logic pro controller assignment parameter

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How to map an effect and assign a controller in Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X offers powerful, almost unlimited possibilities in music production. It is certainly one of the most versatile and advanced DAWs available on the market. This has its pros and cons. What is impossible in other DAWs is almost always possible in Logic Pro. However, what is relatively simple in other products, is often too complicated and difficult in Logic. This sounds quite controversial in relation to a product by Apple, but it is based on the experience of many musicians and producers.

One of the non-intuitive and confusing things is configuring external MIDI controllers – assigning and mapping MIDI events to effects.

This can be done in several ways. On the one hand, it’s good because it provides a lot of flexibility. However, it requires the user to spend time learning too much unnecessary information.

Key Commands

• Open the “Key Commands - Edit” window from the main menu, or use the keyboard shortcut ⌥K.
• Select the command you are interested in, e.g. Record, and then click the button in the bottom right corner <Learn New Assignment>.
• Now press the button on your physical MIDI controller, e.g. the footswitch you want to use to start recording.

That’s it! Unfortunately, it is impossible to map everything this way. Despite the fact that there are so many commands, they are only general assignments. Take, for example, Volume – master or track – if you want to control it using the MIDI pedal, this parameter cannot be assigned in this window.

To do this, you need to use another method…

Control Surfaces - Controller Assignments

• Move the slider or knob that you want to assign to the controller, first with the mouse or touchpad. This way, you activate the parameter which will be soon mapped.
• Then, in the “Control Surfaces” menu, select the option “Learn Assignment for  parameter ”, or use the key combination ⌘L. The displayed parameter will be the one you triggered earlier with your mouse.
• Now move the slider of the physical controller or the MIDI pedal to assign a parameter to it.

This is how you can map e.g. Master Volume, Track Volume, as well as parameters inside individual plug-ins, both those that are built-in, e.g. Echo Feedback, and in third-party Audio Units. The possibilities are therefore quite large, but sooner or later you will come across a situation where you cannot assign the parameter you want this way. Let’s take, for example, the built-in EQ and try to map High Cut Frequency. No matter how you move the mouse, the menu will still display High Cut Q-Factor instead of High Cut Frequency, and it cannot be changed in any way.

Smart Controls - single mapping

The previous ways had one thing in common – the <Learn> button. It will also appear in this method, but in another place. You will find it in the Smart Controls window (unfortunately these controls are not very smart at all). Open this view by clicking the “knob” icon on the toolbar, or select “Show Smart Controls” from the View menu, or simply press the B key.

Let’s start with the visual layout of the parameters. Click the ⓘ icon to show the Inspector panel. You will probably see “Automatic Smart Controls” at the top – this is the starting point. You can choose a different Layout (by hovering over this header, you will see that it is a drop-down list – this is not obvious at the beginning). It is worth experimenting by trying different elements from the list.

Once you have chosen Layout, click on one of the knobs (preferably those marked as “Unmapped”).

• you can click the <Learn> button, but as in the previous method, you won’t get what you want.
• It is better to choose a parameter from the drop-down list, e.g. Channel EQ ▸ High Cut Frequency
• In the External Assignment section, click <Learn> and move the physical controller slider or pedal.

This method of mapping and assigning parameters is the most complicated, but gives the greatest possibilities. It allows to map “invisible” properties, and even assign several different parameters to one controller.

Smart Controls - multiple mapping

Assigning many different parameters, usually from different plug-ins, allows to create very useful parameter combinations that can be controlled with one move (in Ableton it is called Macro). To define such a set, proceed in the same way as in the previous point.

After mapping and assigning the first parameter, add the second and subsequent parameters as follows:

• In Controls, select another knob which is Unmapped.
• In Inspector, in the Parameter Mapping section, click the ⚙ icon and then Add Mapping. Another drop-down list will appear. Proceed identically as in previous method. You no longer have to assign a controller because it was done when adding the first parameter.

Thanks to this, by moving the wheel, knob, slider or pedal on your physical MIDI controller, you can control two or more parameters at once. Many trademark sounds, such as the Wobble effect known from Dubstep, result from modulating a few parameters. The equally well-known Wah-Wah effect is nothing more than a combination of several different EQ attributes: Frequency, Q-Factor and Gain. By experimenting with many variables at the same time, you may even be able to create a completely new effect.

Till next time.

20 Jun 2020

• #Foot Controller

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Way to display of current controller assignment mode?!

