Audio Production Basics with Logic Pro X

✍ Scribed by Harry Gold, Ryan Rey

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Year: 2020
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 304
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Learn the basics of recording, editing, and mixing using Logic Pro X, a favorite audio platform of musicians everywhere. Filled with tips and insights, Audio Production Basics with Logic Pro X will guide you every step of the way. With this book and the included media files, you’ll get practical, hands-on experience. We cover everything from setting up your computer to the fundamentals of audio production, including:

• Basic Digital Audio Workstation operations and audio hardware options
• Principles of sound production and microphone use
• Essential Logic concepts and operations
• MIDI fundamentals for playing and performing with virtual instruments
• Multi-track recording and signal processing techniques
• Mixing your project and using automation
• Outputting your final mixdown

Logic Pro X software is very powerful and easy to use once you know the basics. Take the first step now, with Audio Production Basics with Logic Pro X.

✦ Table of Contents

Audio Production Basicswith Logic Pro X
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction. Welcome to the World of Audio
Getting Started in Audio Production
Who Should Read This Book
About This Book
Requirements and Prerequisites
Media Files
Course Organization and Sequence
Conventions and Symbols Used in This Book
Keyboard Shortcuts and Modifiers
Icons
Chapter 1. Computer Concepts
Selecting a Computer
Mac Versus Windows Considerations
The Importance of RAM
Processing Power
Storage Space
Storage Options
Onboard Sound Options (Audio In and Out)
Other Options to Consider
Working with Your Computer
File Management
Launching Applications
Saving Files
Working with an Application
Menus
Keyboard Shortcuts
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 1. Exploring Audio on the Computer
Chapter 2. DAW Concepts
Functions of a DAW
What Can a DAW Do?
Common DAWs
Plug-In Formats
What Is a Plug-In?
Common Plug-In Formats
Logic Pro X System
Logic Pro X Software Capabilities
Logic Pro X Software Options
Logic Pro X Hardware Options
Downloading and Installing Logic Pro X
System Requirements for Logic Pro X
Installation Steps
Launching Logic Pro X for the First Time
Downloadable Content
Important Preference Settings
Project Settings
Important Concepts in Logic Pro X
Project Files Versus Audio Files
Audio Versus MIDI
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 2. Setting Up a Multi-Track Project
Chapter 3. Audio Recording Concepts
The Basics of Audio
Frequency
Amplitude
Microphones
Traditional Microphones
USB Microphones
Other Considerations
Basic Miking Techniques
Multi-Tracking and Signal Flow
What Is Multi-Track Recording?
Recording Signal Flow
Moving Audio from Analog to Digital
Analog Versus Digital Audio
The Analog-to-Digital Conversion Process
The Audio Interface
Audio Interface Considerations
Working Without an Audio Interface
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 3. Selecting Your Audio Production Gear
Chapter 4. MIDI Recording Concepts
A Brief History of MIDI
Digital Control
The Birth of MIDI
The MIDI Protocol
MIDI Notes
Program Changes
Controller Messages
MIDI Controllers
Tone-Generating Keyboards
Keyboard Controllers
Drumpad Controllers
Grid Controllers
Alternate Controllers
What to Look for in a MIDI Controller
Purchasing a Keyboard Controller
Setup and Signal Flow
Plug-and-Play Setup
MIDI Cables and Jacks
Using a MIDI Interface
Considerations for Using Multiple MIDI Devices
MIDI Versus Audio
What Is MIDI?
Monitoring with Onboard Sound Versus Virtual Instruments
Tracking with Virtual Instruments
Creating Tracks for Virtual Instruments
Summary
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 4. Selecting Your MIDI Production Gear
Chapter 5. Logic Pro Concepts, Part 1
Creating a Project
Selecting a Track Type
Enabling Advanced Tools
Main Window
The Control Bar
Tracks Area Menu Bar
Rulers
Mixer Display and Window
Working with Tracks
Adding Tracks
Mono Versus Stereo Tracks
External MIDI Versus Software Instrument Tracks
Regions Versus Files
Selecting Tools
Basic Navigation
Using the Transport Controls
Zooming and Scrolling in the Main Window
Controlling Playback Behavior
Monitoring Your Playhead Location
Selections
Selection Scenarios
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 5. Configuring and Working on a Project
Chapter 6. Logic Pro X Concepts, Part 2
Setting Up for Recording
Recording Audio
Making a Record Selection
Record Enabling Audio Tracks
Monitoring Record Enabled Audio Tracks
Initiating a Record Take
Stopping a Record Take
Recording Additional Takes
Recording MIDI
Monitoring a MIDI Controller
Record Enabling Software Instrument Tracks
Overlap Recording on Software Instrument Tracks
Importing Audio and MIDI
Supported Audio Files
Importing from the Desktop
Importing from Media Browser and All Files Browser
Using the Import Command
Using Apple Loops
Working in the Tracks Area
Snap to Grid
Setting the Snap Value
Working with Regions and Selections
Selecting a Tool for Editing
Basic Editing Techniques
Advanced Editing Techniques
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 6. Importing and Editing Regions
Chapter 7. Mixing Concepts
Basic Mixing
Setting Levels
Panning
Staying Organized
Processing Options and Techniques
Gain-Based Processing
Time-Based Processing and Effects
Insert Effects Versus Send Effects
Processing with External Gear
Mixing in the Box
Advantages of In-the-Box Mixing
Getting the Most Out of an In-the-Box Mix
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 7. Creating a Basic Mix
Chapter 8. Signal Processing
Plug-In Basics
Inserting Plug-Ins on Tracks
Moving and Duplicating Plug-Ins
Displaying Plug-In Windows
Common Plug-In Controls
Adjusting Plug-In Parameters
Adjusting Plug-In Parameters with the Mouse
Adjusting Plug-In Parameters with the Computer Keyboard
EQ Processing
Types of EQ
Basic EQ Parameters
EQ Plug-Ins in Logic Pro X
Strategies for Using EQ
Dynamics Processing
Types of Dynamics Processors
Basic Dynamics Parameters
Dynamics Plug-Ins in Logic Pro X
Strategies for Using Compression
Strategies for Using a De-Esser
Reverb and Delay Effects
What Is Reverb?
Reverb in Logic Pro X
Applications for Reverb Processors
What Is Delay?
Delay in Logic Pro X
Applications for Delay Processors
Wet Versus Dry Signals
Using Time-Based Effects as Plug-in Inserts
Using Send-and-Return Configurations
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 8. Optimizing Tracks with Signal Processing
Chapter 9. Finishing a Project
Recalling a Saved Mix
Using Automation
Selecting an Automation Mode
Writing Real-Time Automation
Viewing Automation Curves
Editing Automation Points
Creating a Mixdown
Adding Processing on the Stereo Output
Considerations for Bouncing Audio
Creating a Bounce of an Audio Mix
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 9. Preparing the Final Mix
Chapter 10. Beyond the Basics
Flex Time and Pitch
Enabling Flex
Flex Time
Flex Pitch
MIDI Editing Techniques
Viewing MIDI Regions and Data
Editing MIDI Data
Working with Velocity
Software Instrument Region Inspector
Quantization in the Piano Roll Editor
Submixing with Track Stacks
Simplifying a Mix
Using Track Stacks to Submix
Creating Stems
Keyboard Shortcuts
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 10. Finalizing a Project
Index
About the Authors