Getting started with Logic 8 (Newbie needs help!)

[metalmaiden]

I’m totally new to both Logic and use of software instrument libraries and need some assistance. I’m interested in potentially purchasing the Symphonic Choirs Expanded Bundle (SCEB), but because of the conflicting feedback I’ve read from Logic users about functionality, I decided to download the Symphonic Orchestra Free Starter (SOFS) first and see if I could get that to work (assuming both libraries function in the same way). But, after following the instructions included with the download, I’m confused.

I installed the SOFS, and was able to launch the app and load and play instruments within the SOFS app. However, I have been unable to figure out how to access the instruments from within Logic. For example, if I have a Logic project with 4 midi tracks in it that I want to assign SOFS patches to, how is this done? If I understand how software instruments work, when you install a library, the instruments are then supposed become available in Logic’s “Library” menu. Then, you can select a midi track, open the “Library” and apply the desired patch, and the patch loads, so that when you play back the midi track, you hear the desired sound. Am I understanding this correctly? The problem is I’m not seeing the SOFS patches listed in Logic’s library, and nowhere in the SOFS manuals can I find instructions about how to do this. It appears they are available only as a plug-in on the channel strip (i.e., Bus 1/AU Instruments/East West/Play).

Can somebody please advise me as to how exactly this is supposed to work? I want to make sure I’ve got the SOFS doing what I need for it to do before I invest in purchasing the SCEB library.

Thanks much!

\mm/

[TGV]

You have to add a software instrument track, and then choose the plug-in manually. It's the place where you see "EXS24" or "Ultrabeat" when you've chosen a channel strip setting. It's just under I/O, above "Stereo Output" (assuming you use the stereo output, of course) above the channel fader. Click on it for a second or so, and you'll see a list with Logic's instruments (no patches), and near the end "AU Instruments". Behind that item you'll find an entry for East West and there you'll find the Play plugin. Select it and Play will open in Logic.

If you're still confused, check the manuals for Logic 9. They are available online, and 9 is very similar to 8.

[metalmaiden]

Thanks, Theo. That’s what I thought. So, are all third-party instruments accessible only as plug-ins via the channel strip? Or, will some appear as part of the “Library” like the Apple instruments do?

\mm/

[TGV]

You know you can save your channel strip settings, complete with plugins and EQ, right? Just click on the top button in the channel strip and search for "Save Channel Strip Setting As..." (it's the 6th item). If you save them in the place where Logic prompts, it will show up in the library. You can also make new folders there, to keep your channel strip settings organised, and they will show up too.

The preset patches on the other hand cannot be displayed in Logic, since the Audio Unit API (that's the interface between Logic and the plug-in) does not provide a way of publishing the names of these patches. However, there is another way. If you open your plugin, you'll see that there is a menu at the top between "Bypass" and "Compare" on the left and "Copy" and "Paste" on the right side. That allows you to save the settings of this plugin. After doing so, the settings will appear in this menu, and you'll be able to recall them by selecting it there.

[metalmaiden]

Yes, I do know about saving plugins and channel strip settings. That’s how I build my templates. But, thank you for sharing.

\mm/

[geefunk]

Originally Posted by metalmaiden

Thanks, Theo. That’s what I thought. So, are all third-party instruments accessible only as plug-ins via the channel strip? Or, will some appear as part of the “Library” like the Apple instruments do?

\mm/

Yes, and no respectively....