Stock Plug-ins for House Music in Logic Pro w/ Ian Bland
About This Course
Ian Bland shares his knowledge and offers tips and techniques for how best to use Logic Pro’s stock plugins to produce a house music track.
In this lesson he uses only stock Logic Pro FX to demonstrate how you can best use the standard ‘in the box’ tools within the context of a house music track to create basses, melodic and harmonic textures and sounds.
Ian also explains various techniques to enhance your sonic arsenal by using MIDI effects to create interesting melodic patterns and harmonies.
You will learn:
- Sound design and production techniques using only Logic Pro’s stock plugins
- How to create bass sounds with Logic Pro’s ES1, EFM1, EXS24, Retro Synth & Alchemy
- How to create melodic / mid-range sounds with Logic Pro’s Bebop Organ, ES P Synth, Vintage Electric Piano & Vintage Clav
- How to enhance sounds using the arpeggiator, auto filter, chord trigger, chromaverb and note repeat
- Music production tips and tricks for creating House & Nu Disco music
Lessons:
1. Introduction:
Ian Bland introduces himself and plays through the demonstration soundbites he has composed for the purpose of explaining how to use Logic Pro’s stock plugins to create a House or Nu Disco track.
2. Bass:
Using Logic Pro’s stock plugins such as the ES1 and EFM1 to create a bassline. Ian explains how to modify Logic’s standard plugin parameters (e.g. ADSR, cutoff, filter envelope, amp envelope) and what type of soundwave to use in order to create your own bass sound for a house track.
- Creating A Bassline With The...ES1
- Creating A Bassline With The...EFM1
- Creating A Bassline With The...EXS24
- Creating A Bassline With The...Retro Synth
- Creating A Bassline With...Alchemy
3. Melodic/Mid-Range Instruments:
How to use Logic Pro’s plugins to create mid-range instruments. Ian discusses sound design techniques and MIDI effects when using Logic’s stock plugins in order to create interesting melodic patterns and sounds typically found in House music.
- Bebop Organ
- Using the Auto Filter
- Chord Trigger
- Arpeggiator
- Note Repeat
- Vintage Electric Piano
- Vintage Clav
4. Nu Disco Example:
Ian discusses using Logic Pro’s standard in the box plugins within the context of a Nu Disco track. He shows you how to create a bass sound before explaining some sound design techniques that may be applied to melodic or harmonic instruments.
- Disco House Bass
- Adding Melodic & Harmonic Instruments
5. Live Q&A:
Ian answers your questions on using Logic Pro’s stock plugins. Questions include what plugins would he recommend for producing a house track in Ableton Live.
- What are the best plugins for Ableton Live when producing for house music?
- Can you do a similar tutorial to this one on Ableton Live?

Meet Your Teacher
Ian Bland
Ian Bland has over 30 years’ experience in music production, with hits across many different labels and under many different monikers, his biggest claim to fame being Dream Frequency and Dancing Divaz.
He is smashing it today with releases on Todd Terry’s: InHouse and other big names, he also runs his own label: Maison Records. His lessons are full of next level techniques and tips to up your production game.
Discussions
Dream of finally finishing that draft or launching that side-hustle? Make your next creative project your best yet, with simple steps from creative superstar Emma Gannon!
Discussions
Dream of finally finishing that draft or launching that side-hustle? Make your next creative project your best yet, with simple steps from creative superstar Emma Gannon!
About This Class
Dream of finally finishing that draft or launching that side-hustle? Make your next creative project your best yet, with simple steps from creative superstar Emma Gannon!
In this new class, Emma shares the framework that allowed her to overcome self-doubt and carve her own path as an author, broadcaster, and podcast host. The secret to her success? Fed up with feeling afraid—of failure, of not being good enough, even of success—Emma dug into the science behind self-sabotage and learned exactly how to get out of her own way.
Now, Emma is sharing what she’s learned so that you can do the same: unlock your creative potential while feeling energized and empowered!
Together with Emma, you will:
- Identify the patterns in your life, and let go of habits that don’t serve you
- Cut out comparison to figure out what you really want and need
- Silence your inner critic by talking back to negative beliefs and behaviors
- Own your success and vulnerability—both go hand-in-hand with creativity
Packed with insights and examples from Emma’s personal journey, this class is designed for every creative who needs a pep-talk or extra push to get started—and includes five exclusive downloadable worksheets to support you along the way.
Whether you’re looking to break through block, remove self-imposed pressure, or simply approach each new project with intention, this 45-minute class will unlock your confidence as a creative. Get started and celebrate taking the first step!
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All you need to follow along is a pen and paper. Download the worksheets to follow along with Emma’s exercises, or jot your thoughts in a notebook.
Resources
- Introduction
- Week one
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