Glossary
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A common surround sound format, typically comprising five full-frequency speakers that are fed by five independent channels, plus one dedicated low-frequency subwoofer.
A
MIDI data type generated by pressure on keys after they have been struck. Aftertouch is also known as pressure.
Audio Interchange File Format. A cross-platform file format supported by a large number of digital video and audio editing applications. AIFF audio can use a variety of bit depths, but the two most common are 16 bit and 24 bit.
A pointer in the Arrange area that mirrors a MIDI region someplace else. You cannot edit an alias, only a real region, but any change to the region will be reflected in the alias. To create an alias, Shift-Option-drag the original MIDI region to a new location.
A temporal reference point, or the point that Logic Pro uses to snap a region to the Arrange area’s time grid. In the Audio Bin and Sample Editor, the anchor is represented by a small triangle under the starting point of a region.
An audio file format in which recurring rhythmic musical elements or elements suitable for repetition are recorded. Apple Loops have tags that allow Logic to perform time stretching and pitch shifting. These tags also allow you to quickly locate files by instrument, genre, or mood in the Loop Browser.
Enabling a track to be recorded.
The primary working space of the application, where audio and MIDI regions are edited and moved to create a project.
The primary window of the application. It shows the Arrange area (see previous entry) and can incorporate all other working areas and editors.
A window, or a tab in the Media area, used to add audio files from your hard disk to your project. You can use the Audio Bin to rename audio files and regions, to optimize files, and to change your project’s sampling rate.
A channel used for the playback and recording of audio regions, audio inputs, and other audio signals.
Any digital audio recording stored on your hard disk. The default storage format for audio files in Logic Pro is AIFF, but you can store audio files in the CAF, Sound Designer II and WAV formats as well.
A device that converts sound between the digital and analog domains.
An area of an audio file registered in the Audio Bin for use in the project. It can be placed on audio tracks in the Arrange area, just as a MIDI region can be placed on MIDI tracks. Audio regions are pointers to portions of audio files. You can use all of Logic Pro’s tools to edit audio regions. Editing is nondestructive to the original audio file. See also region and MIDI region.
A track in the Arrange area used for the playback, recording, and editing of audio regions.
The ability to record, edit, and play back the movements of all knobs and switches, including volume faders and pan, EQ, and aux send controls.
A Logic Pro feature that assigns a slider or knob on your hardware MIDI controller keyboard to modify track automation data.
Short for auxiliary channel. Aux channels can be used as sends, returns, sub-group controls, and additional destination channels for multi-channel (software multi output) instrument channels.
B
A measure of music, containing a specified number of beats, that establishes the rhythmic structure of the composition.
The timeline that runs the length of the project, divided into bars, beats, and even finer divisions. It contains the playhead, the cycle and autodrop locators, and markers. It is found at the top of the Arrange area, Piano Roll Editor, Hyper Editor, and Score Editor.
One of Logic’s global tracks; it lets you graphically tie events to particular bars and beats.
A representation of the dynamic accuracy of a recording.
To combine several tracks of audio into one file.
An audio file format that includes time code information.
To temporarily deactivate a plug-in.
C
A small MIDI controller on your screen, activated by pressing the Caps Lock key on your computer keyboard.
A window function that enables you to see the positions of recorded events in a project as it plays. The Catch button shows a man running.
Short for Compact Disc–Audio; the current standard for stereo music CDs is a 44.1 kHz sampling rate and a 16-bit depth.
A path used to transport a signal.
A virtual representation of a channel strip on a mixing console. Each channel strip contains a number of controls, such as Solo and Mute buttons, a volume fader, a pan/balance knob, Input and Output slots, Send slots, and Insert slots.
In Logic, the routing of a channel strip, including all inserted effects or instruments (plus their settings). These settings can be saved and recalled.
To feed too much signal through a channel, producing a distorted sound. Audio channel strips have a clip detector.
To compile a complete track from several raw performances.
continuous controller number (cc#)
The number assigned by the MIDI specification regarding audio events or software functions such as volume, modulation, or sustain.
The standardized audio driver for a computer running Mac OS X 10.2 or higher. Allows the connection of all audio interfaces that are Core Audio compatible.
The standardized MIDI driver for a computer running Mac OS X 10.2 or higher. Allows the connection of all MIDI devices that are Core MIDI compatible.
