Logic Pro X Tutorial: Arranging in Logic Pro X – Part Two
In this step by step guide we continue our look at basic arranging using Apple’s versatile Logic Pro X… Step by Step – Basic Arranging in Logic Pro X Continued 7: Now it’s time to introduce some Markers to your Logic Pro X arrangement. For simplicity’s sake, we are going to make them match our […]
In this step by step guide we continue our look at basic arranging using Apple’s versatile Logic Pro X…
Step by Step – Basic Arranging in Logic Pro X Continued
7: Now it’s time to introduce some Markers to your Logic Pro X arrangement. For simplicity’s sake, we are going to make them match our song sections in name and length. Press the + icon on the Marker track.
8: Open up the List Editor (icon to right of Metronome) and click the Marker tab listing the Markers you’re creating. You can define the length, which we’ve set at eight bars for each of the eight sections.
9: Name your Markers. Again, for simplicity’s sake, we’re just naming them after the song sections. A shortcut is to simply use the Marker drop-down and ‘Create from Arrangement Markers’ as shown.
10: Now start selecting how you want each part to sound. We’ve thinned the Intro down to just the bass and beats in ours, for example. We’ve also got the Chorus padded out with everything.
11: Once you have defined what parts play in each of your Marker sections like this, you can audition each part by hitting the Option key while playing and then click the Marker as shown.
12: Now to build an arrangement up from your sections, simply click and drag the Arrangement section at the top and everything below will go with it. You can also copy sections like this.
Variation and Automation in Logic Pro X
1: Our track has repeated beats all the way through by way of a sampled drum loop. We can add our first change by highlighting a beat, in this case the snare, and cutting it using the scissors tool.
2: Either copy and paste it (Cntrl>C, Cntrl>V) on to a newly created snare track (Cmnd>D) or Option>Click>Drag to copy it to the new track. You can now move it around.
3: Move the new snare to a different point in the loop and even copy other beats. We’ve copied the kick so that this loop now opens with two kicks. It’s an easy way to add variation to existing loops.
4: Now it’s time to use basic automation to add variation. Click A to Show Automation on the Sampled Rock Beats track. Clicking on the Volume icon shows parameters that can be edited here.
5: Click Shift>Cntrl>Cmnd>1 or use the drop-down Mix menu to see a line that represents the parameter selected (volume). Recording fader (volume) movements will change this, or simply click and drag it.
6: Click the first part and drag to zero and a second part to the top. Now the drums fade in automatically. Use this on many parameters within each track to add variation throughout a mix.
This tutorial is endorsed by Point Blank. With courses in London, online and now in LA, Point Blank is the Global Music School. You can study sound to picture on their Music Production Diploma courses, with pro industry tutors.
Get the latest news, reviews and tutorials to your inbox.
Subscribe