Concerning Software Instruments

I am about to study music, and it is necessary for me to be able to use all the instruments in an orchestra. Is there any sort of way for me to use all of the instruments in an orchestra without purchasing the orchestra jam pack for garage band?

The EXS 24 software instrument has a bunch of "orchestral" instuments. If you are mainly composing you can get by with the samples provided with Logic to hear what your score would sound like ... if you want it to actually sound like an orchestra it'll take alot of work, possibly best done with the players themselves...
Which is another kettle of poisson.

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Live Recording with mics and Software Instruments

Has anyone used the Software Instruments in GB to play live, while recording the Software Instruments direct and live (Real Instruments) as well?
I'm thinking about getting a FirePod or similar, to record my band live using several mics and playing and recording Software Instruments all at once. I'm concerned that this set up might have too much latency and make the Software Instruments not playable with my band live, and perhaps all this might make my iMac G5 bog down.
Anyone have any experiences with any or all of this kind of use of GarageBand with an audio/MIDI interface?
iMac G5 20" Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hey Hang,
Sorry if I'm talking in circles. That post was early!
I'd like to be able to use the built-in Software Instruments live and record that MIDI as well as the live tracks at the same time. However, I could deal with using my own keyboards for the live sounds and just record the MIDI from them while recording the live tracks too, if that makes the system work. For instance, if the part I wanted was a piano, and the Software Instrument piano used too much processor power, I could "record" with a smaller instrument that wasn't such a hog. Then, in mixing, I'd use the Software Instrument I wanted for the keyboard part. Live, my real keyboard could provide the piano for all to hear.
Am I making sense yet?
I suppose one thing I could do is something I was thinking of doing already. I could get one of the $40 MIDI-to-USB interfaces to record with the band. Right now, I'm just using a stereo mic set up to record stereo into GB. I could add MIDI and see what happens. Heck, I could enable 6 more real instrument tracks at the same time and see what happens! Then I would know it was possible on the iMac at least.

3rd party software Instruments and pluggins for logic ???

I know logic has lots of software instruments and pluggins. What would be some good 3rd party instruments and pluggins to enhance the working and creative vibe? I know Spectrasonics has some good ones !!!!!!
RD

Rodney,
I think it really depends on what type of music you do.... But as you already mentioned, Spectrosonics stuff would certainly be at the top of my list.
RMX is practically a must have, as far as I'm concerned, and if you have Recycle, it IS a must have. Same with Atmosphere... I couldn't work without either one now.
Trilogy is really good to, but I wouldn't say it's a "must have". Still, it gets used a lot here.
I really like Arturia's synths as well, but customer service there has a lot to be desired. But the Vintage pack will certainly cover a lot of analog ground, and the Mini Moog is simply amazing.
There are a lot of sample libraries available in Native EXS format, but EXS reads Giga and Akai libraries as well, and if you got something like CD Xtract, you could translate even more formats.
Native Instruments makes some nice stuff as well.
As far as plug-ins, my absolute favorite are the UAD-1 plug-ins. But that requires the PCI card. Best money I ever spent though, hands down.
Here are a few other companies that make excellent plug-ins as well:
http://www.pspaudioware.com/indexen.html?url=http://www.pspaudioware.com/plugins /vintage.html;
http://www.sonalksis.com/
http://www.tritonedigital.com/products.htm
http://www.ursplugins.com/
Believe me, that's just the tip of the iceberg...

Playing real instruments with software instruments

Hey, I've been using logic for years but have never tried playing with a real instrument until now. When i connect my guitar Logic recognizes it and changes the driver to unknown USB device, but there is no sound since built-in input isn't selected and the instrument records but i can't hear it until i switch it back. How do you play real instruments with software instruments? Should be pretty simple. Thanks.
- Sean

Okay… the way Logic works is to use the same device for both Inputs & Outputs (there is a way round this, but let's not go there just now. First person to say 'Aggregate Device' gets thumped!).
So when you choose your device (usefully known as "Unknown USB Device") in Audio MIDI Setup, this means that you are no longer using your Built-in Inputs & Outputs — because that's the alternative.
Which means you won't hear anything through your speakers connected to your Mac. To hear an Output, you would have to connect your monitors/headphones/etc. to your device.
Furthermore:
_Auto Input Monitoring_
If Auto Input Monitoring is switched on, you will only hear the input signal during the actual recording—before and afterwards, you’ll hear the previously recorded audio on the track, while the sequencer is running. This helps you to judge punch in and punch out points when punch recording. If Auto Input Monitoring is switched off, you will always hear the input signal.
_To switch auto input monitoring on, do one of the following:_
• Choose +Options > Audio > Auto Input Monitoring+ from the main menu bar (or use the +Toggle Auto Input Monitoring+ key command).
• Control-click the Record button in the Transport, and turn on the +Auto Input Monitoring+ setting in the pop-up menu.

