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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."

28 of 76 comments (clear)

  1. Death of Silver by lxt · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I would have preferred to see Apple keep the Silver, Gold and Platinum pricing system for Logic - Gold was around $499 when I bought it, a decent compromise, especially when I didn't need the extra features (eg, 5.1 capability) that Platinum editions provided. However, this means I either spend $999 (which I can't really afford), or $299 for something that won't have the features I need.

  2. Logic Forums by clifyt · · Score: 5, Informative

    I run the largest logic forums on the net...if you are interested in this product past the stuff you will no doubt be reading here, check out Sonikmatter.com.

    http://community.sonikmatter.com/cgi-bin/emagic/ ul timatebb.cgi

    Lots of good information from the guys at Emagic as well as a few guys from Apple (not that many say who they are lest they are harrassed by the users there :-)

    Check it out when ya get a chance...

    BTW -- these aren't new products by ANY means, just a repricing / consolidation of the apps, and a rebundling of Logic 6 Platnium w/all the plugins built in (for Logic Pro).

    Clif
    Sonikmatter: Mind + Music + Technology

    1. Re:Logic Forums by daviddennis · · Score: 4, Informative

      I suppose this is Karma-Whoring, but it really is a lot easier with a corrected link without the space.

      D

  3. Preview of next generation of Logic by Hackie_Chan · · Score: 2, Interesting

    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?

    --

    What's so bad about being lazy? What if there was a war and nobody showed up?
    1. Re:Preview of next generation of Logic by clifyt · · Score: 4, Informative

      New-er Interface. Still not the Brushed Metal we all hate.

      It had previews of the new soundware attached to it, New 'Apple Loops' tech -- more Acid / Soundtrack Stuff, Sculpture -- a new Softsynth, UltraBeat -- a percussion softsynth, and the GitAmp.

      Past that, its in an Alpha state and friends mentioned that it had crashed twice while they being shown the demo (probably why its not on the main floor :-). It, or its AudioUnits (the Sculpture / UB / GitAmp), need a LITTLE more work, but I've seen these things go from unstable to stable in less than a month, so I'm not worried.

      So its not much...then again, Logic 5 to Logic 6 wasn't that much of an upgrade either. Incremental steps instead of a new revolution.

    2. Re:Preview of next generation of Logic by VoxBoston · · Score: 2, Interesting

      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!

  4. Buying iLife '04 on Sunday by Selecter · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...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? ;)

    1. Re:Buying iLife '04 on Sunday by bennomatic · · Score: 4, Interesting
      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?

      --
      The CB App. What's your 20?
    2. Re:Buying iLife '04 on Sunday by jo_ham · · Score: 2, Interesting

      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.

    3. Re:Buying iLife '04 on Sunday by burns210 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      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.

    4. Re:Buying iLife '04 on Sunday by g_lightyear · · Score: 4, Informative

      Pixar was feeling around a while back to see whether or not there was interest in getting RenderMan back to the Mac. (Once upon a time, yes, it was on the mac. :)

      But it wouldn't be 'better' than Maya - Maya's strength isn't in its renderer, it's in the modeller. The renderer's not bad, but it can generate RIB format data, and is a world-class modeller if you're using it to create scenes to be rendered in RenderMan-compliant renderers.

      More of a Mental Ray vs RenderMan thing, really. There's competition there. But the procedural nature of RenderMan's textures and the world - along with being what makes it so difficult to master - is what makes it beautiful and unique. RenderMan's shader language is bizarre and wonderful, both in terms of scope and capability. All of this new 'procedural texture' stuff in current-generation 3D hardware owes an awful lot to RenderMan's shader language.

      --
      -- A mind is a terrible thing.
  5. Replace my stereo/DVD/CD? by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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...

    --
    "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    1. Re:Replace my stereo/DVD/CD? by AnamanFan · · Score: 2, Insightful

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

      --
      AnamanFan - Trying to find the Truth, one post at a time.
    2. Re:Replace my stereo/DVD/CD? by tonydiesel · · Score: 3, Informative

      Nah -- an Xserve is waaaaay too deep for normal applications -- close to 30".

      I looked into adding one to my portable rig and even though I have a box with a bigass mixer in it, it was nowhere near deep enough. Most pro audio equipment is no more than 12" deep, they just don't mix well...

      Most home audio stuff isn't even 20" deep. So I guess you could add an Xserve but either you'd need some crazy-deep shelf space or be happy with one unit sticking like 10" out the back of your rack/shelf...

    3. Re:Replace my stereo/DVD/CD? by SegFaultCM · · Score: 2, Informative

      I've spoken with the Apple Xserve Subject Experts (long story). They say the Xserve G5 puts out about 60 dB of noise. Now you have some numbers to compare.

      --
      -- SegFault
      "One day, some time ago, something important happened."
    4. Re:Replace my stereo/DVD/CD? by daviddennis · · Score: 2, Informative

      My company owns one. It's sitting to the left of me right now.

      It's much louder than my dual 2ghz G5 at home, except when the latter's fans are turned up all the way. Then it's about the same.

