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Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the performance or use of these products. 1 Contents Preface 5 5 7 7 8 14 14 15 15 16 17 19 21 21 22 24 29 29 30 30 30 31 32 33 34 34 34 35 An Introduction to TDM Systems About This Guide Audio Hardware and Drivers Hardware Setup Drivers Digidesign Hardware Setup Adaptation of Songs Produced With Other Hardware About TDM Differences to Native Processing TDM Plug-ins Specific Characteristics Simultaneous Operation of TDM and Other Hardware ESB TDM and EXS24 TDM Features EXS24 TDM ESB TDM Audio Export and Import OMF Export OMF Import AAF Export AAF Import Tips and Tricks ESB TDM Differences Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X How to Import Songs from Mac OS 9 Systems How to Import Native Songs from Any System Using DAE, DTDM, and Core Audio Simultaneously System Performance and TDM DSP Usage Bounce Strategies Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 3 Glossary Index 37 49 4 Contents In general, DAWs take one of two approaches for the task of audio signal processing: the use of dedicated hardware DSPs (TDM systems), or the native processing capabilities of the computer's CPU. Logic Pro allows you to make use of your TDM system DSPs in conjunction with your computer's native CPU processing resources. The link between the DSP world of your TDM system, and your computer's native CPU processing resources is the ESB TDM (Emagic System Bridge TDM). The ESB TDM allows your computer's CPU to processes one audio engine (Direct TDM), and the DSP of the TDM hardware to processes another (DAE). This is done by using two different mixers in Logic's Environment: A TDM Mixer (using the DAE) and a native mixer (called the DTDM Mixer). The first one handles TDM plug-ins, while the other works with native plug-ins in both Audio Unit and Logic formats. Up to eight of the DTDM Mixer outputs can be routed into the TDM Mixer. The output signals are received by the virtual ESB TDM inputs--chosen as Inputs on the TDM Aux Objects. This enables all Logic tracks, native and Audio Unit plug-ins--including software instruments--to be used in conjunction with your TDM system DSPs. The output of the TDM mixers is fed via connected Digidesign TDM hardware. About This Guide This guide will introduce you to all that you "need to know" to get your TDM hardware up and running with Logic Pro. We will also introduce you to the ESB TDM and EXS24 TDM. These expand and enhance the flexibility of your Logic and DAE/TDM production system. Further to this, you will also learn about importing and exporting audio between the Logic and Pro Tools software. Preface 5 An Introduction to TDM Systems We have presumed a level of knowledge on the general concepts of DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and basic computer operations. We have also assumed that you have connected your TDM system to your Macintosh, and have installed (and tested) the Pro Tools system software. A correctly installed and operational ProTools system will ensure a reliable Logic Pro/DAE system. Note: Please carefully read and follow the instructions of your Digidesign ProTools installation manual. The connection of your MIDI interface hardware and any external MIDI synthesizers or modules is also presumed to be working correctly. The use of Logic Pro's functions is discussed in the accompanying Reference and Onscreen Help system--accessible from the Logic Pro Help menu. Conventions of this Guide Before commencing, we'd like to cover the following conventions used in this manual. Menu Functions For functions that can be reached via hierarchical menus, the different menu levels are described as follows: Menu > Menu entry > Function. Important Entries Some text will be shown as follows: Important: Information on function or parameter. These entries discuss a key concept or technical information that should, or must, be followed or taken into account. Please pay special attention to these entries. Notes Some sections provide additional information or tips that will assist your use of Logic. These are displayed as shown below: Note: Information on function or parameter. Key Commands Many Logic functions can be activated or accessed with key commands--computer keyboard or MIDI controller shortcuts. The key commands mentioned in this guide are based on the Default Key Command set, assigned by the Logic Setup Assistant. 6 Preface An Introduction to TDM Systems 1 Audio Hardware and Drivers 1 This chapter provides you with the information required to set up Logic with TDM hardware. In the initial section, you will be introduced to TDM hardware that can be used with Logic Pro and drivers for this hardware. You will then learn all about appropriate driver settings. The latter portion discusses the adaptation of songs that were produced with different hardware. Hardware Setup Trouble-free operation of Logic requires the correct installation and configuration of the audio hardware and drivers. Please refer to the documentation that shipped with your Digidesign audio hardware to configure your computer and hardware for optimal performance. Logic Pro supports all audio hardware that offers a Core Audio driver, and Digidesign TDM hardware that works with DAE under Mac OS X. You can also use your TDM audio interfaces by making use of Core Audio. This may be beneficial in certain cases, should you wish to open songs created in native audio engines. We will primarily concentrate on the setup of supported Digidesign TDM hardware in this guide, but will also cover appropriate Core Audio hardware settings. This information may prove useful as you may wish to combine both the native and TDM engines of Logic, and make use of a Core Audio device in conjunction with your TDM hardware. The simultaneous use of multiple audio cards is useful for increasing the number of inputs and outputs, for example. Dependent on computing power and the connected audio hardware, this can raise the number of stereo audio tracks to over 255! 