Toggle writing Mute Automation in Write Mode — Logic Pro X keyboard command of the day

Logic Pro X keyboard command of the day. #LogicProX @StudioIntern1

  Toggle writing Mute Automation in Write Mode

This is not found in the help files, the iBook version of the manuals, or the PDF version of the manual. I have found interesting discussions about the topic for Reaper, Nuendo, ProTools, and a forum thread where someone was complaining about mute automation not working properly in “Touch” mode.

In the first case every time I get near “write” automation the warning signals flash about the destruction of all existing automation when in “Write” mode.

It never occurred to me that I could automate the mute button to silence a track while playing. My first resort would be to simply turn that part of the track into a region which I would then just remove. I can always get it back. It is visibly clear in the arrangement. Another way would be to create the region and set the region gain to minus infinity.

I guess I should try working a mixing session with things stemmed properly, put all the AUX tracks into “write” automation mode, and press play. Move the faders, change the panning push the mute button, etc.

It is certainly clear that if I did create mute automation, and it was not showing, I would wonder why some sound simply disappeared.

Automation overview — Logic Pro X:

Automation refers to recording, editing, and playing back the movements of faders, knobs, and switches. Using automation, you can create changes over time to volume, pan, and other settings. You can add automation to all track types.

⇧ SHIFT – ⌃ CONTROL – ⌥ OPTION – ⌘ COMMAND

Command    Key Touch Bar
- Global Commands
Toggle Current Track Automation Write/Read
Toggle Current Track Automation Write Relative Mode
Toggle writing Volume Automation in Write Mode
Toggle writing Pan Automation in Write Mode
Toggle writing Mute Automation in Write Mode
Toggle writing Send Levels Automation in Write Mode
Toggle writing Plug-in parameters Automation in Write Mode
Toggle writing Solo Automation in Write Mode

Homework: Connect Logic to the Casio PX330 GM player

My Casio PX330 has a full GM player inside. I should learn how to connect Logic Pro X or MainStage and play MIDI files/songs.

I will need to use the PX330 manual and the Logic Pro X / MainStage manuals as well.

5 Ways to Use Dynamic EQ with Sidechain

5 Ways to Use Dynamic EQ with Sidechain:

Set internal (or external) triggers on drums
Mixing drums is one of the bigger challenges in a song because we expect them to be many things at once: loud, groovy, punchy, cohesive, clear, etc. Compression and transient shaping are a big help here, but dynamic EQ proves useful when carving a unique space for each drum hit. For example:

If the overhead mics picked up too much snare bite and this conflicts with the close-miked snare sound, use the main snare to trigger a momentary cut in level in the overheads whenever it’s played.

Is your snare struggling to shine because of masking with the hi-hats? Place one node on the snare harmonics and another on the lower end of the hi-hats, then set the sidechain to duck the hi-hats when the snare is present.

Unpitched percussion with considerable low end can conflict with the lower frequencies of a kick drum. To keep that pulse but prevent sloppy collisions from occurring, get your dynamic EQ sidechain to high-pass the bassy parts of the perc only when the kick comes down.

I need to check to see if each node in the Neutron 2 EQ can have a separate side chain. The side chain choices are internal — all the bands — and external (the one set in Logic as side chain). It looks like I can only side chain one external track.

I can do something like side chain the overheads from Logic and set the nodes in N2 to side chain from the different bands…that will have to do.

Also see “7 Tips for Mixing Drums”

Pumping Drums—With No Sidechain! — PreSonus Blog

Friday Tips: Pumping Drums—With No Sidechain! — PreSonus Blog:

The “pumping” effect is a cool EDM staple that also works with other intense forms of music. One of the best-known examples is Eric Prydz’s seminal EDM track from 2004, “Call on Me.” Usually, this technique requires sidechaining, but with the PreSonus Compressor sidechain filter, we’re covered. The effect works best if there are some sustaining sounds with which it can work—like cymbals for drum parts, or pads if you want to pump a non-drum track.

I need to see if I can do the same thing in Logic Pro X. Just because.

Frequency-Selective Guitar Compression — PreSonus Blog

Friday Tips: Frequency-Selective Guitar Compression — PreSonus BlogPreSonus Blog:

Some instruments, when compressed, lack “sparkle” if the stronger, lower frequencies compress high frequencies as well as lower ones. This is a common problem with guitar, but there’s a solution: the Compressor’s internal sidechain can apply compression to only the guitar’s lower frequencies, while leaving the higher frequencies uncompressed so they “ring out” above the compressed sound. (Multiband compression works for this too, but sidechaining can be a faster and easier way to accomplish the same results.)

This handy hint should work similarly in Logic Pro X. I will have to try.