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How to Hook a Drum Machine to Logic

Modern technology has made it very affordable for musicians to create and produce recordings at home that can sometimes rival recordings from large production studios. However, knowing how to write songs and manipulate the digital audio workstation (DAW) is only half the battle. First you need to know how to connect outboard gear such as audio interfaces, midi controllers, synthesizers and more. One of the most common pieces of outboard gear is a drum machine. Knowing how to hook a drum machine to the Logic DAW is the first step in using a drum machine to create beats in Logic.

Things You'll Need

  • Drum Machine
  • Logic
  • Midi interface (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Midi Connection

    • 1

      Connect the musical instrument data interface (midi) out port of your drum machine to the input of the midi interface.

    • 2

      Connect the midi out of your midi interface to the midi in on a computer.

    • 3

      Open a new session in Logic.

    • 4

      Click on Windows from the main menu. Then click on Environment from the drop-down menu.

    • 5

      Click on Global Objects on the left side of the screen. Then click on Clicks & Ports from the drop-down menu.

    • 6

      Click on New from the main menu. Then click on Sequencer Input from the drop-down meny. A new sequencer input icon will appear on the screen.

    • 7

      Click on "New" from the main menu. Then click on "Physical Input." A list of possible devices to connect to the sequencer input will appear next to the sequencer input icon. From that list, click on "SUM" and drag the mouse, which will create a line as you drag, to the sequencer interface icon. This completes the hookup.

    USB Connection

    • 8

      Run a USB cord from the drum machine to a USB input on a computer.

    • 9

      Install the drivers for the drum machine.

    • 10

      Open a new session in Logic.

    • 11

      Follow Steps 4-7 from Section 1.

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