Editing preferences

The Editing pane contains the following preferences:

Figure. General Editing preferences.

When Show Advanced Tools is selected in Advanced preferences, the following are available:

  • Number of Undo Steps slider: Determines the number of undo steps.

  • Add ‘Last Edit Function’ to region name checkbox: When selected, adds a description of the edit operation (cutting, for example) to the name of the region, or resulting regions.

  • “‘Living Groove’ connection” checkbox: Editing an original region also alters any quantization template derived from that region. When unselected, the groove template remains as created. This allows you to edit the region without affecting the quantization template.

  • “Select regions on track selection” checkbox: Selecting a track selects all regions on the track lane, or regions within the cycle or autopunch area (if Cycle or Autopunch mode is on). When unselected, selecting a track will not select regions on the track lane. In this case:

    • Option-clicking the track header or associated channel strip continues to select the track and all associated regions.

    • Option-Shift-clicking adds the selected track’s regions to the current selection.

  • Pointer Tool in Tracks Provides: “Fade Tool click zones” checkbox: Placing the pointer over the upper-left and upper-right edges of a region activates the Fade pointer. The Loop pointer can still be accessed in these click zones by holding down Option.

  • Pointer Tool in Tracks Provides: “Marquee Tool click zones” checkbox: Placing the pointer over the lower half of a region (with the exception of the lower-left and lower-right edges) activates the Marquee pointer.

  • Limit Dragging to One Direction In: Piano Roll and Score checkbox: When selected, you can only move notes in one direction when editing in the Piano Roll or Score Editor. This means that a note may be either transposed, or moved in time, but not both at once.

    Note: Press Shift while dragging in the editor to quickly switch between the two behaviors.

  • Limit Dragging to One Direction In: Tracks checkbox: When selected, you can only move regions (including folders) in one direction in the Tracks area. This is similar to the previous option.

    Note: Press Shift while dragging in the Tracks area to quickly switch between the two behaviors.

  • Double-clicking a MIDI Region Opens pop-up menu: Determines which editor opens when you double-click a MIDI region in the Tracks area.

    • Score: Opens the Score Editor.

    • Event List: Opens the Event List.

    • Piano Roll: Opens the Piano Roll Editor.

    • Step Editor: Opens the Step Editor.

When Advanced Editing is selected in Advanced preferences, the following are available:

  • “SmartLoop handling of Scissors and ‘Split by Playhead’” checkbox: Determines how Logic Pro handles the cutting of looped regions.

    • When selected, you can cut a region’s looped area (using the Scissors or Marquee tool, or Split by Playhead command). Logic Pro automatically creates regions after—and, if necessary, before—the cut, ensuring that these areas remain identical. This allows you to split looped regions without altering playback in the looped area.

    • When unselected, you can’t cut a region’s looped area. Cutting the looped region itself turns off the Loop setting in the Region inspector.

  • Right Mouse Button pop-up menu: Determines whether the right mouse button opens the Tool menu, displays an additional Right-click Tool menu, or opens a shortcut menu.

    • Is Assignable to a Tool: Displays a third Tool menu (Right-click Tool menu) to the right of the Left-click and Command-click Tool menus. Choose the appropriate menu item to assign to the tool, which is available when the right mouse button is pressed while editing.

    • Opens Tool Menu: Opens the Tool menu with the Pointer tool (and not the currently selected tool) located under the pointer. Simply choose the tool you want by clicking it. When the Tool menu is open, you can also use the key shown next to a tool to select it.

    • Opens Shortcut Menu: Displays a menu that offers a number of area-specific selection and editing commands.

    • Opens Tool and Shortcut Menu: Opens both the Tool and shortcut menus.