And here is how my Logic app looks like:
Meter - Fader - Pan
Of course you can make the GUI as colorful and crazy as you want, but there was one issue in Logic that always bothered me and now I don't have to submit the feature request anymore to wait forever to be implemented in Logic. I just did it myself - never mind.
The issue I'm talking about is Metering
I studied Sound Engineer and metering is more than a few flashing LEDs that look nice. It is about setting and reading proper signal levels. The mixer in Logic doesn't show any numbers for your meters, even on the output channel strip. You have to use a Metering plug-in. Finally in L8 they put a dB scale on the mixer, but only at the left side. WIth a wide mixer window not very helpful.
As you can see on my screenshot I just added the dB numbers into the default meter (no signal). However, any signal on that channel will cover the numbers, but my new signal meter has light lines, so you have some orientation even on a hot signal. Please not that you have to set the meter to "Sectional dB-linear" (right click on the dB scale on the left of the mixer window). I didn't change the graphics for Exponential.
While I was at it, I added a fader knob. Minor detail, but if you are used to have your hands on a fader knob, then looking at Logics square value box doesn't do it for me visually.
How about the pan pot: n L7 not very eye pleasing, L8 made it even mor dull and 2D. My attempt is not perfect (hey I'm not a graphics designer) but at least it is different.
Track Meter
I also changed the little track meter to match the mixer level meters
Buttons
The problem with the buttons is that Logic shares the color buttons:
Color one: Plug-ins, Post-Sends
Color Two: Pre-Sends, Automation-Read
Color Three: Automation-Latch/Touch/Write, Plug-in LowLatencyMode
I chose the color thatpleases my eye and logic, but you may have a different tast after all. No problem, go ahead and change them.
Misc
You can go crazy with all the Cursor or Buttons. I tried to change the LowLatencyMode button on the transport bar from orange to shiny red, to match the red button. Or how about a red eraser.
How to do it:
Locate your Logic application in the application folder, right click and select the "Show Packet Contents". This will open the "Logic directory". (Appleications in OSX look like files but they are actually folders). Open the "Content" folder and then the "Recources" folder. Here you can use a cool new Leopard feature: Select Coverflow in the Finder. Now you can see and browse through all the graphics elements that Logic uses from that folder. (actually there are more places, so feel free to dig around).
When you locate a graphics file (i.e. Cursor_Eraser.tiff) open it up in Photoshop and edit it or replace the file with an altered file from someone who did the photoshop edit already.
Piece of advice: either make a copy of the whole Logic app, or make a saftey copy of the original graphic file you want to replace. In any case, you are working on your own risk. Apple manages to keep the graphic files very small (4k). It seems that other more Photophop savy guys on the Logic forum couldn't get it that small either.
I haven't seen any side effect in Logic during operation, if you experience any or get suspicous, please post it on the forums.
An of course, any update of the Logic application will most likely overwrite your custom files and you have to replace them again.
Where to get the files:
I posted my graphic files on my website for anybody fo download. As I said before, I'm not a grphic designer, so don't complain about the quality. If you have more skills and ideas, feel free to make them available. At the end it comes down to personal taste. BTW I have the default meter also without the numbers if it makes the look to busy for your.
It is amazing how much you can customize the look of Logic. Just figure out what graphic files make up what part of the GUI and then go ahead and try it.
Here is the URL for the free download:
http://www.dingdingmusic.com/DingDing/ManualsFree.html
Have Fun,
Edgar
