Logic Pro 9 What determines main library list contents?

[VonMagnum]

I'm pretty new to Logic 9.1, but I'm having a hard time finding this information. What determines which instruments/presets will appear in the main library window that shows up when you add a default software instrument? I just added some ES2 presets and EXS24 instruments to the user library and none of them showed up in the main library. Upon inspecting the actual directories, I noticed a lot more instruments in the factory/default sets than appear in the main listings as well and then finally realized different/complete lists for each type of synthesizer shows up when you select it under the I/O panel and voila, there are the new ES2 and EXS24 sounds. But the main library list (that shows up when a "blank" item is selected on the side-panel) seems to contain a variety of instruments (like a favorites setting?) of different types. What makes those show up there and the rest only appear for a given instrument type (i.e. when say ES2 is click-selected in the I/O panel button)?

Overall, I've been very happy with Logic (guitar processing effects are awesome as I play both guitar and piano/synth and being able to map a midi piano pedal to be the modulator for a Wah-Wah pedal just rocks), but I have noticed some odd bugs/behaviors (like "clipping" that appears to be there in the monitor outputs but disappears upon a reboot, mostly after several sleep/wake cycles), softsynths and other bits hanging on notes on a stop, etc. My Midi-Man 2x2 needs to be unplugged and plugged back in after Logic (or anything else) boots to not get massive lag (seems to be a Snow Leopard specific driver problem on their side, though since a cheap $6 generic midi cable works fine).

Regards,
VM

 

[Eli]

I'm pretty new to Logic 9.1, but I'm having a hard time finding this information. What determines which instruments/presets will appear in the main library window that shows up when you add a default software instrument? I just added some ES2 presets and EXS24 instruments to the user library and none of them showed up in the main library. Upon inspecting the actual directories, I noticed a lot more instruments in the factory/default sets than appear in the main listings as well and then finally realized different/complete lists for each type of synthesizer shows up when you select it under the I/O panel and voila, there are the new ES2 and EXS24 sounds. But the main library list (that shows up when a "blank" item is selected on the side-panel) seems to contain a variety of instruments (like a favorites setting?) of different types. What makes those show up there and the rest only appear for a given instrument type (i.e. when say ES2 is click-selected in the I/O panel button)?

VM

The thing to understand about the Library is that it dynamically updates to display different content, based on what area of the channel strip in the Inspector is selected. It's important to differentiate between channel strip settings that are displayed in the Library, versus instrument or plug in specific settings that can be displayed there as well.

When you call up a software instrument, click on the actual input/instrument field in the Inspector, and the contents of the Library will update to display the presets for that instrument. You can always tell which area of the Channel Strip has the "focus" by the little halo that is highlighted around the area whose presets are currently being displayed in the Library. When you click at the top of the Channel Strip where it says "settings", the Library will display channel strip settings, instead of the instrument or plug in specific settings. This is likely what is confusing you.....

HTH!

 

[VonMagnum]

I understand what you're saying, but there is also always a group of instruments that shows up when you click on a blank channel strip. I've noticed these instruments seem to change more than just one part of the strip (e.g. pedalboard + compressor + EQ + Spreader), but rather seem to be the instruments that include a collection of multiple parameters with them.

I guess what I find to be irritating about that setup is that if I'm just browsing instruments to try and find one that sounds best in a project, I don't get a master list of everything available, but this compartmentalized listing by instrument/engine type. It's like they want me to decide first if the sound I want is ES2 based or EXS24 based before they show me a list of instrument names in the library, but when looking for a sound that might work, I don't really CARE how the sound is made. I just want to try them out and see how they hear so I can pick one. I had wrongly assumed the blank strip panel list was a master list, but it's clearly not. There doesn't seem to be any way to view the overall library of available preset instruments all at once.

 

[Eli]

I understand what you're saying, but there is also always a group of instruments that shows up when you click on a blank channel strip. I've noticed these instruments seem to change more than just one part of the strip (e.g. pedalboard + compressor + EQ + Spreader), but rather seem to be the instruments that include a collection of multiple parameters with them.

You've stumbled onto the channel strip settings. And yes, these are indeed a collection of presets that contains combinations of sounds and accompanying effects processing. It isn't intended as a master list of all available sounds. It's intended as suggestions for patches with associated processing.

I guess what I find to be irritating about that setup is that if I'm just browsing instruments to try and find one that sounds best in a project, I don't get a master list of everything available, but this compartmentalized listing by instrument/engine type. It's like they want me to decide first if the sound I want is ES2 based or EXS24 based before they show me a list of instrument names in the library, but when looking for a sound that might work, I don't really CARE how the sound is made. I just want to try them out and see how they hear so I can pick one. I had wrongly assumed the blank strip panel list was a master list, but it's clearly not. There doesn't seem to be any way to view the overall library of available preset instruments all at once.

This is indeed a legitimate complaint that I have heard form some of my Logic clients. There is no global place to browse, search, or access an overview of all the sounds available in the various instruments. The Library unfortunately isn't designed for this. You have it right - that you first need to choose which instrument to use and then search trhough the presets for than instrument. Or use the channel strip settings - which are as described above - but are not an overview of all available sounds.

I agree it is a shortcoming. But it's hard to imagine how Apple can improve it, given the current architecture. But I'm hoping they will find a way.

 

[VonMagnum]

It seems like they could at least consolidate the lists into the library structure (i.e. show a list of instrument engines and then branch off from there). That would at least speed the process up. Or they could have an alphabetic display option that lists ALL available sounds simply by alphabetical order. At least with the latter, the search mode would work. As it is now it only searches within the confines one that one instrument engine. I can only imagine people that have built up really huge libraries of sounds would have trouble keeping track of everything when they get split up by engine like that. I might just think, "Ok, I want that sound I got last year that I remember was called 'Air Whistle", but if I don't remember what engine it was for, I'm going to have start going through them one at a time to try and find it (or use OSX's spotlight search to see what directory/engine it's under). The fact I can do that from OSX proper, but not inside Logic itself is indeed perplexing.

 

[charlie]

It seems like they could at least consolidate the lists into the library structure (snip)
"Ok, I want that sound I got last year that I remember was called 'Air Whistle", but if I don't remember what engine it was for, I'm going to have start going through them one at a time to try and find it (or use OSX's spotlight search to see what directory/engine it's under). The fact I can do that from OSX proper, but not inside Logic itself is indeed perplexing.

I feel your pain.
Unfortunately, the only recommendation I can offer is one that comes with experience, ie; using Logic for a while over time. :eeek:
I frequently save Channel Strip settings for my instruments and organize them later (in the finder.)
Right now, I have grouped tons of favorite "Bass sounds," "Leads," and "Pads" for example, with plug-ins and EQ's saved along with them. So, when I want to find that specific "Air Whistle" sound from 12 projects ago, I can call it up with all the fx that I remembered.
I can customize it for the current project & perhaps save it as "Air Whistle 2."

I know this doesn't really help you, a brand new user, looking for sounds to use quickly, but it might not be a bad habit to get into from here on in.
I wish you quick browsing of Logic's synths! 🙄