The following parameters are available for MIDI regions (and software instrument Apple Loops) in the Region inspector.
The MIDI region parameters also apply to folders, and globally affect all MIDI regions within the folder.
Mute: Lets you mute individual regions in the Tracks area to exclude them from playback.
Loop: The playback of regions can be continuously repeated by selecting the Loop checkbox, or by using the Loop tool. (See Loop regions in the Tracks area.)
Quantize: All note events contained in the region are time corrected to the (quantize) grid format chosen in the pop-up menu. For information on choosing the Quantize parameter value, see Quantize parameter values.
Note: There are two types of region quantization: Classic Quantize and Smart Quantize. You select the type by clicking the Quantize label in the Region inspector.
Q-Swing: This percentage value alters the position of every second point in the current quantization grid. Values over 50% delay the beats, and values under 50% pre-delay them. The most practical settings fall between 50% and 75%, imparting a swing feel to strictly quantized (or tightly played) audio or MIDI regions. For information about Q-Swing and other advanced quantization parameters, see Advanced quantization parameters.
Transpose: All note events in the region are transposed up or down in semitones during playback. Even complete folders can be instantly transposed in this way. If several individual MIDI regions within the folder have already been transposed, the relative differences between them are retained.
If you want to transpose by octaves, click the arrows to the right of the Transposition parameter. A pop-up menu opens that allows direct octave transpositions.
To guard against drum notes and so on being transposed, an instrument channel’s inspector contains a No Transpose checkbox. If you select this option, the Transpose parameter is ignored in all MIDI regions played by this channel strip (including instrument Apple Loops added to tracks routed to instrument channels).
Velocity: All notes in the relevant MIDI region are offset by the selected value. Positive values add to the originally recorded velocity, and negative ones subtract from it, although naturally it is impossible to go outside the limits defined by the MIDI Standard (0–127). If you select a velocity offset that exceeds the maximum or minimum possible value for a particular note, that note will play at the extreme possible range. For example, a setting of +20 will cause a note with a velocity of 120 to play at 127.
You can access additional parameters by clicking the More disclosure triangle:
Delay: The playback of regios can be delayed (positive values) or advanced (negative values) by ticks, or by milliseconds. (For more information, see Shift the playback position of regions in the Tracks area.)
Dynamics: This parameter also affects the velocity values of notes, but instead of adding or subtracting a fixed amount, the differences between soft and loud notes (the dynamics) are increased or decreased. This works in a similar way to a compressor or expander. Values above 100% expand the dynamics, thereby increasing the difference between loud and soft, while values below 100% compress the dynamics, reducing the differences between loud and soft.
The Fixed setting causes all notes to be transmitted at a velocity value of 64. When used in conjunction with the Velocity parameter (see above), it’s possible to set any fixed velocity value.
Gate Time: The term gate time stems from analog synthesizers, and refers to the time between pressing and releasing a key. This parameter affects the absolute note duration or length, which can be different from the musical note value. The practical effect is to make notes in the region more staccato or legato. The parameter range is related to the original note lengths. Fix produces extreme staccato. Values below 100% shorten the notes. Values above 100% lengthen the notes. The “legato” setting produces a completely legato effect for all notes, no matter what their original lengths, eliminating all space between notes in the affected region.
Clip Length: This function lets you alter the length of the last notes in a region directly from the Tracks area, by adjusting the length of the MIDI region. When turned on, any notes sounding when the region ends are abruptly cut off. When turned off, notes are played to their normal end point, regardless of where the region ends.
Score: This function prevents the score display of particular regions, such as those that only contain MIDI events that can’t be displayed in the score. When set to Hide, the MIDI region is not displayed in the score.
Q-Velocity: This parameter (expressed as a percentage) determines the amount that the velocity values of quantized notes are affected by the velocity values of a template MIDI region. At a value of 0%, the notes retain their original velocity. At 100%, they adopt the velocity values of the template. Negative values alter the velocity, making the deviation from the template even greater.
Q-Length: This parameter (also expressed as a percentage value) determines how the lengths of quantized notes are affected by the equivalent note lengths (notes at the same position) of a template MIDI region. A value of 0% has no effect, while at 100%, the notes adopt the exact note lengths of the template region. Negative values alter note lengths further, resulting in a more significant deviation from the template.
Q-Flam: Notes with the same time position (chords) are spread out by this parameter. Positive values produce an ascending (upward) arpeggio; negative values a descending (downward) arpeggio. The position of the first note (either the bottom or top note, assuming all notes start at the same position) in the arpeggio is unaltered.
Q-Range: Q-Range is a very musical quantization method that requires a certain amount of technical musical prowess. It’s ideal for recordings that already have the right groove, but are too hurried or laid back in places. It allows you to retain the original feel, but positions the rhythmic center precisely in the groove. A value of 0 means that every note is quantized. If you enter negative Q-Range values, only notes that fall outside the set range are moved to ideal quantization grid positions, while notes closer to an ideal position remain unquantized. This moves the most poorly played notes (those outside the range) to perfect timing positions on the quantization grid, or at least toward these positions, depending on the Q-Strength setting.
Q-Strength: This percentage value determines how far a note is shifted toward the nearest grid position. 100% results in full quantization; 0% leaves the note at its recorded position.
You can apply the MIDI region parameter settings of all selected MIDI regions and folders with the Functions > MIDI Region Parameters > Apply All Parameters Permanently command.
This means that all settings are actually written as data, and playback parameters revert to normal values. The audible result remains the same. The Loop parameter and advanced quantization parameters (Q-Velocity, Q-Length, Q-Flam, Q-Range, and Q-Strength) are not affected. However, use this carefully as you lose the ability change your mind about MIDI region edits.
Like the Merge function and the Glue tool, the Apply All Parameters Permanently function intelligently handles stored MIDI channel numbers. If all stored events have the same MIDI channel number, the channel is changed to that of the instrument assigned to the current track. If the events are on different channels, Logic Pro asks whether you want to convert the event channels.
The following options are also available in the Functions > MIDI Region Parameters menu:
Apply All except Channel: Leaves the stored channel number untouched.
Apply All except Channel & Delay: Leaves the stored channel number and Delay parameters untouched.
If the playback instrument has a channel setting of All, or if you’re dealing with a completely different type of Environment object (a channel splitter used as A-Playback, for example), the stored MIDI channel numbers are also unaffected by the usual Apply All Parameters Permanently function.
Note: If you’re editing MIDI regions that appear as notation on a polyphonic staff style, you should use use the Apply All except Channel function, as the event channel is used to assign notes to individual polyphonic voices in the Score Editor.