Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

On 13/09/2009, at 1:13 PM, Andy Brook wrote:

>
> On 13 Sep 2009, at 01:41, Stephen Currington wrote:
>
> >
> > Check out MacProAudio's Logic V9's flexitime tutorial..
> > SteveH shows how to get audio tracks all in sync using Flexitime and
> > the "beat mapping" features.
> >
> I have spent a fortune on subscribing to magazines and online
> resources and its money well spent now that I seem to be on the way up
> the learning curve and I can't tell you how many times I have said
> "oh, is *that* how you do it?" but having gone through the basics on
> MacProAudio I moved sideways to SoundOnSound (which is also excellent)
> and must have missed this one

Yeah.. worth checking out if you have V9.. also they have updated a  
few of the there tuts to include some of the v9 features and  
improvements

>
> >
> > NB you will need Logic v9 of v course to do this.
> >
> > Steve
> >
>
> Which is, of course, only a question of when. I started off with Logic
> Express 7, which I found really difficult, switched to Pro because it
> had more of the things I thought I wanted, and then about a month
> later Logic Pro 8 came out so I immediately upgraded, and that is
> where I have done all my learning. I thought that I'd wait a while
> until I know more about using what I already have, before rushing out
> to get the latest version when I might then get distracted. However,
> not having seen it, that's only a guess.
>
> How do people rate the new release?
>


OK..   this is not a full explanation but...

The overall Logic v9 is not a major jump from v8..   Probably more  
like an 8.5 IMHO  as it looks and feels almost identical.  Many  
changes are under the hood.  i.e. fixes, fine tuning, rearranging a  
few menus etc into  more logical (no pun intended) order etc.   All  
the existing plugins (ala EXS24, Sculpture etc) remain pretty well the  
same wih only very minor cosmetic changes.

They say they have brought it more inline with the 64bit world,  
multiprocessor world  and operations but generally all seems to work  
much the same as before.  But they suggest they have cleaned up the  
code etc so I guess we have to trust them on that score as we don't  
get to see that.

On the  addition side.

Flexi it a great new tool to Logic (although  some other DAWs have had  
similar tools for a while).   Logics version is very good. fabulous  
ability to adjust and tune etc audio files and make changes to them  
non destructively.. Stretch them shrink them fix internal timing issue  
(ala uneven beats etc and make them even, sync multiple audio tracks  
to each other so that they al follow the same beat (great for getting  
bands etc in sync that don't quite play in sync - yet allow some  
humanization  to be applied so it doesn't end up sounding mechanical)
Umm. creating midi style instruments from audio files.. ala great for  
getting say a drum audio and making it into a EXS24 file etc.

There is also new features like a pedal box tool that allows you to  
add digital virtual pedals to tracks (or groups of tracks etc) and use  
the pedals to control effects (alal wahwah, chorus, grunge, etc etc)

Also a new Guitar Amp option that allows you to apply different styles  
of Amp devices to tracks and also Speaker cabinets (all virtual of  
course) . Also teh ability to decide on (virtual) mic placement and  
style on these cabinets

They have added an additional Jam Pack for Vocals etc. Always worth  
having.

They have also updated and improved the additional products like  
Mainstage etc. so if you use them again another plus.

Few other minor (but useful) things like adding notes (text)  to  
tracks, AUX etc strips.

If you wanna a quick first look check out the free Logic V9 first  
looks  tutorial on MacProVideo..  It is a free online tut that very  
quickly and briefly shows you some of te features (but not in great  
depth)

My opinion is that the Flexi tool is worth the upgrade - something  
Logic should probably have had for a while but with the faster  
processors etc now is probably more practical..   The guitar amp and  
pedals etc have been available via other sources for a while such as  
Native Instruments Guitar Rig  (which some think may do a better  
Job..  Dunno so I don't use it and can't comment).

I bought it
1/ To make sure I didn't get to far behind
2/ For the expected internal "under the hood improvements"  that may  
not be seen but hopefully will be appreciated over time
3/ For the Flexi  tool which I think is the biggy plus for v9.

Could I have lived without the upgrade .. probably .. Would I go back  
to v8 now..  No way.

Anyway.. Others will have comments I am sure.

Steve