Is it possible to edit takes in LogicPro?
September 5, 2011 7:02 PM   Subscribe

Another LogicPro question. Actually 2 problems: (1) It seems impossible to follow the manual's instructions on editing multiple takes within one track (I can't "click-drag" on a MacBook). (2) I'm getting a weird error message. Details inside.

I'm using LogicPro 8 on a MacBook Pro with OS 10.6.7.

I've recorded several songs without too many problems, but this is the first time I've tried recording multiple takes within one track. You're supposed to be able to go back and edit them into one track.

First of all, I've found it very frustrating to figure out how to do this, since some of the crucial functions (e.g. selecting part of a take in a way that automatically cancels out the other takes for that portion) require you to do something I can't do on my MacBook: "click-drag." I don't have a mouse. Do I have to buy a mouse just to be able to do this one thing, or is there any way around it?

My second problem is that I started repeatedly getting an error message once I deleted all but one takes in a comp. The error message says:
Logic Pro has detected a possible conflict between one or more third party MIDI or audio drivers.

Be sure to install the latest drivers for all audio and MIDI equipment connected to your computer, and remove any older or unused drivers.
Since it started showing this message, I can't hear the take anymore. I wish there were a way to get it back. I spent a long time playing many takes of this, and as soon as I chose the best one, it stopped playing back.

Another weird thing I just noticed is that this song is saving 2 copies for each of its audio files: one copy in the normal folder for the song, and another copy (identical file name and date/time modified) in the folder for some other song I made a while ago. This is probably because I saved a copy of the old song and used that as a template to create this new song. Is that just not a good idea?

Does anyone have any suggestions — even ideas for trial and error? If I can't get this editing thing to work I think I'll have to break down and buy Logic Express.
posted by John Cohen to Computers & Internet (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
What kind of MacBook Pro do you have? One with the new(ish) trackpads sans buttons? I can easily click and drag on my MacBook Pro (the new kind). I click with my thumb, and while I'm holding my thumb down, drag with my middle finger.

Apologies if 'click-drag' is different to 'click and drag'. I have no experience with LogicPro 8.
posted by lovedbymarylane at 7:18 PM on September 5, 2011


Response by poster: b1tr0t, it's not clear to me that getting a new version of Logic Express to replace an old version of Logic Pro would be a "downgrade."
posted by John Cohen at 7:35 PM on September 5, 2011


Response by poster: OK, but how do I delete all config files? I don't know what they are or how to find them, and I have Googled for it.

Most of the forum questions I've found that are similar to mine say to un/re-install your MIDI controller software ... but I don't have any. (I do use a MIDI controller, but it doesn't come with any software to install.) They also say to go to Library/Preferences and delete various files there (and then restart Logic), but I tried this and it didn't seem to work.
posted by John Cohen at 9:17 PM on September 5, 2011


Response by poster: Thanks, though I tried a couple of those and they didn't work ("Reorganize Memory"; holding down "control" while starting to turn off the audio driver).

What I've done for now is to create a whole new song and copy each track from the old version into the new one. This isn't ideal (aside from the hassle of copying everything piecemeal, I'll have to redo the settings from scratch), but at least now I have the audio/MIDI files in a project I can work with.
posted by John Cohen at 10:27 PM on September 5, 2011


Response by poster: I got that idea from your troubleshooting link, under the heading "Start Logic with a different project template."
posted by John Cohen at 10:28 PM on September 5, 2011


If you don't get your answer here, ask at gearslutz.com under the music production section. Good luck.
posted by fantasticninety at 2:04 AM on September 6, 2011


This isn't ideal (aside from the hassle of copying everything piecemeal, I'll have to redo the settings from scratch)

For the future, you should be able to keep both projects open at the same time and copy the channel strip settings (and probably the regions, too) between them. Logic 9 does have a new track-import feature which is pretty great the one time you actually need it.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:43 AM on September 6, 2011


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