Workaround to get Cubase-like instruments window

Question

This is more of a question for Logic users who also work(ed) a lot in Cubase. I'm looking for a sort of 'best practise' in Logic to centralise AU instruments plugins in a project, in the style of the VST instruments window in CB.
To be more specific, I want to experiment with different MIDI tracks which are assigned to the same plugin. In Cubase you don't need to open a new plugin instance for each new MIDI track but instead you assign the track to an instrument which is opened only once for the whole project in a centralised pool.
The only option that comes sort of close to it I found in Logic is Multi-timbral tracks. There are three problems with that. It seems that all tracks are linked to each other as for mute and solo. Secondly, it seems to only work with multi-timbral plugins. Thirdly, I haven't found a way (does it exist?) to add a MIDI track to that multi-timbral group. What I'm looking for is a function that allows me to assign any MIDI track to any plugin instance that is already open.
On a related note, I haven't found a way to switch between plugins on a running MIDI track on the fly to compare how the lines sound with different instruments. As much as I could figure out is that I would have to open a new instance for that track and obviously lose the previous one.
Cheers for any hint.
** When I say MIDI track I mean Software instrument track in Logic. Sorry, I'm still in my Cubase lingo.
Message was edited by: R2B

Answer 1

R2B wrote:
Cheers Rounik.
I would have never in this life suspected "Slow response" in audio preferences to have anything to do with muting MIDI tracks independently.
The steps you described work fine. I just have to get used to it. However I reckon it would be such a great enhancement for Logic to have AU instrument slots. I would pay $100 extra for an upgrade with that feature. I don't know if Apple have something like a suggestions box.
... I still don't understand exactly what you mean by this... Logic has AU Instrument slots!! You can click-hold on an existing slot (under I/O in the Tracks' Channel Strip and select a different instrument)... Isn't this what you mean or am i misunderstanding your question?
As you mention tutorials, I was thinking it could make sense to make a "delta" tutorial for new Logic users coming from Cubase and perhaps other DAWs which are quite different in the details. Only those functions would be explained which are not directly intuitive combined with a dictionary of different terminology. A bit like this thread actually. Perhaps it exists already? I haven't found anything else than forum discussions scattered across different sites. Nothing organised really.
Believe me, as an Apple Logic Certified Trainer and someone who works closely with macProVideo.com I have come across dozens and dozens of ex-Cubase users that have switched to Logic. Many well-known ones too. The Logic 101 video tutorial by Martin Sitter at macproVideo.com is possibly the most popular title because it doesn't just cover some basic DAW concepts but goes from beginner to intermediate level in enough detail. Each video is a bite sized chunk so you can easily jump in and out to find what you wish to, and also search videos for topics... Of course, there are plenty of more advanced tutorials on Logic available at macprovideo too!!
I've been using Cubase for 20 years since the Atari days but I'm always open to learn new stuff. I got into Logic more or less by "peer pressure" from musician mates around the globe. However I don't need the basics of a DAW explained, just a translation from Cubase. Sometimes it would be enough to have the statement - what you call X in Cubase we call Y in Logic. Or sorry, we don't have that function but you could do it this way etc...
Anyway, it's a highly recommend title for anyone jumping from Cubase, Pro Tools, Sonar, Live, etc in my humble opinion because Logic has it's own workflow(s) and some stuff that simply cannot be translated as "X from Cubase = Y in Logic" - it doesn't always work that way unfortunately. But once you get the logic of Logic it'll all start to make sense
BTW I'm in Bristol 2-3 times a year. Most of my fellow musicians live there. Perhaps we could hook up some time.
easy mate
Sounds like a plan! Pop by the macprovideo forums and drop me a line there in the Logic forums and we can chat off forum.