Apple Pro Training Series Advanced Logic Pro 7 By David Dvorin

Transcript

1 Apple Pro Training Series Advanced Logic Pro 7 By David Dvorin ............................................... Publisher: Peachpit Press Pub Date: April 08, 2005 ISBN: 0-321-25607-7 Pages: 560 Table of Contents | Index If you want to do more than simply use Logic to improve the audio in your video projectsif you want to start actually creating and producing music with it-this Apple-certified guide provides the key. Whether you're a composer, producer, songwriter, engineer, studio programmer or simply want to create and produce pro-quality music in your Logic-based home studio, you'll find all the self-paced, step-by-step instruction you need here to begin creating your audio master works immediately. As both a professional musician and a former employee of eMagic and Apple (the former and current makers of the software), author David Dvorin knows Logic like no one else. Here, he uses project-based tutorials to reveal all of its secrets, including its newest: advanced DSP techniques and the ability to layer MIDI instruments and split channels. In short order you'll be scoring and composing; jamming with Logic's software instruments; employing advanced mixing, editing, and production techniques; and more. A companion CD includes trial software and the lesson files needed to complete the book's exercises. Apple Pro Training Series Advanced Logic Pro 7 By David Dvorin ............................................... Publisher: Peachpit Press Pub Date: April 08, 2005 ISBN: 0-321-25607-7 Pages: 560 Table of Contents | Index Copyright Acknowledgments Getting Started The Methodology This Book Stays Current: Online Updates About the Apple Pro Training Series System Requirements Copying the Logic Lesson Files Resources 1 2 Apple Pro Certification Program Advanced Setup Lesson 1. Speeding Up Workflow Using Song Templates Customizing the Interface Using Key Commands Accessing the Toolbox Saving a Song Template What You've Learned Lesson 2. Managing Your I/O Setup Labeling Inputs and Outputs Creating a Headphone Mix Using Input Objects Backing Up and Transporting Your Setup What You've Learned Advanced Production Lesson 3. Creating and Managing Takes Using Project Folders Working with Dependent Files Quickly Accessing Additional Tracks Recording Multiple Tracks Simultaneously What to Do if 2 3 You Run Out of Tracks What You've Learned Lesson 4. Tempo and Pitch Matching Working with Apple Loops Using the Time and Pitch Machine Working with Rubato Passages What You've Learned Lesson 5. Working with Software Instruments Getting Familiar with the Instruments Understanding the User Interface Using Ultrabeat Using the EXS24 Software Sampler Using the EVP88 Vintage Electric Piano Using the EVD6 Vintage Clavinet Using the EFM 1 FM Synthesizer Using the ES2 Synthesizer Using the ES1 Virtual Analog Synthesizer Using Global Tracks to Create a Quick Arrangement Sound Design with Sculpture Treating Your MIDI 3 4 Hardware as Software What You've Learned Advanced Editing Lesson 6. Working with the Arrangement Creating and Using Markers Navigating the Arrangement Zooming Effectively What You've Learned Lesson 7. Advanced Audio Editing Using Edits to Create Parts Comping Tracks Fixing Problems Using the Sample Editor What You've Learned Lesson 8. Advanced MIDI Editing Using Loops, Copies, and Aliases Demixing MIDI Regions Working with Region Parameters Working with MIDI Note Events Using Transform Functions What You've Learned Advanced Mixing Lesson 9. Working with Mixer Channels Using the Track Mixer 4 5 Using Insert Effects Using Bus Effects Panning Stereo Tracks Switching the Contents of the Plug-in Window Changing Plug-in Locations Using Channel Strip Settings What You've Learned Lesson 10. Controlling Signal Flow Using Bus Channels as Submixes Using Aux Channels for Bus Returns Adding Tracks to the Track View Using Mixer Groups Incorporating External Effects Processors What You've Learned Lesson 11. Automating the Mix Working with Offline Automation Performing Real-Time Automation What You've Learned Advanced Topics Lesson 12. Working with Notation Creating Notation 5 6 Using Score Styles Working with Text Transcribing a Performance Working with Drum Notation Creating Scores and Parts What You've Learned Lesson 13. Scoring to Picture Setting Up Synchronization Importing Media Spotting the Movie Positioning Events on the Timeline What You've Learned Appendix. Round-Trip Production Content Creation Workflows with Apple's Professional Applications Editing Effects and Graphics Music and Audio Delivery Workgroup Collaboration Summary Glossary A B C D E F G H I K L 6 7 M N O P Q R S T V W X Z Index Copyright Copyright © 2005 by David Dvorin Published by Peachpit Press. For information on Peachpit Press books, contact: Peachpit Press 1249 Eighth Street Berkeley, CA 94710 (510) 524-2178 Fax: (510) 524-2221 http://www.peachpit.com To report errors, please send a note to [email protected]. Peachpit Press is a division of Pearson Education. Credits Series Editor: Serena Herr Managing Editor: Kristin Kalning Editor: Bob Lindstrom Production Editor: Laurie Stewart, Happenstance Type-O-Rama Technical Editor: Robert Brock Technical Reviewer: Bill Burgess Copy Editor: Elissa Rabellino Proofreader: Karen Seriguchi Compositor: Craig Woods, Happenstance Type-O-Rama Indexer: Jack Lewis Cover and Interior Design: Frances Baca Design Cover Illustration: Tolleson Design; images © Corbis Images Cover Production: George Mattingly / GMD Notice of Rights All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the 7 8 publisher. For information on getting permission for reprints and excerpts, contact [email protected]. