How to Transpose a Project in Logic
Chromatic transposition is the process of altering the pitch of a musical composition without changing the relationships between the individual notes it contains. For example, transposing a composition in the key of C into the key of C# would require that every note in the piece be raised by one half-step or semi-tone. Transposing a project in Logic Pro or Express is done in several ways, the most efficient being the use of the global Transposition Track associated with every Logic project.
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Instructions
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1
Open Logic. When the template selection dialog appears, open the File menu and select Open. Locate the project you want to transpose in the file browser pop-up and double-click it. Logic will load and display the project as it appeared the last time you saved.
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2
Click on the white disclosure triangle next to Global Tracks in the upper left-hand corner of the Arrange area. Global tracks such as Chord, Signature and Tempo will appear. These tracks are used to adjust parameters that affect every track in the project. If the track labeled Transposition doesn't appear right-click next to Global Tracks and select Transposition from the pop-up menu. The global Transposition track will appear.
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3
Click on the white disclosure triangle in the Transposition track to reveal it. At this point, there will be no information in this track. The zero-point running through the center of the track represents the project as-is with no transposition applied.
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4
Right-click within the transposition track and select the Pencil tool from the pop-up menu. This tool is used to create transposition events within the track. Transposition events can then be dragged up or down to adjust the transposition value in semi-tone increments.
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5
Create a transposition event at the point in the timeline where you want the transposition to begin. If you want to transpose the entire project click on the point in the track closest to the track header. An orange dot followed by a line running along the entire length of the track will appear.
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6
Right-click within the transposition track and select the Pointer tool from the pop-up menu.
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7
Click and hold the orange line and drag it vertically to adjust the project's transposition value. As you drag a plus or minus value will appear above the line indicating the number of semi-tones the project will be raised or lowered. For example, if you want to transpose the project up one semi-tone drag the orange line vertically until the number reads "+1." All transposable events within the project will be raised one semi-tone. The project can be transposed an entire octave or 12 semi-tones up or down as required.
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Tips & Warnings
To prevent a given track from being affected by transposition, such as a drum track, click on the track's track header and select the "No Transpose" option in the track's inspector window to the left.
Additional transposition events can be inserted anywhere within the transposition track following the procedures in steps four and five. Different transposition values can be applied to different sections of the project in this way.
Only MIDI events and Apple Loops may be transposed. Recorded audio material must first be converted into an Apple Loop in order to be affected by transposition. Consult Logic's documentation for information on converting an audio recording into an Apple Loop.