      The difference is that there are no variable speed fans as in the G5.

      This is the G4 Xserve, and they may have changed things in the G5 model. But I would doubt it since noise isn't an issue to rackmount server buyers; it is assumed.

      D

    5. Re:Replace my stereo/DVD/CD? by thatguywhoiam · · Score: 2, Interesting
      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.

      --
      If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
  6. Was wondering why they dropped the pc version by HawkingMattress · · Score: 2

    Now no more, I went to an apple shop today, there are logic audio screenshots everywhere on the flyers. Same thing at the applestore iirc. Apple must have given them serious money for exclusivity...
    Which gives me one more reason to buy a powerbook. Aaaah it hurts, I want one noooow !
    You can make a paypal donation to help me have a normal life with all those shiny smiling self confidents peoples at http://IWantAPowerbookNowButDontHaveMoney.com.
    Still 3000 euros to donate, please hurry !

    1. Re:Was wondering why they dropped the pc version by DiscoOnTheSide · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually, if I recall, Apple didn't pay them for exlusivity, they bought the company outright. I'd say thats plenty of a reason to release exlusive for a company who signs your paychecks :P

      --
      Viva La Revolucion! Buy a Mac!
    2. Re:Was wondering why they dropped the pc version by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      As above, Apple bought eMagic and killed off all of the PC products almost immediately, even though they were about 1/3 of their sales.

      http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/07/01/ 1242224&mode=thread&tid=176

  7. Soundtrack by arloguthrie · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's also interesting to note that Apple lowered the price of Soundtrack to $199 (from $299). Though Soundtrack is marketed more as an accessory to Final Cut Pro, it still features all of the Apple Loop whatsits that work in GarageBand and have been wedged into the new Logic offerings. In this iLife/Express/Pro product matrix for audio and video, I wonder where this leaves Soundtrack.

    --
    ----------
    Cheese it! It's the FEDS!
    1. Re:Soundtrack by jo_ham · · Score: 3, Informative

      It is an accessory to Final Cut Pro, yes, but Apple now includes it for free with Final Cut Pro 4, along with 9 GB of loops.

      FCP4 users don't need to buy the standalone app.

      With the LiveType install as well, a full install of everything in the FCP4 box comes to about 16GB.

      FCP4 itself, Soundtrack, Compressor, LiveType, Cinema Tools.

  8. Switching / Crossgrading by skinfitz · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

    1. Re:Switching / Crossgrading by addaon · · Score: 3, Funny

      I can promise 100% that the G5's will get a speed bump "on or after the 20th Jan"... and, while I can't rule out their getting one before then, I find that unlikely.

      --

      I've had this sig for three days.
  9. Re:Xserve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Dimensions:
    1.73 inches (4.4 cm) high by 17.6 inches (44.7 cm) wide by 28 inches (71.1 cm) deep

    Weight:
    33 pounds (15.1 kg); 37 pounds (16.6 kg) with three Apple Drive Modules

    That is pretty deep by home appliance comparison.

  10. How about spending $199 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    OSXAudio.com (check the forums) has many reports that current Plat and Gold customers will be able to upgrade for $199. And that includes EVERYTHING. Older version will have a higher upgrade price to get current. Seems like a very good deal, especially for Gold owners.

  11. I've Got My iLife Copy by Compulawyer · · Score: 5, Interesting
    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.

    --

    Laws affecting technology will always be bad until enough techies become lawyers.

  12. Re:Too many choices for me by g_lightyear · · Score: 4, Informative

    - GarageBand: Basic, entry-level music production. Supports "Apple Loops", a format of sample loop data. Ships with buttloads of plugins - more than Logic do at the moment, quite frankly - and has what appears to be an incredible sample and synthesis engine. Looks like baby versions of the ones to be included in Logic, actually. - Soundtrack: Audio editor/compositor, and loop manager. Supports loop-based audio editing, playback, and scoring. Supports video-scoring, which makes it good for doing video work with; one of the reasons it's shipped with Final Cut Pro 4. It is designed to be exactly what the name says: A supporting role for soundtrack creation, where the music, or its pieces, are already composed and prepared. While it supports composing, composing isn't its primary feature - and on the whole, GarageBand or Logic will be a better choice. If you need MIDI, GarageBand or Logic are your only choice. Logic: Entry-level pro editing... Comes with a playback-only version of the sampler (so no sample editing) and all of the other things that Logic Audio has traditionally shipped with. Unclear as to what other new functionality will be provided. GarageBand eats into this product on the low-end, with its additional plugins and support for the amp, but Logic has a lot more high-end features that you'd use if you spent a lot of time producing music, while still offering all of the basic capabilities that GarageBand does (except the plugins - but one can successfully argue that this market isn't necessarily going to mind). - Logic Pro. Everything that was in Logic Audio Platinum. Along with every plugin you used to buy separately, for another $1000. Basically, everything EMagic ever produced, in one box, with everything that apple's produced alongside them for the new series. The Rolls Royce of systems, by a very, very, very long way. Hell, that reverb alone is pretty much worth it. -

    --
    -- A mind is a terrible thing.