8

7
Preface
Introduction
You can use hardware control surfaces to control and
automate transport, mixing, recording, and other tasks in
Logic Pro.
All of the Logic Pro functions which correspond to mixer controls, such as setting
volume level and pan position, can be performed onscreen—using your mouse and
computer keyboard. This is not an optimal method for precise real time control. You
can expand your creative experience, and achieve greater flexibility and precision, by
connecting a hardware control surface to your computer, and using it with Logic Pro.
When you move a fader on the control surface, the corresponding fader in Logic Pro
moves with it. Similarly, when you adjust a control onscreen, the corresponding control
on the control surface moves to the same position. You can adjust EQ or other
parameters by turning the rotary knobs on the control surface, and have the
corresponding parameters update instantly in Logic Pro.
What Are Control Surfaces?
Control surfaces are hardware devices that feature a variety of controls, which can
include faders, rotary knobs, switches, and displays. These controls can be mapped to
functions in Logic Pro, allowing you to change parameters—such as volume or
panning—with more precision than by using your mouse and computer keyboard. You
can also control multiple parameters at the same time.
Control surfaces also typically provide buttons that allow you to select parameters for
editing, or to select particular tracks/channel or banks (of channels). Many also offer a
jog wheel, which allows you to move the playhead precisely, Transport buttons, such as
Play, Rewind, and so on, and other controls. When you use a supported control surface
with Logic Pro, some controls are pre-mapped to common functions. You can map
non-assigned controls to other Logic Pro commands and functions (see “Assigning
Controllers to Logic Pro Parameters” on page 35).