Setting up workspace? What works best?

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Level 1

110 points

Setting up workspace? What works best?

What are some of the best ways to setup your workspace, and what makes for a good workspace in Logic? If possible please include a screen capture.

G4 Dual 1.25 GHZ MBP 2.6 GHZ , IPHONE , IPOD TOUCH, IPOD NANO 2G, Mac OS X (10.5.6), FCS2 , AFX, Logic Studio

Posted on May 27, 2009 2:34 PM

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Answer 1

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,428 points

May 27, 2009 3:08 PM in response to GMGNewton

I don't understand the question - do you mean the hardware setup or the software setup? That fully depends on what you want to achieve with it. So you'll have to elaborate a bit...

regards, Erik.

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Answer 2

GMGNewton Author

Level 1

110 points

May 27, 2009 3:34 PM in response to Eriksimon

Oh I mean software wise. Specifically is there a way to arrange the workspace windows in Logic? I am new to it so I am just learning and am looking for a setup that works well. I often rearrange my workspace in Final Cut, and was curious as to how others set up there windows for different steps. Recording, Mixing, etc.

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Answer 3

May 27, 2009 4:19 PM in response to GMGNewton

I am new to it so I am just learning and am looking for a setup that works well.

As you're new to Logic, one feature that really helps working in Logic are its screensets, allowing you to have multiple windows set up the way you'd like, in many different arrangements, recalled by simple key commands. They allow you to have the most convenient setup for your style at any stage of your project: editing, recording, mixing, etc. Some of your basic screensets can be locked too so you don't disturb a favorite set up.

Personally, I use two monitors - I would hate to use just one, but screensets could help with that too.

As Erik says above, a few more details about how you'd like to work and what you're looking for would help.

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Answer 4

GMGNewton Author

Level 1

110 points

May 27, 2009 5:36 PM in response to John Alcock

I will definitely check out screen sets. I have two 30" displays and will be using both.

Now specifically what I will be doing is producing my own music which will involve composing my own original recordings and sampling different sounds I create in my studio, then off to mixing the track for Master export.

The kind of music I will be working on falls under Electro / House / Dance. Ultimately what I want is to create a full album that I can play and mix at different venues around town as a DJ. (DJ / Producing is now my hobby where as I work on film for my day job)

Logic is an incredible suite, and at first glance it's a little overwhelming at how to attack it, but I imagine Final Cut Studio has the same effect on people today. (I started with Final Cut 3.0 so I am pretty seasoned with it)

Really the answer I am looking for involves something along the lines of: Okay for recording this is how I organize my screen sets, for mixing this what my setup looks like, etc.

Just an overall tips / tricks for how I should engage the program so that I can achieve optimum workflow.

I recently bought all of LinPlug as well which to my understanding is a great addition to Logic if that helps as well.

Also my studio has the following new toys:

2 Roland MA-15D Studio Monitors
TASCAM FW-1082

2 X Pioneer CDJ-1000 MK3 DJ CD/MP3 Player
1 X Pioneer DJM-800 4-Channel DJ Mixer
1 X Stanton T.90 USB Direct Drive Turntable

1X Roland GW8 Interactive Music Workstation Keyboard
1X Akai MPC2500

That's what I am starting with and I'd like to move to something a little more robust than the TASCAM FW-1082 after I know what I am doing.

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Answer 5

May 27, 2009 10:56 PM in response to GMGNewton

I never cared for the screensets, although some people are fine with them. I have two monitors, a 30" and 24". The 30 is a Gateway 2560 DPI. I love it. I don't have to move windows around as much..

I set up my 24" a couple of feet away right in front of my keyboard, and I use it to display Logic's score page as I record. I set up an orchestral type score.. 8-12 tracks displayed so I can 'see' where and what each instrument is playing..It makes it much easier to record along with it.. I can fill in holes, play harmonies to riffs on other instruments - on the fly..

I use Logics arrange page 90% of the time, and I open/close the lower section to look at piano rolls, tweak the mixer, edit audio, and. play with modulation levels etc..

I think for each person, we end up using Logic in different ways.. Before the 2nd display, I used Logic' coloring feature a lot. I'd use different colors for each midi, audio region, so I could get a quick grasp on what was happening in a song..

Just dig in, once you get your setup going. With each passing week, you'll probably start altering the way you do things. good luck

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Answer 6

May 28, 2009 1:07 AM in response to GMGNewton

Hi GMGNewton,

I too dabble in producing my own dance tracks and I've found that once you become familiar with logics overview it's best to create a custom template of your set up as I end up going through the same sort of sequence most times which is time consuming starting from scratch.

I tend to work with a lot of software instruments when writing rather than audio within logic so my template just now for starting off a project consists of:

1 x Ultrabeat Stereo Track (With custom samples)
4 x EXS24 Track (Percussion, Piano, Strings, Pads)
3 x ES1 Track (Bass & 2 Spare)
2 x ES2 Track (Synth Lead & 1 Spare)
4 x Audio Track (Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, 1 x Spare)

I only have the Ultrabeat track for laying down basic drum sequences then I will later put each drum sound onto separate tracks, usually as audio files (especially the kick).

The Electric Guitar track has the Guitar Amp plugin inserted as although I have my own amp to record from via a mic, it's not that great so I favour the logic plug for this.

That's pretty much the track count I start off with and gradually build a session up from there, which could add another 10 - 20 tracks, maybe even more.

I only have an imac as my monitor so I use screen shots for changing views.

1. Arrange
2. Mixer
3. Close up of Arrange

I also colour my tracks so I can visually know whats going on:

Drums/Percussion - Red
Bass - Purple
Keys - Brown
Strings - Yellow
Synths - Green
Vocals - Male Blue, Female Pink
Guitar - Depends what track is

Hope this helps 😉

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