PT Logic

Logic Pro Combining Instrument Tracks for Live Playback

H

harpist78

Logician
Hello, and I greatly apologize if this topic has been posted before. I’ve searched but not sure what people would have titled it and it’s getting frustrating!

Ok, so I’m a Cuba’s Pro user and I use VSTs all the time for playing shows in a musical pit orchestra. Now the sounds I need are in the Logic Pro software library and I very much want to use this awesome program for the pit as it’s what the original composers used. My conundrum is ... I have one software instrument track with a piano and one software instrument track with a harp and I need to be able to combine them together so they both playback at the same time via my midi keyboard. In Cuba’s you just highlight both at the same time but this doesn’t work here.

ANY suggestions or tips would be so helpful! Thanks in advance.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Hi there. welcome to the LUG.
The issue you raise is indeed quite common, there are a couple of ways to solve it in logic. I would suggest setting up a summing stack including the instruments you need.

Let's take the example you mention, Piano and Harp.

We will use two instances of Logic's Sampler (prior to Logic 10.5 it used to be called the EXS 24). Create two instrument channel strips, load an instance of sampler into each, choose a piano instrument for one, harp for the other. Select both of these in the Track header area by clicking one, then shift click on the other, you should then see both selected (colour is lighter). Then, either ctrl click or right click , this will open a menu. Choose "create stack" then "summing stack". This will group the two instruments in the track header area into a summing stack, which can perform a number of functions, including what you need. Select the new summing stack in the track header. Make sure that the midi channels match your external midi keyboard, on playing it you should now hear both piano and harp. Adjust volume, panning as required, add effects, whatever you may need.

HTH, kind regards

Mark
 
Upvote 0
Markdvc said:
Hi there. welcome to the LUG.
The issue you raise is indeed quite common, there are a couple of ways to solve it in logic. I would suggest setting up a summing stack including the instruments you need.

Let's take the example you mention, Piano and Harp.

We will use two instances of Logic's Sampler (prior to Logic 10.5 it used to be called the EXS 24). Create two instrument channel strips, load an instance of sampler into each, choose a piano instrument for one, harp for the other. Select both of these in the Track header area by clicking one, then shift click on the other, you should then see both selected (colour is lighter). Then, either ctrl click or right click , this will open a menu. Choose "create stack" then "summing stack". This will group the two instruments in the track header area into a summing stack, which can perform a number of functions, including what you need. Select the new summing stack in the track header. Make sure that the midi channels match your external midi keyboard, on playing it you should now hear both piano and harp. Adjust volume, panning as required, add effects, whatever you may need.

HTH, kind regards

Mark
Click to expand...
Hello Mark,
A HUGE thank you for your very well laid out and helpful instructions. I have done everything that you have said, although after highlighting the two tracks, the drop down menu doesn’t list a ‘create stack’ option or anything close. I don’t know if I’m using a new version of the software or if I’m just missing something. Please help!
 
Upvote 0
8665F89E-9608-4734-8920-8D9E846A7FE8.jpeg
 
Upvote 0
You're using it in GarageBand mode, i.e. with all the good stuff disabled.

Go to Preferences>Advanced Tools and enable all the goodies there except maybe Surround and Control Surfaces. Now you will be able to access Track Stacks
 
Upvote 0
Back
Top