Change the ruler display

There are two display modes for the Audio File Editor ruler.

  • Absolute mode: References the time axis of the project.

  • Relative mode: References the beginning of the audio file.

You can also customize the ruler so that it’s displayed in samples, Min:Sec:Ms, SMPTE Time, or Bars/Beats.

The scale units in the ruler are displayed with solid white lines when you view the time scale according to its absolute position. When you view the time scale according to its relative position, the scale units are dotted (indicating that no time connection exists).

Use relative display mode

Do one of the following:

  • Open the Audio File Editor from the Project Audio Browser (double-click the region in the Project Audio Browser).

  • Choose Content from the Audio File Editor’s View > Link submenu, then select a region in the Project Audio Browser.

    Figure. Sample Editor waveform display in relative display mode.

The start position of the section is automatically assigned to the 0 value, or a value of 1 1 1 1 if set to Bars/Beats. The scale unit lines are dotted.

Use absolute display mode

Do one of the following:

  • Open the Audio File Editor in the Logic Pro main window.

  • Choose Content from the Audio File Editor’s View > Link submenu, then select a region in the main window.

    Figure. Sample Editor waveform display in absolute display mode.

Time is measured from the start of the project and is assigned a value of 0, or a value of 1 1 1 1 if set to Bars/Beats. In this mode, the absolute (project) time is shown in the ruler.

Change the Audio File Editor ruler time scale

  • Choose one of the following scaling units from the Audio File Editor’s View menu:

    • Samples: Displays the number of sample words.

    • Min:Sec:Ms: Displays the absolute scale in hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds.

    • SMPTE Time: Displays the SMPTE scale in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames.

    • Bars/Beats: Displays the scale in bars, beats, divisions, and ticks—just like the ruler in other windows.

    Tip: You can also access these options via a shortcut menu by Control-clicking the ruler.