Some cool Logic Studio tips

I got into Logic Audio back at version 3.5!!!  I had the PC version hooked up to my Roland Juno 60 (with the Midi converter box) and my Akai S3000XL.  Ah yeah!  Using Recycle to send samples to my S3000 changed my life.  As a nerd, I was always interested in figuring out how to do cool things with the software, and as an artist, I was always looking for ways to avoid having my music released into the world.  So over the years I've picked up some cool tricks.  It blows me away how much easier everything is now than it used to be.  MIDI mastery seems like a thing of the past for the most part.  Anyway here are some of my favorite tips that are still very relevant.  FWIW my set-up now is just an MBP Intel Core Duo and a Novation Remote 25 SL.  That's it.  Everything else is just plugins and Logic Studio.

These are probably 2 of the more useful Logic Audio tricks that I like to share with my fellow Logic heads.  Ok make that 3.  There is always so much more to learn about this program!  I like sharing these kinds of tips so that people can benefit from the countless hours I've spent procrastinating making music, learning about arcane (or not so arcane) features, so they have no excuse but to focus on making more music!

• Using Quick Automation Access in Logic 8 (mostly applies to Logic 7 too). This is the single greatest thing since sliced bread. If you don't have a Mackie Control or that new super awesome controller that is $1,500, you can use this trick so that ANY automation parameter can be assigned to a midi controller of your choice, such as the mod wheel on your keyboard! This alone will change your life. Only bummer of course is that you can only change one param at a time. My Remote SL lets me change basic stuff like volume, mute, pan, simiultaneously, but I'm too lazy to set it up in some hackish way to control other stuff, so I actually use this technique because it is down and dirty and lets you focus on the music instead of controller templates. I have gotten great results this way, though I still lust after a Mackie control which I think you can get new for like $600 now (the old school HUI-ish one that was the original Logic control anyway).
  
• Using the multiple output feature of EXS24 (Logic 5 I think even had this).  This feature is slightly more obscure and allows you to send each individual sound to its own unique output in EXS.  This technique works for any AU plug-in that supports multi-out, such as Kontakt, Guru, Battery, Guru, etc.
  
• Assigning Aux tracks and other non-normal tracks to arrange.  This allows you to manage the automation data for those cool new Aux tracks you created on your multi-instrument outs!  I think this also applies to Bus tracks as well.
  

Shopping Takes All Day

So when is someone going to crack the case to unlock more productive online music shopping?  It seems possible that the flock web browser solves a different but equally key problem of being able to complete spam the world 24-7 with information about me.

 

Blogged with the Flock Browser

SaunaSessions.ca

I've been working on a remix with Woodhead of SaunaSessions.ca. These guys are totally off the chain, driving around Vancouver, BC with a mobile Sauna sound system. I'm loving his remix so far, hold tight for some sneak previews right here live and direct!

I'm finding that as I'm gettig heavy back into production, I want to listen to the funkiest things I can find and just totally assimilate the funk into the fabric of my being. I was listening to the latest Futuristic Sounds radio show (big up Mr Mikey) and he drops this Roy Ayers track, "Henceforth", from "Red, Black & Green" and I didn't recognize at first... man is that a funky track! Feel it. This morning was heavy dub with the Congos and Sugar Minott, and now I'm finishing out the day with some Black Star before heading down to BK for some birthday party action.

the NYC of hip-hop just ain't hear no more...

CP EP 2, Track 1

Well I got one track in the bag. I'm out here looking for friends and people who just find me to do some remixes of the next batch of tunes. One of them I'm calling "Steal Some Days" and has a heavy soul (as in 60's R&B) vibe, combined with some tuff 909 beats and percussion. Very Moodyman obviously, but also kind of on just a classic old school classic house tip. Down and dirty, and slightly relentless.

Then there is another track, "Cuts", which shamelessly pounds a looped sample whose origins may be your treat to discover. This track reminds me of late 90's chicago stuff big time, it just demands that you go to the dancefloor. It's a track that I started in Vancouver in 2003 and am finally giving it its due, as it is probably my favorite thing I ever came up with, after the hihat programming for "Does It".

Computer Paul on Myspace

Finally created a Computer Paul myspace page. Got all my tunes up on there, as it seems to be the place where people go to look for me, at least according to one London DJ... aw yeah, got my first radio airplay! Check out the show.

Big up.