| New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
EdgarRothermich
Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 268
Location: West Hollywood
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 Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject: New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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I saw some great screenshots of the hacked Logic GUI on some forum posts. The procedure is as simple as locating the graphic files (fader, button, background, etc) in the Logic application directory and replacing them with your your own photoshoped one. Unfortunately I couldn't find any of those "new" graphic files on the internet. So I fired up Photoshop and Pages this weekend and tried it myself.
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://homepage.mac.com/edgarrothermich/Manuals.html
Have Fun,
Edgar
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Logic 9.1.1 - 2 MacPro 2.8GHz 8core - OSX 10.6.3 - 16GB RAM - Fireface800
http://rothermich.com/Manuals/ |
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el-bo
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1435
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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couldn't you make it a bit more pink ??? 
just joking...interesting
like the fader buttons 
but i think the colour within the faders from cool to hot is pure genius.....
let's see how this one pans out.....i would be too worried to start screwing with things.....i'll wait till everyone else gives it the all clear
thanks
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there is no sanctuary
logic 9, x 10.5.8, mbp c2d 2.33 3g...loads of other bits of shite |
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el-bo
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1435
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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by the way....i think you may need some more ram....
7 gig is so....last year 
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there is no sanctuary
logic 9, x 10.5.8, mbp c2d 2.33 3g...loads of other bits of shite |
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David
Site Admin
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 27978
Location: Valley Village, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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There's another "Pimp my Logic" thread in the template section:
http://logicprohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=15123
Logic Pro 9.1 - Mac Pro 2x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon - OS 10.5.8- 6 GB RAM - Metric Halo ULN2 - Apogee Duet |
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emilenitrate
Joined: 21 Jul 2007
Posts: 722
Location: NY
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:03 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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| I wish I had time to investigate this because Logic 8 needs it so badly but alas, I'm too busy trying to master the program (and others) and trying to create music. But I just wanted to say that Edgar is my hero. - Emile
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dkgross
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 4540
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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cool..I really like the PAN knobs!!!!
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2.8 MacPro Octo/Logic 9.1.1/OS 10.6.3 |
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Journeyman
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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Don't you risk losing all your customization with the next Logic update?
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David
Site Admin
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 27978
Location: Valley Village, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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| Journeyman wrote: | | Don't you risk losing all your customization with the next Logic update? |
It would be just a matter of drag-and dropping a few files to recustomize.
Logic Pro 9.1 - Mac Pro 2x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon - OS 10.5.8- 6 GB RAM - Metric Halo ULN2 - Apogee Duet |
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EdgarRothermich
Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 268
Location: West Hollywood
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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Of course, any Logic upgrade (a new Logic app file) will overwrite your custom graphic files. Just copy them back into the Resources folder again after the upgrade.
The only thing that could make it more difficult is when they change the name of the files or the way they structure the GUI with the single graphic files.
After all, based on the experience with the "rapid" release dates of Logic upgrades, don't expect to do that too often.
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Logic 9.1.1 - 2 MacPro 2.8GHz 8core - OSX 10.6.3 - 16GB RAM - Fireface800
http://rothermich.com/Manuals/ |
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BGTD
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 388
Location: Portland
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:25 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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| I like it! It feels a little Cubase-y but it's kinda cool. Unfortunately I don't have Photoshop to roll my own but I'll def use these. I especially like the metering and the little slider dealy-o's (that's a tech term, y'all).
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marcel72
Joined: 23 Dec 2006
Posts: 1521
Location: vancouver
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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Look...
Pretty colors...
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Best, Marcel
**Big noisy silver box, OS named after cat, fairly recently updated Logic, overly expensive silver and purple boxes (2), small black box with funny cables. Some of them came with stickers.** |
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EdgarRothermich
Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 268
Location: West Hollywood
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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I forgot to mention, that the CPU meter window uses the same graphic elements as the Mixer meters. So if you use the meter background with the dB numbers then you will see them also in the CPU meter.
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Logic 9.1.1 - 2 MacPro 2.8GHz 8core - OSX 10.6.3 - 16GB RAM - Fireface800
http://rothermich.com/Manuals/ |
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Spectacle
Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 838
Location: Sierra Madre, CA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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Will this impact the performance of Logic in any way? 
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EdgarRothermich
Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 268
Location: West Hollywood
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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| Quote: | | Will this impact the performance of Logic in any way? |
Theoretically, I don't know because I'm not the programmer. Practically, I don't see any side effects, so far.
If you think about it, You are not messing with Logic's code. You are just replacing a tiff file that the application calls up and puts together with other images to create the GUI. The only difference is the increased file size of the image from 4k o 70k. If the programmers use the tiff standard and don't add any proprietary voodoo stuff then your tiff file should be as good as the Logic tiff file.
The file increase might add a little more overall RAM footprint or slow down the redraw of a big mixer layout on a 30 inch display. But all these variables are hard to pin down, because they depend on your individual configuration (CPU speed, monitor, graphics card, RAM).
Bottom line, test it and see for yourself if you see/feel any performance issues. You could even have one Logic application with and one without the modified files and just swap those Logic apps in and out the applications folder for an A/B comparison.
If there are any experienced programmer out there that could give us more insight in any potential problem with this procedure, please chime in.
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Logic 9.1.1 - 2 MacPro 2.8GHz 8core - OSX 10.6.3 - 16GB RAM - Fireface800
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Deepswing
Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Posts: 1033
Location: Hollywood
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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I've tried your GUI tweaks.
Looks nice, but why the db scale on the CPU meter? 
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Deepswing Productions / Generate Music
Logic 9.01 I Cubase4 l MacProOcto 3.0 I MBP 2.2 l OSX.5.8 l Metric Halo 2882 l MTP AV l UAD-1 l Live 6 I Waves l http://www.absorb-music.com
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Musicianista
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 186
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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| Deepswing wrote: | I've tried your GUI tweaks.
Looks nice, but why the db scale on the CPU meter? |
Well,
40 = lots of fun
1 = bugger all fun
That's the new industry standard number crunching scale.
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Cheers,
Ando
LOGIC 9.1.1/32
iMac24 2.33 3gb ram
OS X 10.6.2
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EdgarRothermich
Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 268
Location: West Hollywood
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:01 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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| Quote: | | Looks nice, but why the db scale on the CPU meter? |
Logic just uses the same tif file for the meter background for the CPU meter. If you change the meter so does the CPU meter. Simple as that.
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Logic 9.1.1 - 2 MacPro 2.8GHz 8core - OSX 10.6.3 - 16GB RAM - Fireface800
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EdgarRothermich
Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 268
Location: West Hollywood
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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BTW, the custom tif files seem to survive the Logic 8.01 upgrade. No need to redo the file replacement
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Logic 9.1.1 - 2 MacPro 2.8GHz 8core - OSX 10.6.3 - 16GB RAM - Fireface800
http://rothermich.com/Manuals/ |
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joliver
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:29 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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Can someone send me the original - MixerLargeRotaryTopDark.tiff.
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ChicoSatis
Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 1880
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject: : New Logic GUI / Do-it-Yourself instructions |
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| Thanks man! Very grateful. I believe you posted a logic video before about adding bass to your kick drum with sine waves. (Very cool) and I was really jealous of your GUI. Especially the numbered Level Meter. Anyway... greatly appreciated thanks for taking the time.
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