Piano Roll - conform to key function?

[skiltrip]

Is there any way in the Piano Roll to make any notes moved around and created conform to the current project key?

In other words disabling the ability to put notes out of the current key's scale, while this function or option is selected?

[lookatthisguy]

Maybe take a look at some things discussed here. Not exactly what you're asking for, but unless there's a solution that's still above my pay grade (i.e. something I've let to learn about), you may pick up an idea or two that can help.

[skiltrip]

Thanks for the link.

 

Is it just me, or does that seem like it would be a useful feature. A simple checkbox. Conform to Project Key. Then you can slide notes around, randomize them , move entire melodies around while staying in key. Seems like a really quick and creative way to work. When I first got Presonus Studio One last year I asked the same question, and for them it was no, but maybe in the future.

[skiltrip]

Since posting this I've learned that both Pro Tools and Live can do this. I believe Cubase does as well

 

How is it that Logic has no such ability? It's always said to be superior to Pro Tools when it comes to MIDI.

[David Nahmani]

How is it that Logic has no such ability? It's always said to be superior to Pro Tools when it comes to MIDI.

 

Logic is a professional software. That feature sounds to me more like an amateurish feature than one that belongs in pro software - just like you may find cheap electronic keyboards that will light up the keys that are in a certain scale, but you'll never find that feature on a Boesendorfer grand piano.

 

However, you may like this tip by Darren Burgos:

 

Step Entering Notes limited by Key/Scale

[lookatthisguy]

I can see how it could be useful, but I'd never use it personally… if anything, I'd use fuzzfilth's Modulator, and for the same reason.

 

Perhaps the minds at Apple have thought it's not a necessary tool (at least, not yet)? I mean the debate will never end whether x or y is better at n functionality (see Xbox/Playstation, Mac/PC, Logic/Pro Tools, etc.—though I'd like to think professionals aren't so inclined to buy into the "Logic rules, Pro Tools drools!" mentality), especially since there's no definitive metric to determine just what makes x superior to y.

 

That said, it's my understanding that each company realizes what the other is doing right, and have made great strides to be more competitive in that area—PT9 is said to be much easier to use with MIDI, and with Logic 9 we've got Flex Time, etc. Perhaps Logic 10/X/whatever will have said utility, or maybe it'll just do everything for you.

[skiltrip]

How is it that Logic has no such ability? It's always said to be superior to Pro Tools when it comes to MIDI.

 

Logic is a professional software. That feature sounds to me more like an amateurish feature than one that belongs in pro software - just like you may find cheap electronic keyboards that will light up the keys that are in a certain scale, but you'll never find that feature on a Boesendorfer grand piano.

 

However, you may like this tip by Darren Burgos:

 

Step Entering Notes limited by Key/Scale

 

First of all, thanks for that link, I think that will be very helpful.

 

But I do find the beginning of your post a little presumptuous and a bit elitist. Professional software aids a user in doing professional work. Just because something doesn't sound useful to you doesn't make it amateur. If a useful songwriting tool is an amateur feature, then Logic has lots of amateur features packed under the hood. The whole point of MIDI is to work with and manipulate audio in many different ways not normally possible in the "real" world on actual acoustic instruments.

[David Nahmani]

But I do find the beginning of your post a little presumptuous and a bit elitist.

I was afraid it may come out that way. Sorry to hear it did, that wasn't my intention. Just to explain that often "pro" software has less of the "automatic" features than an entry-version software may have.

 

I'm thinking, for example, of your home oven, which may have a clock, a way to program it, a temperature read out, a self cleaning function, etc etc... while if you go to a professional kitchen, the oven will probably have a single knob to adjust the temperature, and that's it.

 

In that spirit, it makes sense for professional gear to have less features than non-pro gear.

 

I agree with you that Logic has many non-professional features, most of which were added very recently by Apple. I was just trying to give you my insight into why I don't think the feature you mention would be considered a priority by Apple for a pro software like Logic.

 

Just sharing my thoughts. Again, not trying to sound pompous or anything.

[skiltrip]

But I do find the beginning of your post a little presumptuous and a bit elitist.

I was afraid it may come out that way. Sorry to hear it did, that wasn't my intention. Just to explain that often "pro" software has less of the "automatic" features than an entry-version software may have.

 

I'm thinking, for example, of your home oven, which may have a clock, a way to program it, a temperature read out, a self cleaning function, etc etc... while if you go to a professional kitchen, the oven will probably have a single knob to adjust the temperature, and that's it.

 

In that spirit, it makes sense for professional gear to have less features than non-pro gear.

 

I agree with you that Logic has many non-professional features, most of which were added very recently by Apple. I was just trying to give you my insight into why I don't think the feature you mention would be considered a priority by Apple for a pro software like Logic.

 

Just sharing my thoughts. Again, not trying to sound pompous or anything.

 

Fair enough. I and I fully understand your analogy. Like a high end Martin guitar with no electronics in it doesn't mean it's less of a guitar than the $300 Dean acoustic with a built in tuner and pickup. We all know the deal there.

 

I just think DAW software is a different animal. I switched to Logic, because I wanted more tools and features. I used Pro Tools for 10 years, but wanted a more equipped creative tool. And 95% of the time, I think Logic is exactly that for me.

 

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated!

[David Nahmani]

Like a high end Martin guitar with no electronics in it doesn't mean it's less of a guitar than the $300 Dean acoustic with a built in tuner and pickup.

 

That's exactly it.

 

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated!

 

You're welcome. Hope Darren's tip helps.