The Physical input is the most important MIDI object in the Environment as it is Logic's link to the outside world. It picks up anything connected to your Mac that is capable of transmitting a MIDI signal into Logic. This includes USB MIDI controller keyboards, MIDI interfaces and physical MIDI ports on Firewire/USB audio interfaces. The MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) protocol enables compatible devices to send and receive data. It was created to allow hardware to speak to each other. Logic Pro uses the MIDI protocol to play and record software instruments, automation, and external MIDI hardware. MIDI does not contain audio.

There are two basic ways to bring a Standard MIDI file into Logic. You can either open it as new project, or import it into an existing Logic project. In either case, all the MIDI note and controller data on each included track is brought into Logic, but there are some differences in how global project data such as tempo and time signatures are handled.

Opening a MIDI file as a new project

1. Choose File > Open from the Logic menu.
2. In the window that opens, navigate to the MIDI file on your hard drive and select it.
3. Click the Open button.

When you open a MIDI file this way, all global project data including tempo and time signatures are included. This may be a good workflow if you are using the MIDI file as a starting point for your project.

Importing a MIDI file into an existing project

You may want to add data from a MIDI file to an existing Logic project. In this case, you can import the MIDI file rather than opening it as a new project.

1. Open the Logic project.
2. Choose File > Import from the Logic menu.
3. In the window that opens, navigate to the MIDI file on your hard drive and select it.
4. Click the Import button.

In this workflow, all the tracks are imported, but tempo data and time signatures are ignored, preserving the existing global data in your project.

Note: You can also import a MIDI file into a project by dragging the file from the Finder onto the Arrange window.

Learn more

How Logic assigns tracks from MIDI files

When you either open or import a MIDI file, by default Logic assigns software instruments to each track from the MIDI file. Logic assigns instruments according to the first program change message in each track based on the General MIDI specification. If you prefer not to load software instruments for the tracks from MIDI files, press the Command key when you open or import the MIDI file (when choosing Import from the File menu). Logic will create a Multi instrument and assign channels from it to tracks in the Arrange window.

Logic Pro X and MIDI Files by John Ialuna

Logic Pro X by Apple MAC is a very powerful and easy to use MIDI File creator and editor. Make quick edits or record an album with relative ease using Logic Pro X. This feature rich DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is industry standard. Any serious musician creating music should consider using Logic Pro X. Several producers at Hit Trax MIDI Files use Logic Pro X for its MIDI File friendly environment.

Logic Pro X Development - a Brief History

In 1988, software makers Gerhard Lengeling and Chris Adam developed Creator Notator SL (Notator SL) on the ATARI ST computer. Notator SL used a series of parts called 'patterns' such as intro, verse, chorus etc, each with 16 MIDI channels or more using the optional MIDI expander. When patterns were complete, the music producer would link them in an 'Arrangement' and export as a Standard MIDI File.

Logic goes PC

Around 1993 a new company 'Emagic' was formed and a Windows version named 'Notator Logic' was developed and for the first time included audio recording. In truth, the first Windows versions were terrible! Early PC RAM and memory limitations contributed to crashing and loss of song data as lamenting producers wished they never sold their old ATARI's.

Logic goes MAC

In 2002, Apple bought out Emagic and acquired Logic. In the same breath Apple announced it was discontinuing the Windows version making Logic exclusive to MAC. Despite rumblings among PC users this was seen as a good move which proved true. Apple put in a great deal of its resources to completely rebuild Logic from the ground up, a decision that resulted in Logic Pro X being the industry standard DAW and MIDI File creation platform.

Tutorial - load edit and convert MIDI Files in Logic Pro X

In this basic tutorial, I will show you how to load, edit, quantize, humanize save and convert MIDI Files in Logic Pro X. This tutorial does not cover creating a MIDI File from new although you can use this information and apply to a new project.. This tutorial assumes the user is using a professional MIDI File which is correctly setup to 'load and play' in a General MIDI device.

Load a MIDI File in Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X Midi Mapping

Method #1 - Using Logic's EXS and other sampled Instruments. Go FILE>Open>Select MIDI File>Open: Logic scans each MIDI channel's embedded instrument program number and assigns compatible sounds.

Method #2 - Using an external MIDI sound module. Go FILE>Open>Select MIDI File>HOLD COMMAND KEY>Open: Logic routes output to the external MIDI sound module.

Transpose

Select All then deselect the drum track (MIDI channel 10). On the left channel strip, adjust the amount of transpose. When done, Select All' and Normalize (Ctrl+N) to lock in the changes.

Change an instrument

Select the instrument, Press E to open the Event Editor. Change or add the Program Number to select a instrument. When done, Normalize (Ctrl+N) to lock in the changes

Humanize

Quantized tracks (where note position is quantized to the beat) van sound mechanical. This is okay in dance music and EDM. Rock and acoustic songs can sound static when quantized. Fortunately, it's easy to transform the song data like a human would play it.

Select All> Open MIDI Transform> Humanize (under presets window)

Set Velocity and Length windows to 'Thru'. Set 'Position' window to +- Random and set value to 0 0 0 4. Press 'Select Operate' to apply. The MIDI File will now have a more natural feel..

Advanced MIDI Editing in the MIDI Transform Window

Advanced MIDI editing is possible though Logic Pro's MIDI Transform Window, where velocity, pitch, pitch-bends, humanize and precise note positioning are effected. The MIDI Transform Window is one of Logic Pro X's most powerful features. The simple layout of the editing screen is self-explanatory making edits easy. All Transforms are reversible using standard undo command (Command+Z).

Normalize

Normalizing locks in any edits. Normalize can be undone if needed but you must Normalize after edits before saving the song file. Normalize is usually the last function before saving.

Export MIDI File

1:: Select ALL and Normalize. Click OK to update MIDI channel data

2: : Select All (COMMAND+A) then 'Export Selection s MIDI File. NOTE - this is a very important step. If you do not Select All, Logic will only export the highlighted section and ignore everything else.

Logic Pro X Midi Latency

Convert MIDI File to WAV MP3 and other Audio Formats

Logic Pro can create a stereo WAV MP3 and AAC audio file from track data. If you are using Logic's EXS samples and audio tracks (non-MIDI), the process is simple. Select All then go File>Bounce>Project or Section. This opens the window below. Select the formats you require hen press OK. If saving MP3, use the settings as shown in the image below (except Start/End which depends on song length). If your song tracks are MIDI, there's a little more involved. Refer to the YouTube video's in Related Links.

Related Links

Logic Pro X Midi Keyboard

Logic Pro X
Sequencing software for MAC
MIDI to Audio in Logic Pro X
Bounce MIDI tracks to Audio File
General MIDI
General MIDI Files
MIDI-Karaoke
MIDI Files with scrolling lyrics
What is a MIDI File?
by John Ialuna