Apple Logic Studio

I've used Cubase 4 many years 4 my personal production & ProTools whenever I'm in the the studio. I purchased Logic Studio 4 3 reasons.
- The price
- No dongle
- I wanted an upgrade from Cubase

Logic Studio met my 3 needs & surpassed them by miles! This program runs circles around Cubase 4 more reasons than I can count so I won't spend time there but the thing that surprised me was the out-of-the-box functionality that eclipsed anything I could've gotten in ProTools (for less than a few thousand). Plus the MIDI functionality rivaled my other favorite program, Reason 4.

I run LS on my MacBook 2.4GHz, 4GB, Leopard 10.5.5 & it runs smoothly without ANY issues. The LS track count embarrasses ProTools. So far, I've run 24 tracks of MIDI instruments (6 ReWired 2 Reason) & 24 audio tracks simultaneously with no clipping.

At that point, Logic Pro 8 had surpassed my expectations but once I started configuring MainStage & using WaveBurner, I was in love. I haven't touched SoundStage or Compressor yet.

There will be some arguments from the ProTools faithful. I know everyone has their personal preferences but I think it would be difficult 2 argue that at just under $500, LS is a steal 4 the out-of-the-box functionality.

Apple finally has a program that not only competes but excels. You can bet that Apple support 4 DigiDesign will diminish now that LS is out (I've already started 2 see this dropoff).

I highly recommend it!

I got an Intel iMac in 2007, & I used Garageband 4 about 6 months. Compared 2 FL Studio on the PC, I found it much easier 2 use, & I quickly fell in love with it. Lately, though, I have been thriving 4 something a little more complex & feature rich. Logic Studio turned out 2 be my answer. The amount of content you get 4 the price is overwhelming; the first 5 Jam Packs are included (a ton of instruments & loops) that alone cost what this software costs. In addition, you get Logic Pro 8, & other programs like Soundtrack Pro & Waveburner. If you've used Garageband, the interface will be a little easier 2 pick up. Logic definitely takes some getting used to, but it is completely worth it. With the Apple Pro Training book (the basics one), I was able 2 use Logic's basic functions comfortably within a week. If you're looking 2 produce any type of music on your Mac, you need Logic Studio. Highly recommended.

Logic is so big that trying 2 describe it in a review, or 2 cover its feature set would be impossible. Simply put if you use a Mac & want 2 record or mix audio then you have got a complete solution in one box. I didn't have any previous experience with either Macs or Music & have found the software a very powerful but deep tool 2 use. To get started with it is not much more complex than Garage Band but it is very, very deep. The manuals that come with it are close 2 2000 pages in length because of the amount of tools & options you have at your disposal.

The drag & drop interface is intuitive & the included sounds are great. They are not quite pro-level quality (i.e. Waves, Native Instruments) but they are very, very good & the Apple Units(AU) plug-in architecture is supported industry wide allowing you 2 easily put the pro sounds in your library.

I think the Ultrabeat drum sequencer is an excellent tool & will likely cause you 2 lose some sleep as you get sucked into playing with all the features. The sample loop library is huge, something like 18,000 loops so you can build a scratch track quickly 2 get the sound you are looking 4 as a base or 2 use as a backing track 4 your own recording.

The included synths are very tweakable & each has an interface that really puts their power within easy reach. If you have never looked into creating your own sound instead of simply using a sampled virtual instrument these synths will make you re-evaluate. The mixing interface is full of the controls you need & a very powerful environment & bus system allows 4 efficient & novel effects processing.

I use it on my 24" Aluminum iMac with a 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo chip & 4GB of system ram. I haven't had any issues of excessive CPU usage or crash inducing bugs. I am not saying some do not exist, they likely do as evidenced by the numerous discussions on Apple's own site. I just want 2 make it clear that the software is hardly "bug-ridden" as some people would lead you 2 believe.