• controller assignment
• control surface

By SWavii November 13, 2023 in Logic Pro

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been going crazy lately with mapping for Minilab 3 (which is my only custom zone). My modes are set up like this:

• Serum - Global

• Serum - OscA

• Serum - OscB

• Serum - Env1

etc. Pretty much every group of parameters gets its own mode and then i have a global mode as well that controls the entire synth. This applies to the main 5 synths that I use. 

Since im organizing this way it gives me quite a few modes. 

I've already figured out how to assign mode change to a knob so i can use that to toggle thru modes thanks to this thread here at LPH.

Now my question is...is there a way to display my current mode without having to open Expert View? is there no way to display this info in the main control bar so that when i am toggling thru modes with my knob i can get a quick glance ?

Thanks all.

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39 minutes ago, SWavii said: Now my question is...is there a way to display my current mode

In Logic, no, because that's not what modes are about - remember, this is about modes *on your controller*. For the MCU, the methods of feedback are defined and a bit of a black box, so feedback to your own controller setups - ie to light certain buttons in certain modes, is difficult, without some intelligent agent in between managing the feedback

But basically no, you activate a particular mode, and now buttons on your controller will do different things, but controller modes or assignments can't basically send messages back to your controller in much of a useful way, nor is there a way I'm aware of to display something dependent on the mode you are in (again, without something else doing this).

Thanks for the feedbacl des99!

Basically what i'm trying to say is, Logic already tells me which mode i'm in - but I have to open Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Controller Assignments > Expert View to view it. All i'm looking for is that same info but without having to do all that digging.

For example in the image I posted above: [Serum - Osc A] , is the selected mode (screenshot is from LPX). So this confirms that Logic is already showing me my currrent mode.

I'm just looking for a shortcut...like can I display that same info [Serum - Osc A] in the main Control Bar up top or do i have to open Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Controller Assignments > Expert View window every time.

The problem: Sometimes i'm switching modes with my controller and I can't physically see which mode I'm in unless I go to  Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Controller Assignments > Expert View ... and this hurts my workflow. Would be nice to for a small display to be visible so I can keep working without having to stop and use the mouse to dig in the toolbar.

2 hours ago, SWavii said: Basically what i'm trying to say is, Logic already tells me which mode i'm in - but I have to open Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Controller Assignments > Expert View to view it.

I know - I understood you perfectly, and I am very aware of how Logic behaves in this manner.

2 hours ago, SWavii said: All i'm looking for is that same info but without having to do all that digging.

And you have your answer... 😉

2 hours ago, SWavii said: Sometimes i'm switching modes with my controller and I can't physically see which mode I'm in unless I go to  Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Controller Assignments > Expert View ... and this hurts my workflow. Would be nice to for a small display to be visible so I can keep working without having to stop and use the mouse to dig in the toolbar.

Yes, I understood what you want, unfortunately, you can't have it, unless you have some intelligent agent that sits between Logic and your controller, and displays it's status onscreen (or gives feedback to the controller).

With the MCU, which is what the controller assignments and control surface scheme was originally built for, the primary feedback mechanism is the screen of the MCU (alongside a few buttons that have LEDs, and the Vpots/faders). When you change a mode, Logic updates what the screen should say and sends that back to the MCU. In order to reverse-engineer the current mode, it's very difficult and in my app I have to basically parse the screen feedback and try to deduce the current mode - and in some cases it's just not possible at all for various reasons which I won't go deep into here.

The controller assignments are architected as a "tell Logic to do this" and Logic will do what it will do. What you can’t make it do is communicate it's status back to the controller (or other element) without some extra third party intelligent agent that can do these things (or, a custom programmed control surface module, which regular people can't develop, to handle these things.)

The controller assignments window has a feature where that if you trigger the command, it's command will be displayed in the window for ease of editing/debugging etc, which means that in order to display the matching assignment, it *has* to select the appropriate mode you've triggered in order for the correct assignment to be displayed (otherwise you wouldn't see it). So it's not designed as a general feedback of which mode you're in when using Logic, it's designed as a "this is the assignment you just triggered" feature. It is of course very useful for that, but it's utility goes no further.

There isn't much of a way to directly do what you want to do with basic controller assignments (which is quite a recurring theme, for those of us who have gone deep into the weeds on this.)

