Dumb Logic Questions from non-logic user

[joeldadrummer]

I posted this in one of the other logic 8 threads, but it got overlooked (not surprising considering there currently about 9,957 logic 8 threads).

Obviously Logic 8 looks pretty cool, and I would love to give it a try.
I use Protools as my main platform, and I have absolutely no knowledge of logic.
If someone could help me out with a couple of basic questions, that would be great.

#1- how easy/difficult it is to open and transfer sessions between PT and loigc? What info gets lost, and how time consuming is it?

#2 - I always assumed that becasue Logic used Apples coreaudio that you could use the app without any external hardware for simple editing tasks, in much the same way that Garageband can work without any external hardware. Is this true?

thanks!

JOEL


ps - any other non-logic users may feel free to hijack this thread with Logic questions, if you are so inclined (and if logic users are so willing to answer!).

[Bryan Talbot]

Originally Posted by joeldadrummer

#2 - I always assumed that becasue Logic used Apples coreaudio that you could use the app without any external hardware for simple editing tasks, in much the same way that Garageband can work without any external hardware. Is this true?

That one is true. How you actually monitor it is up to you.

I'd wager you don't really want to use the built-in speaker. I've been using the computer's optical S/PDIF output into the 192 interface. With some adjusting of PT's hardware setup, this does work, but it's less than elegant, and you're restricted to 44.1, 48, or 96. I run music sessions at 88.2, so that eliminates simultaneous use of Logic.

I've ordered a sample rate converter from Behringer that will take mutiple formats, convert the sample rate, and output all those formats simultaneously, as well as analog, so you can bring the analog outs up on the patchbay. Yeah, it's a Behringer, but it's going to handily solve a few issues like that.

[joeldadrummer]

Originally Posted by Bryan Talbot

That one is true. How you actually monitor it is up to you.

Hey Brian thanks!
That is great. The ability to plug in some headphones and edit on my laptop (without having to carry an Mbox around) would be fantastic.

[nikki-k]

Hi!
#1 depends on how complicated your PT sessions are. I am going thru this, and it is not fun. Moving between any DAW and another is not fun IMO. I am going in and doing the simple thing tho: Consolidate each track, so that I have a "start at bar 1" region for each track, then rename the actual audio file. For MIDI, export as .mid, naming each consolidated MIDI region-track as I did with audio.

Now the fun part...

Launch Logic, and then open the .mid file. Do not import into an open song/project. Simply right-click on the .mid file, and choose Logic as the app to use. This will open the .mid file with makrers, tempo and meter changes intact. Next create the audio tracks you need, and import those audio tracks. With the .mid created tracks, simply insert the VI of your choice.

I like to compose MIDI drums on seperate tracks some times. Before exporting, I prefer to combine/merge all the MIDI drum tracks to a single one.

#2: already answered. But, to add.... I use a Mac Pro, and also a MacBook Pro. I love to be able to simply sit in bed with my MBP and a set of headphones plugged into the built-in sound output, and use Logic. No dongles (unless I am using plugs that need one), no extra cables, unless I want to use a larger MIDI keyboard or live instrument. Caps Lock to bring up an onscreen piano keyboard is awesome for just doing some quick stuff like that. Make the rig as small, or as large, as you want

[joeldadrummer]

Originally Posted by nikki-k

Hi!
#1 depends on how complicated your PT sessions are. I am going thru this, and it is not fun. Moving between any DAW and another is not fun IMO. I am going in and doing the simple thing tho: Consolidate each track, so that I have a "start at bar 1" region for each track, then rename the actual audio file. For MIDI, export as .mid, naming each consolidated MIDI region-track as I did with audio.

Hey nikki thanks for the info! the one time I tried to use a PT session on a non PT rig it was a bit of a drag. We used Digitranslator (bit of a waste of Money IMHO) and saved as OMF, then opened in Nuendo (I think it was Nuendo- it was over a year ago so my memory is fading!) for my friend to mix on. Maybe I did something wrong but I remember it was a bit of a mess. we had all the audio (we didn't have midi tracks so no probs there), but many simple edits I made in protools seemed to be messed up, and all fades were def gone. So quite a bit of time was spent re-editing and making sure things were as they should be. I was wondering if it would alway be that much of a hassle to go between two DAW's?

In Logic you can save as OMF without any "translator" right? I wonder if Opening OMF files in Protools Or Logic is any better perhaps?

thanks!!!
JOEL