Logic Key Commands

Logic Key Commands

One of the beautiful aspects of Apple's operating system is the use of key commands. The Command + O key will open a documnent or file in just about every Mac app - learn one, you have learned them all. Infact I often experiment with the shift, control and command keys to see what I can alter when playing with an application.

The Key to Logic

Unless you are fortunate enough to have a dedicated tactile user interface, you will probably have to make do with your mouse, keyboard, trackpad or set up a midi keyboard to control your Logic session. Using a mouse is often very inuitive, but it is slow, and to really make the most of your recording session, learning Logic's Key Commands is a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

Open Key Commands

Option-k will open Logic's Key Commands window, which shows you which key shortcuts are assigned to your system. Here you can freely assign key combinations to most of Logic's functions. I would suggest that you do not assign any functions to Mac OSX default commands such as Save, Quit or Undo, but other than that and key combinations assigned to options in the main menu bar, you can freely assign new commands if you wish. If you do customise the default commands, make sure that you backup your preferences to cd, so that you can use these settings on another computer.

Useful Key Commands

Here are some of my favourite key commands:

• Command - Key
• Record - *
• Play - Enter
• Pause - .
• Stop - 0
• Play or Stop - Space Bar
• Rewind - [
• Forward - ]
• Cycle Mode - /
• Solo - S
• Metronone - C
• Zoom Window Horizontal Out - Control-Left Arrow
• Zoom Window Horizontal In - Control-Right Arrow
• Zoom Window Vertical Out - Control-Up Arrow
• Zoom Window Vertical In - Control-Down Arrow
• Open Arrange Window - Command-1
• Open Track Mixer - Command-2
• Open Score Editor - Command-3
• Transform - Command-4
• Open Hyper Editor - Command-5
• Open Matrix Editor - Command-6
• Open Transport - Command-7
• Open Environment - Command-8
• Open Audio Window - Command-9

Master Keys

Learning these key combinations will greatly enhance your use of Logic, and you can use the Options > Copy Key Commands to Clipboard function to paste your commands into a word processor so that you can print your own list, send them to friends or decorate your room with them. Ok, they are not the most exciting function of Logic, but mastering them will allow you to concentrate on the music, which for many of us, will always be the reason we boot up logic in the first place.

Introduction to Logic (and me)

Having just invested in Apple Logic Pro, I thought I would share my experiences in learning Apple's flagship professional audio application. Logic may be something you are considering or maybe you have just bought it. Logic Pro is packed to the hilt with an armoury of creative tools but the considerably more affordable Logic Express packs 90 percent of these tools anyway, so I hope Logic Express users will be able to laugh at my learning curve too.

About Me

I have been using computers to make music since the days of the Atari 1040 STE. I used Cubase for many years before moving to the Mac platform. My first Mac was the first of the Apple PowerMacs, the 8100 80MHZ. I had a copy of Cubase Audio, Digidesign Sound Designer II and a Digidesign AudioMedia 2 digital interface. My songs have been performed by Paul Weller, Porky and the Pigs and God's Little Acre. I have produced radio jingles, mastered audio CD's, chopped up audio into fine slices, been on the Chart Show, Sky TV, had a Top 20 UK hit which was dubbed the 5th worst dance record of all time! lol I have worked with some fine artists along the way: Neil Samuels, Dubaholics, M Dubs, Dexter Rico, Onyx Stone and more recently with Paul Brazier.

Comfortable with GarageBand

I am pretty comfortable with GarageBand. There are certain limitations to the program but ease of use is not one of them. This is a supercharged uber-portastudio and my musical creativity is only hampered by work and family lol.

Next Time: First Steps in Logic Pro