Logic Pro User Guide

   What does MIDI stand for and what does a MIDI keyboard do?

MIDI stands for Musical, Instrument, Digital, Interface. The MIDI keyboard is capable of sending MIDI signals from a USB and in other cases, other cables such as a MIDI cable, to others devices that it is connected to with the same MIDI interface. This allows you to send what notes that are being placed on the MIDI Keyboard, onto the interface such as Logic Pro on a Mac.

Below is a diagram of a standard MIDI Keyboard alongside all the settings that come alongside it. In certain cases you’ll find some MIDI keyboards have more or less than the standard MIDI keyboard.

MIDI KEYBOARD

  What messages does a MIDI   keyboard send?

A MIDI message can send messages out to another device enabling you to play "keyboard sounds" or whatever instrument you have loaded on you Logic Pro software. A MIDI message can send up to 128 note messages per channel. This message (note) will tell the interface what note is to be played. For example, by playing C on the MIDI Keyboard will then be shown on the Logic Pro software.

Diagram of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) including cables

Below you will see a diagram of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

As you can see, it is as simple as using USB cables to connect the MIDI into your computer to send data and messages to create music.

How might a composer use MIDI?

A composer could use MIDI by creating an orchestra of tracks on Logic Pro. Using a MIDI Keyboard, they can easily create individual sections for each instrument to create a piece of music of music fitting the genre that they are making music to. For example, You could create a piece with a cello in, and then double the cello with a double bass an octave lower which will cause much more of an impact on the overall sound. Composer can also command the dynamics, octave, pitching and bending of their instruments easily through MIDI.

As you can see in this diagram, composers can also use a score sheet and add / remove notes as they please.

How to open and save a new Logic project.

Step 1; Open Logic

You can simply do this by clicking on its logic from the panel on the bottom of the Mac. And a big loading page from Logic should come up.

Step 2; Opening a new Project

There will then be a simple menu called the ‘Template Manager’ page. On this page there will be an option to click the empty project. Click this to option a new Logic Pro page.

Step 3; Saving your new project.

Once you’ve created a piece that you would like to save you can easily save the project by going onto File > Save as. The next menu will take you start to the Logic folder. This will be where the related data from your project will be stored. You can select where you want to save your new project by choosing places on the side of the menu. You’ll then find the folder alongside it’s audio file and it’s project.

How do you create new instrument tracks?

In order to create a new instrument track, you’ll need to be able to create a new track firstly which can be seen in the images below. A menu will then come up asking which of the following types of tracks you’d like to use. Use Software Instrument. Logic will then automatically bring up the library of musical instrumentals Logic Pro has to offer. In my experience, I wanted to create instrumental tracks because I wanted to sing harmonies on my own songs, as well as this, I created multiple tracks to sing over what I was already doing. For example, there is a picture with a list of tracks that I used in my audio file.

Available instruments and how to edit them

There is a wide range of instruments that can be used of Logic Pro from percussion, to keys, to strings. It is also possible to edit these instruments. By going into the mixer menu you can find all the different instruments in the plug-ins. You can also apply different pre-sets if you’re not too familiar will editing your instruments.

What does BPM mean? How can you   change the BPM?

BPM stands for Beats per Minute. This means how many beats are in a minute and is usually used to work out the tempo of a song. In order to change the BPM of a song, you can first use a plug-in called the BPM counter. This will allow you to work out the BPM of the track. I had to change the tempo in my piece of music.

In order to change the BPM you can find menus such as the pictures below where you can edit it from there.

Tools and what they’re used for

There are many tools in Logic Pro that editing wave forms easier. One of the first toold is a standard pointer tool. This allows you to select other menus and tracks. The pencil toold when clicked, vcan create new audio files sny track clicked on. The eraser tool does the opposite of the pencil, as it can delete any track that the user clicks on. The text tool is good for renaming any tracks. The scisscor toold lets you cut one track into two separate pieces. The glue tool allows you to do the opposite and allows you to stick together audio files together on one track. The zoom tool allows you to enchance the waveforms on a track. Finally the fade tool, allows you to dynamically fade out a track.

How to set up a loop

In order to loop a certain section in Logic Pro you can highlight certain areas of the timeframe that you want looped. I used loops to carefully listen to my piece of music so I can listen to any pieces that didn’t work in my piece of music.

Recording MIDI data

You can record MIDI data by clicking the record button on Logic Pro. This will allow you to record the sent messages from the MIDI onto the software.

Quantizing

What is it?

Quantization, is have a piece of music and notes be set in a precise setting.

You can specifically quantize certain things such as time, and pitch. This can allow you to keep your tracks in time in case a few notes don’t work or are out of time.

  What factors do you need to be aware of so you can   record audio?-

There are certain things that you should be aware of to be able to record audio. For example, you need to make sure your setup in all in order. For example the condenser microphone is plugged into the mixer or MIDI and the +48v are turned on.

Secondly you need to make sure the Mac is in the right settings to pick up the right settings so it is allowed to use the microphone. I also realised that it is sensible to have a pop shield whilst recording so the condenser microphone doesn’t pick up certain sounds that would stand out too much.

  What are the different noise problems you might get when recording audio, and what might you do to reduce them?-

There are many factors to why you can get noise problems when recording audio. For example, by having the music you’re recording being played out loud may cause a loop because of the microphone picking it up. This could cause white noise. In order to avoid this, it is recommended to use headphones when recording audio.

  What effects have you used and   why? (Both ‘corrective’ e.g. EQ, compression etc, and ‘creative’ e.g. reverb, distortion etc).

In my own work, I have used many effects such as reverb. As a singer, I wanted my voice to have more of a reach within the music and to be able to stretch more in the music. Secondly, I used a compressor to dynamically change certain parts of my voice where I would sing louder. Thirdly I used EQ to define my voice more to give it more of a crisp sound.

Explain the main sections of the ‘channel strip’ (inserts, pan,   volume etc).-

How can a film composer use Logic?Film composers can use Logic because Logic gives you the option to load movies alongside the project. This can allow you to watch the piece that you’re creating music to.  What is mixing, and how have you applied mixing techniques   within your project?

How to mix in Logic ProIn Logic Pro there is a bounce function that allows you to convert your piece of music to CD, DVD and others like MP3.

How to bounce in Logic Pro

General setup for Logic Pro (Computer, Keyboard, Soundcard & Speakers)

A typical setup for Logic Pro would to have a mixer so you are able to record your guitar and vocals. It is recommended to use a condenser microphone with a pop shield. It is also recommended to use headphones whilst recording your audio. There is an image below demonstrating some of the things

needed for a general setup. It is recommended to have good speakers with good surround sound that is capable of playing all elements of music. Low and high frequencies too.