A: Type the desired chord symbol into the Score Editor (using the Chord object from the Part Box’s Text Group panel). By default, numbers in the chord symbol will be automatically placed into the Upper line. However, this automatic placement can be changed by using a comma – chord extensions before the comma will be placed into the Lower line while chord extensions after the comma will be placed into the Upper line.
Using the Chord object from the Part Box (left column), entering the text characters (in red) will result in different layouts, as shown by the chord symbols (in black).
After entering each chord symbol, press Tab to jump to the next note/rest/bar (complete all note entries PRIOR to this) for the following chord symbol.
The font, size and typeface of the Chord Root and Chord Extension can also be adjusted for better fit via Text > Text Styles.
The Chord Extension size has been increased (via the Text Styles window) to match the Chord Root size – compare the chord symbols above with the chord symbols in the first diagram.
Q: How do I enter a Diminished chord symbol and a Bar Repeat sign (for the chord symbol) into my Logic score? (Answer updated for Sibelius font.)
A: The Diminished symbol can be inserted as a text character simply by pressing Option-0 as you are entering the chord symbol itself.
However, the Bar Repeat sign for a chord will require the use of a music font such as Opus Chords (which comes with the Sibelius notation software):
1. Insert a standard Text object (instead of a Chord object) and press Option-3.
2. With the inserted Text object selected, go to: Text > Fonts and select the Opus Chords font and an appropriate font size.
Logic's Score Editor displaying a Diminished chord symbol and Bar Repeat sign.
Q: My chord symbols in the Score Editor are crooked – they are not placed in a straight line. How do I align my chord symbols neatly?
A: Chord symbols can be aligned vertically and horizontally.
For vertical alignment:
1. Adjust the first chord symbol to the desired vertical position (ensure that it remains selected)
2. Edit > Select Equal/Similar Events
3. Right-click (any selected chord symbol) > Align Object Positions Vertically
The “before” (top) and “after” (bottom) effect of vertically aligning chord symbols.
For horizontal alignment*:
1. View > Guides > All Objects
This step displays dashed Guide Lines to show the chord symbols’ current positions in reference to their actual time positions.
2. Select a chord symbol, followed by Edit > Select Equal/Similar Events
3. Align: Left-Aligned (via the Inspector’s Event Parameter box)
4. Horizontal Pos.: 0 followed by Option-Enter/Return
This step aligns ALL selected chord symbols to their entered time positions. Errors in time position entries can be corrected by dragging the chord symbols to their correct positions (as displayed in the yellow Help Tag) or by typing their new positions in the Event List.
* Steps 3 and 4 can be changed to other alternative settings, as appropriate.
The “before” (top) and “after” (bottom) effect of horizontally aligning chord symbols. The Guide Lines show random horizontal offsets in the chord symbols (top) but straighten out after adjustments in the Align and Horizontal Position parameters (bottom, left column).
Q: Can ties and rests in Logic’s Score Editor be entered in the same way as notation programs like Finale or Sibelius?
A: In general, MIDI sequencing-capable programs (such as Logic and Pro Tools) create ties by extending note durations (just like how a transcription would be based on a musical performance) while rests are automatically entered by the software to fill up the empty beats where there are no notes present. This is in contrast to notation programs (such as Finale and Sibelius) that often treat ties and rests as separate musical objects that must be entered (whether manually or automatically) into the score.
Instead of erroneously entering a slur, a tie can be created simply by extending the Duration Bar (in the Score Editor) or note length (in the Piano Roll Editor). With rests automatically created (where needed) by the Logic software, manual rest entries are not required, as indicated by the absence of rest events in the Event List.
Q: In the Piano Roll Editor, I can easily drag a note to change its position, duration and pitch. But is there an easy way to change the note velocity (other than switching to the Velocity Tool via the Tool menu)?
A: Yes, pressing the Command-Control keys (while hovering over a note in the Piano Roll Editor) changes the current mouse pointer into a Velocity Tool. This keyboard shortcut bypasses the Tool menu, which speeds up the note editing process considerably.
