Apple Logic Express 7 - Manual (Page 47)

Chapter 1 Using Logic 47
Input via the Computer Keyboard
Note input with the computer keyboard follows the same principles as input via the
on-screen keyboard (see “Input via Screen Keyboard” on page 45). Where it differs is
that key commands are used for all functions, rather than choosing pitch, velocity, note
length, and so on with mouse clicks. It is recommended that the Keyboard window
should remain open when you first start using these functions, to make the learning
process easier. Once familiar, you can leave it closed as it is unnecessary to open the
Keyboard window when using key commands.
All key commands for step input are user definable. They can be found at the very
bottom of the list, under the header Keyboard Input, in the Preferences > Key Commands.
Note: It is also possible to enter note data in realtime with the computer keyboard (see
“Caps Lock Keyboard” on page 49).
Pitch
The twelve Note C to Note B key commands will insert a note (of the selected pitch)
with the set length and velocity at the current song position in the selected MIDI
Region. To insert chords, use the Chord Mode key command. You can switch off chord
mode with the same key command.
Rather than assigning key commands to all twelve pitches, you also have the option to
only define key commands for the seven pitches of the C major scale, and use these in
combination with the Next note will be sharp and Next note will be flat key commands to
insert the other pitches.
When creating a system for these key command assignments, two approaches seem
obvious: either to arrange these commands on the computer keyboard similarly to a
piano keyboard (C D E F G A B in one row, next to each other, and C# D# F# G# A#
above these at corresponding positions), or to assign keys to pitches of the C major
scale according to their note names—especially when the second approach mentioned
above is used.
Octave Ranges
The octave of an inserted note depends on the current position of the insert range bar.
This can be seen in the Keyboard Window: There is a small horizontal bar above the
piano key image that spans one octave exactly. The chosen note will always be inserted
inside the range marked by that bar.
This bar continuously changes its position in accordance with the last inserted
note: The center of the insert range bar will always be aligned to the last inserted note.
The next note will be inserted in that range unless the range bar is moved via key
commands or the mouse.