Midi Keyboards For Logic Pro Running El Capitan

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Logic Pro X This is a very powerful software which allows you to suite according to your needs and requirements. It is a full-fledged and very professional type and level software studio which comes with complete good quality virtual instruments, audio tools, a very huge library of loops and synthesizers. Apr 19, 2020  Hi, I'm trying to use an S61 Mk2 and an A61 to control separate instruments in Logic Pro X. Both keyboards communicate with Logic but I'm unable to set them up to control separate instruments so that, for example, one keyboard could play piano and the other play a synthesizer. May 24, 2017 I f you are just getting into making music with virtual instruments on your Mac and Logic Pro X, a MIDI controller of some kind is a must and a keyboard option is usually the best point of entry.

MIDI devices can include keyboards, drum pads, alternative controllers such as guitar MIDI systems, and more. Although you don’t need a MIDI controller to make music with Logic Pro, it’s a lot more fun if you have a way to play software instruments. And trained players can make use of their skills to input music more quickly and accurately.

Connect MIDI controllers

Many MIDI controllers will send and receive MIDI through USB, eliminating the need for a third-party interface. Older MIDI controllers may use 5-pin DIN cables and require a third-party hardware interface. Connect your controller to your MIDI interface or to your computer’s USB port.

Connect external instruments

If you’re connecting a MIDI synthesizer or workstation to Logic Pro, in addition to making MIDI connections, you must be able to monitor the instrument’s audio. If your audio interface supports hardware monitoring, you can monitor the instrument through your hardware. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to add an audio track to your project to monitor the instrument.

When you play the keyboard, the instrument is sending and receiving MIDI at the same time, so sounds are doubled. Most keyboards have a Local Off function, which you’ll want to use to stop the sound from doubling.

Exploring MIDI preferences

Global and project preferences are similar to audio preferences. To open the Global MIDI Preferences pane, choose Logic Pro X→Preferences→MIDI. Here’s a brief description of three tabs in the MIDI Preferences pane:

  • General: If you have MIDI communication problems, click the Reset All MIDI Drivers button.

  • Reset Messages: If your MIDI controllers get stuck, including stuck notes, select the controller you want to reset on this tab.

  • Sync: If you want to sync Logic Pro with another device or adjust the timing of your MIDI, you can do so on this tab.

To open the Project MIDI Preferences pane, choose File→Project Settings→MIDI. Here’s a brief description of the three tabs on the Project Preferences pane:

  • General: You can set up MIDI to scrub with audio in the tracks area. Scrubbing means to audition audio while you drag your cursor over it.

  • Input Filter: If you’re not using certain MIDI functions or don’t want these functions to be sent or received, you can select them on this tab and they will be filtered out.

  • Chase: Use this tab to set how MIDI events will behave when you start your project after a MIDI event has been triggered. For example, if you play your project in the middle of a pitch bend, selecting the Pitch Bend check box will ensure that the bend is synchronized correctly.

You can use the Audio MIDI Setup utility to set up devices connected to your computer. (Audio MIDI Setup is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.) You can test MIDI and audio devices, set audio levels, and much more. Check out this video tour of the Audio MIDI Setup utility.

Now that you know the fundamentals of digital audio and MIDI, you’re well on your way to recording your own audio and MIDI. With your hardware set up and your audio and MIDI preferences chosen, you’re ready to begin recording some great sounds.

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As you can imagine life at Pro Tools Expert can get complicated when running a Pro Tools computer. We test a lot of gear, that includes hardware and it also includes more than one Mac. Right now I have a Mac Pro running El Capitan and a Mac Mini running Pro Tools on Yosemite for testing which I have to jump between, so I wanted to find a solution that gave me the greatest flexibility with the minimum of pain. A few things needed addressing, screen, keyboard and mouse sharing, audio and MIDI input and also plug-in licences, this is the solution I came up with.

Sharing The Cinema Display Screen

To get both Macs hooked up to my Apple Cinema display I went for the Kanex SnapX. This offers a 2 x Mini DisplayPort and USB splitter with a handy switch right in front of you. The SnapX sends all the usual USB options available for those with Cinema displays so any USB pass through still works including iSight camera, audio and USB ports. The USB ports options are helpful as it means anything plugged into those ports is shared between the 2 Macs.

Sharing The Mac Keyboard

I use one of the Editors Keys wired Pro Tools keyboards so that simply plugs into the back of the Apple Cinema Display. What is also great about the display is that it also offers me a couple of extra USB ports that I can use to plug in things like iLoks and other dongles, see below.

Sharing The Bluetooth Mouse

If one were to use a wired mouse then it would simply be a case of using on of the USB ports on the back of the Apple Cinema Display or the Editors Keys keyboard. However I prefer a wireless mouse, so Bluetooth is required. However Bluetooth can’t be shared by 2 devices at the same time. The solution I found for this is the Logitech t631 Ultrathin Touch Mouse which has two discreet and switchable channels - so I simply flick a switch depending on which Mac I am using.

Sharing Audio

Midi Keyboards For Logic Pro Running El Capitan

The Mac Pro runs a Pro Tools HDX rig and the Mac Mini a Pro Tools HD software rig using an Eleven Rack for audio input and then aggregating that and the internal Mac audio so I can get playback. It could be any interface for what’s it’s worth, but for test purposes it works fine. The stereo pair is then routed back through my Command 8 as the External Source… which leads me to another thing.

Sharing MIDI And Control Surface

I have a powered 7 way USB2 hub plugged into the rear of my Cinema Display which has a Nektar MIDI controller, the Command 8 and Eleven Rack all plugged in via USB. All work fine using this technique.

Pro

Sharing iLok And Other Licences

My iLok and eLicencer dongle are both plugged into shared USB ports. I transferred all my Waves licences onto a USB stick and that is also plugged into a shared USB port. Obviously some plug-ins won’t come across easily such as the UAD and other AAX DSP plug-ins that both depend on the cards in my Mac to function. Any plug-ins that depend on access to large libraries can simply share a drive that contains all the content.

Logic Pro X Download Free

Sharing Files And Hard Drives

I recently purchased Transporter for Mac, a localised Dropbox, one of the advantages being that any files transferred on the same network are shared over the local network rather than having to be uploaded to a Cloud service to be shared, this allows me to share Pro Tools sessions very quickly. I also have Gobbler on both machines.

I can also share hard drives if I wish, to do this I purchased a Iogear - 2x4 USB 2.0 USB hub that allows me to connect USB2 drives to 2 machines and then switch between them. It’s always handy to eject any drives before you hit the switch as it makes sure you don’t corrupt any data.

Macs Sharing Gear Conclusion

Midi Keyboards For Logic Pro Running El Capitan 10

Obviously in the real world most people are not going to run two machines from one desk, but in order to have maximum flexibility for testing, reviewing, and of course maintaining the integrity of my working Pro Tools system, this is a winner.

Midi Keyboards For Logic Pro Running El Capitan Free

For most this set-up will be unnecessary, but I hope these tips help anyone who may need to create a similar set-up.