The mouse pointer changes into the Velocity Tool while holding the Command-Control keys.
Several other keyboard shortcuts (Logic 9 key commands) that may prove useful when combined with dragging include:
• Control and Control-Shift for finer and tick (finest) precision respectively - to override snapping when editing region/note positions or durations.
• Option-Shift to assign an identical value to a particular parameter (e.g. note velocity, note/region length, controller value) in all selected items.
• Option-Control to change the current mouse pointer into a Zoom Tool.
• Control-Shift in an Automation Track to change the current mouse pointer into an Automation Curve Tool.
• Control-Shift inside an audio region with dragging across the region boundary to create/edit a fade.
Q: I created a GM sequence using the QuickTime Synth in Logic. How do I convert my GM sequence into an mp3 file?
A: Apple’s QuickTime Synth is connected (virtually) in a similar manner as a hardware MIDI sound source would, whereby its audio outputs do not pass through the Logic software. As such, the External MIDI tracks used for the GM sequence cannot utilize Logic’s Bounce feature, since this process only applies to internal (e.g. Audio and Software Instrument) tracks.
In order to create an mp3 file, Logic’s GM sequence should first be exported into SMF* format before encoding it in iTunes.
* Standard MIDI File, often abbreviated as MIDI File and identified by a .mid extension in the file name.
To export Logic’s GM sequence into SMF format:
1. Select all regions (Edit > Select All [Command-A] or drag Pointer Tool over all regions)
2. Region > Merge > Regions per Tracks (ensure that all merged regions remain selected)
3. File > Export > Selection as MIDI File, then select the destination folder, name the file (with .mid extension) and click Save.
The “before” (top) and “after” (bottom) effect of merging MIDI regions.
To encode SMF into mp3:
1. Open the exported SMF in iTunes (or add the exported SMF to the iTunes Library) and check that the SMF (GM sequence) plays back correctly (proper MIDI channel headers are crucial here).
2. iTunes > Preferences, click General followed by Import Settings, Import Using: MP3 Encoder.
3. Ensure that the exported SMF remains selected and choose Advanced > Create MP3 Version.
The mp3 file will be saved by default into the Home/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music folder.
Click on the Import Settings button in the iTunes Preferences (top) and select MP3 Encoder in the resulting window (bottom).
Q: My kick and snare drum tracks sound thin – does Logic have any sound layering features that can thicken my drum recordings?
A: Yes, the Drum Replacement/Doubling feature was introduced in Logic 9 to address problematic audio drum tracks. For example, thin-sounding kick and snare drum recordings can be completely replaced by or doubled with MIDI triggered drum samples. These note triggers are automatically generated for transients that are above an adjustable threshold (with note velocities in proportion to the transient amplitudes) and are fully editable.
In addition, different Sampler Instruments can be selected from the Library tab to provide a range of sound (tonal) options.
To thicken a drum recording, select the relevant track and go to:
Track > Drum Replacement/Doubling (Control-D)
Drum Replacement/Doubling auto creates an EXS24 instrument track with MIDI notes (in the green region) to trigger samples for replacing/doubling drum transients. A list of Sampler Instruments in the Library tab (right column) is also available for more sound selection options.
Q: Is it possible to import audio regions from another Logic project?A: Yes, the Track Import feature introduced in Logic 9, allows a selected track’s contents (such as regions) to be imported from one Logic project into another project.
Multiple types of project data can be selected for import, including:
• Track region or folder content (retains the region borders and timeline info)
• Plug-ins (including the parameter values)
• Sends (including level, routing and destination channel strips)
• Input/Output assignments
• Automation data
• Track notes
The Track Import feature can be accessed via the Media Browser tab (F) or File > Import (Command-I).
The Track Import view in the Media Browser tab provides options for selecting data types and tracks to be imported into a Logic project.
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