One of the tools in the Arrange area Tool menu. The tool creates a cross-fade when you drag across a section where two audio regions meet. You can also drag the tool over the beginning or end of a region to create a fade-in or fade-out, respectively.
To bring the volume of one audio file up while simultaneously lowering the volume of another file in a smooth transition.
A mode in Logic Pro in which you can repeat a section of a project. To turn on Cycle mode, click the Cycle button in the Transport bar or click the top part of the Bar rule (on the gray locators stripe). Two locators define a cycle region.
D
Short for decibels, a measurement that relates the relative change in the volume of audio. Audio channel strips have level meters that display playback or input monitor levels in decibels.
A process that divides a MIDI region into components based on specific criteria.
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
A computer that records, mixes, and produces audio files.
A suite of digital signal processors in the Sample Editor. It can time compress or time stretch an audio region, change its pitch, add groove or swing to a machinelike audio loop, or alter its sampling rate. The Digital Factory functions are destructive, permanently changing the source audio file.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
In Logic Pro, the mathematical process of manipulating digital information to modify sound. The Insert slot of a channel strip, for example, assigns DSP effects such as dynamic range compression and delay to a channel’s sound.
The process of reducing an audio signal from a higher-bit resolution to a lower one.
A software program that allows your computer to communicate with another piece of hardware.
Short for DVD-Audio. High-fidelity audio content on a DVD, ranging from single-channel mono to 5.1-channel surround sound, at various sampling frequencies and sample rates.
E
A list of edits and timing references for a video or film sequence.
In Logic Pro, one of a multitude of editors to help you compose music. All of them alter the raw input in some way. The primary MIDI editors are the Hyper Editor, the Event List, and the Piano Roll and Score Editors. You can edit audio regions in the Arrange area, Audio Bin, and Sample Editor.
A window in Logic that contains objects representing your audio channels and MIDI devices. Within the Environment you can also create objects to process the data of MIDI and software instruments in real time by creating complex signal routings and transformations.
A place to organize the objects in the Environment for easy access. As a general rule, objects of the same type are placed on the same layer.
A tool for deleting items. When you click a selected item, all other currently selected items are also deleted.
A MIDI message. The main events in Logic Pro are note, control-change, pitch bend, aftertouch, and SysEx events. MIDI events can be edited in a number of ways.
A list of events and regions that gives you access to all recorded event data. Thus, you can directly manipulate events and regions and make precise alterations.
Extensible Markup Language (XML)
A text format used to store document information. XML information can be exchanged among supporting applications.
F
Generally thought of as a volume control found on audio channels. In Logic Pro, a fader can also be an object that sends out and responds to MIDI events. In this context a fader can be a knob, slider, numerical display, or button.
A tool that looks like a hand with an extended index finger. The selection tool changes from the Pointer tool to the Finger tool to enable you to manipulate events or change window parameters. Different mouse and key commands activate the Finger tool in different windows.
A term that describes a window that’s always visible on your desktop. You can open a window as a floating window by holding down the Option key while selecting from the Window menu.
A container in Logic Pro’s Arrange area for MIDI regions, audio regions, or other folders.
Natural resonance in a sound source.
A function that freezes a track and its plug-ins into a file and then plays back the frozen file instead of the original one, saving your computer’s processing power.
G
A specification designed to ensure compatibility between MIDI devices. A musical sequence generated by a GM instrument should play correctly on any other GM synthesizer or sound module.
A track that contains markers used to label bar positions and parts of a project.
A track that contains the basic key of a project, along with all time and key signatures, as they are displayed in the Score Editor.
A track in which you can view and edit all the tempo changes of a project. The track displays tempo changes as nodes.
A track showing global transposition events, which affect the playback of all Apple Loops and MIDI regions.
A track displaying frames of a QuickTime movie as “thumbnails” that are perfectly synchronized with the music, making it ideal for film scoring. Cuts in the movie can be automatically detected and marked.
A dedicated tool for merging regions or events.
Vertical lines used to map the positions of measures, beats, and sub-beats in various editors.
Multiple channel strips that have some of their properties linked.
An action that temporarily defeats the group linking of channel strips, letting you perform adjustments to individual channels.
