Match audio recordings to the project tempo

The length of imported audio regions is linked to the project tempo. If you add a tempo change at a particular ruler position, the length of regions changes, starting from that position. The playback speed of the imported regions doesn’t change, but all MIDI regions will be out of sync with all audio regions. Audio regions that are lengthened (by increasing the tempo) may overlap subsequent regions on the same track, with the result that the overlapped parts of the regions are not heard. All audio region loop lengths (set with the Loop parameter in the inspector) change, resulting in irregular loops and rhythmic conflicts between tracks.

The following audio files automatically match the project tempo and will follow any tempo changes made in the global Tempo track.

  • Audio recordings made in Logic Pro (7.0 and later)

    Note: If you drag a file recorded in one project to another project using the Finder, the file does not follow the project tempo. However, files copied between two projects are able to follow the project tempo.

  • Apple Loops

  • Audio regions on tracks for which Flex Time is turned on

  • Audio bounces made in Logic Pro (7.0 and later)

    Note: Bounce files can only follow the project tempo if the “Add resulting files to Project Audio Browser” option is selected in the Bounce dialog when the file is bounced or exported.

  • Audio files exported from Logic Pro (7.0 and later)

    Note: Exported files can only follow the project tempo if the “Add resulting files to Project Audio Browser” option is selected in the Export dialog when the file is bounced or exported.

Imported ReCycle files can also follow the project tempo. (See Add ReCycle files to your project.)

Audio files that follow the project tempo (and first key signature) are flagged with the Follow Tempo symbol, in both the Tracks area and the Project Audio Browser.

Figure. Follow Tempo symbol on audio region, and in Project Audio Browser.

All other imported audio files require adjustment of either the region or the project tempo.

You can set an audio region to follow the project tempo, or convert a region to an Apple Loop. For more information about Apple Loops, see What are Apple Loops?

Make audio recordings follow the project tempo

  • Select the audio region in the Tracks area, then select the Follow Tempo and Pitch checkbox in the Region inspector.

Figure. Follow Tempo checkbox in Region inspector.

The Follow Tempo and Pitch checkbox is synchronized for all regions that make use of the same audio file.

Convert a selected audio region to an Apple Loop

  • Choose Functions > Open in Apple Loops Utility from the Tracks area menu bar.

    In the Apple Loops Utility, you can set transients for the file, and add search tags for genre, instrument, and other descriptors.