Problem solved thanks to Arturia customer support! Here is their response.
The following steps will explain how to delete the Logic Pro X user preferences, in order to potentially fix the issue your are actually facing:
1- Quit Logic Pro X if it is running.
2- In the Finder, choose "Go to Folder" from the Go menu.
3- Type ~/Library/Preferences in the field and click Go.
4- Remove the following files from the Preferences folder:
com.apple.logic.pro.cs
com.apple.logic10.LSSharedFileList
com.apple.logic10.plist
- Note that if you've programmed any custom key commands, this will reset them to the defaults. You might want to export your custom key commands before performing this step. Learn how to Browse, import, and save key commands.
5- If you upgraded from an earlier version of Logic Pro, also remove the "com.apple.logic.pro" file.
6- Then restart the computer.
From there make sure to configure the essential as control surface as follows :
To setup the KeyLab Essential with Logic Pro X, please do as follows:
I- First make sure your KeyLab Essential Device Settings are configure correctly, The DAW mode needs to be set in Mackie Control Universal or MCU, here is how:
1- Close all Audio/MIDI applications
2- Open the MIDI Control Center
3- Connect the Device
4- Go to the Device Settings Tab, and configure the settings like this image:
DAW Mode = Mackie Control
DAW Fader Mode = Jump or PickUp
II- Here is how to setup the KeyLab Essential as a MCU Control Surface:
1 - Go to Logic preferences > Control Surfaces > Setup...
2 - Then click on New > Install
3 - In the Control Surfaces list, select Mackie Designs > Mackie Control
4 - Then right click on the controller icon and click "Show Inspector"
5 - In the Output Port select "Arturia Keylab Essential 61 DAW Output"
In the Input Port select "Arturia Keylab Essential 61 DAW Input"
III- The DAW command center of the KeyLab Essential is based on the Mackie Control Universal Classic (MCU) protocol, so it will mainly map the basic parameters of the mixer (volume, pan, etc) and the transport of Logic Pro X , to control other parameters like plug in parameters, etc, you will have to go to Logic Pro X preferences to the Control Surface Tab and click on the Controller Assignments button:
In that section you can use the mapping functionality of Logic Pro X which is one of the best in the DAW market to create a map for the KeyLab Essential, Here are some helpful links about using this section of Logic Pro X:
LOGIC PRO X - Controller Assignments Manual
https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1650/en_US/logic_pro_x_control_surfaces_support.pdfEasy View
https://youtu.be/Bm77G15H6zoAdvance View
https://youtu.be/fHqgCJWx870You will then use the Map 1 to control Analog Lab and Arturia instruments, the DAW Map to control LPX using the MCU protocol, and you can create your own user map (
https://youtu.be/cBsmMtVNbpE) that can be use in conjunction with LPX Controller assignments to control plug-ins parameters, etc and switch on the fly between the three.
TIP: Make sure your custom map have all the Knobs configure with the ABSOLUTE Option to properly control Logic's parameters.
I hope this answer your question, please feel free to contact us if you need more assistance.
Best Regards,
Léo - Arturia Support