Building Live Sets with Logic Pro’s Live Loops

Today, I finally took the plunge into building my live sets. It’s something I’ve been putting off for a while because it feels like such a massive task. The idea of learning all the technical elements felt overwhelming, but I reminded myself that the best way to learn is by doing. So, I stopped watching tutorials and dove in.

Here’s what I learned and worked on today.

Understanding Logic Pro Live Loops Playback Triggers and Quantisation

One of the first things I explored was how playback triggers work in Logic Pro’s Live Loops. There are two main types:

• Momentary triggers: Play the loop only while you hold the button.

• Start/Stop triggers: Press once to start, then press again to stop.

For more precise control, you can adjust the quantise start/stop time. While you can set this globally (e.g., to trigger loops at the start of the next bar), it’s also possible to override it for individual cells. For example, most of my loops are 4 or 8 bars long, but I wanted to include a few half-bar elements that need precise timing. Adjusting the quantise settings for those cells lets me trigger them with accuracy.

Logic Pro Live Loops view for my song 'Vision In Purple'

Handy Key Commands

To speed up my workflow, I’ve been using these key commands:

• Option+R: Record directly into a cell.

• Option+Click a scene: Queue the scene.

• Cmd+Enter: Reset the Live Loops grid playback.

These shortcuts have been lifesavers as I navigate the grid and refine my setup.

Managing Live Loops and Timeline Interactions

A unique aspect of Live Loops is that it’s still connected to Logic’s timeline. To keep everything clean and manageable:

• I muted all the original track regions.

• I turned on an 8-bar cycle to avoid accidental playback clashes.

This setup ensures the grid stays in sync with the timeline without any surprises.

Balancing Complexity and Performance

As I worked on this, I realised how easy it is to overcomplicate things.

What’s actually adding value?

I want my live sets to include looping, live playing, and triggered elements, but I also need to avoid the temptation of doing too much. Just because I can trigger or play every element doesn’t mean I should. From an audience’s perspective, it’s about creating an engaging performance, not showing off how much I can multitask.

Simplifying the arrangement.

It’s tempting to include every detail from the recorded version of a song, but that’s not realistic or necessary. A well-executed, stripped-back version will be more impactful than a cluttered performance.

To help with this, I created a table for my first song, Vision in Purple, that outlines what I’ll be doing during each section. This keeps things manageable and lets me focus on balancing live playing with singing and engaging the audience.

What I'm doing during each section

Tools to Enhance Live Performance

Right now, I’m triggering everything with my trackpad and keyboard, which isn’t ideal for a live setup. I’m looking into options like:

• A trigger pad for tactile control.

• Using Logic Remote on an iPad for an intuitive way to trigger loops and scenes.

Both options would make my workflow smoother and more performance-friendly.

Here's a little clip of my trying to get to grips with the looping.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning of my journey into live performance prep. As I continue to build these sets, I’ll focus on refining my workflow, experimenting with gear, and ensuring the live versions of my songs stay engaging and true to my style.

Starting My Live Performance Journey

Today marks the start of my preparations for live performances.

Having spent the year focused on writing, recording, releasing, and promoting my EP, I’m ready to shift gears. My next big goal is to perform a headline show by August 2025.

Why Live Shows?

In my music career, I have two core missions:

1. Release music I’m proud of.

2. Engage with my audience meaningfully.

   
   

With my EP release complete, it’s time to focus on audience engagement. After experimenting with live streams and social media posts, I’ve realised the best way to create meaningful connections is through live shows.

Live performances also have the bonus of generating content for my online community. Many of my favourite artists’ live videos dominate my feeds, and I see this as a natural extension of my music and online presence.

Challenges to Overcome

I’ve identified three areas I need to focus on:

1. Improving my piano playing.

   I grew up learning classical piano, but years of prioritising songwriting over performance have dulled my technical skills. Scales, arpeggios, and classical repertoire will be my foundation to rebuild accuracy, rhythm, dexterity, and dynamics—all crucial for performing live.