H
A tool that appears when you click and hold an event or region with the Pointer tool. It is used to move regions or events in the editors.
Refers to how many decibels are available before clipping, or distortion, occurs.
A small text window that appears when the mouse cursor is placed over an interface element, indicating its name or value.
A function that lets you create and edit automation data in the Arrange area by graphically inserting a set of points or nodes, which are automatically connected. Using Hyper Draw, you can also make volume and panning changes in the Piano Roll and Score Editors.
One of Logic Pro’s four editors for MIDI data. It is used mainly for creating and editing drum sequences and control-change data.
A layer in the Hyper Editor containing a user-defined collection of MIDI events.
I
A special audio recording of a real acoustic space that the Space Designer plug-in uses to apply reverb by means of a real-time process.
Preventing MIDI information such as pitch bend or after-touch events from reaching a track. The Input Filter tab is in the MIDI Project Settings window.
A way to determine which signal to listen to on record-enabled tracks. You can use the Auto Input Monitoring function to hear a track even when Logic Pro is not recording.
A slot on Logic Pro channel strips where you can insert an effect plug-in.
The pane at the left edge of the Arrange area and editors; it contains the Parameter boxes and Arrange channel strips of the selected track.
A channel strip that allows you to use and control software instruments in Logic Pro.
How big a bite a computer tries to chew at one time when working with audio. The larger the buffer, the more recorded channels of audio can be played at the same time. Larger buffers make your system react more slowly when recording, however. The buffer size is set in the Audio Hardware & Drivers preferences.
K
An instruction to Logic Pro that triggers an action, done by pressing a key or a combination of keys. All of Logic Pro’s main functions can be activated by key commands.
The active state of a window or editing area that enables it to receive keyboard input.
L
The delay between, say, playing your keyboard and hearing the sound. One factor contributing to latency is the I/O buffer size.
LFE (low frequency effects) channel
The audio channel specifically intended for deep sounds (usually below 120 Hz). This output is normally sent to a subwoofer.
A mode that determines the relationship of one window to another. Clicking the Link button toggles the Link mode.
The place where the functions of the currently active window can be found.
Lower two sets of numbers displayed to the right of the position indicators in the Transport bar. You can define locator points for the cycle (on the left-hand side) and autodrop zones (on the right-hand side). Cycle locators themselves are referred to as left and right locators. The left cycle locator is on the top; the right cycle locator is on the bottom.
A region parameter. When the Loop function is on, the region will repeat until it encounters another region on the same track in the Arrange area, the end marker of a folder, or the end marker of a project.
M
Software instruments that represent the relationship between dedicated staff styles and Environment objects. Mapped instruments are usually created to represent a drum machine or a drum channel in a multi-timbral synthesizer.
Used for indicating and quickly moving to sections of your project.
A crosshair-shaped tool in the Arrange area with which you can select and edit regions, or even portions of regions.
The bar extending along the top of the computer screen that gives options for global functions like opening windows and saving and loading projects. The local menu bars in the individual editing windows provide access to most of Logic Pro’s functions.
In Logic Pro, a component that produces a sound measuring the beat. It can be set with a button in the Transport bar. A MIDI Metronome Click object must be present in the Environment to activate the metronome.
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It’s an industry standard that allows devices like synthesizers and computers to communicate with each other. It controls a musical note’s pitch, length, and volume, among other characteristics.
A conduit for MIDI data. MIDI data flows through MIDI ports in channels, and up to 16 MIDI channels can pass through each port at the same time.
Data container for MIDI events, shown in the Arrange area as a named horizontal beam. It does not contain sounds, but rather contains MIDI events that tell a synthesizer how to produce sounds. In earlier Logic versions MIDI regions were called sequences.
Time code used to synchronize two or more MIDI devices.
A virtual mixing console used to position Logic Pro’s tracks. It mirrors the number and order of tracks in the Arrange area. In the Mixer you can also change a track’s volume or panorama (pan) position, insert DSP effects, or mute and solo channels.
The process of shaping the overall sound of a project by adjusting the volume levels and pan positions, adding EQ and other effects, and using automation to dynamically alter aspects of the project.
A digital coding standard used to compress audio files and distribute them over the Internet.
An object in the Environment that represents a multi-timbral device.
Describes an instrument or other device that can use several MIDI channels simultaneously.
