Advanced Quantizing in Logic Pro – Both Tighten & Keep the Feel of Your Performances

 

Today let’s talk about quantizing.

To some, “quantizing” is a dirty word. While to others the feature is a godsend for cleaning up the timing of performances.

In a nutshell, quantizing allows you to adjust and improve the timing of MIDI or audio performances.

Usually we quantize performances to better line up with the grid or metronome. And we base those adjustments on a musical value such as 8th or 16th notes.

And Logic Pro can easily handle quantizing for any occasion!

In certain circumstances adjusting the timing of a recording can be a huge improvement. But in other circumstances quantizing a region might sound too rigid or unnatural. As if you’ve completely eliminated the humanity of that performance.

But if you take a trip over to the Region Inspector, Logic provides much more than simple hard quantizing. In fact, there are several advanced parameters to fine-tune the results.

For example, you can fine-tune quantizing for both Audio and MIDI with:

• Q-Swing – allows you to adjust the swing of a performance.
• Q-Strength – allows you to decide how aggressive Logic’s quantizing actually is.
• Q-Range – allows you to determine exactly which notes Logic quantizes based on their proximity.

And for MIDI regions specifically, there are more advanced quantizing features:

• Q-Velocity – allows you to reduce or exaggerate the differences in velocity between MIDI notes.
• Q-Length – allows you to reduce or exaggerate the differences in length between MIDI notes.
• Q-Flam – allows you to adjust the upward or downward arpeggiation of rolling or flamming notes.

And the advanced quantizing features don’t end there either! Logic Pro goes even further with:

• Smart Quantize – a smarter way of quantizing MIDI performances based on a “center of gravity.” AKA: quantizing a region without losing its natural feel.
• Groove Templates – prefer the timing of your drums, and would like the bass or piano to follow the drum timing instead of the grid? Groove Templates do exactly that.

Logic Pro provides the most robust system for quantizing around. So today, we take a deep dive into quantizing in Logic Pro. Check out today’s video above for the full scoop.