Using Max to Enhance Logic Automation
Hi there,
I wish to interface Logic Express with Max (via midi rewire). The following is a very simple example of the type of composition I wish to produce -
One instrument track in Logic containing a series of notes, 1 minute in length.
This track contains logics flange effect and the exs24 sampler.
I wish to adjust the intensity of the flange effect throughout the length of the track in order to generate effects. An example of the nature of this automation -
From 0 to 10 seconds : intensity oscillated with a square wave of 5Hz increasing to 10Hz, with an amplitude of 50% (therefore intensity oscillating within the range of 0 to 100%.)
From 10 to 20 seconds : intensity oscillated with a square wave of 10Hz increasing to 20Hz.
From 20 to 30 seconds : intensity oscillated with a square wave of 20Hz increasing to 20Hz.
From 30 to 40 seconds : intensity oscillated with a square wave of 20Hz increasing to 15Hz.
From 40 to 60 seconds : intensity oscillated with a square wave of 15Hz increasing to 0Hz.
The problem - The problem is that this automation would take forever to draw.
The solution - only draw the frequency of the intensity modulation, not the actually intensity itself, as follows -
And then have a secondary stage where the squareware function is applied to the frequency values.
Of course, since this is a composition, I don't just arrive at the values above in a random manner. I need to listen to my composition again and again to decide what needs changing. For example, perhaps this would work better -
From 0 to 9 seconds : intensity oscillated with a square wave of 2Hz increasing to 11Hz.
If so, I simply change the automation shown in 3.GIF above, without having to redraw many square waves.
So my question is, do you this it is possible for me to do this using Max as the secondary stage? So far, I have managed to send the automation information to max, via a ctrlin object connect to a rewire object in max - its a start at least. If this is possible, how would you recommend going about it?
Any other alternatives gratefully received.
Thanks for your help,
Barry.
To send the modified values back from max to the logic plugins you can use 'fader values' in the environment. You'd need to use a transform object (or a few of them) in the environment to convert the midi data coming from max to fader values.
I must say the few times I tried this I ended up cursing the way the Logic environment works.
Mattijs
Actually.. using midi from Max to control automation in logic is really easy. I dont know about Logic Express, but Logic Pro 7 has a couple of features-
Under 'Options->Track Autiomation' there is a feature called Track Automation Quick Access. If you got to the track automation quick access settings, you will get a dialog box. At the bottom the the box is an option for "automation on/off". If you switch it to on, then hit the 'learn' button.
All you have to do is open the vst plugin that you want to control, play with the control a little bit and you will get a message from logic saying that it is waiting for incoming data. After that, you simply send some midi control data from max to logic and it will recognize that want that midi port/channel/cc data to control that setting. Check the logic reference manual under Automation->Automation Quick Access. Its page 320 of the logic pro pdf.
The only downside to the Automation Quick Access is that you can only use one controler at a time..BUT you can actually use logic's control surface support set up multiple midi-to-automation assignments. If you use the 'learn mode' feature to set up controllers pretty much the same way you would for the quick access setting. The problem with using control surface support is that its global- its the same for all logic songs. So, you have to re-set them up for each track. I've found this isnt too much of a problem, because I can set up my max automation patches, record the automation down and the I dont need that particular controller setup anymore.
Its pretty awesome to be recording automation data from various controllers, all of which may be interacting with each other (and your music) - in real time.
I have to run out for a bit, but when I get back I will post a simple patch showing how you can make a logic synced midi LFO using hostphasor~
this rewire LFO patch should get you started. If you havent used rewire with max/logic, it can be a bit tricky. There is an article about using rewire with max at this URL-
https://cycling74.com/story/2006/9/18/121516/485
Here is the patch. Right now it just outputs a ramp, but you can easily wave shape it to create a square wave, triangle, sine etc.