Setting up Touché/Lié in Logic Pro X

This article explains how to set up Touché or Touché SE to work within Apple Logic Pro X.

Scanning Lié inside Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X scans its plug-in database on every launch. Logic Pro X will scan the default folder for AU plug-ins, which contains the file Lié.component.

If Lié is not recognized in Logic Pro X, please check if you find its entry in Plug-In Manager:

Preferences -> Plug-in Manager

Click on 'Expressive' in the Manufacturer list to easily find Lié and make sure the 'Use' box is ticked.

For more information on the subject, read this external article from Apple: Disable, remove, or rescan third-party Audio Units plug-ins

Enabling MIDI Input from Touché (SE)

While Logic is fully integrated with the Audio MIDI Setup of macOS when it comes to MIDI input managing, it makes sense to deactivate the second MIDI port of Touché (SE) manually. Go to Settings -> MIDI -> Inputs and deselect the Control Port, so only the Main Port is activated. The Control Port doesn't send actual MIDI messages based on your gestures, but is only used to make Touché (SE) recognize Lié running on your computer. Deactivating makes the recognition more stable.

Loading Lié in a track

Add a new Software instrument Track and choose Lie from the dropdown list. It is listed under 'AU Instruments' -> 'Expressive'
Activate the "Record Enable" button of the track.
You can now play notes on your keyboard and change the sound with Touché (SE)

If not all four axes of Touché (SE) are recognized, please read here: Some of Touché's axes are not recognized in Logic

Editing automations

You will find the automation data that you recorded as gestures on Touché (SE) as Controller Lanes within the MIDI region.

Double-click on the MIDI region that you recorded.
In the lower zone, the Piano Roll editor will open
Click the Show/Hide Automation button in the Piano Roll Editor menu bar.
In the dropdown list below Automation/MIDI and 'Region', existent Automation will be present as 'Used' at the top level. The messages sent by Touché (SE) belong to the category 'MIDI Control 0-63':
- 16 = General #1
- 17 = General #2
- 18 = General #3
- 19 = General #4

You can quickly step through the Automation Lanes with a dedicated button called 'Automation Cycle Through' button.

For more information on the subject, read this external article from Apple: Logic Pro X: Use automation in the Piano Roll Editor

Mapping parameters without Lié

Mapping directly with Logic's Smart Controls

In order to control other parameters than those of VST instruments hosted inside Lié, you could use Touché (SE) as a MIDI class compliant controller in Logic.

Open the Smart Controls in the lower zone by clicking on the Smart Controls button, or hitting 'B' on your computer keyboard
Open the Inspector by clicking of the 'i' symbol in the top left corner of the Smart Controls area.
Click on 'Learn' next to Parameter mapping, then move the parameter that you want to control. Its name will appear in the Inspector. Click on the same 'Learn' button again to leave learning mode.
Click on 'Learn' next to External Assignment, move the axis on Touché (SE) that you want to assign. The parameter will move. Click on the same 'Learn' button again to leave learning mode.

Attention: As long as an axis of Touché SE is assigned in Smart Controls, this axis won't be able to get through to control Lié anymore. See here: Some of Touché's axes are not recognized in Logic

Recording Smart Control automation

If you want to record your parameter changes:

Click on the Show Automation button in Logic's Workspace, or hit 'A' on your computer keyboard, to display automation options in Logic's Workspace.
Switch the Automation mode of the track you want to record automation for to Write or Latch, instead of Read.
Press Record and your parameters will be written as performed with Touché (SE)

More info about Smart Controls is offered by Apple themselves in these external articles: Logic Pro X: Smart Controls overview