Logic Pro User Guide for Mac
- Welcome
- What’s new in Logic Pro
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- What is Logic Pro for Mac?
- Logic Pro project basics
- Undo and redo edits
- Download additional sound packs
- How to get help
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- Tracks overview
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- Create tracks
- Create tracks using drag and drop
- Create tracks using existing channel strips
- Assign tracks to different channel strips
- Choose the default region type for software instrument tracks
- Select tracks
- Duplicate tracks
- Rename tracks
- Change track icons
- Change track colors
- Reorder tracks
- Zoom tracks
- Replace or double drum sounds
- Control timing with the groove track
- Use selection-based processing
- Edit track parameters
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- Overview
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- Before recording software instruments
- Play software instruments
- Record software instruments
- Record additional software instrument takes
- Overdub software instrument recordings
- Spot erase software instrument recordings
- Use Note Repeat
- Replace software instrument recordings
- Record to multiple software instrument tracks
- Record multiple MIDI devices to multiple tracks
- Record software instruments and audio simultaneously
- Use step input recording techniques
- Record MIDI messages from another music app
- Route MIDI internally to software instrument tracks
- Use the metronome
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- Arranging overview
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- Regions overview
- Select regions
- Select parts of regions
- Cut, copy, and paste regions
- Move regions
- Add or remove gaps
- Delay region playback
- Loop regions
- Repeat regions
- Resize regions
- Mute and solo regions
- Time stretch regions
- Reverse audio regions
- Split regions
- Demix MIDI regions
- Join regions
- Create regions in the Tracks area
- Change the gain of audio regions in the Tracks area
- Normalize audio regions in the Tracks area
- Create aliases of MIDI regions
- Convert repeated MIDI regions to loops
- Change the color of regions
- Convert a MIDI region into a pattern region in Logic Pro for Mac
- Replace a MIDI region with a Session Player region in Logic Pro for Mac
- Convert audio regions to samples for a sampler instrument
- Rename regions
- Delete regions
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- Chords overview
- Add and delete chords
- Select chords
- Cut, copy, and paste chords
- Move and resize chords
- Loop chords on the Chord track
- Transpose chords
- Edit chords
- Work with chord groups
- Use chord progressions
- Change the chord rhythm
- Choose which chords a Session Player region follows
- Analyze the key signature of a range of chords
- Analyze the chords in audio or MIDI regions in Logic Pro for Mac
- Extract vocal and instrumental stems with Stem Splitter
- Create groove templates
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- Overview
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- Add notes
- Select notes
- Snap items to the grid
- Move notes
- Copy notes
- Change the pitch of notes
- Resize notes
- Edit note velocity
- Quantize the timing of notes
- Quantize the pitch of notes
- Change note articulations
- Lock the position of events
- Mute notes
- Change note color
- View note labels
- Delete notes
- Time stretch notes
- View multiple MIDI regions
- Split chords
- Automation/MIDI area in the Piano Roll Editor
- Open other editors
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- Session Players overview
- The Session Player Editor
- Choose a Session Player type and style
- Chords and Session Players
- Choose Session Player presets
- Regenerate a Session Player performance
- Follow rhythm of chords and other tracks
- Work with Drummer multi-channel kits
- Convert Session Player regions into MIDI or pattern regions
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- Logic Pro for Mac advanced editors overview
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- Audio File Editor overview
- Play audio files in the Audio File Editor
- Navigate audio files in the Audio File Editor
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- Audio File Editor edit commands
- Edit audio files with transient markers
- Use the Audio File Editor Pencil tool
- Trim or silence audio files
- Remove DC offset
- Set audio file levels
- Normalize audio files
- Fade audio files
- Reverse audio and invert phase
- Audio File Editor Loop commands
- Undo Audio File Editor edits
- Backup audio files
- Use an external sample editor
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- Mixing overview
- Set channel strip input format
- Set channel strip pan or balance positions
- Mute and solo channel strips
- Reorder channel strips in the Mixer
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- Plug-ins overview
- Add, remove, move, and copy plug-ins
- Search for plug-ins in the Mixer
- Insert a plug-in on a track using drag and drop
- Activate plug-ins on inactive channel strips
- Use the Channel EQ
- Work in the plug-in window
- Work with plug-in settings
- Work with plug-in latencies
- Work with Audio Units in Logic Pro for Mac