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Video © 2005 by Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. Produced by Sea Studios Foundation for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. All rights reserved. "I Was Raised" © 2004 by Tom Langford, courtesy of Bella Vista Records from the album Places You Know. Notice of Liability The information in this book is distributed on an "As Is" basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the authors nor Peachpit Press shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the computer software and hardware products described in it. Trademarks Throughout this book trademarked names are used. Rather than put a trademark symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state we are using the names only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner with no intention of infringement of the trademark. 987654321 Printed and bound in the United States of America Dedication This book is dedicated to my parents, who helped to cultivate in me the love of music and supported my dream of becoming a composer. Acknowledgments Sincere, humble thanks to my wife Keri, son Jonah, and daughter Zinnia for enabling me to write this book. Those long hours spent working were also spent longing to be with you. I could not have accomplished this task without the wise direction and knowledge of editor Bob Lindstrom, and technical editor Robert Brock. You made my life manageable and enjoyable during this arduous process. Huge thanks to my dear friend Tom Langford for his generosity in providing the tracks from his wonderful song, "I Was Raised." Look for Tom's music released on Bella Vista Records (www.tomlangford.com). A special "Thanks, mate!" to Phil Jackson for supplying his score to the Monterey Bay Sanctuary video. Thank you to Mark Shelley, Sea Studios Foundation, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for the use of their beautiful video. Thanks to my sister Julie for supplying advice, encouragement, and a writer's perspective. Thank you, Patty Montesion, for your unfaltering confidence and respect. Thanks to the entire team at Peachpit for their constructive scrutiny. 8 9 Thanks to all my friends at Apple who helped me to grow throughout the many years of working together. Getting Started We are lucky to live during one of the most exciting periods in the music production industry. Just a few short years ago, you would need a studio filled with synthesizers, hardware effects processors, mixing consoles, and expensive multi-track tape machines to accomplish what you now can do in a small, project-based environment with a computer, an audio interface, and the right software. It's a good time to be a musician. Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Logic Pro 7 is intended to show experienced composers, arrangers, and producers how to expand and enhance their skills by working with real projects in real-world scenarios. You'll learn how to increase the efficiency of your production workflow, accelerate editing tasks, and create and manage multiple takes effectively. You'll work on refining your mixing techniques, manipulating tempo and pitch, creating notated parts and scores, and scoring for video and film. You'll discover powerful techniques for multi-track recording and explore the limitless potential of Logic's audio instruments. Whether you're tweaking a song structure, applying effects processing, or editing audio and MIDI tracks, this book will give you the insider tips that will make your time with Logic Pro 7 more productive and more creative. The Methodology This book is written for those who already have a working knowledge of Logic Pro. (Beginning or less-experienced Logic users should read Apple Pro Training Series: Logic Pro 7 and Express 7.) Composers, audio engineers, and music producers currently working with Logic Pro will have the most to gain from reading this book. The book is divided into five sections: 1. Lessons 1 and 2 lay the foundation by helping you customize your Logic workflow and I/O setup. You'll create an environment that will increase your efficiency when going through the exercises in the book, as well as on your own projects. 2. Lessons 3 through 5 are designed to teach you how make the most of your production time. You'll start by creating and organizing audio and MIDI tracks for a multitrack song project. Then you'll use Logic's pitch and tempo correction to fix problems in the recordings, and you'll create Apple Loops for integration into your arrangement. Finally, you'll discover how audio instruments bring a wealth of musical resources to your sessions. 3. In Lessons 6 through 8 you'll learn how to shape your tracks into an arrangement. With Logic's MIDI and audio editing tools you can refine the sound and structure of your composition, correcting production problems and making the most of your best takes. 4. A composition is only as good as it sounds, which makes mixing and mastering your arrangement an essential part of the creative process. Lessons 9 through 11 guide you in taking your composition to the final level, using Logic Pro's mixer, automation, and effects processing to bring the highest degree of production quality to your creative output. 