Harnessing MIDI Controllers is an essential tool to exploit the expressive potential of both software and hardware instruments. In the following workshop, Mark Cousins takes back control….

During our last two workshops — exploring Studio Strings and Studio Horns — we saw just how important MIDI CC continuous controller messages are in fully extracting the expressive range of many software instruments. The exact effect of the modulation wheel will depend on how the instrument has been configured, but the process of recording, editing and manipulating MIDI CC data is important to your work inside Logic Pro X.

Other controllers exist, although their effect will always depend on the software instrument that receives them. Here, the use of parallel track is useful as a means of distinguishing between note data and MIDI CC messages, allowing you to keep the two forms of information separate from one another.

Another really useful editor is the Event List that will display all forms of MIDI information in a text-based format. The text-based approach makes it really easy to filter different event types or simply use it to reassign MIDI CC messages. The main purpose of the workshop is to explore how MIDI Draw has been replaced by region-based automation.

Before version Conventional automation data is, of course, not attached to region. You can edit and reposition a vocal, for example, without its automation moves being moved with it. Region-based automation looks and functions like track-based automation, with a series of nodes to display the varying MIDI CC levels. Like automation, you can draw new nodes in, change curves between two node points, or even scale the nodes up and down across the whole track all of which is covered in the walkthrough.

Likewise, any synth produced after will undoubtedly respond to CC messages, which provides a level of backwards compatibility that most could only dream of! Our Logic Project uses a simple Retro Synth patch. In this case, copying the same CC moves onto the synth Bass on Track 2. This is certainly a good option when it comes to arranging the track. To do this, start by filtering out note data using the button at the top of the Event List. You could, for example, record using a Mod Wheel but change the type to Expression 11 or Cutoff Logic pro x 2 midi keyboards free download get a better view of the recorded data, or edit elements of it, try opening the Piano Roll editor.

For precision work, the ability to draw the nodes in without having to enter the Piano Roll is a godsend! The result is a more musical transition. Another useful feature is the ability to scale the automation data using the box on the right-hand side of the track header.

Clicking on the small arrow on left-hand side of the track lane will create a parallel track which can be assigned to different MIDI CC parameter. The Mix menu contains automation options, which double-up on MIDI CC messages, most notably the Delete Automation menu item, which is useful as a reset option or a means of paring back to the note data.

Get the latest news, reviews and tutorials to your inbox. Apple Logic Pro Controllers. In the following workshop, Mark Cousins takes back control… During our last two workshops — exploring Studio Strings and Studio Horns — we saw just how important MIDI CC continuous controller messages logic pro x 2 midi keyboards free download in fully extracting logic pro x 2 midi keyboards free download expressive range of many software instruments.