I don't think this has been added in recent versions of Logic (I'm still on 10.6.3), but I wish there was a tool that would allow me to click and drag a selection in an audio or MIDI region, similar to the marquee, but would automatically delete the selection, instead of me having to use the marquee tool to select the section and then hit Delete.
So the workflow would be just
Click with the mouse in the "in" point, drag to the "out" point to make a selection and when the mouse button is released, the selection is deleted.
Let's say you know that you want to the delete the section with the red arrows
Instead of Marquee selection > Delete
With the macro you can just "Marquee selection" and once you release the mouse, the selection is deleted.
This has always been something I needed over and over again and I hope Logic will include a tool that does this in the future. Let's see. Until that happens (if it happens), I know this macro will help me. Hope it helps other Logic folks out there.
Since this is a workflow I see myself using continuously, I created the macro to loop until the shortcut CMD+OPT+M is pressed to cancel the macro.
If you use it, just make sure that you only click the mouse when you want to delete a selection. If you click it to do something else, it will trigger the beginning of the flow. I tried finding a way to check if the CMD key was down, but I don't know if that's possible. If someone wants to improve this, please share your feedback.
(By the way, I find deleting in the Arrange page with the backspace key to be unreliable â usually it works, but a lot of the time I have to press backspace again. I have been unable to find out why.)
That is actually what I like to avoid as much as possible. The fewer clicks and key pressing, the better
I never use the Eraser tool. The Marquee tool does it all. It's the tool I use all-the-time. I love it!
If Apple would implement this feature with the Eraser tool, that would be great and that would be a reason for me to use that tool. Otherwise, I never really found a case where that was useful for me.
I just updated the macro to a simpler version. I was over complicating it and @noisneil just shared a simpler version that makes so much more sense. And it will also "fix" that issue you mentioned on your second reply, I believe. I never had issues with that though, but the new version of the macro does that.
I am so used to using a trackpad (Magic Trackpad 2) that it didn't occur to me before that it is significant that you are using not a trackpad but a mouse. So I should perhaps spell out rather better how it works for me using a trackpad.
t, e to select the Eraser tool.
â + 3-finger drag to select the area to be deleted.
Click.
I'm not sure what you would use for step 2 using a mouse, but whether one uses a mouse or a trackpad, after dragging the area, one's index finger is already in position to click (come to that, because of the programmable keyboard layout I use, my left hand is already resting in a position that can hit delete!).
However, while that click isn't much extra work, I think the real nuisance for me is that Logic pauses for a moment after the area has been selected! Only after that pause can one click to delete. I realise now that this is also the problem that I have had with backspace in the Arrange page! I have just been working too quickly for sluggish old Logic Pro to keep up..!
So yes, if Logic Pro is going to keep zoning out like that, it's getting the timing of the deletion to be optimal that causes the annoyance.
Your pair of macros works very well, thank you. I shall continue thinking about the whole issue.
Well, @alltiagocom, I think I have come up with a nifty solution here. However, it uses not Keyboard Maestro but BetterTouchTool. Also, I have again considered the challenge from the perspective of being a Magic Trackpad user, but the idea is simple and I'm sure you can easily adjust it to your liking when using a mouse.
Usage
Swipe up on the trackpad with three fingers, while holding âĨâ.
That's the usual gesture for selecting with the marquee, but with the option key held as well as the command key. I chose option as a memorable and sensible modifier. The extra modifier is transparent to Logic Pro.
Make sure you are swiping close to vertical to ensure triggering.
Setup
In BTT (but pardon my using KM terminology!):
Create a group that is to be active only in Logic Pro.
Set the trigger to be âĨâ-3 Finger Swipe Up, with the actions to be triggered on touch release (this option is at the top of the third column).
Set up a Trigger Menu Bar Menu-Item action to select Edit; Delete in Logic Pro.
Instead of setting up BTT to access Logic Pro's Edit menu directly, we can get a KM macro to do it, via an Applescript (or other script of your choice) message sent by BTT.
The second action there is a little extra feature. It clicks the mouse, just to get rid of the highlighting left over from the marquee selection. Of course, you could add a click action like that in BTT too.
I do have BTT, but your workflow seems too complex for what I need, especially with the macro I'm using which allows me to just do this:
Use the shortcut Option+M
Click and drag the section I want to delete and once I release the mouse button it deletes it
Use the shortcut CMD+Option+M to stop/cancel the macro.
What's good about this is that apart from the left hand being used for the shortcut, everything else is done with the right hand without using modifiers or anything.
I also never use the trackpad if I don't have to. I just use it when the mouse is not available, which is never when I'm in the studio.
But if that workflow works for you, I'm glad you found a solution and hopefully that will fix that backspace issue you were having
Sure, and I think which way is preferable will in part depend on how one already uses input devices with Logic! I am already used to the â+ 3-finger-drag to edit with the marquee tool, so just adding the option key is convenient for me.[1] For that reason, I didn't want the extra actions of switching in and out of the "delete" mode.
Since I use a split keyboard, and M is on the right, that would have to be a right-handed action for me, but yeah, I guess with some imagination I could choose another letter for the shortcut.
Thanks, yes it does! As I mentioned, I must have been hitting backspace while Logic Pro was catching its breath from the selection action. Why it should pause like that is a mystery, but it's no longer a practical concern for me!
(especially since I use home row keys that double up as letter keys and modifiers â so my left forefinger is already resting on â, and my index finder is already resting on âĨ! âŠī¸
It's essentially a simple action in BetterTouchTool, and setting it up is not as complicated as the number of explanatory screenshots might suggest. I included those for anyone who, like me, are not so familiar with BTT's interface.
Also, I have again considered the challenge from the perspective of being a Magic Trackpad user, but the idea is simple and I'm sure you can easily adjust it to your liking when using a mouse.
