Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

36 points

How does the Media library get its listings?

In brief, how come the media library in the Arrange window can have completely different names for the same category of instrument? And are these the same instruments?

Introduction:

In Arrange window, I create a software instrument track, and, by default, and when I create the track, there are two columns in media -> library. (The default instrument is EVP88 electric piano.) The left media->library list has : Logic instruments, acoustic pianos, bass, etc. Selecting "acoustic pianos", the right hand list has 16 pianos (4 different pianos - bosendorfer, pop,yamaha, steinway, each in 4 different locations) and one library. So for example "bosendorfer piano club", "steinway piano room", etc. The same piano in a different location has a mildly different overtone spectrum, so it is a distinguishably different instrument.

Questions:

Being curious, I dig in. There are several parts to this problem:

1. There is no file anywhere on my mac with the filename or content "bosendorfer piano club". The only files with the name Bosendorfer are "Apple Piano Bar Bosendorfer.01.caf, .02.caf", etc, which are in an Apple Loops directory. (I don't see any file related to steinway.) So where does the name "bosendorfer piano club" , or for that matter "steinway piano room", come from?

2. The acoustic pianos are all EXS24 instruments. When I bring up the EXS24 interface for the track (having assigned the "bosendorfer piano club" to the track from media-> library), the name of the instrument (listed right above the cutoff knob in the EXS24 interface) is"classical piano". In the listings of instruments produced by the EXS24 interface there are only "classical piano", "Grand Piano",etc - no bosendorfer. So the EXS24 interface has different instrument names than does media-> library of the arrange window. How come?

3. (Please be patient - there is a question here.) When I click on the little "+" to the right of the instrument name in the EXS24 interface, the instrument name switches to the next one on the list - "Grand Piano". NOW, BOTH COLUMNS OF THE LISTING IN THE MEDIA->LIBRARY AREA OF THE ARRANGE WINDOW HAVE CHANGED (automatically, by themselves - woe is me). The left hand column now has Acoustic pianos, bass,..., and when "acoustic pianos" is selected, the list is "Classical Piano", "Grand Piano",... - in short, the same listing as the EXS24 interface instrument listing. There are only 10 pianos (vs 16 before), and no directory. The only way I have found to revert to the original media->library list is to create a new software instrument from scratch. Is there some other way for me to restore the original listing?

4. What is going on here?

Thanks

Posted on Jun 22, 2011 5:28 AM

18 replies

Jun 27, 2011 8:58 PM in response to mojoit99

Great, you figured it out.

Always make sure that you know what to save or open.

1) Patch

2) Plugin Setting

3) Channel Strip Setting

Also be real careful about the "dual personality" of the Library window

A) it displays the Channel Strip Settings when the Channel Strip Settings button at the top of the Channel Strip is selected (white border)
B) it displays the Plug-In Settings if any Plugin is selected (white border). And remember a plugin is either a software instrument or an FX plugin!

BTW, the white border around the buttons is only visible when the Library window is visible!

mojoit99 wrote:

Do you know what will happen when I do an update? Will it erase all of created channel strip settings?

Both Plug-In Settings and Channel Strip Settings files behave like ordinary files (like a text file). When you open a text file and edit it, it won't affect the file itself, unless you "save" it (overwrite) You can delete the Channel Strip file only manually from the Finder, the Plug-in Settings file can be deleted with a command from the popup menu (one of those Logic inconsistencies).

Another thing to keep in mind that I mentioned earlier. When you load a Channel Strip Settings in Logic, Logic will rebuild it exactly to that state as you have saved it. Now when you change that Channel Strip, you change the parameter directly, not the .cst file. Now when you save your Logic project, it will save all the individual parameter of that Channel Strip, including the name of the Channel Strip that you originally loaded. (It is displayed on the top button). But when you load that Logic Project later, Logic DOES NOT reload that .cst file. Logic has stored all the individual parameters with the Project in the first place.

Try it yourself. Create a Channel Strip with various settings and save it as a Channel Strip Setting "Test". You will see it in the Library window. Save the Project. Now go to the Finder and delete the "Test.cst" file (you know now where it is located). Now reopen your Project again. Logic loaded your Channel Strip perfectly and it lists "Test" on the Channel Strip button even that cst file doesn't exist anymore.

I know, it can be all a bit confusing at first and believe me it was to me. But once you have deciphered it and know where to look at and know what you are seeing then it becomes very easy and best of all, it becomes a really powerful tool. I gave you some examples earlier, just use it and master it.

Edgar Rothermich

free Logic manuals:

DingDingMusic.com.com/Manuals

mojoit99

Level 1

0 points

Jul 3, 2011 9:55 AM in response to EdgarRothermich

Edgard - Thanks for all your help. I sent to your site and checked out your manuals.

I would like to start a thread recommending that Apple should pay cash or at least give incentives to all the guys like you who consistently post on these boards and help us out. The best thing about Logic is this Users and the support they provide.

Jul 4, 2011 5:42 PM in response to mojoit99

That is really nice of you but my guess is that you won't get much response from Apple.

There are lots of books, video tutorials and courses for Logic available and many of the authors are active in the various Logic forums with their free help. By purchasing their products you not only supporting them directly but you will improve your Logic skills tremendously. So next time when you think of buying another plugin or sound library to improve your tracks, think about those products and I can guarantee you that your music will improve quite a bit. (Less struggle, less frustrating during the music making results in better music making experience and therefore better music).

Edgar Rothermich

Free Manuals

DingDingMusic.com/Manuals/

How does the Media library get its listings?