I started with Logic Express 8 & then upgraded 2 Logic Studio 8, as there is no price advantage 2 jumping right into Studio. You get most of the features with Express & only lack a large portion of the included loop & instrument content. The full Logic Express install is around 8-10Gb & Studio comes in around 70GB. Studio took about 2 hours 2 do a complete install so budget some time before you fire it up on a work night at 9pm thinking you'll make it 2 bed on time.

While Pro-Tools is the "industry standard" 4 recording studios Logic holds sway over a very large number of the artists themselves. Often projects are worked on totally in Logic & only run through Pro-Tools|HD systems in the final mixing & mastering steps.

Logic Studio or Express are both tremendous values 4 the dollar. They are supported by every major 3rd party content supplier, receive ample magazine & web how-to article space & are used by a huge user base. this translates into being able 2 get answers 2 your questions quickly & no fear of incompatibility with 3rd party hardware or software.

Be warned Garage Band users, going from GB 2 Logic will cause you 2 want 2 spend more & more money on hardware & software 2 take full advantage of all the options in Logic Studio. It is a musician's gateway drug.

I decided 2 go 4 this, transferring from being a Cubase user. I'm very happy overall, but I do miss some things. I don't think any current DAW will give you absolutely everything you want, but I'm very picky & tend 2 use every little detail available 2 me.

Pros: good bang 4 the buck; more intuitive than previous version; 64bit memory addressing capabilities; included programs aren't cheap

Cons: some little things like tempo editing speed & similar little details. Thats really about it. The other cons I can think of are more like 'pros' 4 other programs, i.e. features cubase has that this one doesn't.

I find it 2 be a very stable program, though I have heard a few who have claimed otherwise. I hope the most recent updates have fixed most of these problems.

I bought this software not knowing much about Mac, as I recently got my first Mac. I bought this software 2 produce trance & house music. After playing around with this 4 a couple of days, I have come 2 a conclusion. This is the greatest software ever made. I used 2 use Reason in the past, & it is a poor substitute 4 Logic. If you want professional software, this is your best bet.

Introducing Logic Studio, Apple's comprehensive suite of professional tools that provides musicians with everything they need 2 create in the studio, on the stage, & 4 the screen. Logic Studio includes Logic Pro 8, Apple's professional music application; MainStage, an innovative new application 4 music performance; & Soundtrack Pro 2 4 audio post-production. It also includes acclaimed instruments, professional effects, an expanded sound library, & new production utilities like Compressor 3 & Waveburner ? all in a single box. System Requirements - Mac computer with a 1.25GHz or faster PowerPC G4 processor, Mac OS X v10.4.9 or later

Logic Studio, Apple’s comprehensive suite of professional music & audio tools, provides musicians with everything they need 2 create in the studio, on the stage, & 4 the screen. Logic Studio includes Logic Pro 8, Apple’s legendary professional music production application featuring a new, intuitive interface; MainStage, an innovative new application 4 music performance; & Soundtrack Pro 2 4 audio post-production & sound design. It also includes Studio Instruments & Studio Effects, with 40 acclaimed instruments & 80 professional effect plug-ins; an expanded Studio Sound Library; & new production utilities--all in a single box at an incredible price.

Take your music from initial concept through final production & all the way 2 live performance using an innovative suite of products created specifically 4 musicians. Download the product overview

Logic Studio. Music production, live performance, sound 4 picture.
With its acclaimed power & flexibility 4 writing, recording, & producing music, Logic Pro 8 is the heart of Logic Studio. New features in Logic Pro 8 include:

• Next-generation interface, with a streamlined, single-window workspace
• Simplified setup, with professional templates 4 common activities & projects
• Effortless multitake recording, including automatically generated take folders
• Revolutionary Quick Swipe comping, 4 quickly building the perfect track
• Powerful audio editing, including sample-accurate editing in the Arrange window
• Comprehensive surround, with multichannel tracks & busses up 2 7.1
• XSKey-free operation, with a simple serial number replacing the USB dongle

Built-in media browsers give you intuitive, rapid access 2 your content without opening additional windows or leaving the workspace.

