Logic Pro X: Extracting MIDI Plug-in Data

Apple Logic Pro X Tips & Techniques

DAWs > Logic
By Paul White Published August 2019

Screen 1: The IAC Driver is key to routing MIDI from one Logic track to another.

Logic's MIDI plug-ins are great, but getting access to the data they output can be
tricky. Here's how it's done.
Those MIDI plug-ins that pop up in green in Logic's Instrument Channel FX slots can be very useful in creating
something impressive from a modest input — the Arpeggiator and the Chord Trigger, for example, which produce
complex results based on you playing or programming in just one or two notes. However, one major frustration is
that these plug-ins don't facilitate the simple recording of their outputs, so although the audio results might sound
impressive, your MIDI track still contains only the trigger notes that you played before they reached the MIDI
plug-in. This is extremely annoying, as the Chord Trigger in particular is a great tool for knocking out a first draft
of string parts, but in most cases you'll then need to thin out the notes, tie some across bar lines and so on to get
the results sounding authentic. I'm sure the Apple guys could have built in this useful facility, but don't despair, as
there are a couple of ways to do it.

After some searching around I discovered that there is a fairly straightforward way to record the processed MIDI
data without having to use any third-party hacks or apps, and though it isn't as straightforward as a 'Make it so'
button, it doesn't take long and once you've done it a couple of times you'll be able to do it very quickly.

One major frustration is that these plug-ins don't facilitate the simple recording of
their outputs, so although the audio results might sound impressive, your MIDI
track still contains only the trigger notes that you played before they reached the
MIDI plug-in.
IAC Driver
The secret tool that makes this all possible resides on the MIDI
page of your Audio MIDI Setup utility, which can be found lurking in
the Applications / Utilities folder. Here you'll see icons for your
various MIDI devices, but there's also one labelled IAC Driver (see
Screen 1 above), and unless you've visited it before, its icon will
probably be dull, signifying that it isn't active. Click to turn it on,
then double–click to open its properties, where you need to check
the 'online' box (Screen 2). You can leave this set up for next time
you need it. The IAC Driver is involved in internal MIDI routing and
can be a powerful ally in working around some of Logic's
limitations.

With the IAC Driver active and online, we're set to start the
process. First, instantiate a MIDI plug-in such as Arpeggiator or
Chord Trigger on the desired instrument track, pick a suitable
instrument and then record something. As outlined before, only
your trigger notes will be recorded but you'll hear the result of the
MIDI effects in their full splendour. Once you're happy with the
result and have finished sorting out note lengths, timing and so on,
use Logic's Duplicate Track function (the 'other' + sign box to the
right of the one you usually use to create new tracks) to open a Screen 2: Before you can capture the output
new instrument track with identical settings. of your MIDI plug-ins, the IAC Driver needs
to be set to 'online'.
Next, use the instrument select box on the original track containing
your trigger notes and choose Utility / External Instrument in
place of the original instrument. The Info window should show
MIDI Destination as IAC Driver Bus 1 but if not, go in and set it
in the menu (Screen 3). Now remove the MIDI processing
plug-in (Arpeggiator, Chord Trigger etc) on your duplicated
track, and set it to record from the start of the region above
containing your trigger notes. The processed data from your
original trigger track will now be recorded into your new track.
Once done, disable the External Instrument plug-in to avoid
more processed MIDI data being recorded when you don't
expect it.

It's that simple, and now you can go in and edit the MIDI data
in the usual way.

Screen 3: The track that is to receive the desired

Environmental Health note data must have its MIDI Destination set to
IAC Driver Bus 1.
While I've pointed out the shortcomings of Logic not having a
built-in means to send the output of MIDI effects to plug–ins not in the same Instrument channel strip, it is actually
possible if you're prepared to step into geek world, but unless they know you there, it can get a bit tricky.
Essentially, you use the Mac's IAC Driver to take specific MIDI data from the MIDI plug-in and make it available
as a global controller for any plug-in that wants to use it. This involves a fair bit of knitting in Logic's dreaded
Environment page in order to route the MIDI control data to the required destination, but it can be done if you are
prepared to persevere with it.