- Use MPE with software instruments
- Use the Plug-in Manager
- Work with channel strip settings
- Surround panning
- Use the I/O Labels window
- Undo and redo Mixer and plug-in adjustments
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- Smart Controls overview
- Show Smart Controls for master effects
- Choose a Smart Control layout
- Automatic MIDI controller assignment
- Map screen controls automatically
- Map screen controls
- Edit mapping parameters
- Use parameter mapping graphs
- Open the plug-in window for a screen control
- Rename a screen control
- Use articulation IDs to change articulations
- Assign hardware controls to screen controls
- Compare Smart Control edits with saved settings
- Use the Arpeggiator
- Automate screen control movements
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- Live Loops overview
- Start and stop cells
- Work with Live Loops cells
- Change loop settings for cells
- How the Live Loops grid and Tracks area interact
- Edit cells
- Edit scenes
- Work in the Cell Editor
- Bounce cells
- Record a Live Loops performance
- Change Live Loops grid settings
- Control Live Loops with other devices
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- Global changes overview
- Control transposition with the Pitch Source parameter
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- Tempo overview
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- Smart Tempo overview
- Use free tempo recording
- Choose the Project Tempo mode
- Choose the Smart Tempo setting
- Use Smart Tempo with multitrack audio
- Work in the Smart Tempo Editor
- Improve the tempo analysis using hints
- Correct tempo analysis results using beat markers
- Protect Smart Tempo edits by locking a range
- Match audio recordings to the project tempo
- Match the project tempo to an audio region
- Use audio file tempo information
- Sync audio to a video hit point
- Record tempo changes
- Use the Tempo Interpreter
- Use the tempo fader
- Control project volume
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- Overview
- Add notes to a score
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- Part box overview
- View score symbols
- Select score symbols
- Add notes and rests
- Add notes and symbols to multiple regions
- Add key and time signature changes
- Change the clef sign
- Add dynamic marks, slurs, and crescendi
- Change note heads
- Add symbols to notes
- Add trills, ornaments, and tremolo symbols
- Add sustain pedal markings
- Add chord symbols
- Add chord grids and tablature symbols
- Add bar lines, repeats, and coda signs
- Add page and line break symbols
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- Select notes
- Move and copy notes
- Change note pitch, duration, and velocity
- Change note articulations
- Quantize the timing of notes
- Restrict note input to the current key
- Control how ties are displayed
- Add and edit tuplets
- Override display quantization using tuplets
- Add grace notes and independent notes
- Delete notes
- Use automation in the Score Editor
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- Staff styles overview
- Assign staff styles to tracks
- Staff Style window
- Create and duplicate staff styles
- Edit staff styles
- Edit staff, voice, and assign parameters
- Add and delete staffs or voices in the Staff Style window in Logic Pro for Mac
- Copy staffs or voices in the Staff Style window in Logic Pro for Mac
- Copy staff styles between projects
- Delete staff styles
- Assign notes to voices and staffs
- Display polyphonic parts on separate staffs
- Change the staff assignment of score symbols
- Beam notes across staffs
- Use mapped staff styles for drum notation
- Predefined staff styles
- Share a score
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- Key commands overview
- Browse, import, and save key commands
- Assign key commands
- Copy and print key commands
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- Global Commands
- Global Control Surfaces Commands
- Various Windows
- Windows Showing Audio Files
- Main Window Tracks and Various Editors
- Various Editors
- Views Showing Time Ruler
- Views Showing Automation
- Main Window Tracks
- Live Loops Grid
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll
- Score Editor
- Event Editor
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer
- Project Audio
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Library
- Sampler
- Drum Machine Designer
- Step Input Keyboard
- Smart Controls
- Tool Menu
- Control Surface Install Window
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- Logic Pro projects
- Various windows
- Controller Assignments window
- Control bar
- Tracks area
- Global tracks
- Automation
- Live Loops grid
- Mixer
- MIDI Environment
- Piano Roll Editor
- Score Editor
- Event List
- Step Editor
- Step Sequencer
- Flex Time
- Audio File Editor
- Smart Tempo Editor
- Surround Panner
- Channel EQ
- Space Designer
- Sampler
- Touch Bar shortcuts
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- Working with your control surface
- Connect control surfaces
- Add a control surface to Logic Pro for Mac
- Automatic assignment for USB MIDI controllers
- Grouping control surfaces
- Control Surfaces settings overview
- Modal dialog display
- Tips for using your control surface