To silence the output of a region or track.
A tool that stops a region or event from playing.
N
Positions in Hyper Draw and automation tracks that mark where data manipulation begins or ends. Occasionally referred to as points.
Said of an audio editor that does not change the source audio files in the course of editing. Logic Pro is generally a nondestructive editing application.
O
In Logic Pro, a general term that refers to the graphical representations of an element in the Environment. Each connection between Logic Pro and the studio’s MIDI devices is represented by an object, and objects can be used to create and process MIDI and audio data.
A box that displays the properties of an object in the Environment.
Channel strip type in the Mixer that controls the output level and pan or balance for each physical output of your audio interface.
P
Pulse-code modulated audio. This is simply uncompressed digital audio, including AIFF, WAV, and SDII files.
A tool used to draw various types of information in an editor.
The main MIDI editor in Logic Pro. It displays note events as horizontal beams. Events can be cut, copied, moved, and resized in a similar fashion to regions in the Arrange area.
A vertical gray line on the Bar ruler and in other horizontal time-based windows that indicates where you are in a project. In Play mode the project begins playing from the playhead position. You can position the playhead with the mouse, by clicking the Bar ruler, or by entering bar numbers in a dialog.
A small software application that adds functions to a main program (in this case, Logic Pro). Logic Pro’s plug-ins are typically audio effects processors.
The default selection tool, shaped like an arrow. It is in every window’s toolbox.
User settings that are applied to all Logic Pro projects.
Premade instrument or plug-in settings.
Synthesizer sounds.
A main Logic file that contains all references necessary to produce a final audio output.
An empty song file that is preconfigured with a set of empty Arrange tracks designed for a specific purpose, such as mastering, 24-track recording, or surround mixing.
A low-resolution and tightly compressed version of a high-resolution movie that places less strain on your computer as you score.
A technique that allows you to interrupt playback and record audio as the sound is playing. It can be automated in Logic Pro.
Q
To correct the rhythm of notes so that they conform to a specific time grid.
Apple’s cross-platform standard for digitized media. You can run QuickTime movies in a Logic Pro window or on a global Video track, in sync with the project. Whenever you move the playhead, the video follows, and vice versa.
R
A rectangular beam that represents a container for audio or MIDI data. Regions can be found in the tracks of the Arrange area. There are three types: audio regions, MIDI regions, and folders.
A pane in the upper-left corner of the Arrange window, used to nondestructively set the individual regions’ playback parameters, including quantization, transposition, velocity, and delay. These parameters do not alter the stored data. Rather, they affect how the events are played back.
An operating state you can activate in the Transport bar. The Replace button is next to the Cycle and Autodrop buttons. In Replace mode, newly recorded information takes the place of the old information.
S
Describes editors (such as the Sample Editor or Arrange area) that display or allow you to edit individual samples in an audio region.
An editor in Logic Pro where stereo or mono audio files are destructively cut, reversed, shortened, changed in gain, and processed in a number of other ways. The Sample Editor allows sample-accurate editing of an audio file.
Refers to the number of times per second a digital audio file is sampled. When audio comes in through your sound card, analog-to-digital converters sample, or check, the signal’s voltage level. Logic Pro can record and edit audio at sampling rates ranging from 44.1 kHz (44,100 times per second) to 192 kHz.
A tool with which you divide regions. It offers different options for dividing audio regions from those for MIDI regions.
Logic Pro editor that deals with standard musical notation.
An onscreen layout of windows that you can save. Each window retains its position, size, and zoom settings. You can save up to 90 screensets for each project.
A function similar to the Catch function, but instead of the playhead playing across the Arrange area’s regions, the regions scroll past a stationary playhead, as a tape would.
Moving the pointer back and forth (in a scrubbing motion) while playing back an audio region to locate a specific section.
An output on an audio channel that splits a portion of a channel’s sound and sends it through a system bus to another audio channel strip.
A computer application that allows you to record both digital audio and MIDI data and blend the sounds together in a software mixing console.
A drag mode that causes a region to shuffle up to the region immediately to its left or right, depending on the Shuffle mode selected. This ensures that one region plays smoothly into the next with no drop in the track’s audio.
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. These folks set up a synchronization system that divides time into hours, minutes, seconds, frames, and subframes.
