Preparing to Take LOGIC PRO X, LEVEL 1 at The Songwriting School

Congratulations on the decision to take this aspect of your creative life into your own hands! This page is designed to prepare you for the first day of Logic Pro X., Level 1 classes at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles.

Need suggestions for supporting gear you might need, either for class or for your own home recording? There are links and suggestions below.

By learning a creating and recording tool like Logic Pro X, you will soon have the ability to take the ideas in your head and realize them with your own voice and virtually any instrument in any genre you can think of. 

But first, let's cover some basics before you begin. Your instructor, Jay Asher, is the author of four books on Logic, is a former staff writer at Casablanca, has scored major motion pictures and television, and is a go-to consultant for some of LA's top creators in Logic. He additionally runs the Los Angeles Logic Pro Users Group, which we are proud to host here at The Songwriting School.

In this short video, Jay goes over some of the things you will need to do BEFORE you come to class 1 in person or begin online. Please watch and make sure you have everything ready to go before you arrive for your first class.

Resources Jay Discusses

For class if you are bringing your own laptop, you will need these things:

  • A Mac laptop with Logic Pro X installed and the latest update installed
  • all Logic Pro X additional sounds downloaded/installed
  • an updated OS (we don't require you to be on the latest OS, but you must be on an OS that is stable with your version of Logic)
  • earbuds or headphones

Jay strongly recommends you purchase the David Nahamani guide to Logic Pro X. Please note that if you purchase through this link School receives a small commission from Amazon. This does not impact your cost.

While you will want these tools, they are not required for class:

  • a small 25-key MIDI keyboard/controller - you will only need a keyboard in class for 2 of the 6 weeks. If you do not want to purchase a small MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard can become a musical keyboard when you engage the CAPS LOCK key. You will most likely want some kind of MIDI controller, but those who have full-scale keyboards at home may not wish to purchase an additional controller
  • an audio interface - this class does not get into mic-ing or recording techinques per se, so you will not need an audio interface for class. If you hope to record voices, acoustic guitars, or any analog instrument, at some point you will want a means of getting audio into the computer. That is the job of an audio interface. Jay describes some options in the video.

Questions about the class format? What you will learn? Feel free to CONTACT US or call 818-848-7664.

GEAR TO GO WITH LOGIC PRO X:

You do not need any additional equipment to create music in Logic Pro X! But as you add tools to your tool kit, you will be able to create better quality productions. Below is a list of some items you might consider in order to take full advantage of Logic Pro X. We have attempted to list various features and price points. Consider your needs and budget thoughtfully as you choose. 

By purchasing with Amazon through these links, you are generously contributing a small bit of your purchase to The Songwriting School without in any way affecting your price. Thank you!

 MIDI CONTROLLERS/KEYBOARDS

You don't have to purchase a MIDI controller for class. Your laptop keyboard can double as a musical keyboard. Voila! If you'd like a musical keyboard to better create and to control Logic's features, the next decision is whether you'd like a small, portable device, or whether you'd like a larger stand-alone keyboard. You could both control MIDI in Logic on a full-sized keyboard and have an instrument in your home to perform and write on. There is also the option to split the difference: a mid-sized keyboard big enough to play with both hands in multiple octaves, but not requiring a large footprint in your home.

Please pay attention to the kind of ports you have on your Mac and the kind of cabling that comes with each of these. You may need an Apple-friendly connection port depending upon how new or old your machine is.

Portable MIDI Controllers:

Here are a few in a range of price points and features. Many of our students have enjoyed the functionality and durability of the Akai units. M-Audio has produced a wider range of student experiences, from positive to less so. 

WEIGHTED KEY KEYBOARDS THAT DOUBLE AS MIDI CONTROLLERS

If you play piano/keyboards and want an INSTRUMENT that you can write and perform with, you might consider a MIDI keyboard with weighted keys. It can control MIDI in Logic just like a smaller controller, but it can also be a stand-alone instrument in your home. Then you will pay attention to whether you'd like internal speakers (so that you can hear it when you are not using Logic), how many keys (up to a full 88 keys, as on a piano), and if onboard sounds are important to you. Here is where your budget comes into play.

First, let's take a look at the old keyboard you might already own!

If you have an older keyboard in your house, it might do the trick! But if it has a MIDI out and no USB out, you have no easy way to connect it to your computer. Never fear! Here is an affordable device that will allow it to control Logic:

 

Semi-Weighted Keys, Built-In Speaker: 

FULL 88 WEIGHTED KEYS, NO BUILT-IN SPEAKER

 

FULL 88 WEIGHTED KEYS, BUILT-IN SPEAKER

AUDIO INTERFACES & USB MICROPHONES

In order to record audio (your voice, an acoustic guitar, etc) into Logic, you'll need a way to convert an analog signal like your voice into the digital language of 1s and 0s. An Audio Interface is designed to both handle that analog to digital conversion AND to provide some sonic benefits, control headphones, external monitors, and more. You'll also need a microphone to plug into the interface to record your source.

A USB Microphone combines both of those functions. The greatest fidelity comes from combining a good sound with a good mic, a good preamp, and good conversion. But you can get good results on a budget. We'll offer a few entry options at a few price points.

USB Microphones

Plug a USB microphone into your computer and it converts the analog signal into a digital signal right away. Great for podcasts, voiceovers, and simple music recording. Because the unit does multiple jobs, its fidelity is not typically as high as using a stand-alone microphone with a dedicated audio interface. But this can be a great solution on a budget.

 

AUDIO INTERFACES

An audio interface allows you to plug in a source (microphone, guitar cable, etc) and converts the sound to a digital signal in Logic. The interface will typically have a headphone output and allow you to control external monitors (speakers) if you are building a home studio environment. The Focusrite Scarlett is the best of the entry level models. The Universal Audio Apollo series gets you into closer to professional grade equipment with additional plugins at about five times the cost.