How to Set Up a MIDI Controlled Effect in Logic Pro X

In contrast to common effect plug-ins, the parameters of the MIDI-controlled effect can be controlled via MIDI, e.g. by playing a MIDI keyboard. This article explains how to configure MIDI-controlled effects like The Mouth, The Figner or the Vocoder presets in Razor in Logic.

In previous versions of Logic Pro, these were added as effects on a channel strip. Since Logic Pro X, they must be loaded as Software Instruments, as explained below.

  1. In Logic, create a Software Instrument track.
  2. Click the Instrument slot in the Inspector section of the Software instrument track.
    01_LPX_MIDIFX_SoftInst.png
  3. From the drop-down menu, select a plug-in of the type Audio Units. In this example, we select Reaktor 6 in Stereo.
    02_LPX_MIDIFX_R6St.png.
  4. In the Reaktor instance you have loaded, select another track in your Logic project as Side Chain input for Reaktor. In this example, we choose an Audio track containing existing audio material:
    03_LPX_Sidechain.png

If you now load e.g. Razor in Reaktor and choose a Vocoder preset, it will affect the incoming signal from the selected Side Chain track. You can play preset and control the preset's parameters using MIDI notes/control change messages to modulate the sound processed by the MIDI-controlled instrument/effect.