Setting Up Logic Pro Controller Assignments for My Live Performance

Today, I dedicated all my work time to setting up controller assignments for my MIDI controller, focusing on the live performance of "Vision In Purple." It’s been a deep dive into how to make my setup efficient and dynamic, but it’s definitely a learning curve. There are so many options when it comes to how I can configure everything, especially since I’m working with only 8 drum pads. Ideally, I would use something like a launchpad with many more pads to assign everything individually, but I’m figuring out how to make the most of my existing setup.

Ultimately, the goal is to get my MIDI controller to be dynamic—meaning that it will automatically play the correct instruments for each section of the song, which I believe will make live performance much smoother. So, I spent time researching and experimenting with different ways to set it all up in Logic Pro.

Selecting Different Instruments for Each Song Section

One of the first things I wanted to tackle was how to select different instruments without having to use the trackpad on my laptop during the live performance. In the past, I’ve manually selected the instrument I want to play using my laptop, but that’s not ideal when you’re on stage trying to focus on the performance.

After a lot of searching, I figured out a simple yet effective solution using Logic Pro's controller assignments. At first, I thought I might need third-party software to convert MIDI data to OSC (Open Sound Control) data, as some articles suggested. However, I discovered that Logic’s built-in ‘groups’ feature would do the trick.

Here’s how it works:

1. I can assign each instrument I want to play to a separate group in Logic.

2. Using Logic's controller assignments, I can select a parameter called ‘select members of group 1,’ for example, and assign it to a button on my MIDI controller. This will make the instrument playable without me needing to touch the laptop.

Alternatively, I found another option where you can assign controls to select the next or previous track, but I decided against that approach. It felt like it could be risky during a live performance—if I have to rely on knowing the exact order of tracks, it could throw me off mid-performance. The group method is more reliable and allows me to have each instrument assigned to a specific button on the controller for consistency.

Logic Pro Controller Assignments window with the parameter used for track selection

Triggering Scenes with My MIDI Controller

The next challenge was figuring out how to trigger different scenes during the live performance. The solution here is similar to how I manage instruments: I can assign controls to trigger the ‘previous’ and ‘next’ scenes, or I can assign specific controls to specific scenes.

Since I have a limited number of drum pads and buttons on my MIDI controller, I started thinking about how I can streamline this process. Here’s my idea: I could assign a single button to trigger the next scene and program it so that it also sets up the controller for the next section. For example, in the first verse, I might want to play piano, but when the chorus hits, I want to switch to a synthesizer sound. Instead of pressing multiple buttons to trigger the next scene and change the instrument, I could have a single button that triggers both actions.

This method would simplify the process during the performance, especially since I’m just starting with this style of live performance. Although it might reduce some flexibility for improvisation, I’m opting for simplicity at the beginning. I can always refine my approach and add more complexity as I become more comfortable with the system.

Challenges and Progress

At the moment, I haven’t yet figured out how to make the one-button scene and instrument reprogramming method work. I’ve run into a couple of issues with multiple parameters being assigned to a single button, but I’m confident that it’s possible. The progress has been slow, but I’m happy that I’ve gained a deeper understanding of Logic’s controller assignments window and how it works. This knowledge is helping me select different tracks more easily and efficiently.

I know this setup will be essential for my live performances, as it allows me to be more hands-free and focused on engaging with the audience. I still have a lot of testing and tweaking ahead, but I’m excited to see how it all comes together.