Last Updated: November 21, 2025
Logic Pro X
Professional music production on Mac
Music Production
macOS
Essential Shortcuts
Spacebar
Play/Stop
Return
Play from last play position
Cmd + N
New project/track
Cmd + S
Save project
Cmd + Z
Undo
Shift + Cmd + Z
Redo
Cmd + B
Toggle Smart Controls
X
Toggle Mixer
E
Open Piano Roll (MIDI Editor)
P
Toggle Piano Roll split view
F
Toggle Loop Browser
Y
Toggle Library
Recording & Playback
R
Record
Shift + R
Record toggle (punch in/out)
Cmd + K
Enable/disable Metronome
Cmd + U
Enable/disable Count-in
C
Toggle Cycle mode (loop region)
;
Set left cycle locator
'
Set right cycle locator
Ctrl + Cmd + U
Set cycle region by selection
Option + Cmd + R
Replace mode recording
Track Management
Cmd + Option + N
Create new track with same channel strip
Cmd + Delete
Delete selected track
M
Mute selected region/track
S
Solo selected track
R (on track)
Record-enable track
Ctrl + M
Bounce in place (render track to audio)
Option + Cmd + C
Copy channel strip settings
Option + Cmd + V
Paste channel strip settings
Cmd + D
Duplicate region/track
Editing Shortcuts
T
Scissors/Split tool
Cmd + T
Split region at playhead
Shift + Delete
Delete and move following regions left
Cmd + J
Join selected regions
Ctrl + F
Fade tool
Cmd + Shift + F
Create crossfade
Option + Drag
Copy region while dragging
Cmd + L
Repeat/loop region
Cmd + A
Select all in workspace
Shift + Click
Select range of regions
Piano Roll (MIDI Editor)
Cmd + K
Toggle velocity view
Cmd + A
Select all notes
Option + Shift + Drag
Copy selected notes
Cmd + Click
Add/remove notes from selection
Option + Arrow Keys
Move notes by semitone/step
Shift + Option + Arrow
Move notes by octave
Q
Quantize selected notes
Shift + Q
Undo quantize
Cmd + U
Quantize settings
Option + L
Set note length to selection
Shift + N
Normalize MIDI velocity
Smart Controls
Cmd + B
Show/hide Smart Controls
Purpose
Simplified controls for plugins and instruments
EQ Section
Quick EQ adjustments without opening full plugin
Transform Pad
XY pad for creative parameter control
Mapping Mode
Learn mode to assign controls to any parameter
Inspector Button
Click 'i' to customize Smart Control mappings
Pedalboard/Amp Designer
Guitar-specific Smart Controls for direct tone shaping
Drummer
Create Drummer Track
Track > New Track > Drummer
XY Pad
Control complexity (X-axis) and intensity (Y-axis)
Genre Selection
Choose from rock, electronic, songwriter, R&B, hip hop
Drummer Presets
28 different drummers with unique styles
Pattern Variations
Intro, verse, chorus presets for song structure
Fills & Swing
Adjust fill frequency and swing amount
Kit Pieces
Enable/disable kick, snare, toms, hi-hat, cymbals, percussion
Follow Track
Drummer follows rhythm of selected bass/guitar track
Convert to MIDI
Right-click region > Convert to MIDI Region
Flex Time & Tempo
Enable Flex
Track Inspector > Flex > Choose algorithm
Flex Algorithms
Slicing (drums), Rhythmic (guitar), Monophonic (vocals), Polyphonic (mix)
Flex Markers
Double-click audio to add flex marker; drag to adjust timing
Quantize Audio
Select audio region > Q (quantize like MIDI)
Smart Tempo
File > Project Settings > Smart Tempo; auto-detect tempo
Varispeed
LCD > Custom > Varispeed; change tempo without pitch shift
Beat Mapping
Global Tracks > Tempo > Detect Tempo for entire project
Mixer Shortcuts
X
Show/hide Mixer
Option + Click Fader
Reset fader to 0dB
Option + Drag Fader
Adjust all selected channel faders together
Cmd + Click Solo
Solo multiple tracks
Ctrl + S
Save channel strip setting
I/O Button
Show input/output routing options
Sends Section
Create aux sends for reverb/delay buses
Essential Plugins
Channel EQ
Visual EQ with analyzer; mixing workhorse
Compressor
7 vintage compressor models (VCA, FET, Opto, Vintage)
Space Designer
Convolution reverb with impulse responses
ChromaVerb
Algorithmic reverb; clean, modern sound
Stereo Delay
Tap tempo delay with filter and modulation
Alchemy
Powerful sampler/synthesizer with 14GB library
Retro Synth
Analog, sync, table, FM synthesis modes
Vintage EQ Collection
3 classic EQ emulations (Vintage Console, Tube, Graphic)
Amp Designer
25 guitar amp models with cab simulation
Pedalboard
Guitar pedal effects chain
Automation
A
Show/hide automation
Mix > Create Track Automation
Enable automation writing
Automation Mode: Read
Play back automation (default)
Automation Mode: Latch
Write automation while playing; hold last value
Automation Mode: Touch
Write while touching; return to previous when released
Automation Mode: Write
Overwrite all automation from play start
Automation Select Tool
Cmd + Shift + A; select and edit automation points
Delete Automation
Select points > Delete key
Export & Bouncing
Cmd + B
Bounce project or region
Bounce in Place
Ctrl + B; render track to new audio region
File Formats
WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC, CAF
Bit Depth
16-bit (CD quality) or 24-bit (mastering)
Sample Rate
44.1kHz (CD), 48kHz (video), 96kHz (high-res)
Normalize
Optimize peak levels during bounce
Include Audio Tail
Capture reverb/delay tails after song end
Pro Tips:
- Smart Tempo is Magic: Drop any audio into project; Logic auto-matches tempo and keeps everything in sync
- Drummer + Convert to MIDI: Use Drummer for realistic patterns, then convert to MIDI for customization
- Flex Pitch for Tuning: Track Inspector > Flex Pitch; tune vocals like Melodyne (built-in!)
- Use Track Alternatives: Track > Track Alternatives; try different takes/arrangements without duplicating
- Marquee Tool (Cmd + `): Select partial regions for editing without splitting
- Track Stacks: Organize tracks into folders or summing stacks for cleaner workflow
- Quick Sampler: Drag any audio to empty MIDI track; instant sampler instrument
- Step Sequencer: Modern step-based MIDI editor for drums and melodic patterns