5. For many projects, Logic Pro will be an all-inclusive working environment that takes a composer and producer from musical idea to final recording. But there are times when you need to get your ideas on paper or when you're using your musical skills to serve a visual image. Lesson 12 shows you how to use Logic Pro's extensive notation capabilities to create musical parts and scores. In Lesson 13 you'll 9 10 delve into Logic Pro's power as a scoring tool for film and video. This Book Stays Current: Online Updates Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Logic Pro 7 has a companion web site: www.peachpit.com/apts.adv_logic. As Logic Pro 7 is updated, please check the web site for online updates, revised lessons, errata notices, and additional information. About the Apple Pro Training Series Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Logic Pro 7 is part of the official training series for Apple Pro applications developed by experts in the field. The lessons are designed to let you learn at your own pace. You'll find that this book teaches many advanced features, including tips and techniques for using the latest version of Logic. Although each lesson provides step-by-step instructions for creating a specific project, there's room for exploration and experimentation. It is recommended that you follow the book from start to finish or at least complete the lessons in each part of the book in order. Each lesson concludes with a review section summarizing what you've covered. System Requirements Before beginning to use Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Logic Pro 7, you should have a working knowledge of your computer and its operating system. Make sure that you know how to use the mouse and standard menus and commands and also how to open, save, and close files. If you need to review these techniques, see the printed or online documentation included with your system. These are the basic system requirements for Logic 7: • Macintosh computer with PowerPC G4 or faster processor (G5 or dual G4 processors recommended) • Mac OS X 10.3 or later • 512 MB of RAM • DVD drive for software installation • Low-latency multi-I/O audio hardware and MIDI interface recommended • MIDI keyboard • 5400 rpm hard drive (7200 rpm recommended) with 4 GB of available hard-disk space Copying the Logic Lesson Files The Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Logic Pro 7 DVD-ROM includes folders containing the lesson files used in this course. Each lesson has its own folder containing the files used in the lessons. You must also have a standard installation of Logic Pro 7 on your hard disk to perform the exercises in this book. To install the Logic project files 1. 10 Advanced Setup 11 Insert the APTS_Advanced Logic 7 DVD-ROM into your DVD drive. 2. Double-click the APTS_Advanced Logic 7 DVD-ROM to view its contents. 3. Drag the Advanced Logic 7_Song Files folder from the DVD into the Music folder on your hard disk. Resources Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Logic Pro 7 is not intended as a comprehensive reference manual, nor does it replace the documentation that comes with the Logic application. For comprehensive information about program features, refer to the reference manuals. Accessed through the Logic Help menu, the Logic Pro 7 Reference Manual and Logic Pro 7 Plug-In Reference Manual contain complete descriptions of all features. Apple Pro Certification Program The Apple Pro Training and Certification Programs are designed to keep you at the forefront of Apple's digital media technology while giving you a competitive edge in today's ever-changing job market. Whether you're an editor, graphic designer, sound designer, special effects artist, or teacher, these training tools are meant to help you expand your skills. Upon completing the course material in this book, you can become an Apple Pro by taking the certification exam at an Apple Authorized Training Center. Certification is offered in Final Cut Pro HD, DVD Studio Pro 3, Shake 3.5, and Logic 7. Successful certification as an Apple Pro gives you official recognition of your knowledge of Apple's professional applications while enabling you to market yourself to employers and clients as a skilled, pro-level user of Apple products. To find an Authorized Training Center near you, go to www.apple.com/software/pro/training. For those who prefer to learn in an instructor-led setting, Apple also offers training courses at Apple Authorized Training Centers worldwide. These courses, which use the Apple Pro Training Series books as their curriculum, are taught by Apple Certified Trainers and balance concepts and lectures with hands-on labs and exercises. Apple Authorized Training Centers for Pro products have been carefully selected and have met Apple's highest standards in all areas, including facilities, instructors, course delivery, and infrastructure. The goal of the program is to offer Apple customers, from beginners to the most seasoned professionals, the highest-quality training. Advanced Setup Lesson 1. Speeding Up Workflow Lesson 2. Managing Your I/O Setup Advanced Setup 11 12 Advanced Setup Lesson 1. Speeding Up Workflow Lesson Files None (You will use the installed templates.) Media None Time This lesson takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Goals Use and access