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Edit Multiple Tracks Simultaneously Using Groups In Logic Pro

We received a question from a user that, happily, has an answer that is simple and easy to implement. Tone asked, " Is there a way to lock two or more tracks together in Logic Pro so when I make an edit to one track, I will make the same edit on all the other linked tracks at the same time?"

The answer: Groups. Logic has a robust grouping function allowing multiple tracks to be locked together for a variety of functions. Not to be pedantic, but strictly speaking, group functions apply to Channel Strips. Not tracks. The two terms are often used synonymously. They are often interchangeable in practice, but in fact, are two different things in Logic Pro. 

When working on a fresh project, the Group Settings are hidden until at least one group is made active. This is easily accomplished by clicking the Group field on any Channel Strip either in the Inspector or in the Mixer. 

Once a group has been activated, a new field appears in the Inspector, between the region parameters and the track parameters. The name field will be highlighted, awaiting a useful title. 

Give your new group a name, and open the Settings tab. This is where you determine group behaviour. The general idea behind groups is this: When enabled parameters are adjusted on any group member, all tracks will inherit the same value. 

In the context of the original question, enable the Editing and quantize-locked audio options. Edit a region on any of the member tracks, and the same edit will be performed on all tracks in the group. Enable quantization-locked audio, and flex-time edits and quantization will maintain phase coherency across all the grouped tracks. 
I also like to enable the record option. Toggling the record arm status of any track in the group results in changes to the record state on all.

Click in the Group field on any channel strip to add or remove tracks from any group. It is handy to temporarily disable or suspend the group connection if you want to change a parameter independently on one or more of the grouped tracks. There is a handy key command for this function. The default assignment is Shift +G. This will globally enable/disable groups. Just be sure to remember to toggle groups back on once you've made your change.

All of this makes group-based tracking editing a whole lot easier. I have grouped tracks in my default template for recording and editing multi-tracked drums and could not live without groups for easy record enabling /disabling all at once, switching between comps when recording into Take Folders. I can zoom in to one and make my edits, confident that all grouped tracks follow the same changes. It's particularly great for comping from multiple takes. 

So, if you haven't used Logic's Group function yet, check it out. There will likely be something in there that will make your life a whole lot easier. 

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