• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Why Logic Pro Rules

A website dedicated to Apple's Logic Pro, the best Digital Audio Workstation out there.

  • Blog
  • About
  • Free Logic Pro Templates & Guides
  • Contact

June 15, 2018

Painting in MIDI Drums with Logic’s Paint Brush Tool

 

For a lot of us, Logic is all about MIDI. With its huge selection of synths, keys and virtual instruments – it’s a songwriter’s dream.

But drawing in MIDI notes is never fun, is it? You pull up the Piano Roll, select the Pencil Tool, and then painstakingly etch in each note.

Some notes need to be long, and some need to be short. Most need to line up to the grid.

Logic’s Pencil Tool does try to help you out. It always draws in a note the same length as the last note you drew. But the length never seems to match what you want for this new note!

And then you look at the latest Studio One update. With it’s shiny Drum Step Sequencer. And you’re like, “what the heck Logic?”

Painting MIDI Like Picasso

Don’t jump ship though! Logic has had your back all along with its Paint Brush Tool.

The Paint Brush let’s you literally paint in MIDI notes. And they follow the pattern you set with the Time Quantize menu in the Piano Roll.

Want quarter note kicks? Β Paint them in!

Want 16th note hi-hats? With the flick of the wrist.

Need a slick snare roll? Slide across the grid πŸ™‚

Highlights in this week’s video:

  • Painting MIDI with the Logic Paint Brush (1:41)
  • Painting Complicated Note Patterns (4:54)
  • Painting in Acoustic Drum Patterns (5:18)
  • Painting Velocity with the Step Editor (5:52)
  • Key Commands for Setting Time Quantize Parameters (6:42)
  • Painting in Key Parts With Scale Quantize (7:34)

Free Mixing & Mastering Template Bundle - Why Logic Pro Rules

Enjoy this post? Spread the Logic Pro love:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: MIDI, Songwriting, Workflow

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Corey says

    June 15, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    This is awesome. A very nice feature to get started on creative ideas without needing to overthink or drain yourself in the process.

    I didn’t know about the paint tool. And I have to say I’m really excited to work with some synth instruments in the key quantization (I didn’t know this was here either). Even just thinking about the application of this gives me a few different ideas to try in my music!

    Thanks so much for the video!!!

    Reply
    • chris.vandeviver says

      June 15, 2018 at 10:52 pm

      You bet Corey! Thank you πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Michael says

    June 16, 2018 at 1:05 pm

    Hey Chris,
    Really nice. I’ve spent so much time tweaking Drummer to get the feel I want that I forget about converting to midi and getting that drum roll or fill I was hoping for. Also quantizing the scale with some backup parts with other instruments – I get so tunnel vision about what I’m doing that I don’t think about some of the tools that exist to help me, so thanks again for everything.
    Best,
    Michael

    Reply
    • chris.vandeviver says

      June 17, 2018 at 2:38 am

      Hey Mike, I totally understand. Sometimes it’s easy to be so focused trying to get Drummer to do one thing with the XY pad. But a quick convert to MIDI and swipe of a paintbrush can also do the trick. Thanks for sharing πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. CK says

    August 27, 2018 at 9:57 am

    If you set your quantize value up/down key command to something you can do entirely with your non-mousing hand, then you’re really cooking! E.g. if you’re right-handed, set the command to a combination that your left hand can handle alone. Your right hand can stay on the mouse, operating the paint brush. Just like Live. πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • chris.vandeviver says

      August 29, 2018 at 12:02 am

      Love it!! Thanks so much for sharing that CK πŸ™‚

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Free Template Sidebar

Plus – receive my Workflow Checklist. 10 tips and tricks to supercharge your Logic Pro workflow:

Search

Popular on WLPR

  • Logic Pro for iPad is Here! Everything You Need to Know
  • Logic Pro X System Overload Message Audio Engine Too Slow?
    Here’s 10 Ways to Fix Logic Pro X System Overloads
  • The 6 Life-Saving Tips For Mastering in Logic Pro X The 6 Life-Saving Tips For Mastering in Logic Pro X
  • Bussing in Logic Pro X How to Use Bussing in Logic Pro X to Super-Charge Your Projects
  • Logic Pro X Flex Time Flex Time Not Working?
    3 Common Issues & How to Solve Them

WLPR’s Top Recommended Gear & Plugins

Chris Vandeviver - Mix Desk

WLPR’s Top Recommended Gear

Who Am I?

Oh, hey. I’m Chris Vandeviver. Mix Engineer, producer, and Logic Pro fanatic.

Why Logic Pro Rules is a website dedicated to helping you get the best you can out of Apple’s Logic Pro.

Every week I post tutorials, answer questions, and share how to get the most out of Logic Pro.

  • Privacy Policy

"Logic Pro" is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. β€œWhy Logic Pro Rules" is an independent website and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc.


Copyright © 2023

 

Loading Comments...