How to Use Flex Time in Logic Pro
Even the best live recordings often need tweaks to make each note and instrument align or swing to the tempo just how you want. While you can always move, trim, and fade entire audio regions for broad changes, Flex Time in Logic Pro allows you to edit individual notes with precision and speed. Let’s show you how to use it.
Activate Flex Time Algorithms
PressCmd + Fto activate Flex Mode or click on thehorizontal hourglassicon above the Workspace area. This will bring up a list of Flex Modes to select in each of your audio tracks. Monophonic is the default option but is inactivated. Select a Flex algorithm to activate that mode.
Alternatively, click on the arrow next toTrack: (Track Name)in the top-left of your screen to open the Track Inspector. Then, select a Flex Mode from the drop-down menu.
This will only work ifEnable Complete Featuresis turned on (clickLogic Pro > Settings > Advancedto check this option).
Use theAudio Track Editor(keyboard shortcut:E) or pressZon an audio region in the Workspace area to zoom in enough for Flex Time edits.
Place Flex Markers
Most Flex Time modes work by compressing or expanding your audio as you shorten or lengthen specific sections.
Flex Time modes will place vertical dotted lines at the transients (the initial burst at the start of a sound) it detects. Click on the upper half of your audio region to place a single flex marker. Click on the lower half of your audio to place three flex markers: one at your cursor’s position; one at the previous transient; and one at the next transient.
Once you have placed your flex marker, drag it to the left or right to apply timing changes. If you do not have a flex marker placed at one of the next transients, all your audio after your flex marker will shift with your changes.
You canCtrl-click on a flex-edited audio region and selectSlice at Transient MarkersorSlice at Flex Markers. This will split the audio region at each transient or flex marker, regardless of the Flex Mode selected.
Remember to useCmd + Gto enable and disable theSnap to Gridfunction that can help your efforts to move flex markers precisely.
If your editing process is taking too long, learn toorganize your Logic Pro sessions to a professional standardto save lots of time.
The Different Flex Time Algorithms in Logic Pro
There are several Flex Time algorithms that you can use in Logic Pro. Each is designed with specific audio characteristics or effects in mind. Certain Flex Modes have parameters you can enable and tweak within theTrack Inspector.
You can useFlex Time – Automaticif you want Logic Pro to choose a Flex algorithm automatically based on its analysis of your audio. Also, if you want all your audio tracks to have the same Flex Mode applied to them, select a Flex Mode while pressingShift.
For similar changes you may make to all your audio, learn how tofade your audio regions in seconds in Logic Pro.
Flex Time – Monophonic
The Monophonic mode is designed for audio tracks that are single-line parts or melodies. This could include bass lines and vocal tracks, for example.
The Monophonic algorithm comes with thePercussiveparameter that you may turn on in theTrack Inspector. This setting, unsurprisingly, works best on percussive instruments, and can cause audio glitches for non-percussive instruments.
Flex Time – Polyphonic
The Polyphonic mode is designed for audio tracks with multiple moving parts or chordal elements. It is the most CPU-intensive Flex Mode as it time-stretches an audio signal via phase information without altering the pitch.
TheComplexparameter lets you activate more internal transients in the selected audio.
Flex Time – Slicing
The Slicing mode is designed for drums and other percussive instruments. It varies from the other algorithms as it doesn’t use time compression or expansion. Instead, it cuts the selected audio at transient and flex markers, moves it, and plays it at its original speed.
Flex Slicing has a number of parameters you could use and edit:
Flex Time – Rhythmic
The Rhythmic mode is best for rhythmic and punchy instrumental parts, such as rhythmic keyboards and guitars. This mode loops audio between slices, and thus, fills in gaps left by time-stretched audio.
TheLoop Lengthparameter lets you change the duration of the loop at the end of a slice. TheDecayoption controls the amount of decay on looped portions. Lastly,Looped Offsetlets you avoid pre-attack sounds in the looped areas by shifting the looped portion to the left up to 100 ms.
Flex Time – Speed (FX)
The Speed (FX) mode works best for percussive instruments and for generating interesting sound effects. Use this mode to increase or decrease the speed of the audio via time stretching, which also alters the pitch.
Flex Time – Tempophone (FX)
The Tempophone (FX) mode is designed to generate sound effects similar in style to those generated by granular synthesis methods. At its core, it is an imitation of a tempophone—an old tape-based time-stretching device that produces a mechanical sound.
TheGrain Sizeparameter lets you vary the grain size, which generates the time stretching after being played and crossfaded. You can produce soft artifacts when you use a highCrossfadepercentage and hard artifacts by doing the opposite.
For additional creative sound effects, learnhow to reverse your audio in Logic Pro.
Perfectionist and Creative Timing Edits in Logic Pro
With the time-stretching tools on offer in Logic Pro, your creative works have the opportunity to reach perfection in their timing while also benefiting from fresh sound effects.
Activate Flex Mode, and choose the Flex algorithm that is best suited to your chosen audio track. Place and move your flex markers at transients and other out-of-time areas to correct any timing errors. Use the additional Flex Mode parameters available in the Track Inspector to polish your audio regions, and preserve their sonic quality.
Follow these tips if Logic Pro isn’t running on your Mac as well as you need it to.
Goodbye sending links via other apps.
Your phone’s camera app doesn’t show this, so it’s easy to miss.
Make sure you don’t miss these movies and shows before Netflix removes them.
I found my TV was always listening—so I shut it down.
The fix was buried in one tiny toggle.
