Building Live Sets with Logic Pro’s Live Loops

Today, I finally took the plunge into building my live sets. It’s something I’ve been putting off for a while because it feels like such a massive task. The idea of learning all the technical elements felt overwhelming, but I reminded myself that the best way to learn is by doing. So, I stopped watching tutorials and dove in.

Here’s what I learned and worked on today.

Understanding Logic Pro Live Loops Playback Triggers and Quantisation

One of the first things I explored was how playback triggers work in Logic Pro’s Live Loops. There are two main types:

• Momentary triggers: Play the loop only while you hold the button.

• Start/Stop triggers: Press once to start, then press again to stop.

For more precise control, you can adjust the quantise start/stop time. While you can set this globally (e.g., to trigger loops at the start of the next bar), it’s also possible to override it for individual cells. For example, most of my loops are 4 or 8 bars long, but I wanted to include a few half-bar elements that need precise timing. Adjusting the quantise settings for those cells lets me trigger them with accuracy.

Logic Pro Live Loops view for my song 'Vision In Purple'

Handy Key Commands

To speed up my workflow, I’ve been using these key commands:

• Option+R: Record directly into a cell.

• Option+Click a scene: Queue the scene.

• Cmd+Enter: Reset the Live Loops grid playback.

These shortcuts have been lifesavers as I navigate the grid and refine my setup.

Managing Live Loops and Timeline Interactions

A unique aspect of Live Loops is that it’s still connected to Logic’s timeline. To keep everything clean and manageable:

• I muted all the original track regions.

• I turned on an 8-bar cycle to avoid accidental playback clashes.

This setup ensures the grid stays in sync with the timeline without any surprises.

Balancing Complexity and Performance

As I worked on this, I realised how easy it is to overcomplicate things.

What’s actually adding value?

I want my live sets to include looping, live playing, and triggered elements, but I also need to avoid the temptation of doing too much. Just because I can trigger or play every element doesn’t mean I should. From an audience’s perspective, it’s about creating an engaging performance, not showing off how much I can multitask.

Simplifying the arrangement.

It’s tempting to include every detail from the recorded version of a song, but that’s not realistic or necessary. A well-executed, stripped-back version will be more impactful than a cluttered performance.

To help with this, I created a table for my first song, Vision in Purple, that outlines what I’ll be doing during each section. This keeps things manageable and lets me focus on balancing live playing with singing and engaging the audience.

What I'm doing during each section

Tools to Enhance Live Performance

Right now, I’m triggering everything with my trackpad and keyboard, which isn’t ideal for a live setup. I’m looking into options like:

• A trigger pad for tactile control.

• Using Logic Remote on an iPad for an intuitive way to trigger loops and scenes.

Both options would make my workflow smoother and more performance-friendly.

Here's a little clip of my trying to get to grips with the looping.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning of my journey into live performance prep. As I continue to build these sets, I’ll focus on refining my workflow, experimenting with gear, and ensuring the live versions of my songs stay engaging and true to my style.