From Loop to Release: Arrange, Mix, and Master Your Beat in Logic Pro (Using Only Stock Plugins)

Does this sound familiar? You’ve got an 8-bar loop you’re hyped about. It’s dope, but now it’s sitting there, going nowhere. You want to turn it into a full, polished track ready for release, but the steps feel overwhelming—arranging, mixing, mastering, and making it sound professional.

In this post, I’ll break down exactly how to take that loop and transform it into a complete beat that’s ready for release. Plus: You’ll only need Logic Pro’s stock plugins. Let’s go!

Step 1: Arranging Your Beat

First up is turning that loop into a full arrangement. For this example, I’m working with a simple 8-bar loop. No hit potential here, but that’s not the point—it’s all about getting the workflow moving.

Export and Import

To kick things off, I export all the tracks as audio files. Once exported, I save the project and open up a new Logic session using a custom template designed for stock plugins (you can grab my free mixing templates here). Then, I drag the exported tracks into the session and align them with the pre-named and pre-colored tracks. A quick tip: Use the “Color Regions by Tracks” option to keep things neat and organized.

Setting the BPM

Make sure your session matches the BPM of your loop. In this case, 86 BPM. If your loop’s timing feels off, adjust the snap settings to “Bar” to make precise edits.

Building the Arrangement

Here’s a simple structure:

1. Intro (4 bars): Strip it back—remove the kick, snare, bass, and keep only a hi-hat or melody.
2. Verse (32 bars): Bring everything in.
3. Outro (4 bars): Gradually remove elements for a natural fade-out.

For variety, duplicate and layer sections, then tweak elements like transitions or secondary loops to keep things fresh. Logic’s “Marquee Tool” is a lifesaver for making precise edits and creating dynamic sections.

Step 2: Mixing Your Beat

Once the arrangement is locked in, it’s time to mix. The goal here is to balance your track, add punch, and give it some character.

Start with the Mix Bus

I always begin at the top with the mix bus. Here’s my approach with this specific beat:

• EQ: Boost around 1.5 kHz for midrange fatness.
• Compression: Use the Vintage VCA compressor with subtle settings to glue everything together.

Drums

For the drum bus, the focus is on punch and clarity:

1. Use a compressor to make the kick and snare cut through while letting the hi-hats sit back.
2. Add a touch of saturation with Logic’s “Chroma Glow” for warmth. If you're on LPX, the Phat EFX plugin will also work wonders for this. 
3. Finish with a limiter to control peaks.

Pro Tip: Sidechain the hi-hats to the kick and snare for better dynamics. Use the standard compressor for this. Insert one compressor for the kick and one for the snare. 

Instruments

On the instrument bus:

• EQ: Cut muddy frequencies and boost where needed for clarity.
• Compression: Use subtle sidechain compression to let the drums pop.
• Reverb: Apply a touch of ChromaVerb for depth, with an EQ cutting the highs and lows to avoid muddiness.

Sends and Effects

Create space and depth with send effects:

• Add a reverb to the snare and automate it for transitions.
• Use delay sparingly for melodic elements.
• Automate reverb sends to add movement—start dry and increase wetness over time.

Want to speed up your workflow? Download my 6 free mixing templates for Logic Pro. They’re designed to simplify processes like bus routing and effect setups.

Step 3: Mastering Your Beat

Finally, let’s polish the mix for release.

Multimeter Check

Keep an eye on LUFS levels. Aim for around -9 to -8 LUFS for a modern sound without over-compressing.

Final Tweaks

• Limiter: Push the track to competitive levels without distortion.
• Final Listen: Compare your track to a reference track to ensure it holds up.
• Final tweaks: In the case of this beat, I found myself turning down the hihats even more. 

Ready to Release

And that’s it! You’ve turned your 8-bar loop into a full beat, arranged, mixed, and mastered—all using Logic Pro stock plugins. It’s ready to share with the world.

Want to dive even deeper into mixing? Grab my 6 free mixing templates for Logic Pro. They’ll save you hours on every project.

Let me know in the comments—what’s the name of your latest beat, and which rapper do you hear on it? Drop a link, and I’d love to check it out.

See you in the next one. Peace!