Logic Pro and fade outs/ins

John Mann

Hello there,

When I fade out an instrument, with faders, that track then becomes, essentially, muted. I saw a video when Christian mentioned "bumping" your fader, so I tried fading the volume up before I stopped recording, still no luck.

I would very much appreciate any input/suggestions.

thanks

John

brillstereo

@John Mann

in Logic Pro X you can simply press A which will display automation on the whole composition, if you use your mouse on say a violin track, logic will display a line which defines the audio level of that track (ie the violin), and on that line you can double click with your mouse at the point you want the instrument to start to fade in and the point you want it to fade out, using the mouse to define the areas… it will show small dots at these starting points which are moveable, up or down to define the fade points… you can also create a sudden bump which is essentially a vertical line which will bring the volume of the instrument back to its original volume.

You also - as someone already stated, dependent on your keyboard, the ability to use expression - via a foot based expression pedal or if you have a Komplete MK2 keyboard, the expression strip directly below the modulation and pitch bend wheels… expression is again simply a form of audio volume, but for strings, violin, cello, it can also give the impression that the instrument is being bowed, because a real violinist or cellist unlike synthesisers can’t play at a fixed audio level, it’s this randomness that makes it express reality.

To add, if you do use expression when recording, always remember to bring the expression pedal back to normal levels at the end of recording, or alternatively record a small part directly after the end point of your recording which contains only expression at its highest point.

Angus

Hi @John Mann

What are you trying to achieve? Are you making sure the faders are armed for the next section of the track, or are you wanting to hear the releases of the notes at the end of a piece?

Worth noting, if you use Expression and place this at zero, the plugin is muted. If you only use Dynamics, it will play the quietest layer but not mute the plugin.

John Mann

Angus.

Tnanks, as always, for your input. I do not understand the phrase "armed for the next section". I was using expression when I faded the section out. But why, when I am doing another section later in the music, and bring up the fader, would the sounds not, also, fade up?

John

brillstereo

Angus,

in Logic Pro X you can simply press A which will display automation on the whole composition, if you use your mouse on say a violin track, logic will display a line which defines the audio level of that track (ie the violin), and on that line you can double click with your mouse at the point you want the instrument to start to fade in and the point you want it to fade out, using the mouse to define the areas… it will show small dots at these starting points which are moveable, up or down to define the fade points… you can also create a sudden bump which is essentially a vertical line which will bring the volume of the instrument back to its original volume.

You also have - has someone already stated, dependent on your keyboard, the ability to use expression - via a foot based expression pedal or if you have a Komplete MK2 keyboard, the expression strip directly below the modulation and pitch bend wheels… expression is again simply a form of audio volume, but for strings, violin, cello, it can also give the impression that the instrument is being bowed, because a real violinist or cellist unlike synthesisers can’t play at a fixed audio level, it’s this randomness that makes it or gives the instrument an expression of reality.

Angus

@John Mann see @brillstereo's advice above

brillstereo

@John Mann, I believe Angus's term "armed for the next section" means - if you have recorded your whole composition into a single logic project with part 1, part 2, part 3, meaning variations, etc ( I had done that for a 30-minute piece), then essentially as I mentioned - armed means - each instrument is set at its highest expression volume level, so that, whilst an instrument may have faded out due to expression on the previous section, it is available at full volume for the next part - ie the bump or what this paragraph tries to explain in my original comment:

"To add, if you do use expression when recording, always remember to bring the expression pedal back to normal levels at the end of the recording or alternatively record a small part directly after the endpoint of your recording which contains only expression at its highest point.'

Basically, if the flute, violin, or cello, etc fades out due to expression pedal usage, it needs to also resolve to the highest level of expression even if you do not play any musical notes, so it is ready for the next section of your composition, so you can hear it... fading up in logic will not make it audible... if expression volume is zero.