2. Improving my singing.

   Many of my songs push my vocal range to its limits. Performing these consecutively often tires my voice, so I aim to improve stamina, ensure healthy technique, and strengthen my head voice.

3. Planning an engaging live setup.

   I want to blend piano with synth sounds, live drum looping, and the flexibility to adapt performances in the moment. This means diving into Logic Pro, MIDI controllers, and live looping, but also navigating challenges like venue compatibility and tech reliability.

   
   

My Practice Plan

Piano Practice

Returning to classical techniques feels natural to me. I’m starting with:

• Warm-ups: Using Hanon’s The Virtuoso Pianist to build dexterity.

• Technical drills: Practising Grade 8 scales and arpeggios.

• Repertoire: Re-learning Mozart’s Sonata in G Major to strengthen accuracy and rhythm.

What I worked on today:

• Warm-ups: Practised the 1st exercise from Hanon’s The Virtuoso Pianist at 100bpm (goal: 108bpm).

• Scales: Worked on C major (170bpm), C harmonic minor (160bpm), and C melodic/natural minor (176bpm), focusing on accuracy and balance.

• Repertoire: Re-learned the first page of Mozart’s Sonata in G Major, K. 283 (1st movement) at 70bpm (final speed: 126bpm).

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

Singing Practice

I’ve just received This Is A Voice by Jeremy Fisher & Gillyanne Kayes, which I’m going to use to build a structured routine to boost stamina, ensure vocal health, and improve head voice technique.

Live Performance Research

I’m exploring tools like Logic Pro’s Live Loops, MIDI mapping, and MainStage to create a dynamic, flexible setup. Recent videos have helped me understand how to integrate these into my performance. Today I focused on research to learn about what areas I should explore and learn about. These are some useful videos I found:

• Simple Live Looping Example

• Using iPads with Logic Pro

• MIDI Mapping Basics

What’s Next?

I’m committing to regular practice across all these areas, working towards a headline show that feels true to my artistry and connects with my audience.

Creating Meditative Reels and Embroidering the Perfect Giveaway Prize

Today was a productive day filled with creative projects and some hands-on craftsmanship. I focused on two main tasks: making meditative reels to promote the guided meditation version of "My New Meaning" and working on a hand-embroidered tote bag for my upcoming giveaway.

Meditative Reels Creation

I made three short reels, each featuring different 30-45 second snippets from the guided meditation track. The goal was to keep things simple, so I didn’t shoot any new footage. Instead, I scoured my camera roll and found various clips of nature and sunsets that fit perfectly with the themes of the song—like connecting with nature. I even had a video of myself meditating in a park, which seemed fitting since the track is intended for meditation.

The editing itself was kept minimal to let the words shine. I used one to three video clips for each reel, with slow cross-dissolve transitions between them to maintain a relaxed, dreamy vibe. Most of the footage was slowed down to add a sense of calm, and I placed the captions right in the centre to draw attention to the words.

Tote Bag Embroidery Process

The other big project was a promotional tool for my EP that has just been released: a hand-embroidered tote bag featuring the EP cover design. This limited-edition piece of merch is the giveaway prize, and I wanted it to feel special and high-quality. The process has taken around 2 weeks, and I almost finished it today after spending 3 more hours on it. I managed to film the whole thing, creating a time-lapse that resulted in three short promotional videos.

To start, I traced the EP cover on my iPad to create a line drawing version, which I then exported. The tricky part was transferring this onto the tote bag. Since I’m not confident in my freehand drawing skills, I drew a grid over the image and then replicated the grid onto the tote bag. This approach allowed me to work on each square individually, making the design much more manageable.

What Comes Next line drawing with grid lines

Embroidery has become a bit of a passion for me over the past year. I first took it up when I participated in Cal Newport's 30-day digital detox from "Digital Minimalism" and found the process quite meditative. Having this unique, hand-crafted giveaway prize feels like the perfect way to celebrate the EP launch and share something personal with my audience.