I was happy to read in the news that the US has just launched its first space shuttle of 2007. They haven’t given up on the space program. I think there’s a little part in all of us that is drawn to the mystery and wonder of it all. It’s another means of transportation, unavailable to most of us. It got me thinking about “shuttling” in Logic. Getting around in Logic’s timeline can be overwhelming; there are so many methods of navigating.

 

Shuttling. It makes me think of an old tape deck. With the tape heads rocking back and forth at different speeds – speeding fast towards distant destinations, or slowly zeroing in on a pinpoint target. I’ve been having a ball turning Logic into an old fashion tape deck.

 

I assigned key commands to shuttle rewind and shuttle forward. The way these work is that the longer you keep your finger down on the assigned key, or the more times you press it; the more speed it picks up. So a long key press can get you zooming along. While a single key press is about double the regular playback speed. This used in conjunction with the “Play” key command is great!

 

I’ve been using it for editing and comping a vocal track and loving it. I use the fast shuttle speed to get to where I want to go and then immediately hit the Play command to disengage the shuttling. A single shuttle key press then rewinds at a slow enough speed so as not to go back too far. And then engage the Play key again to disengage shuttling and recommence playback. It’s excellent for repeating playback and auditioning of a short section.

 

It really feels like working with a tape deck. I can quickly and easily move the SPL either backwards or forward and control the speed; and disengage or re-engage it seamlessly. It’s been great for zeroing in and editing region start and end points.  And, it’s fun!

 

Navigation. Whether in space or in Logic, it’s a basic function of getting from Point A to Point B. Weather that distance is tens of thousand of miles, or a few seconds backwards or forward; shuttling has proven to be a trusted means of getting to your destination.