- Supported control surfaces
- Software and firmware for Logic Pro for Mac
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- Environment overview
- Common object parameters
- Customize the Environment
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- Fader objects overview
- Use fader objects
- Play back fader movements
- Work with object groups
- Fader styles
- Fader functions: MIDI events
- Fader functions: range, value as
- Fader functions: filter
- Vector fader
- Special faders overview
- Cable switchers
- Meta event faders
- SysEx faders
- Work with SysEx messages
- Special functions
- Ornament objects
- MMC record buttons
- Keyboard objects
- Monitor objects
- Channel splitter object
- Physical input objects
- Physical input objects
- MIDI click objects
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- Use MIDI plug-ins
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- Arpeggiator overview
- Arpeggiator control parameters
- Note order parameters overview
- Note order variations
- Note order inversions
- Arpeggiator pattern parameters overview
- Use Live mode
- Use Grid mode
- Arpeggiator options parameters
- Arpeggiator keyboard parameters
- Use keyboard parameters
- Assign controllers
- Modifier controls
- Note Repeater controls
- Randomizer controls
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- Use Scripter
- Use the Script Editor
- Scripter API overview
- MIDI processing functions overview
- HandleMIDI function
- ProcessMIDI function
- GetParameter function
- SetParameter function
- ParameterChanged function
- Reset function
- JavaScript objects overview
- Use the JavaScript Event object
- Use the JavaScript TimingInfo object
- Use the Trace object
- Use the MIDI event beatPos property
- Use the JavaScript MIDI object
- Create Scripter controls
- Transposer controls
- Record MIDI to Track
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- Alchemy overview
- Alchemy interface overview
- Alchemy Name bar
- Alchemy file locations
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- Alchemy source overview
- Source master controls
- Import browser
- Source subpage controls
- Source filter controls
- Source filter use tips
- Source elements overview
- Additive element controls
- Additive element effects
- Spectral element controls
- Spectral element effects
- Pitch correction controls
- Formant filter controls
- Granular element controls
- Sampler element controls
- VA element controls
- Wide unison mode
- Source modulations
- Morph controls
- Alchemy master voice section
- Alchemy Extended parameters
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- ES2 overview
- ES2 interface overview
- ES2 integrated effects processor controls
- Use ES2 in Surround mode
- Extended parameters
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- Sample Alchemy overview
- Interface overview
- Add source material
- Edit mode
- Play modes
- Source overview
- Synthesis modes
- Granular controls
- Additive effects
- Additive effect controls
- Spectral effect
- Spectral effect controls
- Filter module
- Lowpass, bandpass, and highpass filters
- Comb PM filter
- Downsampler filter
- FM filter
- Envelope generators
- Mod Matrix
- Modulation routing
- Motion mode
- Trim mode
- More menu
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- Sculpture overview
- Sculpture interface
- Global parameters
- Amplitude envelope parameters
- Use the Waveshaper
- Filter parameters
- Output parameters
- Use surround range and diversity
- Define MIDI controllers
- Extended parameters
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- Studio Piano
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- Ultrabeat overview
- Ultrabeat interface
- Synthesizer section overview
- Filter section controls
- Distortion circuit controls
- Glossary
- Copyright and trademarks
Smart Tempo project settings in Logic Pro for Mac
In Logic Pro, the project settings contain Smart Tempo settings, which determine the default behavior for Smart Tempo.
Project Tempo Mode pop-up menu: Choose the Project Tempo mode (Keep, Adapt, or Automatic).
Keep Project Tempo: The project tempo is maintained when you record audio or import audio files. This behavior is identical to that of previous versions of Logic Pro.
Adapt Project Tempo: The project tempo adapts to the tempo of new regions that don’t match the project tempo.
Automatic Mode: Automatic Mode uses Keep or Adapt behavior depending on whether the metronome is active and if regions are present, among other factors.
Defaults for Flex and Smart Tempo Region Setting
The flex and Smart Tempo region parameters determine whether flex is turned on for regions and what Smart Tempo procedure is applied, so they can adapt to the project tempo. Two pop-up menus allow you to choose the default settings independently for newly recorded files in your project and for imported files.
Set New Recordings To pop-up menu: The selected option sets the Flex checkbox and Smart Tempo pop-up menu in the Audio Defaults inspector. Changing those parameters in the Audio Defaults inspector updates the setting in this pop-up menu.
Flex Off: The Flex checkbox in the inspector is deselected (flex is turned off) and Smart Tempo is set to Off. That means the region isn't flexed and doesn't follow any project tempo changes.
