MC410

Awesome! Thanks Dave!

Thanks for the on topic replies. Much appreciated.

While I have an extensive background in music, the production side of things is fairly new to me. I've recently acquired all kinds of music producing elements including a MacBook Pro, Logic X, and a Novation Impulse 49. I tried using the AutoMap software that came with the controller but I find it to be confusing and frustrating, the opposite of what they intended. I'd really like to learn how midi works from a very fundamental level and attempt to master it because it seems like such a versatile technology and I think it would make me more creative and productive. I remember seeing a band called Other Lives once. They had this really interesting lighting set up which consisted of about eight low wattage filament lightbulbs that were somehow connected via midi to respond to what they did in real time. I know this is how they did it because I was talking to the sound and light guys at the venue afterwards. As far as specifics go, I'm completely mystified by how midi works. I also have a GT-10B multi-effects processor for my bass guitar and it's got all kinds of midi functionality that I have no idea how to begin using. I feel like I'm limiting my creative potential with my lack of understanding. So where do I start? Do you guys have any recommendation on books, forum threads, websites, articles, videos? I'm having a hard time finding resources that explain midi and how to apply it in various ways. Right now I'd really like to know how to program my Novation Impulse to do certain things in Logic and I believe that having an understanding of the underlying framework will help me with the more advanced stuff in the future..

Okay, so I admit, for a few months I was using a pirated version of LPX (10.0.2). And because I've realized what a fantastic program it really is, I went ahead and purchased it via the app store. I wanted to support the developers, get in on the constant updates, and get rid of the nagging feeling that comes along with using a pirated version. Plus, after paying for something using your hard earned money, you're more inclined to want to master it. Anyway, after buying it in the app store, it just went ahead and updated the version I already have installed and downloaded the additional content. So my question to you guys is... Do you advise that I do a complete reinstall? If so, why? (Also, I'm not interested in being flamed for using a pirated version in the past, so please keep those types of comments to yourselves. Thanks)

Options are always nice but with that being said, I love the new GUI.

In addition to an automatic track coloring option I would like to see the ability to be able to automatically color regions by track color, and vice versa, possibly with the option to set this globally and on a per track basis.

+1 for Eli's Logic Pro X Explained tutorial on Groove3. I learned so much. And quicker than I ever thought possible. I'm a Logic newb and so naturally I was overwhelmed at first but Eli's tutorials are engaging and enjoyable. Highly recommended!

I can confirm. After upgrading to Mavericks, I no longer experience the CPU spikes.

Still seeing spikes. I do have Dropbox, Google drive, Evernote and Avast running in the background but I have a hard time believe that would be causing problems. Even without playing anything whatsoever, I still get gnarly CPU spikes.

What's weird about my spikes is that they happen when I'm doing absolutely nothing in Logic. If I have a project open, I can sit there and watch my CPU freak out. I'm literally doing nothing with my CPU -- not even typing. As I'm observing this, the only programs I have running are Chrome, Spotify, and Finder. Any ideas?

CPU spikes are a problem I'm having has well. I watched your video and I can say that my spikes are not nearly as problematic as yours but they can still happen when I'm only running like two software instruments.

Now I'm eying the Novation Impulse 49. I keep hearing terrible things about M-Audio gear.

What would you guys recommend for something with a range of 49 - 66 keys? Feel is important to me. Although I'm not a keyboard player, persay, I do play a little keys and would like to continue learning as I move forward. I'm looking for something rich in features without breaking the bank. I was eyeing the M-Audio Axiom 49 but I heard the key beds are horrible. I plan on playing keyboard parts as well as doing step editing and some drum input.

First of all, if this has been discussed before, I apologize. Please link me to it. My friend sent me an audio file of a drum track and he wants me to create something around it. What would be the best approach do doing something like this? Being the logic newbie I am, I'm trying to line the audio file up to a grid as best I can. If I don't, the process will be much more difficult going forward. Once I get that done I'll be able to start adding tracks and getting creative but this first hurdle is proving to be a challenge with my very limited skill set. I'm assuming he recorded to a click track because his time is pretty good. If he didn't then what I'm trying to do is almost hopeless. Correct? The first think I did was import the audio track and then I went to 'edit > tempo > detect tempo of selected region'. It was about 81 BPM so I changed the session tempo to match and I believe he is playing in 7/8 but I think he changes time signatures during the performance. Ugh... the hardships of being a newbie. The upside is that I learn a lot quickly.

The RME Babyface looks appealing. What would you guys recommend for a budget interface while I save for one of these?