Logic Notes

 

  The Logic Pro 8

  Project Template

 

 

Q: What is a Logic Project Template?

A: A Project Template is a Logic 8 file which provides a default starting point for your music projects. The Logic Notes downloadable template contains customized window layouts and zoom levels, track colors, a pre-configured GM QuickTime Synth as well as a hidden automation setting, among other things.

  

Q: Is the Logic 7 Song Template compatible with Logic 8?

A: Logic 7 Song Templates can be opened in Logic 8. However, due to the new consolidated Arrange window in Logic 8 (which greatly simplified window layouts), many Screensets may not display the various windows correctly but would otherwise, still be largely functional.

On the other hand, Logic 8 templates are not backward-compatible (i.e. cannot be opened) with the older Logic 7.
 

 

Q: What are Screensets?

A: Screensets are customized screen layouts of Logic windows that can be stored and recalled just by pressing a number on the computer keyboard. The Logic Notes Project Template contains 9 Screensets which have been adapted and updated for Logic Pro 8 on the 15” MacBook Pro (1440x900 pixel screen resolution):

Screenset 1: Arrange
A general-purpose Arrange window whereby all the consolidated features can be opened for use at the click of a button.
  

This Project Template has also been assigned various track colors, which are in contrast to the dull green regions in Logic's default templates. Simply click on the New Track and New Track With Duplicate Setting buttons to add more "colored" tracks (up to 24 Audio, 16 Software Instrument and 16 External MIDI track colors).

Screenset 2: MIDI Editing
Designed to show the interrelationships between the separate Event List, Score Editor and Piano Roll Editor when editing MIDI notes.

  

Screenset 3: Consolidated Score
Takes advantage of the consolidated features of the main Arrange window to display the integrated Score Editor and Event List.

Screenset 4: Consolidated Piano Roll
Similar to the previous screenset in which the Piano Roll Editor and Event List are incorporated into the main Arrange window.

Screenset 5: Large Score
Utilizes a separate Score Editor window for large, music notation displays.

Screenset 6: Large Piano Roll
Similar to the previous screenset but using a large, separate Piano Roll Editor window instead for graphical editing of MIDI notes.

Screenset 7: Mixer
A consolidated Arrange window incorporating a Mixer.

  

In addition to mixing, Screenset 7 also provides an easy method for inserting channel headers into External MIDI tracks. Simply pause-record at the start of the sequence and click on the desired mixer controls such as Program, Volume, Pan and Reverb.

However, the MIDI Automation Mode required to capture these mixer settings has been removed in Logic 8 and is not available anymore. Fortunately, this Project Template is able to exploit a Logic 8 loophole whereby the previously selected MIDI Automation Mode from Logic 7 still works, although it is now displayed as a question mark instead. And of course, the MIDI Automation Mode can also be used for recording real-time (i.e. live) mixer changes directly into MIDI Regions.

Screenset 8. Global Tracks
Displays the main Arrange window with all Global Tracks enabled.

Screenset 9. Audio Mixer Environment
Displays the Audio Mixer layer in the Environment window.
 

 

Q: What is the Logic preferences file used for?

A: This preferences file stores Logic's program preference settings such as its audio, display and Key Command (i.e. shortcut) settings. The Key Command list includes a "shorter" keyboard shortcut for Close Project as well as several new shortcuts, e.g. Play From Beginning, Select Overlapped Regions (to check for overlaps) and Align Object Positions Vertically (to align chords symbols in the Score Editor, especially useful for MT010 Assignment 2).
 

 

Q: There are 2 files available for download. Where should I place them after downloading?

A: The Logic template is named Autoload.logic and must be located inside a Project Templates folder while the preferences file is named com.apple.logic.pro.plist.

Just unzip the template download and drag & drop the Project Templates folder (containing the Logic 8 template) into the following location:

Users/your user account/Library/Application Support/Logic
 

Meanwhile, the Logic preferences file should be dropped into a DIFFERENT folder (replace the existing file):

Users/your user account/Library/Preferences

 

The downloaded Project Template will then be available for selection when a new file is opened (File>New) - just click on My Templates folder, and select the Autoload template.

As this is version 1.0 of the Logic Pro 8 template and preferences, updates would be expected as improvements to the layouts and settings are made, based on user feedback. And to the new users, welcome to Logic 8!
 

 

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