27. July 2025

RILEY

sangstersounds on Click Tracks: Locking Your Groove in Logic Pro

Got timing issues in Logic Pro that make your beats go off-kilter? Chris Sangster, aka sangstersounds, drops a handy guide on mastering the metronome and count-in settings. YouTube’s synth geek gives you the lowdown on turning these timing tools into your new secret weapon. Perfect for rookies and pros alike who want their click track hitting like the rhythm section in a tight jazz band. Dive into a world where your Logic Pro setup can be smoother than a Chicago deep-dish!

Introduction to Logic Pro's Underrated Stars

So, Chris Sangster, who we know as “sangstersounds,” is kicking off his video with a focus on those behind-the-scenes warriors in Logic Pro: the metronome and the count-in features. Sure, these might sound like the wallflowers at the dance, but they’re more like the rhythm section holding down the groove. Sangster sets the stage by giving his intro from the snug confines of his studio, ready to wrap up discussing the Logic Pro control bar. He’s been all around it, pointing out how these tools can be the game-changers for any producer looking to finesse their timing. With his chill, California vibe, he makes these features sound like the real stars of the show. Buckle up, because we’re diving right into the click-clack heart of rhythm control.

"Really goes to show what an important and powerful section of Logic Pro it is, even if it's often overlooked."

Click Track Mastery – The Beatmaker's Secret Sauce

"This can be helpful if you just want to get a reference of the correct tempo right before recording, but then lock your groove into some other element."

Chris dives into the nitty-gritty of the metronome, or click track, as he likes to call it (and no, it’s not interchangeable just to mess with your head). First notes first, you can toggle this bad boy on and off with just a simple tap of the ‘K’ key – way smoother than browsing through menu layers like you’re peeling an onion. He guides you through customizing its deployment during playback and recording, dropping in options like ‘during count-in,’ which is essentially like getting a head-nod from the click just before you make your moves. Then there’s the feature he labeled as “polyphonic clicks.” This one’s not just a fancy term to impress your moms with, but actually makes overlapping beats sound together bringing harmony or dissonance – your call! Sangster offers the creative control to set pitches, tweak velocities, and shape notes so that the click becomes your personal backup band, keeping the groove tight and right.

The Click Track Soundscape

Now, if you thought this would be all about dry tech specs, think again. Sangster reminds us that sound matters every bit as much as sticking to the beat. He breaks out the options for making sure your metronome can do everything from whispering sweet nothings to slamming like a subway train at rush hour. You can control pitch, velocity, and even the very timbre of each percussive tap. Call it your audio clay, because this is where you mold the cadence that compliments, not competes, with your creative flow. The customization of the click’s sound isn’t just for giggles – it helps delineate rhythms and accents. And hey, for those of us who’ve ever confused a metronome with a broken speaker, this level of sophistication is a lifesaver.


Taming the Metronome with Plugins and MIDI Devices

By this point, Chris is practically a click track sorcerer, and he’s ready to share more spellbinding tricks. He reveals how you can swap out the default sound for something even more unique using any software instrument, like flipping Klopfgeist for Battery to get those crispy rimshots. Want to go even deeper? Sangster’s got you covered by showing how to employ an external MIDI device to generate your click track sounds, giving you, the artist, ultimate control. We’re talking layering clicks with native instruments and assigning SAP levels that can make or break a session. It’s like building a beat from scratch, only the blueprint is all about keeping it rhythmically tight. You’re not just twisting knobs; you’re painting your sonic masterpiece directly onto the DAW canvas.


Count In – The Unsung Hero of Prep

At last, let’s talk Count In – the indispensable prelude to the main gig. Chris sings its praises, showing how activating this function gives artists that oh-so-essential buffer before recording starts. It’s like stretching before a marathon, sans the physical strain. With a knob twist here and a shortcut there (Shift + K, if you’re keeping track), you set your groove, and just before the track begins properly, boom – you’re already head-bopping. And in a twist that might just save a good take from the trash bin, Logic Pro sneakily records during the Count In, letting you recover those ‘accidental magic’ takes. It’s the tool you didn’t know you needed, giving you room to breathe, get into the pocket, and set the stage for when it’s time to hit those first notes. Sangster’s easy-going teaching style makes learning how to use Count In feel as relaxed as a Sunday afternoon jam session.

"We'll move on to the next section down in the screen in the next video. And here's a hint, it's a hidden section, but one that contains a lot of useful functions."

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