User guide

402 Chapter 14 Recording in Logic Express
Switching MIDI Thru Off
When an External MIDI instrument track is selected in the Arrange, its Record Enable
button is automatically switched on, and the instrument will pass events through the
computer (MIDI Thru function). You can switch off the MIDI Thru function by simply
deactivating the Record Enable button.
There are, however, situations where you may want to record to a track that is not
automatically routed to a MIDI port. As an example, when performing a system
exclusive (SyEx) dump from a device. While many MIDI devices require a bi-directional
(in and out) MIDI connection to allow this type of communication, some devices will
react strangely to incoming data (sent from Logic Express’s MIDI Thru). This can result in
data loss.
If you want to record a memory dump from a device that is problematic when
connected bi-directionally, disable the instrument’s MIDI Thru function.
To assign an instrument with a permanently disabled MIDI Thru function:
1 Open File > Project Settings > MIDI > General
2 Choose the desired instrument in the Instrument Without MIDI Thru Function menu.
MIDI Step Input Recording
The Step Input functions allow you to insert MIDI notes when Logic Express is not in a
real time recording mode.
Step Input enables you to create note runs that may be too fast for you to play, or may
be useful if replicating sheet music, but you don’t sight read. You can use either one or
more of the following for step entry:
 The Step Input Keyboard
 Keyboard Input key commands
 A MIDI keyboard
 The computer keyboard (Caps Lock Keyboard)
Notes are inserted at the current playhead position using all input modes. You can, and
should, combine methods to make full use of the features that each option offers. Here
is an example: You can set the note length in the Step Input Keyboard window, insert
notes via a MIDI keyboard and position the playhead with key commands.
Use the mouse while familiarizing yourself with the Step Input Keyboard. To make the
most of it, however, you will need to learn and use the Step Input key commands.
These provide a number of navigation and note entry options, such as step forward/
back and rest insertion, which are not available to the Step Input Keyboard. See “Step
Input With Key Commands” on page 404.