Electra with Logic Pro X

General discussion
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Hello-

Just received my Electra (thank you Martin!) and now I am trying to integrate it into my system. I have a MacBook Pro running Logic Pro X, and among my VSTs is TAL-J-8, for which there is a preset. I have been able to connect my Electra to my MBP via USB, and load the J-8 preset, but I need some kind of newbie advice as to how to get all of this to work, i.e. get the Electra to connect to Logic X. When I open AudioMIDI Setup (in Mac Utilities), the Electra is already detected and there. So would someone please help a Midiot get this working with Logic?

My overall plan is to connect the Electra only to my MBP, and control VSTs and outboard synths with the Electra thru my laptop. Thank you!

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Not sure if this is information that you already know, but just to be sure:
You need to learn the VST which knob controls which parameter. You can do that through MIDI learning. It takes a few minutes to do all parameters. And mind that there is an Upper and Lower button so a knob like Cutoff actually has two controls in the E1 template. This is the most important section from the J-8 manual for this:

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Unfortunately you cannot export the config from the J-8, so you cannot import someone elses’ config. But once it is set up it works a charm.

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Blockquote
Unfortunately you cannot export the config from the J-8, so you cannot import someone elses’ config. But once it is set up it works a charm.
Blockquote

AHA! That’s my problem right there, I assumed everything was completely pre-configured as part of the preset. It makes much more sense now, thank you!

Right now I am working with a very simple system, Electra connected to MBP, CME XKey controller connected to MBP.

Electra–>MBP<–XKey

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Hi there

I will be doing something similar ,

From your experience now …how is the workflow with logic.

Do you have to manually load a preset on the Electra one each time you want to control the plug in via the daw ?

You know how with a basic controller mapped to a plug in in logic …as soon as you open that plug in ..fx or synth …the pots / dials are auto there and ready to use with the controls on the midi controller.

Do you have open up a corresponding preset on the Electra one each time ? ..or does it open the correct preset when the corresponding plug in is open in logic pro .?

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Hello converted - I use Logic with my Mini and my setup I have:

I’ve got a primary preset running with 8 dedicated pages for Logic and my hardware/plugins:

  • Page 1 (Main): Handling transport (playhead jogging, zoom), Sends 1-8, and quick pad toggles for plugin management (copy/paste channel strips), plus shortcuts for Undo/Save.

  • Page 2: All 8 knobs mapped to Logic Smart Controls.

  • Pages 3–6: Dedicated MIDI CC maps for Arturia Pigments, TEO-5, Diva, and Minifreak V.

  • Page 7: Standard “Selected Track” controls (Vol, Pan, Mute, Solo, Rec).

  • Page 8: General CC mappings and one-offs.

Navigation is easy: I use the “Menu” button to jump to my Diva or Minifreak page and start tweaking. Switching presets is also just as simple.

I’m planning to build out more in-depth, multi-page presets for each synth to cover full oscillator, filter, and FX controls.

Hope that helps

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thanks for that , it makes sense that you would switch the pre-set on the E1 at the same time. I guess it’s quick in practice , once set up