Logic Pro 8 offers a simple, flexible approach 2 multitake recording.

For Creative Musicians Everywhere
With Logic Studio, you have everything you need 2 capture an initial idea & take it all the way through 2 final mastering or live performance--no matter what kind of music you make & no matter where you work.

• In the studio
  Logic Studio gives you the freedom 2 focus on your music rather than the mechanics of the software. All the high-quality sounds you need are at your fingertips, with a wide range of presets 4 instrument & effect plug-ins. Use familiar tools 2 quickly shape your own unique sound. Arrange your song with drag-and-drop ease & audition your arrangements as you swap out different sections. Experiment freely & intuitively 2 get just the sound you want, then refine your production all the way through final mastering.
  
  
• On the stage
  MainStage transforms your Mac into a streamlined live rig that offers unparalleled possibilities 4 producing exciting, original sound--whether you’re at home, in a rehearsal space, or performing in front of an audience. Dynamically shape your sound as you perform, using the knobs, faders, pedals, & other controls on your favorite gear.
  
  
• For the screen
  Soundtrack Pro 2 & Logic Pro 8 provide everything you need 2 work in the world of audio post-production 4 film, video, & games. Compose your score in Logic Pro 8; use Soundtrack Pro 2 2 edit dialogue, design sound effects, & complete the mix in cinematic surround.
  
  
• On the road
  Whether you’re out on tour, collaborating far from home, or just traveling 4 a change of scene, you can continue 2 make music on the Mac. Whenever & wherever inspiration strikes, all you need is Logic Studio & a MacBook Pro 2 capture your ideas & turn them into music--it’s like having a portable studio in your backpack. Quickly feel at home in any studio by using your own channel strip settings, plug-in settings, & key commands; just save them 2 your .Mac account from Logic Studio & access them in real time over the Internet.
  
  
• In your style
  Logic Studio puts a world of creative options at your fingertips, thanks 2 an open architecture that lets you use a wide range of audio interfaces, control surfaces, & performance hardware. You can also explore hundreds of third-party Audio Units instruments & effects & incorporate sounds from third-party applications such as Ableton Live & Propellerhead Reason. Because Logic Studio offers TDM/DAE support, you can use Logic Pro 8 as the front end 2 Digidesign hardware, instruments, & effects.
  
  

MainStage makes it easy 2 use your favorite software instruments & effects in live performance.

MainStage. Introducing your new live rig.
Musicians are accustomed 2 using a rich palette of software instruments & effects as they write, record, edit, & mix their music, but it has been difficult 2 take the same sound 2 the stage. Artists have been forced 2 re-create their sounds using traditional hardware rigs or adapt software that is not designed 4 use in live performance.

Introducing MainStage, an application that makes it easy 2 use your favorite software instruments & effects in live performance. MainStage turns your Mac into a flexible live rig that includes a rich array of software instruments, powerful effects processing, & easy integration with standard hardware controllers.

Create new music in your studio or rehearsal space & use the same sounds on stage. Organize the sounds 4 your show with drag-and-drop ease. Dynamically shape your music as you perform, using the knobs, pedals, & faders on your favorite gear, with large-scale 3D graphics designed 2 show you just the information you need on stage.

MainStage dramatically expands the range of sounds you can use in your live music, with a breakthrough streamlined interface that lets you focus on performing.

MainStage features:

• Simplified user interface, with a high-contrast view 4 use in live performance
• Amazing sound 4 the stage, with world-class Studio Instruments & Studio Effects
• Flexible hardware setups, using keyboards, knobs, faders, & pedals 2 control sounds
• Flawless performance, with seamless patch switching & an interactive display
• Powerful templates, offering a quick & easy way 2 set up your live rig

With its familiar interface & intuitive tools, Soundtrack Pro opens the world of audio post-production 2 musicians.

