4 Songwriting Tips For Using Logic Pro | Turn Demos Into Songs

When it comes to writing songs, each artist has its own unique approach. Some prefer going about it the old-fashioned way; just an acoustic guitar, a pen, and a paper. On the other hand, many modern musicians and artists prefer taking advantage of the tools available in a Digital Audio Interface (DAW).

Thanks to its user-friendly layout and a vast array of tools, Logic Pro can be the perfect playground for songwriters and music producers to realize their creative goals. That is, however, if you know your way around the DAW. With so many menus and options at your face in Logic’s workspace, it is so easy to lose track and spend hours adjusting unnecessary parameters instead of actually making music.

Therefore, knowing your way in this sea of options is vital to ensure you get where you want. In this post, I will share four tips for having better and more efficient songwriting sessions using Logic Pro.

1. Creating A Visual Structure For Your Song With Markers

One of the most critical steps in fleshing out a rough draft into a full-fledged song is creating a solid song structure. Typically, most popular songs are constructed of an intro, a couple of verses, two or three choruses, and a bridge/solo section. However, you should not be afraid of breaking the conventional structure and creating one that serves your creative vision the most. Either way, knowing what sections are in your song and when each one ends and the other one starts are vital to having a solid blueprint.

One of my favorite ways to lay out my song structure in Logic Pro is by using the marker tools from the upper section of Logic’s main workspace. It is one of my go-to ways for arranging and organizing my Logic Pro sessions for a more efficient workflow. Here’s how you can use the Marker tool:

•  Open the Global Tracks menu by clicking on the small rectangle with an arrow inside of it on top of the Track Header area (you can also open this menu by pressing “G” on your keyboard).
•  Bring the Playhead to where you want to mark a new segment and click on the little “+” sign next to where it says “Marker.”
•  Do the same for other segments to visualize different parts of your song better.

Besides labeling each segment, you can also use colors to create more visual cues for each part of your song. Press “Options + C” to quickly open Logic’s color palette. You can click here to watch my YouTube video tutorial on how to effectively use Markers and arrangement tools in Logic Pro.

2. Using Logic’s Built-in Note Pad

Keeping track of your project is critical to ensure you know where you left off when you’re revisiting a project. Instead of opening a separate sheet, you can use Logic’s built-in note pad to jot down whatever you need for your project. I usually use Logic’s note pad to brainstorm lyrics for each song.

Moreover, you can leave notes for each individual track using Logic’s note pad. Say you have a guitar track that needs to be equalized, or a vocals track that is out of time and should be recorded from scratch; for such cases, notes on individual tracks can come in very handy.

You can access Logic’s note pad by clicking on the icon from the top-right corner of your screen. Alternatively, you can press “OPTION + COMMAND + P” on your keyboard to toggle the note pad.

3. Using Live Grid To Brainstorm Ideas

When making music, not always do we have an interesting guitar lick or a catchy hook to build upon. Sometimes, brainstorming ideas can be the remedy to overcome writer’s block. The Live Grid view in Logic can be an excellent playground for trying different sounds together and getting inspired.

Upon opening a new project, Logic Pro opens the tracks area by default. You can toggle the Live Loops on and off using its dedicated button from the top-left corner of the main grid.

You can record snippets in each tile and play them. Also, you can import samples from the Apple Loops menu to spark some ideas. Click on the loop button from the top-right corner of your screen to open the samples menu. All these samples are license-free and come stock with Logic Pro.

Drag and drop loops into the tiles in the Live Grid view. Each column is referred to as a “scene” and can be triggered by clicking the button in the lower section of the window. Moreover, you can play each tile individually by clicking on them.

For a more in-depth look at how to use Live Grid in Logic Pro, click here.

4. Sticking To A Workflow That Works For You

Logic Pro’s vast array of tools can be a blessing for allowing you to put your creative ideas into practice. It can also be a curse if you don’t have at least a rough idea of how you want to go about it. While the optimal workflow depends on your personal goals, intentions, and preferences, there are certain practices that can generally improve your efficiency.

Using shortcuts and key commands, for instance, allows you to cut a significant amount of time when producing, and mixing in Logic. Using presets is another method that can save you a lot of time. You can click here to learn more about workflow tips that boost your efficiency when using Logic Pro.

For more lessons regarding songwriting, mixing, mastering, and producing music, you can download my Free 6 Pillars To Learn Logic Pro Faster guidebook.