Apple Logic Express 9 - Manual (Page 31)

You can also incorporate hardware MIDI instruments and MIDI-controlled effects units
to your Logic Express music production system. These are connected via a MIDI interface,
using MIDI cables. (See
Connecting Your Audio and MIDI Devices .)
MIDI-controlled effects units do not process MIDI data. Rather, they are audio processors
(such as reverb or multi-effect devices) that can be controlled via MIDI messages. This
allows you to automate the parameters of these devices—such as delay time or Flanger
speed—from Logic Express.
Typically, you would connect all external devices, such as synthesizers and MIDI-controlled
effects units to either your audio interface or a hardware mixing console. MIDI-controlled
effects units would be connected in a send/return loop, using either:
• A pair of audio ins and outs (or auxiliary in/out, if available) on your audio interface
• An auxilliary in/out (sometimes called FX send/return) pair on your mixing console
Both methods allow the use of Logic Express’s In/Out plug-in, allowing you to freely route
audio information through the external effects unit and the MIDI connection provides
control over the effects parameters. In many ways, this is much like using one of
Logic Express’s internal effect plug-ins.
Note: It is only practical to use the In/Out plug-in for external device routing when you’re
using an audio interface equipped with multiple in and out ports.
Both MIDI instruments and effects allow remote patch (preset) selection from Logic Express.
This (and control) information can be stored as part of Logic Express project files, ensuring
perfect playback from your MIDI devices the next time the project is loaded.
Ancillary Audio Devices
No discussion of a Logic Express audio system would be complete without covering a
number of options that you should seriously consider, in order to make the most of the
application.
Audio Playback System
Your audio interface provides inputs and outputs between the real world and your
computer. When performing audio playback, the audio interface translates computer
data into something you can hear and understand—sound and music.
To facilitate this, an amplifier and speakers are required. You can certainly use headphones,
connected to the headphone jack of your audio interface, or the home hi-fi to monitor
Logic Express playback, but this is not recommended in the long term.
You should look at a dedicated set of reference monitors (speakers), and a matching
reference amplifier. Many monitoring systems today have powered speakers, negating
the need for a separate amplifier.
31 Chapter 2 Setting Up Your System