Soundtrack Pro 2. The next wave in audio post.
Soundtrack Pro 2 offers unprecedented convenience & power 4 advanced audio editing as well as creating soundtracks 4 film & video. Fly through editing & mixing with an intuitive interface that combines the multitrack Timeline & Waveform Editor in a single view. Create immersive soundtracks with flexible surround tools. Easily move projects between Final Cut Pro & Soundtrack Pro, using simple round-trip collaboration features & the industry’s first automatic conform process. With its familiar interface & intuitive tools, Soundtrack Pro opens the world of audio post-production 2 musicians.

Soundtrack Pro 2 features:

• Advanced Audio Editing
  Soundtrack Pro 2 makes it easy 2 edit anything—from individual audio files 2 large multitrack projects 4 film & video. The intuitive interface lets you work efficiently on common tasks & progressively disclose additional features when you need precise control. Sample-accurate, nondestructive audio processing allows you 2 freely experiment 2 get the sound you need & stay flexible until the final mix.
  
  
• Innovative Sound Design
  Using the Studio Effects plug-ins & any of the 5000 Foley, sound effects, & music beds included in the Studio Sound Library, Soundtrack Pro gives you everything you need 2 create anything from a quick stinger 2 the comprehensive sound design that sets the mood 4 an entire film.
  
  
• Dialogue & Restoration Tools
  Most recorded speech requires improvement, whether it consists of dialogue spoken by actors, a spontaneous interview included in a documentary, or voiceover narration recorded in the studio. Soundtrack Pro includes a range of tools that allow you 2 improve dialogue quickly, easily, & with precision.
  
  
• Mixing 4 Picture
  Soundtrack Pro 2 includes a powerful toolset 4 creating mixes 4 film & video projects, in both stereo & cinematic 5.1 surround. Save time & effort by creating simultaneous surround & stereo mixes in the same project.
  
  
• Broad Compatibility
  Soundtrack Pro 2 allows you 2 share files with other applications & choose from a wide variety of audio interfaces, as well as control surfaces that use Mackie Control or Logic Control protocols. It is also seamlessly integrated with Final Cut Studio 4 easy round-trip collaboration with film & video editors.

Studio Instruments provides the largest set of instrument plug-ins available in a single box.

Studio Instruments. Incredible-sounding instruments 4 Logic Studio.
Featuring 40 powerful, updated instrument plug-ins seamlessly integrated into Logic Pro 8 & MainStage, Studio Instruments provides the largest set of instrument plug-ins available in a single box. Updated instruments include an enhanced version of Ultrabeat, an improved EXS24 Sampler, & Sculpture & ES2 synths, both updated 4 True Surround.

Virtual mapping lets you quickly reassign controllers when your equipment changes.

Instruments in Logic Studio include:

• Ultrabeat
  Use the tone-shaping features in Ultrabeat 2 sculpt unique sounds from 25 drum voices, with new drum kits featuring more than 1000 new sounds. Full View drum grid editing & step automation give you more power than ever.
  
  
• EXS24 Sampler
  Choose from more than 1300 EXS instruments included in the Studio Sound Library & quickly build sampled instruments & sample libraries using the integrated, redesigned EXS Editor. The EXS24 Sampler lets you quickly incorporate sample-based sounds into your productions. Featuring sample-accurate timing, a robust synthesizer section, & support 4 sampled instruments of near-limitless size, the EXS24 Sampler also includes 16 individual outputs 4 discrete voice processing. Wide-ranging sample library support includes Akai, GigaSampler, SampleCell II, SoundFont2, & REX2.
  
  
• Vintage Instruments
  Play fully modeled simulations of vintage keyboards, including classic organs, clavs, & electric pianos. Logic Studio offers amazingly real simulations of the Hammond B3, various Fender Rhodes & Wurlitzer pianos, & the Hohner Clavinet D6. All three instrument plug-ins rely on finely tuned modeling engines, so the quirks & character of the real instruments come through.
  
