Flex time editing – Apple Logic Pro 9 User Manual

Page 523

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Flex Time editing—similar to what is often referred to as elastic audio in other
applications—is a nondestructive form of audio editing in Logic Pro. It is a process that
allows you to correct a single note or the timing of an entire region, all within the Arrange
window. Flex Time editing greatly simplifies the process required for altering the timing
of audio material. It allows you to compress or expand the time between specified points
in an audio region without the need for more traditional processes like cutting, nudging,
and crossfading. This chapter introduces you to the techniques used for Flex Time editing
as well as the track-based settings that determine how the timing of your audio will be
altered—either by using time compression or expansion algorithms, by manipulating
invisibly sliced segments, or by speeding up or slowing down the material.

You edit the timing of audio material using flex markers. When you move a flex marker,
it time compresses or expands the area around it. The initial boundaries within which
this is done is determined by the transient markers. Transient markers denote significant
points—or transients—in an audio file. The audio on a track is analyzed for transients the
first time you enable that track for Flex Time editing. Any detected transients in the file
are marked with transient markers. You manipulate flex markers either in the Arrange
area’s Flex view, or invisibly using the Flex tool. You can create single or multiple flex
markers in an audio file, allowing you to manipulate the position of single notes or
complete phrases.

This chapter covers the following:

•

Turning on Flex View

(p. 524)

•

Choosing Flex Modes

(p. 524)

•

Getting to Know the Flex Modes

(p. 527)

•

Getting to Know Transient, Flex, and Tempo Markers