Learn How to Use LogicPro for Online Music Lessons!

Online Lessons are Great for Music Theory & J-POP Analysis

Today, we will explain how to set up your environment to use the popular DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software “LogicPro” for online music theory lessons.

We will be using Zoom as the platform. If you have a Mac with Apple Silicon, please make sure to install the version of Zoom that is made specifically for Apple Silicon.

Main Steps

Here are the five main steps for setting up LogicPro for online lessons:

1. Check your microphone and speaker settings in Zoom.
2. Launch LogicPro.
3. Change your audio device settings to “Zoom Audio Device.”
4. Open the Grand Piano sound.
5. Open the Soft Square Lead sound.
6. Turn on “Original Sound” when joining a lesson.
7. Share your screen and sound during the lesson.

Step 1: Check Your Zoom Audio Settings

First, open Zoom and click the settings icon, as shown in the red box.

Next, go to the “Audio” settings and check both your microphone and speaker. Choose either your audio interface or your built-in microphone and speakers. If your teacher gives you specific instructions, please follow them. Otherwise, you can use the setup from your initial consultation.

Make sure to also check the box for “Original Sound for Musicians” and then enable both “High Fidelity Music Mode” and “Echo Cancellation.” Follow your teacher’s instructions for the “Stereo Audio” setting.

Step 2: Launch LogicPro

Next, open LogicPro. You can use any saved project, but if this is your first time, select “Empty Project.” If this screen does not appear, press “⌘+N” to open it.

Select “Software Instrument” and create a new track.

Step 3: Change the Audio Device to “Zoom Audio Device”

Just like in Zoom, you also need to adjust the audio settings in LogicPro.

Go to “LogicPro” → “Preferences” → “Audio.” For the lesson, you will need to change both your output (speaker) and input (microphone) devices to “Zoom Audio Device.”

Remember to switch back to your usual audio settings after the lesson, or you won’t be able to hear sound when producing music. If you don’t see “Zoom Audio Device,” try sharing your screen and sound in Zoom (Step 7), then restart LogicPro.

Step 4: Open the Grand Piano Sound

Now, open the “Library” on the top right of your screen and select “Piano” → “Yamaha Grand Piano” to load the piano sound.

Step 5: Open the Soft Square Lead Sound

In addition to the piano, you will need to create one more track. Open the “Library” again, then choose “Synthesizer” → “Lead” → “Soft Square Lead.”

This sound will be used as a guide melody. You can use other sounds, but it’s best to choose one that stands out and doesn’t blend with other instruments or sounds.

Step 6: Turn on “Original Sound” in Zoom

If “Original Sound” is not enabled, Zoom may treat the piano sound as noise and cancel it out. Click “Original Sound: Off” to turn it on, so it says “Original Sound: On.” This setting may need to be adjusted each time you join a lesson, so follow your teacher’s instructions.

Step 7: Share Your Screen and Sound

Your teacher may also share their screen, but when you need to share your LogicPro screen and sound, check both “Share Screen” and “Share Sound” in Zoom.

If you have changed your audio device to “Zoom Audio Device” in Step 3, you must complete this step, or you won’t hear the sound from LogicPro.

Reference Video