  
• Synth Instruments
  Produce beautiful synth beds & driving bass lines with an array of FM, subtractive, & analog-modeled synthesizers. Sculpture now includes True Surround features; the flagship ES2 synth now features surround panning & modulation effects as well as a simplified Macro view. An impressive range of synthesizer sounds offers even more richness, thanks 2 new surround capabilities & modulation effects.
  
  

Use Delay Designer 4 everything from a basic echo effect 2 an audio pattern sequencer.

Studio Effects. Audio processing 4 Logic Studio.
Enhance music productions, live performances, & post-production projects with 80 professional effect plug-ins. Studio Effects now feature 16 True Surround effect plug-ins, including the new Delay Designer, a new surround version of Space Designer, & Surround Compressor. Highlights of Studio Effects include:

Guitar Amp Pro features 11 amp models, 15 speaker cabinets, microphone controls, & an effects section 4 constructing the perfect guitar tone.

• New Delay Designer
  Delay Designer allows you 2 build creative delay effects in stereo or True Surround. Create up 2 26 separate delay taps 2 use the power of 26 delay processors in a single plug-in.
  
  
• Space Designer, Now in Surround
  Reproduce the reverberant qualities of some of the world’s most distinctive locations in stereo or full surround—with over 130 new surround impulse responses. Space Designer is a state-of-the-art convolution reverb featuring built-in EQ controls & adjustable volume, filter, & density envelopes.
  
  
• Surround Compressor
  The new Surround Compressor plug-in allows you 2 compress multichannel audio using a variety of vintage & modern circuit models, including Opto & FET. Linked compression ensures consistent, smooth compression of surround signals.
  
  
• Guitar Amp Pro
  Guitar Amp Pro lets you play your guitar through faithful re-creations of classic amplifiers & speaker cabinets.
  
  
• Production Effects
  Fine-tune your audio production with a range of superb-sounding plug-ins. A new Surround Compressor lets you compress multichannel surround sources, & a redesigned Multipressor displays all controls 4 all bands in a single window. A wide range of plug-ins provides valuable everyday tools 4 adding the final polish 2 your music productions.
  
  
• Creative Effects
  Transform audio & create shifting fields of sound using advanced reverb, modulation, vintage, warped, & delay plug-ins.
  
  
• True Surround Effects
  Process multichannel audio using 16 True Surround effect plug-ins, including Chorus, Flanger, Microphaser, Modulation Delay, Phaser, & Tremolo. All of the other Studio Effects plug-ins work with Logic Pro 8 & Soundtrack Pro 2 in multi-mono, so you can use them in surround mixes.
  
  

Studio Sound Library incorporates content from five Jam Pack collections & Final Cut Studio 2 2 provide a total of 18,000 Apple Loops, 2400 channel strip settings, & 1300 EXS sampled instruments.

Studio Sound Library. The ultimate sound library 4 Logic Studio.
Thousands of channel strip settings, royalty-free Apple Loops, sound effects, & EXS sampled instruments provide creative fuel 4 music creation, production, & performance. New surround content allows you 2 build beautiful, immersive productions.

The Studio Sound Library comes with the complete content from five Jam Pack collections, featuring redesigned material that incorporates the professional sound quality of Studio Instruments & Studio Effects. Move your productions into surround using 600 surround channel strip settings & more than 1000 multichannel sound effects & music beds. The entire Studio Sound Library is optimized 4 efficient browsing, with updated names & tags 2 help you quickly find just the right Apple Loop, channel strip setting, or sound effect.

