Logic Pro for the Virtual Composer Explained
Logic Pro expert Stephen O'Connell presents a highly informative Logic Pro video course dedicated specifically to Logic Pro users composing primarily with MIDI instruments. Not only will you learn techniques for easing the burden on your CPU when dealing with resource-intensive VIs, but you will also discover plenty of other helpful tips, such as working with multi-timbral instruments, signal flow routing, resampling sounds, and much more, all of which will greatly improve your workflow. These videos are designed for intermediate Logic Pro users who work with predominantly virtual instruments on a regular basis.
Videos
• Introduction (02:40) - Welcome to the course where we will cover optimization tips and tricks, workflow hacks, MIDI tricks, and session management inside Logic Pro. In this first video, we will get an overview of everything that?s covered so we?re ready to begin.
• CPU & Memory Savers in Logic Pro?s Global Settings (14:41) - In this video, we will explore how Logic Pro makes use of the CPU and the Storage, how we can balance the usage and the demand on our computer, and how to optimize them based on what type of session we are running.
• How to Freeze or Disable Tracks to Lighten the Load (07:52) - Now that we know how the CPU demand increases from Logic Pro as the track count gets larger, let?s discuss ways we can freeze or disable tracks that we don?t need to edit regularly to help ease the burden.
• Running Third-Party Sample Libraries Economically (08:00) - Running third-party software instruments is often a critical need for composers and can be a drain on the computer?s CPU and RAM. In this video, we?ll explore how Logic Pro makes use of the RAM to store and prepare your instrument?s samples, how we can improve performance with storage management, and how to maximize your library usage for your machine.
• Starting Up a Logic Pro Session Without the Core Audio Driver (06:38) - It isn?t always smooth sailing with Logic Pro, or indeed any computer app. From time to time, we may need to recover difficult-to-load sessions, so these tips may help you to open up your work when you fear it may be gone forever.
• Resampling Sounds to Reduce CPU Demand (10:04) - Loading full software libraries just to play a few notes can be a big drain on your computer?s CPU. Instead, why not resample the sounds to build your own ?light weight? version of the library to ease the burden on your computer?
• A Few MIDI Basics to Grasp (04:49) - Before we venture further into the world of multi-timbral voices, let?s revisit some MIDI basics, such as how MIDI Channels and CC controls are used in music production.
• Using Multi-Timbral Voices in Logic Pro (11:26) - Multi-timbral Voices can be a fantastic feature for building complex sound tools with less demand on the CPU. By using multi-timbral tracks, you can switch between articulations or sounds easily while utilizing the same sampler, lowering the processing demand on your computer.
• Using Articulation Sets Instead of Keyswitches (11:06) - To help speed up your workflow and put an end to any issues you experience with the keyswitching process, in this video we will explore Articulation Sets. Once set up, these are quite a time saver and a visually better alternative to keyswitches.
• Managing the Signal Flow with Track Stacks, Groups & VCAs (11:49) - Logic Pro offers a few classic and modern ways to organize your session visually and to manage the signal flow in the DAW. In this video, we?ll explore the differences and roles of the Track Stacks, Groups, and VCAs.
• Audio Signal Routing & Stem Preparation (07:53) - If you intend to work with collaborators or provide tracks or stems to mixers or library editors, understanding Logic Pro?s audio signal path and how to prepare stems correctly with all included effects will be essential.
• Creating Presets & Templates (09:29) - Finally, we?ll look at a few ways you can use presets and templates to help shorten your setup time when you compose your next track.