15 minutes ago, des99 said: I know - I understood you perfectly, and I am very aware of how Logic behaves in this manner. And you have your answer... 😉 Yes, I understood what you want, unfortunately, you can't have it, unless you have some intelligent agent that sits between Logic and your controller, and displays it's status onscreen (or gives feedback to the controller). With the MCU, which is what the controller assignments and control surface scheme was originally built for, the primary feedback mechanism is the screen of the MCU (alongside a few buttons that have LEDs, and the Vpots/faders). When you change a mode, Logic updates what the screen should say and sends that back to the MCU. In order to reverse-engineer the current mode, it's very difficult and in my app I have to basically parse the screen feedback and try to deduce the current mode - and in some cases it's just not possible at all for various reasons which I won't go deep into here. The controller assignments are architected as a "tell Logic to do this" and Logic will do what it will do. What you can make it do is communicate it's status back to the controller (or other element) without some extra third party intelligent agent that can do these things (or, a custom programmed control surface module, which regular people can't develop, to handle these things.) The controller assignments window has a feature where that if you trigger the command, it's command will be displayed in the window for ease of editing/debugging etc, which means that in order to display the matching assignment, it *has* to select the appropriate mode you've triggered in order for the correct assignment to be displayed (otherwise you wouldn't see it). So it's not designed as a general feedback of which mode you're in when using Logic, it's designed as a "this is the assignment you just triggered" feature. It is of course very useful for that, but it's utility goes no further. There isn't much of a way to directly do what you want to do with basic controller assignments (which is quite a recurring theme, for those of us who have gone deep into the weeds on this.)

ok ok i got you! i appreciate your help with this bro thanks for breaking it down. kinda sucks but i can live with it!

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• Source overview
• Synthesis modes
• Granular controls
• Additive effects
• Additive effect controls
• Spectral effect
• Spectral effect controls
• Filter module
• Low, bandpass, and highpass filters
• Comb PM filter
• Downsampler filter
• Envelope generators
• Modulation routing
• Motion mode
• Sculpture overview
• String parameters
• Material Pad controls
• String parameter scaling
• Objects overview
• Excite table (objects 1 and 2)
• Disturb and damp table (objects 2 and 3)
• Pickup parameters
• Amplitude envelope parameters
• Processing overview
• Use the Waveshaper
• Spectral Shape EQ
• Delay effect
• Modulate the LFOs
• Vibrato parameters
• Random Variations controls
• Per note random variations
• Velocity modulators
• MIDI Controller A and B
• Envelope overview
• Loop envelopes
• Record envelopes
• Morph overview
• Morph Parameters
• Randomize parameters
• Morph Envelope parameters
• Morph Envelope sustain and loop controls
• Record Morph Envelopes
• MIDI controllers
• Studio Bass overview
• Studio Bass Main view
• Studio Bass Details view
• Studio Bass keyswitch mapping
• Studio Bass string and position MIDI channels
• Studio Horns overview
• Keyswitch mapping
• Section MIDI channel assignments
• Studio Piano
• Studio Strings overview
• Utility instruments overview
• External Instrument
• Vintage B3 Organ overview
• Main sound controls
• Draw bar controls
• Scanner Vibrato and Chorus
• Percussion effect
• Global effect controls
• Reverb effect controls
• Wah effect controls
• Distortion effect controls
• Basic Leslie controls
• Advanced Leslie controls
• Leslie Motor controls
• Leslie Brake parameters
• Microphone settings
• Modeling controls
• Click options
• Percussion options
• Tuning options
• Sustain options
• Model parameters
• Organ condition
• Preset and Morph overview
• Use preset keys
• Use Morph controls
• MIDI setup overview
• Use multiple or multichannel controllers
• Use a single-channel controller
• Set a MIDI control mode
• MIDI mode: Roland VK or Korg CX
• MIDI mode: Hammond Suzuki
• MIDI mode: Native Instruments B4D
• MIDI mode: Nord Electro and C2D
• MIDI mode: Crumar
• Additive synthesis with draw bars
• The residual effect
• Tonewheel sound generation
• A brief Hammond history
• The Leslie cabinet
• Vintage Clav overview
• Clavinet models
• Model characteristics
• Pickups parameters
• Color parameters
• Compressor effect
• Modulation FX
• Release Click and Excite
• String Details
• Pitch Details
• Misc parameters
• MIDI Mono Mode
• D6 Clavinet history
• D6 mechanical details
• Vintage Electric Piano overview
• FX overview
• EQ controls
• Drive effect controls
• Chorus effect controls
• Phaser effect controls
• Tremolo effect controls
• Pitch parameters
• Rhodes models
• Hohner and Wurlitzer models
• Vintage Mellotron overview
• Intro to synthesizers
• Sound basics overview
• Tones, overtones, harmonics, and partials
• The frequency spectrum
• Other waveform properties
• Synthesizer fundamentals
• How subtractive synthesizers work
• Subtractive synthesizer components
• Filters overview
• Cutoff frequency
• Filter drive
• Filter slope
• Amplifier envelope overview
• Attack, decay, sustain, and release
• Modulation routing in ES1 and ES2
• Common modulation sources
• Other synthesis methods overview
• Sample-based synthesis
• Frequency modulation (FM) synthesis
• Component modeling synthesis
• Wavetable, Vector, and LA synthesis
• Additive synthesis
• Spectral synthesis
• Resynthesis
• Phase distortion synthesis
• Granular synthesis
• Precursors to the synthesizer
• Early voltage-controlled synthesizers
• The Minimoog
• Storage and polyphony
• Digital synthesizers

