Apple Introduces Logic Pro 6 and Logic Express

dark_lotus writes "Apple introduces Logic Pro 6 and Logic Express. This brings Apple's audio offerings (GarageBand, Logic Express, and Logic Pro) to a similar setup with its three levels of video editors (iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro). Logic Pro boasts new innovative software instruments, including Sculpture, a new component-modeling based synthesizer, and UltraBeat, a deep and rich percussion synthesizer that provides multiple synthesis techniques for generating every type of electronic or acoustic drum sound imaginable. You can read the press releases for the Preview of Logic and the announcement of Logic Pro and Logic Express. Logic Pro is priced at US$999, while Logic Express is priced at US$299. Today is also the launch of iLife '04 which comes with GarageBand, the new iLife app for music creation."

Comments

Preview of next generation of Logic

[Hackie_Chan]

I heard that eMagic/Apple previewed for a couple of people the next generation of Logic aka Logic 7. Sounds interesting indeed, but I can't find any information on what the presentation might have had. Anybody got any luck?

Re:Preview of next generation of Logic

[VoxBoston]

The "freeze" functions and Offline bounce offered in 6 were a HUGE improvement to my workflow. Allows me to run very complicated mixes with lots of AU instruments, effects, automation, etc. on a relatively wimpy dual-500 G4. I'd say it was a massive jump-up from 5 to 6. Logic Pro? Can't wait!

Buying iLife '04 on Sunday

[Selecter]

...mainly to get GarageBand. I'm a bass player and I want to use it for practice when a "real" band is not available. If that goes well, I will probably upgrade to Logic Express the same way I am upgrading to Final Cut Express 2. How do the hard core Logic users feel about Apple controlling Logic so far? Do you welcome your Apple overlords? ;)

Re:Buying iLife '04 on Sunday

[bennomatic]

I very much welcome our new Apple Audio Overlords. I think it's great that they are branching out into more of the specialized niches which appreciate the kind of quality engineering that Apple provides.

For a long time it was just desktop publishing. Then DTP and graphics/photo editing. Then video. Audio just makes sense!

This is as opposed to the Redmond overlords, who seem to be branching into everything that makes any money, from phones to PDAs to video games... What's their business plan again?

Re:Buying iLife '04 on Sunday

[jo_ham]

I haven't seen FCE2 yet, but since FCE1 was based on FCP3 and the new Express is based on the current FCP4, I imagine the upgrade will be significant.

FCP4 was an awesome upgrade (albeit with a couple of bugs here and there that have been mostly ironed out).

The inclusion of Compressor alone made it worth the upgrade for us - we don't need Cleaner anymore.

I don't think FCE2 comes with Compresssor though.

Re:Buying iLife '04 on Sunday

[burns210]

It was pointed out to me that the only major media creation niche that Apple doesn't own the de facto software for is 3d Animation. With Steve Jobs owning Pixar, it would be interesting to see where they went if Apple ever purchased a Animation software suite... Ofcourse, Alias|Wavefront's Maia is the existing champion my a long way, and since I doubt they are up for sale(how cool would THAT be?) I suppose Apple wouldn't buy the second place app.

Replace my stereo/DVD/CD?

[stefanlasiewski]

With all these multimedia apps, it would be great to have one of these iLife enabled Macs next to my TV.

If I could hook it up to the TV and the stereo, I'd have streaming audio, a CD player, DVD player... thought I saw a radio receiver card somewhere. I could replace many apps with a single device.

But the footprint of the Macs are too big for this sort of application. Wonder if they're going to work on that next...

Re:Replace my stereo/DVD/CD?

[thatguywhoiam]

Well, an Xserve [apple.com] doesn't take that much space. Anyone ever attempt to install a rack-mount computer into an entertainment center?

As I'm sure others will point out, there's two big problems off the bat: the Xserve has a big ass, and it sounds like a Chinook helicopter when in operation.

But other than that, cool idea! No, seriously. I could certainly use a 'media processor' kind of PC for all those things that people tend to hack old PCs into - MP3 jukeboxes, TiVO replacement, general storage server, etc. It's really not so farfetched; I'm thinking of video codecs in particular... the reason you can't make a video-iPod is that you never know what codecs you are going to get, and they all need some CPU power to decode if they're modern. A small rack-style PC that fits a typical stereo footprint (but smaller/less goofy than an Xbox) would be a nice option, as long as it's quiet.

Switching / Crossgrading

[skinfitz]

Does anyone know if when Logic Pro is launched (March) if Apple will be offering discounted crossgrades from other products? I've looked around but can't find anything.

I presently use Cubase VST/32 on the PC, but am about to switch my studio setup to a G5.

I have money burning a hole in my bank account, however the G5's are rumoured to get a speed bump "on or after the 20th Jan" and so obviously I'm waiting a few days.

Also NAMM is on in the US at the moment which basically means its a bad time to buy anything audio related as if manufacturers are going to launch new products, it's now.

I was going to upgrade to CubaseSX2.0 as Steinberg are rather generously providing PC and Mac versions of their software at the moment on the same CD meaning that this is a great time to switch, however there is a long standing graphics bug (5 months and counting) with SX2.0 and Panther which I am not impressed with. Yes I can get around it by running Jaguar 10.2.8 on the G5, however it's going to come with Panther pre-installed.

If Apple do offer a nicely priced crossgrade, I will be giving serious thought to switching to Logic Pro.

I've Got My iLife Copy

[Compulawyer]

I've been playing guitar longer than I haven't, but haven't delved into using my Mac with my guitar - until today. Yes, I was sucked into Steve Jobs's Reality Distortion Zone when I watched the Macworld keynote address and thought GarageBand looked too cool to not have. I'm glad I paid my $49 for it - GB rocks.

I'm sure it is not sophisticated enough for most musicians who are used to editing/composing with computer assistance, but for me, GB is just right. The interface is clean and understandable and the samples are of very good quality. I'm even impressed with the quality of the software guitar amplifiers.

Just when I thought I couldn't have any more fun with my PowerBook, GB proves me wrong. I like being wrong like this.