Hey, I kinda jumped head first into computer audio production and bought Logic Platinum 6 when I got my new dual 2.o GHz G5. So, I've installed all the drivers, updated to the latest version of Logic through emagic's webpage and have the latest version of OSX 10.2.8

I'm trying to learn the program from the tutorials on the Demo Songs disc, but there is no sound when I push play. The score will play visually, but I can't hear anything. I'm guessing the program isn't set up with my soundcard, but I'm not sure. What are the possible problems and how can I remedy them? Any other advice you might have for a first time user is appreciated, as well.

Thanks in advance

It sounds like you are playing back a song with external MIDI instruments assigned to each part (i.e. external hardware and not virtual instruments). Have you got an external synthesizer/sound module?

If you don't you will need to reassign the parts to a virtual instrument (synthesizer or sampler) have you got any of these? You should have a demo of EXS24, ES1 and ES2 with logic.

No, I plan on getting one soon. Any recommendations on cheap ones to start off with?

>>If you don't you will need to reassign the parts to a virtual
>>instrument (synthesizer or sampler) have you got any of
>>these? You should have a demo of EXS24, ES1 and ES2 with
>>logic.

I do have these. How do I reassign the parts?

Since you have a dual 2GHz you may not need to buy an external synthesizer. You may be better off spending your money on software synths and a software sampler and sample library. You certainly will have enough power on the G5 to run plenty at once.

The easiest way to learn how to load a software synth is to start a new empty default song.
Select an Audio Instrument track.
On the channel strip on the left of the arrange page insert an instrument into the box beneath I/O.
Click and Hold and choose for example "Stereo >Logic>ES2"
You should now be able to play this instrument from your keyboard.

Now open the logic demo song (close the other song). You need to make sure there are Audio Instrument Objects.
To do this open your Audio Mixer (from Audio menu)
Click on "Inst" are there any channel strips?
If there aren't let me know.
If there are you should be able to select a track in the arrange page and reassign it to an instrument.
Click on a track you want to assign an instrument to (i.e. click on track name, between data on arrange page and paramater boxes on left)
Now if you click and hold in the middle of where you select a track a pop-up menu appears. You should see "Audio" in this list. Highlight "Audio" and a menu pops up to the right: "Audio tracks" and "Audio Instruments" from this select an Audio instrument.
Now assign an instrument to this track as you did in the default song above.

Hope this makes sense.

Best thing to do now though is to read the manual.

Wow, thanks for the info. You're right, I really need to go over this instruction manual about 5 times over.

Right now, I've just got my computer and Logic Platinum as far as software and hardware go. So now I need to pick up a midi keyboard and some softsynths. Is there anything else I'll be needing or is this a good way to start? Also, any recommendations for softsynths would be appreciated.

Once again, thanks.

Buy a USB keyboard then you won't need to buy a MIDI interface.

What sort of music do you want to write? This may influence what I would recommend for software synths.

Have a look at http://www.macmusic.org/softs/softcat.php/...ang/EN/id/7040/
This is a list of Audio Unit synths (these work with Logic)

There are demos of many of these you can download from manufacturer's websites.

Also I would recommend buying a software sampler either EXS24 or Kontakt (soon to be released as Audio Unit for OS X). You will then have access to a huge amount of sample libraries.

My favorite synths I would recommend:
Absynth, FM7, Moog Modular V, Virsyn Cube, V-Station, ES2, Spectrasonics Atmospher, Trilogy and Stylus.... and a few others.

Well, what music I'm going to write is hard to say. I'm in the jazz studies/ music technology program at my school, but I like to write fugues and stuff, too. Also, I really like hip hop and am in a rock band with some friends. I'd like to apply what I do in Logic to all of the above.

As far as USB midi controllers go, the M-Audio Radium 49 and 61 look pretty good for starters and I've seen them going for cheap on eBay. One question though, do they have after-touch?

That Moog Modular looks totally frickin' awesome! What's a synth that had a bunch of useful, common sounds. I'd probably buy that to start out with, then build up.

Once again, thanks for all this help.

I'm not sure about the Radium keyboard supporting after-touch. Check with M-Audio.

What to recommend as first software synth!?
Possibly a software sampler, EXS-24 if your using Logic.
There are lots of free sounds on the internet that you can download, it reads a few different formats including AKAI, giga, Soundfont etc...
You could also then maybe start out with a library such as
http://www.ilio.com/sonicreality/modernsw/index.html
(I don't actually own this library so I can't comment)
A sampler is your best choice if you want realistic instruments such as strings, brass, piano etc...

Alternatively you could go for Absynth (one of my favorites). It covers a wide variety of sounds. There isn't an OS X demo yet however there are some mp3 demos at http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?absynth2_us

Many of the software synths I recommended emulate types of synthesis (analog, FM, additive etc) or specific synthesizers (Moog Modular, FM7 etc..).

Okay, so I've got logic platinum on a G5 now. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the m-audio radium61, unless anyone feels the need to disuade me. It's got most of the features I'm looking for and most reviews have been good. It doesn't feel good to me, as I'm accustomed to playing real pianos, but then again, neither does a Triton, and I don't want to shell out just for weighted keys. I'll just get used to it.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=03...c+audio+big+box The big box looks like it's the totaly package and the price is about right. How does this weigh with Absynth. Any pros or cons on either side?

Thanks

The big box actually includes a copy of Logic Audio which you don't need as you already have Logic Platinum.

The ES1, EXSP24 (with analog library) and EVP73 are bonuses to buying Logic Audio in the Big Box.

The 3 synths all have big brothers made by emagic which are built into Logic Platinum.
ES2, EXS24 and EVP88.

Try running the demos of these to see if you like them.
ES1 is also a demo.