Sculpture MIDI controllers in Logic Pro for iPad

Parameters at the bottom of the Sculpture interface let you define MIDI controllers—for vibrato depth control or Morph Pad movements, for example. You can use any MIDI controller shown in the menus for these control sources.

These parameters are saved with each setting. They are updated only if the default setting that is loaded on instantiating the plug-in is used, or if the setting was saved with a project. This approach helps you to adapt all MIDI controllers to the keyboard without having to edit and save each setting separately.

MIDI controller parameters

Vibrato Ctrl pop-up menu: Choose the MIDI controller used for vibrato depth control.

Ctrl A/B Assign pop-up menus: Choose two controllers that can be used for side chain modulations or as via modulation sources, as set in the CtrlA and CtrlB modulation routing panes.

EnvCtrl 1/2 Assign pop-up menus: Choose controller assignments for the two control envelopes, which can be used as a modulation signal or an offset. Offsets occur in cases where the control envelope is set to Ctrl only or Ctrl+Env modes. These assignment pop-up menus also define the source for recording controller movements.

Morph X/Y Assign pop-up menus: Choose controller assignments for the x and y coordinates of the Morph Pad. After they are assigned, the controller can be used to manually move the morph point, program single Morph Envelope points, shift the entire Morph Envelope, and serve as a source for recording morph movements.

Ctrl Ass(ignment) handling menu: Choose either the default MIDI controller assignments or controller assignments loaded from the setting. If you choose Use Default, assignments remain unchanged. If you choose Load From Setting, you use the controller assignments you saved with the setting. (The default assignments are taken from the #default.pst setting, if it exists, which is loaded when Sculpture is inserted into an instrument channel strip.)

MIDI Mono Mode (MPE) parameters

MIDI Mono Mode pop-up menu: Choose Off, On (Common Base Channel 1), or On (Common Base Channel 16).

In either mode, each voice receives on a different MIDI channel. Per-voice channels support pitchbend, aftertouch, mod wheel, Vibrato Depth Ctrl, and Ctrl A and Ctrl B assignment messages. Controllers and MIDI messages sent on the base channel affect all voices.

Pitch Bend Ran(ge) knob and field: Set a value from 0 to 96.

The chosen pitch bend range affects individual note pitch bend messages received on all but the assigned Common Base Channel. The default is 48 semitones, which is compatible with the GarageBand for iOS keyboard in pitch mode. When using a MIDI guitar, 24 semitones is the preferable setting because most guitar to MIDI converters use this range by default.

In certain situations, such as when sliding over a wider range in Mono Mode or applying pitch bend upwards after already dynamically modulating string stiffness to higher values, the resulting pitch may not precisely track the incoming pitch bend beyond a specific threshold. This behavior is intentional, aimed at maintaining model stability while still permitting extreme adjustments of model parameters for innovative sound design purposes. Unlike the Mono Mode PB Range, the standard Bend Range Up is actually used to determine an appropriate safety margin so that notes can still be precisely pitched up by the corresponding amount. As a result, the standard Bend Range Up setting can be used to ensure a specific upward bend range even when operating in MIDI Mono Mode.

Learn a MIDI controller assignment in Sculpture

In Logic Pro, open a controller assignment pop-up menu, and choose the -Learn- item.

Move the controller on your MIDI keyboard or MIDI controller.

Note: If no suitable MIDI message is received within 20 seconds, the selected control reverts to the previous value/assignment.

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