Logic's Environment

[Rambunkcious]

Hello,

Ive just recently started using Logic 7 on a mac, Ive been able to finish two tracks without the use of its Environment, however I understand that the environment is very useful and amongst other things it opens up more options for the user, but I cant seem to figure it out.

I was wondering if there might be a training video of sorts that touchs up on the logic environment, or one that even delves deep into advance uses of the environment. Any help would be greatly apprecated.

Rami

[Medway]

Rami,

When I first used Logic I didn't touch the environment. In fact it wasn't until I started teaching that I was forced to learn it.

The main section you should concentrate on in the environment is the audio area. Here I would make sure you have enough aux's and busses set up correctly for common situations you find youself in when making tracks.

You could for instance have some effects like reverb or buss compression preloaded.

On the MIDI side there are things like arpegiators to experiment with.

As far as a tutorial if I ever get proper access to a Logic setup then I would deffinatly consider doing one.

In the meantime if there are any specific questions you have let me know and I'll try to help.

Jesse

[stevenlibby]

In Logic 7, I'm typically using the Track Mixer window, which is basically your environment with buttons on the side to quickly toggle between busses, audio tracks, aux's, instruments, etc. I always have two open, one of which I just keep the main output visible at all times to keep an eye on things.

Jesse's tip in having buses/aux's preloaded with certain compressors, reverbs, etc. is something I'm also doing... I also have preloaded on seperate buses 2 or 3 different delays, with various speeds, and panning effects. Everytime I start a new track I have this already setup without having to open these often used effects.

Another technique that you can start doing in your environment, is layering synths, with the ability to play them simultaneously... Just go to the Instruments section of your environment and select "Instrument" from the "New" drop down menu. An instrument icon will appear just below your instrument faders... Next, connect with the virtual cables to say, Inst 1 and Inst 2. (you can connect to as many as you like)...start with just two for now... Now experiment with various sounds on each of these that will blend well together... Like a bassline and lead.

Finally, go to your arrangment window. Click and hold one of the Instrument tracks that you are not using... You'll get the dropdown menu where you can select "Instrument". This is one you created in the environment. Now when you select this channel in the arrangment... You can play all of the instruments you have connected to it in the environment simultaneously. Once you have a nice bass/lead layer...try adding a pad, or two... You can get some really BIG sounds if you choose good combinations... Thanks to Voyager for this tip...

[Medway]

I spoke to Dave (13) about the possiblity of him doing Logic tutorials, including the environment, since he's Logic based. He's up for it, so we'll let you guys know when something develops.

Good tip Steve. Another way to do this is to also record enable multiple tracks so they all trigger at the same time (well I know SX can do this but I assume Logic wouldn't have a problem with it).

This way you end up with multiple tracks all recording the same notes and thus layering them on playback.

The one advantage of this is now you have specific control over each part of the layer. So it makes it easier to customize how the layer responds.

Jesse

[Rambunkcious]

Steven and Jes,

Thanx for all the info, it was lots of help, Ive already began to see all the routing options possible (Its great), and already built a couple of layered synths with arps, delay lines, etc etc.

Again thanx for all the help guys.

Rami

[ksound]

A Logic pro tutorial would be great, since most of the one's out there are to basic. Can't wait for it.

[Medway]

Cool guys I'll be moving closer to the other studio I work at which has logic so I'll get on doing some tutorials then.

In the meantime keep posting any specific ideas on what you'd like to see, things that the other videos don't cover.

[13]

Hey All,

Sorry it took me a while to get to this, but I will post some info about environements and setting them up soon. Please feel free to keep posting questions I will get to them as soon as I can. Cheers!

13
The Evolution of Sound
www.myspace.com/dj13