Using real instruments to control software instruments

I recently bought the Apogee Duet to play my guitars and keyboard directly into Garageband (and soon Logic Studio). My problem is that I haven't been able to figure out how to control software instruments using real instruments. For example, is there way for me to connect my Piano Keyboard through Duet into my computer, but use it to play software tracks like strings and horns, etc? I would like to do this without using MIDI, since I just spent $500 on the Duet. Is this possible, or is the only way to control software instruments through an external instrument by using MIDI? Thanks so much for any help....

Assuming your keyboard requires an external MIDI interface (some have MIDI interfaces onboard), you can pick one up pretty cheaply - for example, M-Audio's Midisport or Uno are decent and inexpensive.

Creating a new software instrument track in Logic Pro 9

When I create a new software instrument track in Logic 9, the newly-created track always defaults to "EVP 88 Electric Piano" instead of "Inst 1" like it's supposed to. Why does Logic do this and how can I restore the settings so that it opens the new track as "Inst 1."
Thanks much!!
Alex

That was added around 9.1.1 - presumably so people wouldn't create an instrument and then ask "I created an instrument, but it don't make no sound."
You can uncheck the open library box or go to HD>Library>App support>Logic>channel strip settings>Instrument>01 Logic instruments and change the one called something like "EVP88 Electric Piano" to just "Electric Piano."

Software instruments wont play in arrange window

Hi,
I have recently purchased Logic Pro 9 from app store but when I select a new track as a software instrument there is no sound when playing samples in the arrange window.
The samples will play fine in the browser window and will also show up on the mixer levels when I give midi keyboard command but just no sound.
Audio tracks have no problems.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks

In addition:
The reason a Green Apple Loop can be played from a MIDI keyboard (provided it's set up correctly) is, a green loop loads an instrument.
To work with instruments on your own, without loops.
Go here:
http://documentation.apple.com/en/logicpro/
Open "Exploring Logic Pro" look at chapter 3. But really, read the whole thing if you have time. If the manuals aren't used most users never get beyond using 5% of Logic's capabilities.

GarageBand: missing software instruments & loops won't download

Hi,
Recently I've bought a 15' MacBook Pro with OS X version 10.8.3 installed on it(and I've updated it to version 10.8.4) and tried to download [missing software
instruments and loops] for GarageBand, but that update for the additional GarageBand contents couldn't be found on App Store's update page even after trying
several times. Does anybody have a solution or similar experience? Answers would be greatly appreciated!

I recently had the same problem when I upgraded to Garageband '11. There are many posts and answers about this issue on the forum, but the one that worked for me was also the simplest solution. When you get to the Updates window on the App Store and it says it doesn't find any updates, hit ⌘-R to reload. When I did that, the additional instruments and loops download appeared in the Updates window and I was able to download them.
If that doesn't work for you, search this forum. There are many more possible solutions. Good luck!

Loops and software instruments not appearing in browser

Only a few software instruments appear in the software instrument list, even ones I have used before. Only a few loops come up also. Where did they go? They are in the GB folder in the Finder.

In the arrange window,dbl click on the instrument track you want,then the mixer window opens,again,dbl click on the instrument track(the button just above the out button below the I/O,{its the in/out area}) and choose from the drop down menu>choose mono or stereo etc,>logic>garageband
your Garageband instruments will be there,or should be.
#2
OK,did you goto audio>loop browser ?I know its obvious,but i dont know how much you know so....that would be the first thing to do for the loops.

What is the easiest way to mix and match drum samples from Logic software instruments

I have been using Logic software instruments (EXS 24 drums kits) for a while. I know how to edit indiviual zones in a drum kit but I would like to know how to copy and paste multiple zones all at once from one kit to another so that I can create a hybrid ESX24 drum kit with my favorite snares, kicks, toms etc. Is there a good tutorial video showing how to do this?

so that I can create a hybrid ESX24 drum kit with my favorite snares, kicks, toms etc.
To my opinion the Environment "Mapped Instrument" object is designed exactly for what you want. You can load even different Software (drum) Instrument kits into say EXS, Addictive Drums, UB etc. Patch multiple cables to each Software Drum Instrument instance, open the Mapped Instrument and assign the pads "cable" outputs in the Cable column - this is one of the most elegant ways in Logic...
A.G
www.audiogrocery.com
Author of: Logic GUI Deluxe(Free),
Vox De Bulgaria - s.a.g.e vocal pack for RMX,
Logic Snapshot Console,
RMX Power CTRL - Logic Environment Midi editor for Stylus etc.

