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Tips
& Tricks
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Introduction
to Logic Environments <<
I recently got a new sound card Midiman Audiophile
2496 which comes with a tailored version of Logic
called Delta Logic. I've never used Logic before
this (used to use Creator on the Atari) and I want
to sequence the X (and some softsynths) with it.
>> Do
you have a *basic* environment configured where
Logic recognizes your MIDI Interface AND you can
rec/playback MIDI events with the ASR-X? If not, do
this first before you bother importing custom
Environment Layers. Check the manual for step by
step. If you need more info follow the links below
and you'll find PLENTY of info. <<
Question is what are these Logic Environments and
how do I use them? >> At
it's most basic level a Logic Environment is a
virtual representation of the MIDI Hardware
attached to your MIDI Interface. This is how Logic
sends/receives info to/from your kit. You
can create custom faders, knobs, buttons, etc.
within an Environment Layer to manipulate MIDI data
as it is sent or received between Logic and your
hardware. Example: a bank of virtual Faders can be
created to send MIDI NRPNs from with Logic to the
ASR-X Track parameters in real time while merging
or recording that data onto a sequencer track in
Logic. Cool, huh?! There
should be a .lso document named 'Various Multi
Sets' included in your Logic installation folder.
You'll find multi sets for a number of synths and
samplers from at least a dozen different
manufacturers. A multi set is a mechanism to issue
program change messages to your synth by Program
Name and Bank rather than a nondescript program
change number. <<
I loaded one in but can't get it to do anything.
>> Assuming
you have a basic environment up & running, you
can then import an Environment Layer. Let's use
zach ary's ASR-X Effects environment for our
example. You can download it from http://www.geocities.com/asrxcite/
Here's how it's done on the Mac - should be very
similar in Windows. Bring the Environment window to
the forefront, Select Options --> Import
Environment --> Layer...and a dialog box will
appear from which you can navigate your hard drive
to locate the environment you want to work with. If
that environment had multiple layers (which zach
ary's does not) you could select each individually
from the navigation dialog box. Hit Enter and
you're half way there. Now
that z's environment has been imported into YOUR
environment as a separate layer you need to locate
the little icon representing the ASR-X. Got it?
Good. Click on it to make it active. From the
Instrument Objects box on the left hand side of
your screen you need to select the MIDI Port from
the pop up dialog that your ASR-X is connected to.
Okay, NOW you should be able click on an Effect
Category and then a Preset from within that
category. This is the same as hitting the
Effects/Select button from the front panel followed
by the Edit button and replying Yes to the
confirmation message - you can then scroll through
the available Presets for that Effect Type. Very,
very cool. Tip: you might want to double check what
you've set your Insert Control track to on the
ASR-X and use the same ASR-X Track in Logic. Don't
think you *have to* but it keeps thing
simple. BTW
- I'd just like to say that until I began
programming my own environments layers, and the
creative juices got flowing, I truly didn't
appreciate the amount of time and effort zach ary
spent on that Environment for the ASR-X Effects.
That's a lot of SysEx to cut & paste.
And
his Read Me file is good too. You da' man, zach!
If
you want an Environment to control the ASR-X Track
parameters you can download one from
here: It's
very slick! Much nicer than mine - wish I could
code like that :-# I took it apart and learned a
few tricks... ;-) There's an identical env for the
MR available too. Keep in mind your Environment can
me made up of multiple layers so zach's env can be
used along side this one. Here's
another MR environment found on the
'net: http://www.upbeat.ch/support.html#upbeat It's
not as comprehensive as the former but still nice
to see how someone else approaches things. The
reset buttons are done with a different design then
the 1st one. Most of the parameters should work
with the ASR-X because, well, basically it's the
same box(!) - well, not quite but close enough. In
truth I only tested the most superficial items
(Filter and Rez) from this environment with the X
but it should be okay. Dave Bellingham's
Logic Audio FAQ Site and Forums are now offline but
the folks at Sonikmatter have created a new
Logic
Forum. And
there's Len Sasso's 'site Swiftkick.
Navigate
to the Logic page and find the ET4 Back Issues -
Environment Basics PDF. It's free and will be of
tremendous help to you at some point. There's a
kerjillion (that's a technical term) user
environments for download - don't get carried away!
:-P <<
Cheers, dave >> HTH, Jon |
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