song templates Customize existing screensets to session needs Learn the advantages and disadvantages of locking versus unlocking screensets Assign key commands to speed up workflow Access Logic's tools quickly and efficiently In this chapter you will learn techniques that can make your Logic sessions more efficient and provide a speedier workflow. Spending a little time up front in preparation saves considerable production time when you are knee-deep in a project. After all, the quicker you can get your ideas into Logic, the more time you can spend on creating and producing music and audio! Using Song Templates Logic is a versatile application that can be configured in many ways. Sometimes you will want to see data, tracks, and windows displayed according to the type of project you are working on. For example, songwriting calls for a vastly different work process than, let's say, stereo mastering a CD. To aid in this Logic allows for the creation and usage of multiple song templates, which can be used as the basis for a project. Having a catalog of blank song templates, tailored to a specific workflow, will let you get to work more quickly and easily. Let's bring up one of the many premade templates that come with Logic Pro 7. Start by closing any open songs that might have come up when launching Logic. 1. Choose File > New. The New dialog appears. 2. Check the "Use song template" box. 12 Advanced Setup Advanced Setup 13 3. Uncheck the "Create project folder" box if it is checked. 4. Click in the Template pop-up menu and choose Shared > Powerbook 15" > Stereo Mastering. NOTE If you are running Logic on a 20-inch or larger Apple Cinema Display, choose Shared > Cinema Display 20" > Stereo Mastering for the equivalent file, maximized for your screen resolution. The included temp lates that install with Logic Pro only come in 15" and 20" sizes and are configured for full screen resolution. If you are using a smaller screen resolution or screen size, such as a 12" Powerbook, the larger screensets will adapt to some extent, filling the available space. 5. Click OK to load the template. The file opens, with the Arrange window containing two audio tracks, one Stereo Sum track, and a No Output track. [View full size image] Advanced Setup 13 14 Advanced Setup 6. Select the Out 1-2 Stereo Sum track, and take a look at the Channel Strip located at the far left of the window. The first four slots of the inserts are filled with mastering plug-ins. When using the Stereo Mastering template, the essentials are already set up for you; the song contains limited tracks for editing stereo files, and extensive mastering plug-ins pre-instantiated (instances of the plug-ins loaded) on the output fader. Let's load another useful template that we will be using for the following exercises. 7. Using the Template menu in the New dialog, choose the Basic Production template. A dialog appears, asking if you'd like to close the current song. 8. Click Close. The song file opens, displaying the Arrange window. [View full size image] 14 Advanced Setup Advanced Setup 15 Customizing the Interface Screensets enable the user to assign window combinations (including all zoom settings and view options) to a number key on the computer's keyboard for fast and easy recall. Let's customize some of the existing screensets from this template. Screenset 1's focus is clearly the Arrange window, with an elongated horizontal Transport window at the bottom of the screen. Especially with larger productions it is advantageous to have as much space as possible in which to view the musical data. Let's set up this screenset for maximum viewable space in the Arrange window, while making sure that you're still able to access important information. 1. Close the Transport window. 2. In the Arrange window's local menu, choose View > Transport. Arrange window's local menu A Transport window appears in the top left corner of the Arrange window. [View full size image] Advanced Setup 15 16 Advanced Setup As you probably have noticed, you are seeing just part of the information that the Transport window offers. 3. Position your pointer over the corner where the Bar Ruler meets the Track List. The pointer will change to a crosshair. 4. Resize the area where the Transport window is situated by dragging down. Do this until you can view the tempo, time signature, and division. 5. Click the resize button to expand the Arrange window. You've gained a little bit more space by having the Transport information displayed in the Arrange window instead of at the bottom of the screen. 16 Advanced Setup Advanced Setup 17 Look closely at the Track List and you will notice that the audio tracks are slightly taller than the audio instrument tracks. Since Logic lets you adjust the height of each track individually, the audio tracks were resized manually for this screenset. This works well for a global view of the arrangement, but let's further refine the screenset to display a larger picture of selected tracks for easier editing. 6. Ctrl-click the bottom left corner of the first audio track. All of the audio tracks shrink in height to match the audio instrument tracks. This technique works well as a fast way to return tracks to their default height. 7. Verify that Audio 1 track is selected. 8. Chooe View > Auto Track Zoom. The track will increase in size automatically. 