7 Drivers All audio hardware requires a driver, which acts as a communication link with the Logic software. To use particular hardware, its/their drivers need to be activated. Selecting and activating a particular audio hardware device is achieved directly in Logic, via the Audio > Audio Hardware and Drivers dialogs. Logic will automatically recognize any installed Core Audio hardware, and will use the default settings--as defined in the Audio MIDI Setup pane--for it. It can, however, be advantageous to optimize the settings for your individual hardware setup, particularly if you use more than one audio driver or a multi I/O card. In such cases, you should fine tune the audio hardware settings. You can choose between the Core Audio, DAE, and Direct TDM panes in Logic's Drivers preferences. Core Audio The Core Audio pane refers to the internal audio inputs and outputs of your Mac, or another audio hardware device that uses Core Audio drivers. The Core Audio driver parameters are described in "Core Audio and Direct TDM Settings" on page 9. DAE DAE is the abbreviated form of Digidesign Audio Engine. This is the driver software for many Digidesign cards, and is primarily used for the operation of TDM hardware and/or access to their on-board DSP chips. The following Digidesign hardware is currently supported by Logic Pro via the DAE: · ProTools HD Accel/HD/MIX/24/MIX The following Digidesign hardware is unsupported by Logic Pro via the DAE: · AudioMedia III, Digi001, M Box, Digi002, and 002R You can operate these interfaces as plain audio I/O cards, through use of a Core Audio driver. You will find more information on the DAE parameters in the "DAE Settings" on page 12. Direct TDM To use Direct TDM (DTDM), you require any of the abovementioned TDM hardware from Digidesign, and the ESB TDM. ESB TDM--included in Logic Pro--connects the DTDM native audio engine with the DAE. 8 Chapter 1 Audio Hardware and Drivers This allows your computer's CPU to perform processes in Logic's native DTDM Mixer, including: audio track playback, the use of software-based instruments such as those incorporated into Logic plus Audio Units instrument and effect plug-ins. Up to eight audio streams emanating from this native mixing board can be fed into your TDM mixer, where the data can be further processed with TDM plug-ins. The Direct TDM driver parameters are described in the "Core Audio and Direct TDM Settings" section below. Read more about the "ESB TDM" on page 24. Note: If you hold down the Control key when you start Logic, a dialog box appears, allowing you to switch off individual drivers or all audio drivers, for this particular launch of the program. You can start Logic more quickly without audio drivers, should you only want to use it as a MIDI sequencer. Note: It's a good idea to frequently visit the Digidesign web pages (and those of your audio hardware manufacturer, if using an additional Core Audio device) in order to obtain the latest drivers. The manufacturer's website is often a good source for information on available drivers, compatibility issues and troubleshooting tips. Core Audio and Direct TDM Settings Core Audio and Direct TDM have many of the following parameters in common: I/O Buffer Size This parameter determines the size of the buffer used by the audio hardware--for both input and output. Options range from 32 up to 1024 samples. The smaller the buffer size, the less "latency" you will encounter when monitoring while recording, or using software instruments. Note: There may be a point where the selected I/O Buffer Size is too small for your system, and begins to affect playback. This usually takes the form of clicks, pops, and crackles. You should therefore aim for the lowest possible I/O Buffer Size value that doesn't introduce these types of artefacts. As this parameter value is reduced, it places a higher strain on the CPU(s) of the system. On current Macintosh models, you should be able to reduce this value down to its minimum. As a word of advice, if you find a higher (larger) I/O Buffer Size setting provides suitably low latency during record monitoring and software instrument playback, you should use it. This will minimize the impact on the CPU(s) of your system. You may wish to use a lower setting while recording (lower latency) and increase the I/O Buffer Size for better overall stability while editing or mixing (bounce). Chapter 1 Audio Hardware and Drivers 9 Recording Delay This parameter is measured in samples. It allows the recording of Audio Regions to be delayed by a certain fixed value. It helps advanced users to compensate for the delay that may be caused by incorrect delay information being provided by the driver. Normally you don't have to bother with this parameter. Max. Number of Audio Tracks The Audio Engine requires free system memory, which is not assigned to Logic or any other application. The amount of memory required depends on: · the maximum number of tracks to be played · the number of I/O channels supplied by the driver This setting allows you to reduce the amount of memory required by the driver through a reduction in the number of tracks. This may be useful when you want to run other applications or drivers simultaneously. Range is from 4 to 255 tracks. As you change the Max. Number of Audio Tracks value by dragging the slider left or right, the System Memory Requirement value will update in ...