the project can transpose to match the key signature, depending on the Pitch Source parameter in the Region inspector. Key signature changes also affect the display of MIDI notes in the Score Editor.

You can add any number of key signature changes to a project. When you add a key signature change, it changes the key from the insertion point forward, until the next key signature change is reached.

Show the Signature track

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Choose Track > Global Tracks > Show Global Tracks, or use the Show/Hide Global Tracks key command (G).
Click the Global Tracks button .

When the Signature track is reduced in height, it shows both the time signature and key signature in a single lane, and shows a single Add Signature button. When the Signature Track is at full height, it shows the time signature and key signature in separate lanes, and shows two Add Signature buttons, one for time signature changes and one for key signature changes.

By default, the global Arrangement, Marker, Signature, and Tempo tracks are visible when you show the global tracks in the Tracks area (or an editor). If the Signature track isn’t visible, Control-click anywhere in the global tracks header area, then select Signature in the dialog that appears.

For more information, see Show and hide global tracks.

Note: The Signature track must be visible—and must not be protected—in order to select and copy signatures.

Open the Signature List

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Click the List Editors button , then click Signature.
Shift-double-click in the Signature track.

The Signature List displays time and key signatures in a numerical list, and also displays global score symbols such as repeat signs, double bar lines, and so on.

Download the guides:

Logic Pro User Guide: PDF

Logic Pro Instruments: PDF

Logic Pro Effects: PDF

Control Surfaces Support Guide: PDF

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Logic Pro User Guide for Mac

Logic Pro for Mac time and key signature overview

Time signatures

Key signatures

Show the Signature track

Open the Signature List