Logic 9 Review – Selective Track Import

By Paul Dakeyne

August 12, 2009 | Posted in Music Technology

Leading off with the new set of Logic 9 Production Tools, ‘Selective Track Import’ presented me with an interesting afternoon! In theory, this new feature is a great way to introduce content, channel strip and mixer settings from a previous Logic song into the one currently being worked on [in effect 'previewing', without fully launching the older song].  In practice, there’s a missing fact from the Apple ‘what’s new in Logic 9′ page (and the pdf manual) that had me somewhat puzzled to say the least.

So let’s look at the procedure: With a current song open, enter the Media Browser, navigate to the song you’d like to import content and data from and hit import or d/click. The available options appear before you (see image left) which are: Content, Plug-Ins, Sends, I/O, Auto[mation]. In my case, I chose to ‘add’ some content (audio files), plug-ins and sends for 3 tracks. The track I was importing ‘into’ was at 110 bpm and the ‘from’ tracks tempo was 125.

Now, having reviewed the above mentioned video and checked the relevant section in the manual, Logic should not only import a fresh set of tracks with the associated content and settings but also, after a simple two click Flex Tool operation, magically make the incoming (faster) audio ‘Flex’ to the new (in this case) lower tempo. It didn’t.. Ok, check again.. I’d done everything right.. Even after Flex Time was activated, no markers appeared and in fact the Flex Tool itself had no effect: hovering over the offending audio file it turned into a ‘hand tool’ and simply moved the whole file along.. Curious.

My frustrating afternoon moved into the evening before the problem was solved. The Selective Track Import feature works perfectly when bringing in plug-in, send and automation settings (with perhaps a minor degree of adjustment necessary to fine tune what auxiliary channels and numbered bus sends Logic allocates to the new data – especially if within a ‘busy’ mix). And as for that audio that won’t budge to the new tempo? Answer: The incoming audio has to be a previously ‘Flex Time’ analysed  file.. or, an actual ‘Apple Loop’. If not, the only way to get an ‘ordinary’ audio file to accommodate a new tempo is to use Logic 8′s timestretch feature (option-click and drag the bottom right of the file to expand or compress) Phew…!.

Many thanks to Logic guru John Moores for helping to crack the above – way da go fella!

About Paul Dakeyne

Paul Dakeyne has written 592 post in this blog.

Paul Dakeyne is a DJ/Producer who has dedicated the past two decades of his life to dance music production and DJ'ing. For six years, he toured globally for the world famous Ministry of Sound and has played DJ sets for the likes of U2 and for the legendary, Kraftwerk, Although remixing around 250 records in his career, as an artist in his own right, Paul landed one of dance music's seminal crossover moments with his "18 Strings' monster hit by Tinman - scoring a UK top ten in 1994. He also co-wrote and produced the music for BBC's Watchdog and Crimewatch when they were both revamped in 2001 and '06 respectively. His other career highlights have included an A&R stint for Mercury Records, lecturing in 'DJ culture and music technology' and creating mash-up mixes for Radio 1's, Chris Moyles. Paul joined the DV group in 2003 leading to his role as blog and feature author here at the DV Mag.

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Tags: Logic 9, Selective Track Import

1 Comment

One Response to “Logic 9 Review – Selective Track Import”

1. Mark Alexander says:

   August 14, 2009 at 03:33

   THANK YOU ! This was NOT in the manual – but I just tried your instructions and they worked like a charm. isn’t the internet grand ?

     Mark Alexander

   Reply