Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for responding. I've got a few additional comments/questions below...
 
> > from a midi track to a soft synth track because DP will 
> only allow you 
> > to copy events among identical track types.
> 
> 
> This is not true- I do this all the time. It's extremely easy 
> as a matter of fact, as easy as Logic (which I also use and love)

All I can say is that it would not let me do it. I kept getting an error
message telling me that you can only copy data between like tracks. Don't
know why you can and I couldn't, but I have no reason to lie about it. It
simply would not let me. If you know a secret, let me in on it.


> > So I was going to have to replay and re-edit the entire track?
> > I don't think so... ;) Oh yea, and the tracks view is *tiny* and I 
> > could
> > find no way to zoom the size of the a track vertically.
> 
> This is also easy- did you read the manual?

Yes, certainly, and I spent a lot of time just looking at the screen and
dragging, etc. trying to find a way to do. I just pulled out the manual
again. I can only see a way to zoom horizontally. Not vertically. I spent a
lot of time looking because I just felt like I couldn't see anything with
the default setting. How do you zoom vertically in the Tracks window?


> > Ctrl+Option while dragging. You have to open a dialog in DP and set 
> > the note
> > length and then click OK.
> 
> There is an equivalent key command as well in DP.

My recollection is that the key command simply pops up a window and that you
then have to set the length and finally click OK. In fact, I think you even
have to check an appropriate check box to act on lengths too. That's hardly
what I consider equivalent. At least not from the point of view of getting
it done quickly. If I'm wrong, please correct me and let me know what the
key command is and the full procedure for changing lengths.


> > Selecting midi notes is different too. In Logic,
> > if a rubberband selection touches a note it will be selected,
> 
> I found this method to be a pain too- notes that I don't want 
> to select 
> get selected- took me a while to get used to this...

I'm sure this is one of those areas where each individual will probably have
their own preference.


> I happen to think drawing automation is much more superior in DP, but 
> that's me personally. The ability to make smooth, scalable  Bezier 
> curves is incredible.

I guess this is another personal preference thing. Although I certainly draw
curved automation from time to time, most of my automation is straight lines
and the ability to simply click on and drag an automation line and have both
end points move is just such an amazing time saver. In every other DAW, you
must first select the end points and then you can drag, but even then, I
think, you must drag one of the points not the line. In Logic, I don't even
need to see those end points. Modifying an existing curve in Logic is
similarly easy - at least for me. That's where Logic stands out for me. It
saves me buckets of time. :)


> reverted back to 
> > the
> > default size.
> 
> You can use the Mac OS stationary feature or make a template to get 
> around this.

Stationary??? Please tell me more! I don't even know what that is.


> i find NOT having regions to be a plus, I like using regions in Logic 
> when I'm doing dance oriented stuff, but for genres that are 
> looser, DP 
> has this more open and free way of composing.

I'm totally lost without Regions. And in Logic, you can even add automation
to the region. That is just so amazingly powerful. Another thing is that
when you edit a region, "Select All" is smart enough to know that what you
are selecting all of is what is in the current region. It also remembers
what's been selected even if you edit another region and go back to a
previously edited region. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in DP, select all
will select every note in the track without exception. Right?


> I find both manuals are comprehensive enough for me, I wish DP had it 
> in 'pdf' format too.

Although Logic's manual is comprehensive, it lacks sufficient examples and
pictures. Logic's index is literally one of the worst I've ever encountered.
(If you'll take a look at my website, you'll see that I know at least a
little about indexes <grin>). DP's on the other hand is pretty good. I
haven't used it enough to actually grade it, but it is without a doubt
better than Logic's which I give an absolutely failing grade to. Apple
certainly did not hire a professional indexer to write the index to Logic's
manual.

Another area where DP is clearly superior to Logic is in setting up external
sound modules or synths. It is almost automatic with DP and with Logic, it
is so difficult and time intensive that I STILL don't have my entire system
setup in Logic. It was setup in DP quickly and easily. DP uses Apples own
specification "Core MIDI" to get the job done. Why the heck doesn't Apple's
own product use their own specifications? This is the one REALLY HUGE thorn
in my ass about Logic. Other than that, the other problems are just little
annoyances. Sorry to be so bitchy about it, but it really does irritate me.
<grin>

Anyway, I do think that DP is a polished product, it simply does not have a
workflow that stresses efficiency the way that Logic's does. At least not
for me. I find Cubase and Sonar both to be more productive in that respect.

Kamm