Bounce a project to an audio file

You can render, or bounce, a project to a single audio file or to multiple audio files. A project can be bounced to several different file formats simultaneously, and a surround project can be bounced to a set of surround audio files.

Projects can be bounced either in real time or offline (which is typically faster). All parameters, effects, and automation on the unmuted tracks in the project are recorded as part of the bounce file.

The format (stereo, mono, or surround) of the resulting bounce file (or files) depends on the format of the output channel strip. Output 1-2 is the default output channel strip used for bounces, and produces a stereo audio file. When the output channel strip is set to mono, a mono audio file is generated.

Bounce files can be reused in Logic Pro, saving processing resources by replacing or bypassing multiple regions, instruments, and effects. Bounces can also be used with other music applications and devices, sent to mastering facilities, posted on the Internet (on a webpage, or in the iTunes Store, for example), added to an iTunes playlist, or uploaded to a mobile device such as an iPod.

Bounce the current project to an audio file

  1. In the Tracks area or the Mixer, make sure that the tracks you want to include in the bounce are routed to the main output (Output 1-2) and are not muted.

    If your project has multiple output channel strips, you can bounce only the tracks routed to a specific output channel strip using the Bnce button on that channel strip. For information about configuring output channel strips, see Use output channel strips.

  2. Choose File > Bounce > Project or Section.

  3. In the Bounce dialog, select one or more destination formats in the Destination area.

  4. When you select a destination format, bounce options for that format appear to the right of the Destination area. For each selected destination format, choose bounce options.

  5. To limit the bounce to only part of the project, adjust the Start and End value sliders. You can click the up and down arrows, or click one of the numerals and enter a new value.

    If Cycle mode is on when you choose File > Bounce, only the part of the project enclosed by the cycle area is bounced. You can adjust the Start and End value sliders to change what part of the project is bounced. For more information on setting the bounce range, see Set the bounce range.

    Tip: To avoid having reverb and other effect tails cut off at the end of the project, set the end position of the bounce a little bit past the end of the last region.

  6. Set the bounce mode by selecting one of the two Mode buttons:

    • Realtime: Performs the bounce in real time. Use this setting when you want to bounce audio and software instrument tracks, or external MIDI sound sources that are routed to the Mixer via aux channels.

    • Offline: Bouncing offline can be faster than real time for more complex projects, and can perform bounces not possible in real time (because they might exceed the processing power of your computer).

      Only internal sources (audio or software instrument tracks) can be bounced offline; not MIDI tracks or audio channel inputs. Offline bouncing is available only for output channels of devices using native (Core Audio) audio drivers; not for DSP-based audio hardware (which can be bounced only in real time.) Other software applications that are routed to the Mixer via ReWire can be bounced offline.

  7. For additional control over effect tails, select either of the following Mode options:

    • Bounce 2nd Cycle Pass: The bounce process takes two repetitions of the cycle range into account, with the creation of the bounce file starting at the second repetition. This is useful if you want effect tails (from the first cycle pass) to be added to the start of the bounce file.

    • Include Audio Tail: The bounce file is extended as far as necessary to include any instrument release and effect tail.

    Note: Some plug-ins, including plug-ins used for mastering and the test oscillator plug-in, can add noise to the signal. Include Audio Tail should not be selected when using these plug-ins, as the resulting bounce file would be too long.

  8. Choose a normalization setting from the Normalize pop-up menu:

    • Off: No normalization is applied.

    • Overload Protection Only: Downward normalization takes place only for overloads (levels above 0 dB, which would lead to clipping), but no normalization takes place for lower levels.

    • On: The project (incoming audio) is scanned for the highest amplitude peak, then the level is increased so that the peak is at the maximum possible level (without clipping).

  9. To add PCM, MP3, or M4A bounce files to the Project Audio Browser, select Add to Project.

  10. Click Bounce.

    Depending on the length and complexity of the project, the bounce process may take a few moments to complete.

Set the bounce filename and location

By default, the name of the bounce file matches the selected output channel strip (Output 1-2, if the project was bounced using the File > Bounce command.) Bounce files are saved by default to the ~/Music/Logic/Bounces folder, but you can specify a new location. The new location is used for subsequent bounces.

When you bounce a project, you can change the name and choose a different location to save the bounce file (or files).

  1. To rename the bounce file, enter a new name in the Save As field.

    Figure. File name and folder settings in the Bounce window.
  2. Browse to the location where you want to save the bounce file. You can click the New Folder button in the lower-left corner of the Bounce window to create a new folder at any location.

    Figure. New Folder and Bounce buttons in the Bounce window.
  3. Click Bounce.

When you bounce to multiple destination files, all the resulting files are saved in the chosen folder. All files have the same filename, but with the appropriate file extensions (.pngff, .mp3, .m4a, and so on).

You can also bounce individual tracks in place, or bounce all tracks in place.

Another option is to burn a project to a CD or DVD at the same time you bounce the project.