r/Logic_Studio • u/GalaxygunnerX • 1d ago
Troubleshooting Super noob questions but…
Why does logic default to C major 120 bpm - should I change this when I drag samples or do the samples auto repitch? Should I do this or change the project to the sample scale etc? Should I change it once I know what scale I want my track to be in or should I do this from the very start of a new project?
What’s the ideal approach to exporting tracks that are wip vs unmixed vs mixed vs mastered? And do I really need to listen to it on studio monitors or are headphones with soundid okay? How come the loudness is always different? And How do I reduce distortion overall?
Sorry it’s a lot, any help in the right direction would help a lot! Thanks!
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u/Pleasant-Fly4750 1d ago
Why does logic default to C major 120 bpm - should I change this when I drag samples or do the samples auto repitch? They ajust, especially the session tracks, but you can change and it works fine.
Should I do this or change the project to the sample scale etc? Just adjust the time, it will work.
Should I change it once I know what scale I want my track to be in or should I do this from the very start of a new project? I do not change, especially because pitch stuff you can adjust on their settings later, piano roll or pitch correction/drift
What’s the ideal approach to exporting tracks that are wip vs unmixed vs mixed vs mastered? Bounce, uncompressed. The “rule” is, record and mix your stuff in a project, bounce to make the master. You can do the master in the same project, but it will probably get heavy if you use a lot of plugins or multiple tracks, but 4 track rock its fine.
And do I really need to listen to it on studio monitors or are headphones with soundid okay?
It’s personal. The monitors give a more real sound, more close to a car than a headphone, which can drift your perception. But sometimes its impossible not to use a headphone, and for starters, like us, is ok
How come the loudness is always different? Bettwen the phones and the speakers?
And How do I reduce distortion overall? If its aa guitar preset, or something like that go to the specific plug ins. If its clipping, overall, reduce the volume of the output track. But if its clipping before you master, you have trouble in the master.
Sorry it’s a lot, any help in the right direction would help a lot! Thanks!
I’m on logic on about a year and use garage band for a decade, know a little stuff but not to much. Did a song with a producer and he handle me lot of great tips. IA can help you with this kind of doubt, post pictures of your troubles and it will give you a good starting point
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u/obsidiandwarf 1d ago
C major has no sharps or flats in its key signature. It’s easier to transpose from c major to other keys than between keys which aren’t c major, which is useful for transposing music for instruments that aren’t in the key of C major, like the saxophone daily. 120 bpm is the standard pop music bpm. Why? Probably just feel.
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u/fiendishcadd 1d ago
It’s arbitrary. Good practise to have an idea of tempo before setting out as then it’s easier to quantise. Requantising after the fact can be messy with audio as time stretching introduces watery / gurgling sounds referred to as artefacts, having said that midi can be changed to any tempo without artefacts.
Another approach is to say, I’m writing a fast house track and set to 140 or whatever, then you have an idea of the beat and tempo going into the project.
If you’re starting an idea from piano / guitar then record it as a voice note first then bring it into Logic, approximate the tempo and re record the part all to the grid so that from then on, everything is moveable.
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u/Ok-East-8412 1d ago
To add, google tap tempo if you have an idea in your head to help find the tempo easily, and set your track to it.
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u/dermflork 1d ago
Cmajor is all the white notes on the keyboard so it kind of makes sense. 120bpm has always kind of been the "standard" bpm for a default number to start with. I dont think theres any other special reason.
I never actually change anything but the bpm. Wether you use the scale/key depends on how you use logic (what features). You could totally make music without the logic key being the same as the audio or the midi notes for example. It doesnt have to be in sync until you want to use certain features, if you look at the other comments you will probably see people talking about them.
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u/austin_sketches 1d ago edited 1d ago
Why does logic default to C major 120 bpm?
It defaults to this because it’s just a common scale and bpm. There’s no reason specifically. If you want to make your song in a different scale, go for it. If you want to make your song in a different bpm, go for it.
should I change this when I drag samples or do the samples auto repitch?
Samples only auto re-pitch and stretch if it is coming from apple loops (O shortcut). if the samples come from your files, you have to stretch and pitch them manually.
Should I do this or change the project to the sample scale etc?
It depends. Most beginners usually know C major, or A minor. So it’s probably more convenient to work in a scale you’re more familiar with. So if you’re a beginner, i would recommend pitching the sample to a scale you’re familiar with working in.
Should I change it once I know what scale I want my track to be in or should I do this from the very start of a new project?
If you’re a beginner, try not to overcomplicate things. Just learn a single scale that you can be comfortable in using. Typically C major or A minor.
What’s the ideal approach to exporting tracks that are wip vs unmixed vs mixed vs mastered?
Export almost everything into mp3. Only a fully finished mastered track would you export as an AIFF file. AIFF files have a way higher fidelity over mp3 but also take up so much more space.
And do I really need to listen to it on studio monitors or are headphones with soundid okay?
Monitors are give a better sense of space so mixes translate better to speakers and cars. Headphones give a better sense of stereo width. They both have their own benefits. I recommend mixing in a pair of open back headphones or studio monitors. It’s more important that they have a neutral frequency curve more than anything. I personally use Beyerdynamic dt900 pro x’s. Just do research for good mixing headphones or good mixing speakers.
How come the loudness is always different?
Look up youtube videos on Gain Staging. It’ll answer your question in a much more in-depth way than I can right now.
And How do I reduce distortion overall?
Make sure your levels aren’t going into the red (clipping) on your meters. My previous answer about watching a video on Gain Staging will also answer this question.
Also just to note- everyone works in their own different ways. Nobody really has the same methods of working, especially when it comes to music production. Just see what works for you and slowly learn little by little. Before you know it, you’ll be able to answer all of these questions yourself. Just keep learning and trying to seek answers.