Step 1: Start a new project folder
Find Save As Project in your File menu. This save method keeps the majority of your project elements under one roof. If you have a favorite Template, go ahead and select it here, name your session, choose its location and make sure all five boxes are checked (better safe than sorry). Once your project folder is created, locate the QuickTime movie you’ll be mixing to and copy it to the project folder.
Step 2: Set your preferences
There are a few key settings you should secure before starting your mix. The first one is Audio/Drivers, which is found under the Logic menu. Here, make sure the desired audio interface (driver) is selected and jack that I/O buffer size up to 1024 (higher buffer for mixing, lower for tracking). The next is Automation. Click the Automation tab in the preferences dialog box and make sure Move Automation with Regions says Ask. It’s always best to know what your software is going to do before it does it! Finally, there’s Video. To access video settings, click on Video in the Preferences dialog box. To go a little deeper, click on the bottom right button, Video Song Settings. For this tutorial, leave the Video Output as Window (so you can view the movie on the computer’s display) and keep the Video Sound Output muted.
Step 3: Set general sync parameters
Go to File/Song Settings/Synchronization/General (or on the Transport, in the bottom right area, click on the down arrow tab and select SMPTE View Offset from the menu). Here you will select the Sync Mode, Frame Rate and Bar Position. Let’s assume your QuickTime movie starts at one hour and you’re in Internal Sync Mode. Set the Bar Position to 1111, playing at SMPTE 1:0:0:0.0. Now, providing you have selected the correct frame rate (and the video person has provided you with accurate timecode on the QuickTime), you’ll be in sync when you open your movie in Logic.
Step 4: Enable video thumbnails
In Logic, you can enable the video thumbnail track through the Global Track Components. You can access this through the View menu in the Arrange Window. Once checked, the video thumbs appear at the top of the Arrange Window when your movie is opened.
Step 5: "Float" your movie
Under Options/Movie select Open Movie as Float. This keeps the picture on top of all your windows, which is a great way to work. Select your QuickTime movie and it will appear in its own window. You’re now ready to import your audio and begin your mixing session.
Your Guide
Glen Alger Schricker
Mixer/Audio Engineer
PlasterCITY Digital Post
Glen Alger Schricker mixes exclusively in Logic Pro 7 at PlasterCITY Digital Post. Glen was formally educated in the art of recording at the world-renowned Musicians Institute (RIT) and has over 10 years experience in the Los Angeles music scene as a professional musician/songwriter. When Glen is not mixing at PlasterCITY he is using Logic Pro 7 in his home studio for composing.
Glen Says Keep In Mind…
  • Customize your quick keys. Option K will open the Key Command window.
  • For subgrouping tracks in Logic, there’s no need for Aux tracks. A Bus in Logic serves as both a Bus and Aux with a default output to your Output Object. You can apply automation and processing on the Bus.
  • Don’t be alarmed by an erratic picture when bouncing your mix. It happens all the time and has no bearing on your audio output.
  • Under Options/Movies/Export Audio to Movie will pop your mix into the QuickTime movie.
  • Don’t be afraid of Offline Bouncing. I’ve used it to save time on bouncing lengthy feature films (just be sure to listen through at some point).
  • Click and hold anywhere on QT movie to access the Video menu (change video size, access video settings, etc.).
PlasterCITY Digital Post>
www.plastercitypost.com
6500 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
ph. 323.469.9800
www.glenalgerschricker.com
Support Gear
Apple QuickTime comp, G5 or comparable workstation, Logic Pro 7