User guide

Chapter 35 Synchronizing Logic Express 861
MIDI Machine Control
MMC is a set of MIDI commands that Logic Express uses to control the transport
functions of any MMC-capable tape machine. The recording process can also be
controlled and automated from Logic Express via MMC. This tape machine then
provides the SMPTE signal that Logic Express uses as a synchronization source (with
Logic Express as the slave).
You can control connected devices from Logic Express by using the normal transport
functions (including direct positioning and cycle jumps). Don’t forget that
Logic Express needs to wait for the connected device to finish rewinding or forwarding.
If MIDI Machine Control is enabled, dragging the playhead will send MMC Locate
commands continuously, until the mouse button is released.
To switch on MMC, do one of the following:
m Control-click the Transport bar Sync button and enable the MIDI Machine Control
(MMC) setting in the shortcut menu.
m Choose File > Project Settings > Synchronization, and enable the Transmit MMC option
in the MIDI tab.
Logic Express supports up to 64 MMC tracks, allowing devices such as the Alesis ADAT
to be operated via MIDI machine control.
Each Arrange track can act as a tape (control) track, by selecting an instrument with the
tape deck icon (#305).
You only need to create one instrument with the tape deck icon, and you may then
assign that same instrument to as many tracks as needed, to control your external
recorder. It’s a good idea to group these tracks together in their own folder. These
tracks must be placed at the top of the Arrange window track list. If you pack them into
a folder, this must be the first track in the list.
The tape deck icon is the only icon that actually affects the way an object behaves. All
other icons are purely graphical in nature.