The software counterpart to a hardware sampler or synthesizer module, or an acoustic sound source such as a drum kit or guitar. The sounds generated by software instruments are calculated by the computer CPU and played via the audio interface outputs. Often called soft synths or soft samplers.
A way to temporarily allow you to hear one or more selected tracks, events, or regions without hearing others that aren’t soloed.
A tool that enables you to listen to selected events or regions by themselves (click and hold the event or region to do so).
A common file type that almost any MIDI sequencer can read. In Logic Pro you can export selected MIDI regions as Standard MIDI files.
To record notes one at a time in a MIDI region.
The arrangement, type, and number of channels used for the production and playback of surround sound. The surround formats offered by Logic Pro include quadraphonic, LCRS, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1.
A hardware or software device used to generate sounds. Logic Pro features several software synthesizers, including the EVOC 20 PolySynth, EFM1, ES E, ES M, ES P, ES1, ES2, EVB3, EVD6, and EVP88.
System Exclusive data.
T
A piece of information about a file, used for database purposes by applications that support the Apple Loops file format; tags enable searches based on specific criteria.
An project file (not necessarily empty) that is preconfigured with a set of Arrange area tracks designed for a specific purpose such as mastering, 24-track recording, or surround mixing.
The speed at which a piece of music is played, measured in beats per minute. You can create and edit tempo changes in the global Tempo track.
A tool for naming audio and MIDI regions.
A note division of 1/3840.
A signal used to lock musical cues to a movie by giving every point in time a unique numerical reference that stays consistent.
Two numerals separated by a slash that appear at the beginning of a project. Common time signatures are 4/4 and 2/4. The first number denotes the number of notes in a measure, or bar. The second number denotes a unit of time for each beat. With a 2/4 signature, each bar has two beats and each beat is a quarter note long.
To change the length of an audio region without changing its pitch. You can do this in the Arrange area or Sample Editor by using menu or key commands.
The top of the Arrange window features the Toolbar, which is used to access or hide certain onscreen areas, such as the Media or Lists area or the Inspector. It also contains a number of buttons for key functions, such as locking and unlocking SMPTE positions. You may freely customize the Toolbar to meet your needs.
Available in the local menu bar of a window, the Tool menus contain tools for editing, zooming, cropping, and otherwise manipulating items in the window.
A row in the Arrange area that contains a collection of MIDI or audio regions that can be played back. Each track has a specified destination where the data will go.
Used for programming control changes that are not necessarily tied to a specific region, such as a volume fade or a cutoff sweep. The track automation system allows you to quickly find and automate any plug-in parameter. It has its own recording parameters, which function independently of Logic Pro’s other recording features.
A list to the left of the Arrange area that displays the channel strips assigned to various tracks as well as the track Mute, Solo, and other buttons.
An editor used to select and modify various aspects of MIDI events according to user-defined parameters.
A point in an audio file where the waveform undergoes an abrupt change, typically showing up as a sharp attack with the highest amplitude. The Apple Loops Utility automatically detects transients and applies markers to them in conjunction with the bar/beat information supplied when the utility is opened. These transient markers are used as a map, enabling Logic to make decisions about where best to apply time stretching and pitch transposition.
An area at the bottom of the Arrange window that holds buttons used to control Logic Pro’s playback and recording functions. Several buttons (Record, Pause, Play, Stop, Rewind, Forward) work the same way as the control buttons on a cassette deck or recordable audio CD player.
V
The force with which a MIDI note is struck.
A software element that mimics a traditional hardware sound module.
W
The primary audio file format used by Windows-compatible computers. In Logic Pro, all recorded and bounced WAV files are in Broadcast WAVE format.
A visual representation of an audio signal; it fluctuates according to the signal’s volume over time.
Z
A point in an audio file where the waveform crosses the zero amplitude axis. If you cut an audio file at a zero crossing, there will be no click at the cut point.
An action that enlarges (zooms in on) or reduces (zooms out from) a viewing area in any window. In addition to the Zoom tool, the zoom controls include those found in the lower-left and upper-right corners of windows.
A tool that enables you to zoom in on any part of the display. Pressing the Control key while selecting a part of the window section enlarges the area. You can also activate the Zoom tool when you are using other tools by holding down the Control key.