Using Channel Strip Settings

Channel Strip settings are a new Logic 7 feature that make it incredibly easy to create finished sounds. It's a fact of audio production: Raw sounds usually need to be processed with DSP effects. For example, drum tracks like Bongo often benefit from a touch of equalization and compression. You could insert your own effects and then adjust them to create the sound you're after, or you could add a Channel Strip setting that is suited to your sound. The Channel Strip setting will load all of the necessary effects, and also load the effect settings you want.

Channel Strip settings work a bit differently for audio tracks than for Audio Instrument tracks, so you'll explore both in the following section.

NOTE

Logic Pro comes with more than 1300 Channel Strip settings.

Using Audio Track Channel Strip Settings

Let's experiment with Channel Strip settings by assigning one to the Bongo track.

1.	In the Track List, select the Bongo track. The Arrange window channel strip updates to display the settings for the Bongo track. Notice that the Insert slots are all currently empty. At the top of the Inserts area, the word Inserts has a small downward-pointing triangle to its right. This triangle indicates there is a menu available.
2.	At the top of the channel strip's Inserts area, click and hold the word Inserts. The Channel Strip Settings menu appears.
3.	Choose 02 Drums > Percussion > Bongos. Several DSP plug-ins are loaded into the Bongo channel's Insert slots. Furthermore, each of these lug-ins has been preconfigured with settings that work well with bongo sounds. NOTE The Fat EQ is not available to Logic Express users and will be disabled in the channel strip.
4.	Play the song and listen to how the Channel Strip setting has affected the Bongo track's sound. Of course, you just picked a Channel Strip setting that was designed for a Bongo track. But half the fun of Channel Strip settings is mixing and matching effects with sounds. Let's experiment with some different Channel Strip settings and see how they affect the Bongo track.
5.	On the channel strip, click and hold the word Inserts and pick a new Channel Strip setting. The Bongo track's sound changes again.
6.	Continue experimenting with Channel Strip settings until you find one that affects the Bongo track in a way you like.
7.	Use the Arrange window channel strip's volume fader and pan control to adjust the Bongo track's sound so it properly sits in the mix.

Using Audio Instrument Channel Strip Settings

Audio Instrument Channel Strip settings work similarly to audio track Channel Strip settings, except they also load an Audio Instrument to produce sound! This is a fantastic way to find almost any sound you're after, so let's give it a shot.

1.	In the Track List, select the Audio Instrument track at the bottom of the arrangement (the one named Inst 3). The Arrange window channel strip updates to display the track's settings.
2.	At the top of the channel strips Inserts area, click and hold the word Inserts. A hierarchical menu appears.
3.	Choose 06 Bass > Delay Synth Bass > Reso Tubed Delay Bass. Several DSP plug-ins are loaded into the channel's Insert slots. But even more exciting, an ES1 Audio Instrument is loaded into the channel's Input slot.
4.	Play your MIDI controller keyboard. You hear a delayed bass sound.
5.	Experiment with a few more Audio Instrument Channel Strip settings.