Set up KnobShift in Logic Pro

In Logic Pro, you control plugins through the KnobShift Bridge. The bridge is itself a plugin that you load your actual instrument or effect into. That way KnobShift can report its parameters to the iPad over MIDI 2.0.

Before you start#

• KnobShift is installed on your Mac and KnobShift Companion is running (three-slider icon in the menu bar). If not, see Install KnobShift on your Mac.
• On the first launch after installation, Logic scans new plugins. That can take a moment.

Note: The Bridge window currently shows its labels in German. We give the English meaning in parentheses.

How do you insert the KnobShift Bridge?#

For an instrument#

1. Create a new software instrument track in Logic.
2. In the instrument slot, choose AU Instruments → KnobShift → KnobShift Bridge.
3. At the top of the bridge window, click Plugin wählen (Choose plugin) and pick a synthesizer, for example.
4. The plugin's interface appears below the bar in the bridge window.

For an effect#

1. Click an empty effect slot on a track.
2. Choose KnobShift → KnobShift Bridge FX.
3. Load the effect you want to control via Plugin wählen, as above.

How can you tell it's working?#

The top right of the bridge window shows ● Companion verbunden · MIDI 2.0 (Companion connected). If it says “○ Companion nicht gestartet” (Companion not started), KnobShift Companion isn't running. Open it from Applications → KnobShift Companion. The bridge reconnects every two seconds, so you only need to wait a moment.

The Companion menu in the menu bar also lists every loaded bridge under Plugins, with track name and track color.

How does the iPad follow your tracks?#

Once the iPad is connected (via USB or via Wi-Fi), the KnobShift app shows the controls of the plugin that currently has focus:

• If you open or click the window of another KnobShift Bridge in Logic, the iPad switches to that plugin automatically.
• At the bottom of the app, the TRACKS strip lists every track with a bridge on it. Tap a track to jump straight to it.
• The power icon at the top of the app bypasses the plugin and turns it back on.

If the app says “Connected – no plug-in in focus”, open a KnobShift Bridge window in Logic or tap a track at the bottom.

Which plugins can you load?#

You can load the Audio Unit plugins that macOS offers in the list under Plugin wählen.

Warning: Logic's own instruments such as Alchemy or ES2 aren't Audio Units. They can't be loaded into the KnobShift Bridge.

What to try next#

• Move a control on the iPad: the plugin in Logic responds immediately.
• Record your moves as automation: Record automation with KnobShift.
• Build your own control pages: Create, share and import dashboards.

If Logic can't find the KnobShift Bridge, this article helps. For everything else, there's the forum.