Intro to Logic Express- part 2 (Software Instruments)

Last week we started working with Logic Express and started to get familiar with the layout. Today we're going to get a little deeper into it and start making original beats using the Software Instruments.

The Software Instruments in Logic are simply MIDI-based instruments that you can play with your keyboard and/or program from inside Logic. They are basically just like the instruments in Reason that you are already familiar with, but they are already inside this DAW program, which means you have full control over every aspect of the music (composing/editing/mixing) all in one place. How is this is different from the way we have been working with beats in Pro Tools?

To use a Software Instrument in your song, do the following:

1. Start a new Logic session or Open an old one.
2. Open the Track Menu and click on New.
3. In the New Track Window that pops up, adjust the settings to create 1 Software Instrument.
4. Click the Create button and you should see a new track appear in your Sequencer Window.
5. Now look over to the left side of the screen and find the I/O symbol. Click on the box below the I/O and a list of all the Software Instruments pops up.
6. Select the one you want to work with and specify whether you want it to be Mono, Stereo, or Multi Output.
7. The Instrument should pop up for you to work with and your MIDI keyboard should now be controlling it. Try playing a few notes to make sure.

OK, so since we now know how to create Software Instruments, let's try working with one of them. Just like in Reason, a logical (haha) place to start is with the drums. One of the main drum plugins in Logic is called Ultrabeat. It works very similarly to the Redrum, so it should be really easy for you to get up and running with it. Please do the following:

1. Create a new Software Instrument track and load up Ultrabeat using the steps laid out above.
2. Try listening to the sounds in it by either playing some keys on your keyboard or by clicking on the notes of the keyboard on the left side of the window. If you like these sounds, skip ahead to Step 4. If you want to change them, go to Step 3.
   
3. On the right side of the Logic screen, look under the Library tab and click on Drum Kits. Click on whatever one you want to work with.
4. In the bottom right corner of the Ultrabeat window, click on the button called Full View. The window should change to show a big grid. This is the Sequencer where you can program your beat.
5. Turn the Sequencer on by clicking the blue circle button right under where it says Sequencer. Hit the Play button right next to it to hear the pattern play.
6. In that same area (lower left corner) find the pattern number (1 (C-1) sq) and click the little triangle next to it.
7. Click on one of the patterns that does not have the letters sq next to it.
8. Click on the sound you want to start working with and make sure it is highlighted.
9. Click on any of the boxes where you want the drum sounds to hit and make that slap.
10. When you are ready to really bring it into your song, click on the little box next to where it says Pattern and drag that into a track.
11. Copy the beat out for as many bars as you want it to go.
12. If you want to work on a fresh pattern, don't forget to change the pattern number.

Please create a verse (16 bars) and a chorus (8 bars) using the Ultrabeat drum machine. Get them all into the Main Sequencer. Let Chris or Corina check it out when you're done.