How can I record a microphone and software instrument at the same time in Garageband 10.0.1? It seems I can record one or the other, but not both at the same time?

I am trying to record a vocal mic and a keyboard (using a software instrument) at the same time using Garageband 10.0.1. It seems that I can't record the mic input and the software instrument at the same time. I can record the mic input by itself, and I can record the software instrument by itself (if I don't have a mic input track created), but I can't record them together.
It seems like this should be an obvious thing to be able to do, but I can't figure out how to make it work.
Can someone help?
Thanks,
Kurt

Kurt1997 wrote:
I am trying to record a vocal mic and a keyboard (using a software instrument) at the same time using Garageband 10.0.1.
you need to "record enable" both tracks:
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#multitrackrecordinggbv10
This FAQ entry offers a Minute GarageBand video tutorial
(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

Crashes every time I attempt to open a software instrument GUI

I'm encountering a serious problem of crashing every time I attempt to open a software instrument GUI.
I'm working on a song with many software instruments (Ivoy, Stylus, Kontakt2, Kontakt 3, Toontrack Superior Drum 2.0, Trilogy, ecc.) and I can see on Activity Monitor that I am at the limit of Logic RAM addressing (Logic is at 2.57 GB and VM is at 3.90: I have 10 GB DIMMs).
Is perhaps my problem due to this RAM limit?
Note that the song flows smoothly if I play it and all is fine. But I can't open a soft Instr. GUI because Logic crashes.
If it so, I wonder why Logic has this RAM addressing limit. Is it due to the System architecture? Could it be surpassed in the future?

Yes Logic have a limitation on Ram and Virual Memory. I really hope an update could be done about that, cause without this i could too do a complete mix without doing bouncing or exporting the soft instrument as a audio track to regain some DSP. To Avoid this kind of situation is to twaek your virtual instrument (ex. Superior 2.0 load jus by defaut 982 Mb in the ram and virtual memory addressing to Logic, you can lower that by removing samples of drum you don't use - i use superior 2.0 with 2 setup one drum set load at 360 Mb and another one at 580 Mb at 24bit - you can also reduce the bit rate)... But i agree totally with you this limitation is ridiculous now our days we have powerfull machines and plugin and software that require more RAM. Architecture that was develop at the time of the first Logic.

Polyphony- how many notes can play at one time with the software instrument

Hello everyone! Is the Polyphony limited in Garageband 3 when playing the software instruments? Is there a setting I should tweak? I noticed this when using the sustain pedal with the grand piano sound.

I can't give you exact figures, but GB does have problems with overlapping notes. It's weird sometimes - while it certainly can play a lot of notes at a time, like big chords, it chokes on melodies where the notes overlap. I don't know of any other fix than making sure that the notes don't overlap.

Can I use a MIDI keyboard as an input device for a software instrument?

I have a Casio CTK-2100 that I am currently playing around with in Logic Pro 9. It can record and playback the different instruments fine using MIDI tracks. But I was wondering if it is possible to use the keyboard as an input device for a software instrument instead of the "Step Input Keyboard".
Is it? If so, how do I set it up?

Yes, the terminology can be a bear, many, many years ago when I started using Logic the manuals were written completely by the programmers, while they were quite humorous in places the were also really hard to understand so I learned/realized.. you can't really do anything so wrong it's going to destroy your computer so why not go ahead and experiment. I learned the basics of Logic without a manual, months later when I went back to find some some details I could figure out the manual made a lot more sense.
Logic has been somewhat Appleized but it's not really an Apple program, it was purchased almost as developed as it is now... a lot of the additions a fluff to make it easier to understand for new users while at the same time there are some real improvements.
This is personal opinion: With all of the forums/online tutorials...etc...etc. It seems users are learning (but not understanding) the same things, plus everyone wants to use it right away so nobody takes a deep breath and investigates on their own. Logic is a deep, deep program, while learning don't be afraid to go off on a tangent and explore the program without any other input, it can actually be inspirational. One other thing good about the manual or "Online Help", in looking up a function you will invariably come across a related concept that will provide further insight.
And..... have fun.

Using software instruments that are stored on an external drive.

I recently bought Logic 9. Doing a custom install, I stored the instrument library on an external disk thinking it would be easy to use the instruments at a later time. Now, however, when I create a software instrument track, I only see the basic exs instruments. I can't find any further help on how to use my full library of instruments stored on my external drive. This must be simple, but I can't figure out. Any help would be much appreciated.

Logic looks at the Garageband library for these.
You'll need to go in there and create an alias to where you've put your content, otherwise they won't show up in the Garageband instruments section.

Concerning Software Instruments

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