9. Click the bottom left corner of the Audio 1 track (the cursor will turn into a hand with apointing finger) and drag down to increase the track size. Drag just far enough for the track icon to appear below the track name. 10. Use the vertical Zoom control to zoom in (the slider moves downward) just enough to display all tracks without having to use the scroll bars. The Track List now displays the selected track in a larger size. [View full size image] Advanced Setup 17 18 Advanced Setup Try clicking various tracks, and you'll see them expand, depending on the track that is selected. You're almost done with your screenset face-lift. Let's push the envelope a little more to eke out a bit more space, this time on the horizontal side. 11. Position the pointer in the space between the Parameter box and the Track List. The pointer turns into a horizontal resize tool. 12. Click-drag the pointer to the left to shrink the Region Parameter box, toolbox, Object Parameter box, and channel strip, while gaining space in the region area. The screenset now displays the maximum amount of space in the main editing area. [View full size image] Unlocking vs. Locking Screensets If you leave things as they are right now, your screenset will be open to any changes that you further implement, and it will always reflect the last state in which we leave it. In Logic terms, the screenset is unlocked and can be continuously altered. This state has distinct advantages, as you can always make little tweaks that are beneficial for each part of the production (increasing or decreasing zoom levels, for example), updating the screenset as you go along. 18 Advanced Setup Advanced Setup 19 Having a screenset unlocked is especially valuable in the editing stage. Often you are bouncing back and forth between different editors and making adjustments to focus in on specific parts of the song. It is helpful, then, to return to a screenset that's in the state in which you left it when you want to continue work on that specific area. However, this takes some getting used to, and inadvertent alterations can occur. If you are satisfied with a given configuration of a screenset, it is a good idea to lock it, protecting it from further changes until you unlock it again. Let's try an exercise that will help you get a feel for using unlocked and locked screensets. 1. Select the Pencil tool in the toolbox. 2. On the Inst 1 track, click the grid line at measure 9 to create a blank region. NOTE The region automatically zooms vertically (slightly) by virtue of the Auto Track Zoom function we enabled previously. 3. Hold down the Control key while rubber-band selecting around the Inst 1 Region you just created. The region will zoom in to a fairly high degree. 4. Activate Screenset 2, then Screenset 1 again. Notice how recalling Screenset 1 brings back the zoomed state as you left it. Now let's do the same thing again, this time with the screenset locked. 5. Ctrl-click in the background of the Arrange window to return to the previous zoom state. The Arrange window appears as it was when we started this exercise. 6. Choose Windows > Screensets > Lock Screenset. NOTE Note that a small black dot appears next to the screenset number. This dot represents a locked screenset. Advanced Setup 19 20 Advanced Setup 7. Hold down the Control key while rubber-band selecting around the Inst 1 region in the same way as you did previously. 8. Activate Screenset 2, then Screenset 1 again. This time when you return to Screenset 1, the region is displayed exactly as when you locked the screenset. No matter what edits are done with the screenset (in this case zooming in), it will return back to a normalized state, almost like a template in and unto itself. 9. Delete the region you created by selecting it and pressing the Delete key. Using Key Commands As you become increasingly familiar with Logic's feature set, you'll start to notice that you perform some tasks more often than others. By assigning a command to a specific key on the computer's keyboard, we can execute these functions without having to reach for the mouse and navigate a hierarchical menu. These key command assignments are written to the Logic preferences file, and are accessible to all songs. This differs from the screensets you created in the last exercise, which are saved within the song file itself. Logic's Key Commands window is a powerful mapping tool that lets you assign a key (or combination of keys) to nearly every menu item that Logic offers, and even to some special functions that can be accessed only via a key command. If you've been working with Logic for some time, most likely you are using default key commands and have even assigned custom commands of your own. Since there are major changes to the Key Commands interface in Logic Pro 7, let's review the basic procedure for assignment and follow up with some further techniques on how to maximize the potential of this powerful feature. NOTE If at one time you ran the Logic Setup Assistant, it is possible that you installed one of the optional Key Command lists. If this is true some of the commands we will be dealing with in the following exercises already will have been assigned. You may have created some assignments on your own as well. In this case make sure to follow along with the new assignments indicated in the steps, as we will refer to these assignments in the lessons that follow. Remember, you can always change the key commands back at a later date. Viewing Key Assignments 20 Advanced Setup