Apple Logic Express 8 - Manual (Page 310)

310 Chapter 13 Creating Your Arrangement
The Snap functionality is relative, which means that the edit operation will be snapped
to the nearest bar, beat, and so on—retaining the region’s distance from its original
position. As an example, if a region is placed at position 1.2.1.16, and you move this
region forward to around bar 2 (with the Snap menu set to Bar), it will automatically
snap to position 2.2.1.16—rather than 2.1.1.1 (the bar 2 start point). You can override
relative snaps with the Snap to Absolute Value option.
To snap to an absolute, not relative, position:
m Choose the Snap to Absolute Value option in the Snap menu.
A tick will appear to the left of this function name when enabled. This feature works in
conjunction with the chosen snap grid division.
To explain, if Bar is chosen in the Snap menu, when Snap to Absolute Value is active,
moving a region (from position 1.2.1.16) to around bar 2 will result in it being snapped
to position 2.1.1.1 (the bar 2 start point), rather than its relative position (2.2.1.16).
The Snap menu setting applies to the following edit operations:
 Moving and copying regions.
 Resizing regions.
 Cutting regions.
 Moving, adding, and resizing markers.
 Setting cycle boundaries.
Overriding the Snap Grid
You can temporarily override the snap grid, allowing finer edits and adjustments.
To override the snap grid:
m Hold Control while performing the editing operation.
 The division value chosen in the Transport (1/16, for example) determines the editing
grid scale at lower zoom levels (macroscopic or wide view).
 If the zoom level is higher (microscopic or close up view), holding Control while
editing will scale by a certain factor.
m Hold Control-Shift while performing the editing operation:
 The editing grid switches to ticks if editing at lower zoom levels (macroscopic or
wide view).
 At higher zoom levels (microscopic or close up view), the editing grid will switch to
samples.
Notes on the Relationship Between the Zoom Level and Snap Menu Setting
In cases where the zoom level is so high (microscopic), that the chosen Snap value
would result in extremely large movements or edits, the Snap value is temporarily
dimmed, and Smart snap is used instead.