I'd like to introduce you to a very modern and powerful new feature for
shaping your sound and Logic Pro X called the Patch.
This is a brand new format in Logic for saving instruments or audio configurations.
It takes the concept of the Channel Strip Settings from previous versions of Logic
to the next level. As far as designing, saving and having
easy access to multi-layered sounds in the Sound Library often combining
multiple instruments and all of their mixer routing including the Auxes, their
Smart Controls, any MIDI plugins, even multi-channels drum configurations.
Everything you need to reproduce your sound.
Let's take a look. (MUSIC).
I have a bunch of cool patches, I loaded into this Logic project from the Sound Library.
(MUSIC). I'm just going to tweak a few of their
Smart Controls down here at the bottom of the window.
(MUSIC). Just turning this control for the filter.
And the Glitter Layer. Try the next patch, Echoverse.
New set of Smart Controls. Just adjusting this first control, Metallic.
(MUSIC).
Change the delay. (MUSIC).
I made a quick drummer performance with one of my current favorite drummers,
Nikki, just to hold down a little groove while we explore the patches.
Let's hear one more. This one Pulsating Driver.
(MUSIC). It's turning one of the Smart Controls, Hyper.
A little bit of the Chaotic. (MUSIC).
Let's go back to the first patch called C-Beams Glittering that has an Arpeggiator.
(MUSIC). I found a patch in the Sound Library over
here on the left. And the category of Synthesizers
Soundscapes, you can see at the top of the Library view.
When I click Synthesizers category, it shows the root level categories.
These Synthesizer Soundscapes and the Arpeggiator category in the Library are
two of my personal favorites. Back in the track list, I'll click the
disclosure triangle on the track name in the track list to reveal all of the
channel strip layers and auxiliary routings to effects in this patch.
Creating that richly layered evolving sound.
(SOUND). I'll come back to all of this in a minute.
Let's look at this patch Spectacularities.
Comparatively speaking, it's a much simpler design.
It's a one channel strip setting with a softer instrument.
I'll just click on it and then open it up.
This is the new Retro synth. (SOUND).
There's two effects, Channel EQ and Phaser, in the inserts.
Beneath are two synths. This bus going to a space designer in
Channel EQ, the next bus is also going to Space Designer and EQ.
All of this routing is elegantly stored with a patch.
Notice that the insert for the software instrument has been moved up on the
Channel Strip, above the effects plugins. With the output assignment in the bottom
most insert, as it was in Logic IX. Let's go back to the Arpeggiator patch, C-Beams.
Which shows more of the complete possibilities for what the architecture
of a patch can include. Again, opening this disclosure triangle,
in the track header of the patch. That disclosure triangle is your
indication that it is the special kind of patch called a Summing Stack.
That combines multiple Channel Strip settings, including a few software instruments.
Three synths, Pad Layer, Glitter Layer, Pulse Effects, can play each one.
There's a Pad layer, Glitter Layer, etc. Also inside this patch that's a Summing
Stack are the two synths routed to two auxiliary tracks.
This factory patch C-Beams also contains the new smart controls that I've been
having fun tweaking to adjust the sound. I can open and close the view of the
Smart Controls by clicking up in the Control bar with the Smart Control icon.
Just a toggle, or you can double-click on the graphic of the instrument right on
the track list. That opens and closes it as well.
All of these Smart Controls for the sound are stored with a patch in the Library.
They're extremely powerful, they allow me to quickly make adjustments to the sound
without opening up all the plug in windows that always covered up too much
of your workspace. It's just so easy and clean with this new
interface of adjusting the sound from the Smart Controls.
(MUSIC). Let's go to another patch.
This one Adept Machine, lower down in the track list.
This is in the patch category of Drum machines.
It's a multi-output instrument from ultra beat.
In the Smart Control, I can turn the sequencer on, hit Play, boom.
Back to the Library where all of the patches are organized.
The Library is brought into and out of view up in the control bar with this
button on the far left. I'll switch to a different patch category
by clicking right on the heading at the top of the Library.
And now, we're at the main level. I can just select any of these and go
back and forth through the levels of the Library.
I have the Pulsating Driver patch selected in the track list.
Now, in the Library, I'm in the category of Soundscapes.
You can see it near the top of the Library.
To switch Library focus from patches to presets within an instrument or effects
plugin, click on the triangle on the left side of a plugin on the Channel Strip.
You won't see that triangle until you hover your mouse in the area.
It's not there. I move up near the Compressor, the
triangle appears. I click it and now the Library focus
switches and I'm looking at all of the presets inside of Compressor.
To return to viewing patches in the Library, click on the left side of the
setting pane on the top of the Channel Strip.
Again, you don't see that triangle until you hover your mouse.
Clicking now, the Library focus as updated and we're seeing the patches.
It should be pretty clear now that the Sound Library's file management is no
longer about the .cst channel strip setting file saving to your user folder
but patch files. If you have your own custom counter strip
settings on your computer they will show up automatically let's go to the root
level of the library if patches. Your custom Channel Strip settings will
show up in this folder User Channel Strip settings, here are mine.
Going back out to the root level down here at the bottom of the Library in this
folder called Legacy are Factory Channel Strip settings.
If earlier version of Logic Pro had been on your computer as well as factory
instruments from Garage Band and the Jam Packs.
So, if you are upgrading and you choose to install the Legacy Content Package
during the install, this is where they'll show up.
One last important detail about file management.
When you're looking in the Finder view in the patches you create, they will be in a
new place in your home folder that Logic Creates called Audio Music Apps inside
the Music folder. I'll select it.
They're no longer in the Library application support folder they used to
live in. Here are the Channel Strip Settings, Key
Commands, Patches, Plug-In Settings, Project Templates, and your Sampler Instruments.
To copy your user Channel Strip Settings from another computer if you didn't use
the Migration option, drag them to this Audio Music Apps folder and replace the
Channel Strips Settings folder here with your own content.
It's now all about patches which are even cooler than Channel Strip settings
because they can store more attributes of your sound than Channel Strip settings
ever could. Definitely give yourself some time to do
some digging into the categories in the Library you find appealing.
Check out the routings to get an idea of what's possible as far as building
unique, very modern sounds in creating your personal sound in Logic.