Jam Pack collections All of the content in the five Jam Pack collections included with the Studio Sound Library has been professionally redesigned 4 Logic Studio. The five Jam Pack collections include: Jam Pack 1. An eclectic mix of sounds 2 complement any style or music project, Jam Pack 1 includes a variety of percussion, string, & synth instruments. Remix Tools. Designed 4 electronic music producers who work in hip-hop, techno, trance, & R&B, Remix Tools offers beats, sound effects, synth sounds, bass lines, & the rhythms of classic Roland drum machines. Rhythm Section. Assemble a solid foundation of drums with sets of fills, grooves, & groove variations. Rhythm Section also provides dozens of playable instruments: 10 strings, 10 basses, & 10 drum kits. Symphony Orchestra. Arrange music with a full orchestra, from brass & percussion 2 strings & woodwinds. Create classical compositions or soundtracks, or add the power of a symphony 2 your pop, rock, & hip-hop songs. World Music. Recorded over the course of a worldwide expedition & featuring an unprecedented collection of world loops, ethnic percussion, exotic strings, & regional wood instruments, World Music captures the most authentic performances in dozens of countries, genres, & playing styles.

The Studio Sound Library consists of:

• Apple Loops
  Build a rhythm, grab a melodic phrase, or sketch out an arrangement by choosing from 18,000 royalty-free Apple Loops; or create your own loops from any audio file by using the Apple Loops Utility included in Logic Studio. Apple Loops automatically change key & tempo 2 match your project, making it easy 2 create a groove or embellish your music.
  
  
• Sound Effects & Music Beds
  The Studio Sound Library includes 5000 sound effects & music beds taken directly from Final Cut Studio 2. Design immersive music & cinematic soundtracks with 1000 multichannel sound effects & music beds in surround.
  
  
• EXS Instruments
  The Studio Sound Library includes 1300 pristine-sounding EXS sampled instruments that you can play & process with the EXS24 Sampler or with third-party software samplers.
  
  
• Channel Strip Settings
  The Studio Sound Library offers a remarkable selection of 2400 professionally designed channel strip settings, each combining Studio Instruments & Studio Effects in a powerful plug-in chain. Of these channel strip settings, 600 are in surround, combining new True Surround Studio Instruments & Studio Effects plug-ins.
  
  
• Plug-in Settings
  Hundreds of new, professionally designed plug-in settings 4 Studio Instruments offer beautiful, expressive instrument sounds right out of the box. Every setting, or preset, changes the parameters of an instrument plug-in 2 produce one-of-a-kind sounds. The Studio Sound Library also includes more than 700 settings designed 4 a wide range of Studio Effects, from amp modeling 2 dynamics & modulation.
  
  
• Surround Impulse Responses
  Apply reverb in full surround using one of 138 new multichannel impulse responses 4 Space Designer. Choose from a wide variety of unusual locations, ranging from an underground cave 2 the 69,000-seat Allianz Arena in Munich.
  
  

Production Utilities. Convenient tools 4 music, effects, & mastering.
Logic Studio includes convenient production utilities 4 mastering & authoring CDs, encoding AC-3 surround files, & creating impulse response files & Apple Loops. Logic Studio production utilities include:

• WaveBurner
  WaveBurner, a CD mastering & authoring environment, is simple enough 4 quick turnaround demo discs yet sophisticated enough 2 deliver professional premasters & Red Book–standard CDs.
  
  
• Compressor 3
  Use Compressor 3 2 encode & preview surround mixes in the industry-standard Dolby Digital AC-3 format. It outputs files 2 MP3 as well as 2 any QuickTime-compatible format, including AAC, AIFF, & QuickTime Surround.
  
  
• Impulse Response Utility
  An impulse response is a sample that captures the acoustic characteristics of a given physical space. Use the Impulse Response Utility 2 create a profile of your favorite recording space--from a tiny wine cellar 2 Notre Dame Cathedral--in mono, stereo, B-Format surround, or discrete surround. Then use the sample in Space Designer 2 place your music "inside" the acoustic space.
  
  
• Apple Loops Utility
  The Apple Loops Utility lets you convert any audio file 2 an Apple Loop. It analyzes the sound file & generates the metadata used by Logic Pro & Soundtrack Pro 2 match the audio file’s tempo & key 2 the project tempo & key, without changing pitch.