Soundtracks overview

Creating a new video soundtrack is similar to working with any Logic Pro X project. You can import or record audio and instrument parts, arrange them, process them with effects, and mix your music, dialogue, and sound effects (known as Foley) in stereo or a surround format.

You can also import an existing movie soundtrack, edit or enhance it in Logic Pro X, and then export your audio back to the movie file. See Use movie audio tracks.

The key difference when working with video or film is the need for synchronicity between what is seen and what is heard. Logic Pro X supports several synchronization protocols that let you work with video at all standard frame rates. See Synchronization overview.

You can use video files stored on a locally attached or networked hard drive, or work with synchronized external video or film editing and playback hardware.

Working with disk-based video is preferable because you can see the video in Logic Pro X and don’t have to wait for hardware to “catch up” when moving from one scene to another. The imported video and Logic Pro X are “frame-locked” when you move through your project or video with either the Logic Pro X or QuickTime transport and navigation controls. See Add a movie to your project.

QuickTime video is embedded with an internal SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) timecode. SMPTE timecode is an absolute timecode that covers a 24-hour period. It displays hours, minutes, seconds, frames, and subframes. Logic Pro X recognizes SMPTE timecode and converts it to MTC (MIDI Time Code). MTC is the MIDI equivalent of SMPTE timecode. Different video frame rates are automatically interpreted by Logic Pro X. See MTC interpretation.