Logic Pro Integration

This guide shows you how to set up Conductor to control Logic Pro, Apple’s professional digital audio workstation. We’ll cover transport controls, mixer automation, and smart control integration.

Prerequisites

macOS (Logic Pro is macOS-only)
Conductor v2.1.0 or later
Logic Pro 10.5 or later
IAC Driver configured (see DAW Control Guide)

Quick Start

1. Enable IAC Driver

First, ensure your IAC Driver is enabled:

Open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications → Utilities)
Show MIDI Studio (Window → Show MIDI Studio)
Double-click IAC Driver
Check “Device is online”
Ensure at least one bus exists (default: “IAC Driver Bus 1”)
Click Apply

2. Configure Logic Pro MIDI Input

In Logic Pro:

Open Logic Pro → Settings → MIDI → Inputs (or press ⌘,)
Locate IAC Driver Bus 1 in the device list
Check the box to enable it
Close Settings

3. Create a Basic Transport Control Profile

Create or update your ~/.config/conductor/config.toml:

[[modes]]
name = "Logic Pro"
color = "purple"

# Play/Pause (Pad 1)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 1

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 115  # Logic Pro Play/Pause CC
value = 127
channel = 0

# Stop (Pad 2)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 2

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 116  # Logic Pro Stop CC
value = 127
channel = 0

# Record (Pad 3)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 3

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 117  # Logic Pro Record CC
value = 127
channel = 0

4. Set Up Logic Pro Control Surface

In Logic Pro:

Open Logic Pro → Control Surfaces → Setup
Click New → Install… (or press ⌘N)
Choose Mackie Control or Generic from the list
In the device settings:
- Input: Select IAC Driver Bus 1
- Output: (Optional - for feedback)
Click Apply or OK

5. Test the Configuration

Start the Conductor daemon: conductor
Open a Logic Pro project
Press Pad 1 on your controller → Logic should Play/Pause
Press Pad 2 → Logic should Stop
Press Pad 3 → Logic should start Recording

Logic Pro MIDI CC Mapping Reference

Logic Pro uses specific CC numbers for different transport and control functions:

Function	CC Number	Value Range	Notes
Play/Pause	115	127	Toggle transport
Stop	116	127	Stop playback
Record	117	127	Toggle record
Rewind	118	127	Skip backward
Fast Forward	119	127	Skip forward
Cycle	120	127	Toggle cycle mode
Volume (Track 1)	7	0-127	Channel 0
Pan (Track 1)	10	0-127	Channel 0
Volume (Track 2)	7	0-127	Channel 1
Pan (Track 2)	10	0-127	Channel 1

Note: Track-specific controls use different MIDI channels (Track 1 = Channel 0, Track 2 = Channel 1, etc.)

Complete Transport Control Profile

Here’s a full-featured transport control profile for Logic Pro:

[[modes]]
name = "Logic Pro"
color = "purple"

# ===== Transport Controls =====

# Play/Pause (Pad 1)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 1

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 115
value = 127
channel = 0

# Stop (Pad 2)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 2

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 116
value = 127
channel = 0

# Record (Pad 3)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 3

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 117
value = 127
channel = 0

# Rewind (Pad 4)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 4

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 118
value = 127
channel = 0

# Fast Forward (Pad 5)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 5

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 119
value = 127
channel = 0

# Cycle On/Off (Pad 6)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 6

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 120
value = 127
channel = 0

Mixer Control with Velocity Curves

Use velocity-sensitive pads to control track volume with smooth curves:

# Track 1 Volume (Pad 9, velocity-sensitive)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 9

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 7  # Volume
channel = 0     # Track 1

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message.velocity_curve]
type = "Curve"
input_min = 0
input_max = 127
output_min = 0
output_max = 127
curve = 1.5  # Slightly exponential for better fader control

# Track 2 Volume (Pad 10)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 10

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 7
channel = 1     # Track 2

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message.velocity_curve]
type = "Curve"
input_min = 0
input_max = 127
output_min = 0
output_max = 127
curve = 1.5

Smart Controls Integration

Logic Pro’s Smart Controls can be MIDI-mapped for parameter automation:

Step 1: Map Smart Controls in Logic Pro

Open a Logic Pro project with a software instrument
Show Smart Controls (press B or View → Show Smart Controls)
Click Learn button in Smart Controls header
Press a pad on your MIDI controller
Logic will assign that CC to the Smart Control knob
Repeat for up to 8 Smart Control parameters

Step 2: Configure Conductor to Send Smart Control CCs

# Smart Control 1 (Pad 13, velocity controls CC value)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 13

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 71  # Smart Control 1 (default)
channel = 0

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message.velocity_curve]
type = "PassThrough"  # Direct velocity → CC value mapping