Flex On, Smart Tempo Off: The Flex checkbox in the inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and Smart Tempo is set to Off. That means the region is flexed, following the project tempo, but the tempo of the region, referred to as the file tempo, isn't synced to the project tempo. This is useful when the file tempo information is incorrect.
Flex On, Smart Tempo On: The Flex checkbox in the inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and the Smart Tempo pop-up menu is set to On (Use File Tempo). That means the region is flexed, using the file tempo as a reference to follow the project tempo.
Flex On, ST On + Align Bars: The Flex checkbox in the inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and Smart Tempo is set to On + Align Bars. That means the region is flexed, using the file tempo as a reference to follow the project tempo. In addition, beat markers in the region (created by Smart Tempo during the tempo analysis) are used to conform the region to the project tempo at every downbeat (bar).
Flex On, ST On + Align Bars and Beats: The Flex checkbox in the inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and Smart Tempo is set to On + Align Bars and Beats. That means the region is flexed, using the file tempo as a reference to follow the project tempo. In addition, beat markers in the region are used to conform the region to the project tempo at every beat.
Trim start of new regions checkbox: Automatically sets the start of newly recorded regions to the first downbeat of the file.
Set Imported Files To pop-up menu: The selected option sets the Flex checkbox and Smart Tempo pop-up menu in the Region inspector for the imported files. Changing those parameters in the Audio Defaults inspector updates the setting in this pop-up menu.
Flex Off: The Flex checkbox in the Region inspector is deselected (flex is turned off) and Smart Tempo is set to Off. That means the imported region isn't flexed, it isn't tempo analyzed, and therefore doesn't follow any project tempo changes.
Flex On, Smart Tempo Off: The Flex checkbox in the Region inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and Smart Tempo is set to Off. That means the region is flexed, following the project tempo, but the tempo of the region, referred to as the file tempo, isn't synced to the project tempo. This is useful when the file tempo information is incorrect.
Flex On, Smart Tempo On: The Flex checkbox in the Region inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and Smart Tempo is set to On. That means the region is tempo analyzed during import and flexed to adjust its tempo so it syncs the region tempo to the project tempo.
This is the default setting when creating a new project and selecting the “Use Flex Time for imported audio” checkbox in the Project Chooser. See Create Logic Pro projects.
Flex On, ST On + Align Bars: The Flex checkbox in the Region inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and Smart Tempo is set to On + Align Bars. That means the region is flexed, using the file tempo as a reference to follow the project tempo. Beat markers in the region (created by Smart Tempo during the tempo analysis) are used to sync the region tempo to the project tempo at every downbeat (bar), and the region is moved to align its first detected downbeat to the closest bar grid.
Flex On, ST On + Align Bars and Beats: The Flex checkbox in the Region inspector is selected (flex is turned on) and Smart Tempo is set to On + Align Bars and Beats. That means the region is flexed, using the file tempo as a reference to follow the project tempo. Beat markers in the region (created by Smart Tempo during the tempo analysis) are used to sync the region to the project tempo at every beat, and the region is moved to align its first detected downbeat to the closest bar grid.
Trim start of new regions checkbox: Automatically trims the start of the imported audio file to the first downbeat of the file.
Options
These additional options let you create a matching Edit group when creating a Multitrack Set and choose the resolution of exported tempo information.
Create matching Editing group when creating Smart Tempo multitrack set checkbox: Combines all the audio files used to create the multitrack set into a single group for editing.
Export Tempo Resolution pop-up menu: Choose the resolution of the exported tempo.
Smoothed: Exports a tempo that smooths out jumps in tempo from beat to beat.
Beats: Exports the tempo information at each beat without any smoothing.
Free Tempo Recording
These options determine how the tempo of a newly recorded region is adjusted after a free tempo recording.
Default Tempo Behavior pop-up menu: Choose the default behavior to follow after making a free tempo recording.
Ask: After each recording a dialog appears, asking which tempo behavior to follow.
Apply region tempo to project: The analyzed tempo of the recorded region is applied to the project tempo.
Apply average region tempo to project: The average analyzed tempo of the recorded region is applied to the project tempo.
Apply project tempo to region: The project tempo is applied to the recorded region, which is flexed to match the project tempo.
Don’t analyze region tempo or change project tempo: No tempo analysis is applied to the recorded region, and the project tempo remains unchanged.
Download the guides:
Logic Pro User Guide: PDF
Logic Pro Instruments: PDF
Logic Pro Effects: PDF
Control Surfaces Support Guide: PDF