How to Export a Beat in Logic Pro: WAV, MP3 and Stems

Your beat is done. Now it needs to come out of Logic Pro, as a WAV, an MP3 or as separate tracks for a rapper or mix engineer. Here's how to bounce it without losing a tail or an effect.

Step 1: open the bounce

According to Apple, you choose File > Bounce > Project or Section. Watch out: if Cycle is on, Logic only bounces the part inside your cycle area, according to Apple. So turn Cycle off if you want your whole beat, or set the cycle area exactly around the part you need.

Tip: put the tempo and key in the file name, for example "beat name 140bpm Cmin". Not sure about the key? Check it with the free Beat Lab.

Step 2: choose your files

In the bounce window you choose one or more file types at once, according to Apple, like an uncompressed file (PCM), MP3 or M4A. That way you make a WAV and an MP3 in one go.

Step 3: start, end and tail

Start and End set which part you bounce. Turn on Include Audio Tail. According to Apple, your file then becomes as long as needed to include the release of instruments and effects, like your reverb tail or a long 808.

Step 4: WAV settings

For PCM you choose between WAVE, AIFF and CAF, according to Apple. Bit depth goes from 8-bit to 32-bit float and the sample rate from 11.025 to 192 kHz. Choose Interleaved for one stereo file. Split gives you a separate file for left and right.

Going from a 24-bit project to a 16-bit file? Then Apple recommends dither. If your beat is still going to a mix or mastering engineer, leave dither off for now. Only do it on the final export.

Step 5: MP3 settings

According to Apple, the stereo bit rate defaults to 160 kbit/s and Apple names 192 kbit/s as a good value. You can go up to 320 kbit/s. The higher the bit rate, the bigger your file. Keep Quality on Highest, as Apple recommends. Want to convert a file later? Use the free audio converter.

Step 6: Normalize

For Normalize you choose between Off, Overload Protection Only and On, according to Apple. With On, Logic finds the highest peak and raises the level as far as it can. Is your beat still going to mixing or mastering? Then leave Normalize off, so the engineer has room.

According to Apple, your bounces go to the Logic/Bounces folder in your Music folder by default. You can also pick a location yourself.

Step 7: export stems

Does a rapper or mix engineer want your beat in separate tracks? According to Apple, you choose File > Export > All Tracks as Audio Files. You then get every track as a separate file. Watch these options:

• Include Audio Tail: includes the release, just like a bounce.
• Bypass Effect Plug-ins: exports your tracks without effects. Leave this off if your effects are part of your sound.
• Include Volume/Pan Automation: includes your volume and pan automation.
• Normalize: better to turn this off, so the balance between your tracks stays right.

Step 8: listen back to your export

Open the file and listen all the way through. Is the ending there? Does it sound the same as in Logic? Want to know how loud your export is? Check it with the free master checker.

Common mistakes

• Leaving Cycle on. Then you only bounce part of your beat.
• Include Audio Tail off. Then the end of your reverb or 808 gets chopped off.
• Dithering twice. Only do it on the final export.
• Normalize on your stems. Then the balance between your tracks is off.

No beat finished yet? Read how to make a trap beat in Logic Pro. Want to master your track yourself? Read how to master in Logic Pro. Working in FL Studio or Ableton? Read how to export a beat in FL Studio or how to export a beat in Ableton Live.

FAQ

How do I export a beat as WAV in Logic Pro?

Choose File > Bounce > Project or Section, pick PCM with WAVE, turn on Include Audio Tail and choose your bit depth.

How do I export stems in Logic Pro?

Choose File > Export > All Tracks as Audio Files. You then get every track as a separate file.

Why is my bounce only part of my beat?

Cycle is probably on. Then Logic only bounces the part inside the cycle area. Turn Cycle off or adjust Start and End.

Source: Apple's Logic Pro user guide.