# Smart Control 2 (Pad 14)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 14

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 72  # Smart Control 2
channel = 0

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message.velocity_curve]
type = "PassThrough"

Default Smart Control CC Numbers:

Smart Control 1: CC 71
Smart Control 2: CC 72
Smart Control 3: CC 73
Smart Control 4: CC 74
Smart Control 5: CC 75
Smart Control 6: CC 76
Smart Control 7: CC 77
Smart Control 8: CC 78

Advanced: Multi-Function Pads with Long Press

Use long press to access secondary functions on the same pad:

# Pad 1: Play (short press) / Stop (long press)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 1

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 115  # Play
value = 127
channel = 0

# Long press variant (Stop)
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "LongPress"
note = 1
duration_ms = 800

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 116  # Stop
value = 127
channel = 0

Using MIDI Learn in Logic Pro

Logic Pro has a built-in MIDI Learn feature for custom mappings:

Step 1: Enter MIDI Learn Mode

In Logic Pro, go to Logic Pro → Control Surfaces → Learn Assignment
Click the parameter you want to control (e.g., a plugin knob, fader, button)
Press the pad on your MIDI controller
Logic will map that CC to the parameter
Press Done when finished

Step 2: Configure Conductor

Once Logic has learned the CC mapping, configure Conductor to send that CC:

# Example: Plugin parameter learned as CC 20
[[modes.mappings]]
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 15

[[modes.mappings.action.conditions]]
type = "AppFrontmost"
bundle_id = "com.apple.logic10"

[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Conditional"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action]
type = "SendMIDI"
port = "IAC Driver Bus 1"

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message]
type = "CC"
controller = 20  # Whatever Logic learned
channel = 0

[modes.mappings.action.then_action.message.velocity_curve]
type = "PassThrough"

Troubleshooting

IAC Driver Not Appearing in Logic Pro

Problem: IAC Driver doesn’t show up in Logic Pro’s MIDI Inputs.

Solution:

Verify IAC Driver is enabled in Audio MIDI Setup
Restart Logic Pro after enabling IAC Driver
Check Logic Pro → Settings → MIDI → Reset MIDI Drivers

Messages Sent But No Response

Problem: Conductor sends MIDI but Logic doesn’t respond.

Solution:

Verify the control surface is configured in Logic Pro → Control Surfaces → Setup
Ensure the correct CC numbers for your Logic version (some changed in Logic Pro 10.5+)
Try using MIDI Learn to discover the correct CC numbers
Check MIDI channel (most Logic functions use Channel 0)

Latency Issues

Problem: Noticeable delay between pad press and Logic response.

Solution:

Lower Logic Pro’s I/O buffer size: Logic Pro → Settings → Audio → I/O Buffer Size
Use IAC Driver (lowest latency) instead of virtual MIDI apps
Reduce CPU load (freeze tracks, disable unused plugins)

Control Surface Conflicts

Problem: Multiple control surfaces interfering with each other.

Solution:

In Logic Pro → Control Surfaces → Setup, disable unused control surfaces
Ensure IAC Driver is assigned to only one control surface
Use unique MIDI channels for different control surfaces

Complete Example Profile

Here’s a production-ready Logic Pro control profile with all features:

Download: logic-pro-complete.toml (coming soon)

Features:

Transport controls (Play, Stop, Record, Rewind, FF, Cycle)
4-track mixer (Volume + Pan per track)
8 Smart Control parameters
Multi-function pads (short/long press)
Velocity-sensitive mixer control
AppFrontmost conditional (only works when Logic is active)

Next Steps

Ableton Live Integration - Control Ableton Live with Conductor
MIDI Output Troubleshooting - Advanced debugging
DAW Control Guide - General DAW control concepts

Conductor Documentation

Logic Pro Integration

Prerequisites

Quick Start

1. Enable IAC Driver

2. Configure Logic Pro MIDI Input

3. Create a Basic Transport Control Profile

4. Set Up Logic Pro Control Surface

5. Test the Configuration

Logic Pro MIDI CC Mapping Reference

Complete Transport Control Profile

Mixer Control with Velocity Curves

Smart Controls Integration

Step 1: Map Smart Controls in Logic Pro

Step 2: Configure Conductor to Send Smart Control CCs

Advanced: Multi-Function Pads with Long Press

Using MIDI Learn in Logic Pro

Step 1: Enter MIDI Learn Mode

Step 2: Configure Conductor

Troubleshooting

IAC Driver Not Appearing in Logic Pro

Messages Sent But No Response

Latency Issues

Control Surface Conflicts

Complete Example Profile

Next Steps

Further Reading

Keyboard shortcuts

Conductor Documentation