Logic Pro 9 Learning, I mean REALLY learning Logic

smeet

smeet

Logician
I've been using Logic since version 2.6, so I'm very comfortable with it, environment and all. But I want to REALLY learn it, even the parts I'm not comfortable with. So what's the best way to get virtuosic with Logic?

What are the best books, etc? I'm pretty good at learning from books, so that is generally my preferred way to learn (other than just playing with the software myself). But if there are any really great courses, DVDs or online videos, I'm interested in those too.

Are the courses at the Apple store any good for a non-beginner?
 
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Apple Cert.

I had to get Logic Certified for my job- which anyone can do. I found the process to be a very structured way to get deeper into Logic. There's a book and a test. The test you could probably pass cold (it's open book) but that's not really the point... what you want to do is take a weekend and seriously go through the book, which is the course material for the test. It provided a very solid disciplined paradigm for getting deeper into Logic for me. I passed the test easily:

For more info:

Home Page
 
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Is that David Nahmani's book? I'll check that out, and I'll look into certification too. How much does it cost to take the test?
 
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I think you can learn A LOT from Eli Krantzberg's (who is on this board) video tutorials a Groove 3, as well as the video tutorials over at macprovideo. They both have a lot of good, in depth stuff.

There's also some great free stuff on Youtube. Look for the Logic Ninja.
 
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Rob - thanks for the endorsement. But, you know, I hate to state the obvious, but- if someone wants to REALLY LEARN Logic inside out, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is as in depth as the manual itself. It covers everything. Granted, it is very long and not particularly an attractive or exciting read. But I think every Logic power user in the world will agree that, no matter how experienced or well you know the program, flip the manual open to any random location, read a couple of pages, and you're guaranteed to stumble onto some obscure nuance or command or long forgotten feature.

So, to Smeet - I would say that if you already know Logic fairly well, but want to round off your knowledge and fill in all the holes; set yourself a realistic goal for covering the manual. Like maybe read a chapter a week - or whatever pace suits you. Even if it takes a year, or more. And eventually you will have it all covered. Now granted, you need to also practice what you are reading, apply it, play with it, experiment with it. But ultimately - it is all in the manual.

David's book is excellent. I've read it and am certified as well But the thing with David's book is - and the same can be said for every third party book - no matter how well it is written and how much territory it covers; it is only a subset of what the entire program can do. Add to that the fact that the manual (deliberately) delivers the material in as neutral a way as possible. It covers using and creating apple loops with the same amount of depth as it does setting up transformer parameters, programming the ES2, or creating a multi stave score. It offers as neutral and objective a Logic education as is possible. And because of this - I would suggest that it offers more of "user-centric", or "user-focused" learning than any other third party material available. You read it, and you ultimately get out of it what your intelligence, talent, perseverance, and dedication allows.
 
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Eli, the reason I mention the video tutorials is because, for some (probably most), it's so much easier to understand what's going on in Logic when you see someone else doing it. Especially someone who has intimate knowledge of the application and can offer real world examples as a way of teaching.

I think the manual is a fantastic resource when you're in a bind, but watching video tutorials like yours is not only informative, but entertaining as well. I tend to put the tutorials on one monitor and follow along.

That's much better than burying my nose in the manual (or displaying it on the other monitor) and trying to figure things out that way. And I think most would agree. I think video tutorials are a great primer, then you can get into the grit with the manual.
 
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I think the best way to master Logic is to use it on as many varied projects as possible. Studying the books is important but that knowledge needs to be regularly applied to actual tasks,preferably under a little time pressure, in order for it to mature into usable and repeatable workflows and solutions. Otherwise you risk learning stuff and then forgetting the bulk of it a few months later.
I recommend you search out projects that require you to do different things with Logic than you normally do. Also try to work on projects with other Logic experts, theres nothing like watching how someone else thinks through a task and formulates a plan of attack.
 
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Hey Rob - Yeah, I agree. Video tutorials are great 😀 I wouldn't be in the business I am in if I didn't! The bad thing about the manual is that it separates knowledge from context. The videos offer context. ie: how to use and apply the information you are learning. And yes, this is invaluable in stimulating you to think creatively about different ways of using the software to help you express your inner creative voice. So, obviously I am a big fan of the video training format.

And as thorough as the manual is, Michaelo makes the absolutely essential point that the knowledge needs to be practiced and integrated into your workflow. Working with other Logic users is great. And jumping in and doing as many different types of projects as you can also stretches your mind by allowing you to wrap your head around different areas of the program. Imagine reading a book on the human body and it's organs - that doesn't make you a surgeon!

So, I think the bottom line is - you need a combination of it all. It takes time. And, like was stated in a similar thread recently; you need to get started by just jumping in and doing it. Work at whatever level you are at, and build from there.
 
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Excellent point all. I'll start by going through the manual, and trying to use the techniques in my projects.

I wish I could work with other Logic users to get ideas, but musicians I play with either don't use a DAW, or use other packages.

There is no print manual any more, correct? So I get it through the help menu in Logic? I'm asking because I haven't finished installing the Logic 9 upgrade. And I'm impatient.
 
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