Category Archives: Updates

Logic Pro 11

Updates

Nope, I’m not going to make that joke.

It’s been nearly a year since the announcement of Logic Pro 11 and frankly, I missed it, or at least posting about it here. In fact, there have been four releases since 11, 11.0.1, 11.1, 11.1.1, and 11.1.2. Looking at the release notes, I have to say Apple is a little inconsistent with the numbering. Version 11 was huge, 11.0.1 was mostly fixes and improvements, 11.1 had new features and enhancements as well as fixes, 11.1.1 did add a feature as well as fixes, and 11.1.2 had a fix. I guess they decided that the one feature added in 11.1.1 didn’t justify it being 11.2.

It is great to see the continued development of Logic Pro for the Mac (as well as its compatriots MainStage and GarageBand). Despite some fears due to the subscription version of Logic Pro for iPad, Logic Pro for Mac has not moved to subscription. Personally, I don’t think it will, and I definitely hope it doesn’t.

I also didn’t post about Logic Pro for iPad, which I think is great, but since I have never used it, I don’t have anything to say. I think they could have a cool product if they shipped MainStage for iPad. I’m a bit surprised it hasn’t happened yet.

The biggest update to Logic since the launch of Logic Pro X – and it’s a free update!

Features, Updates

According to Apple, Logic Pro 10.5 is the biggest update since Logic Pro X shipped in July 2013. (That’s seven years of free updates!) From the press release,

Apple today unveiled a major update to Logic Pro X with a professional version of Live Loops, a completely redesigned sampling workflow, and new beat-making tools. With its collection of powerful creative features, Logic Pro X 10.5 will be a massive release for all musicians, including those producing electronic music.

This support page (What’s New) describes the new features and links to more detailed pages about each, while this support page (Release Notes) details changes in New Features, More Content, Other New Features/Enhancements, Stability/Reliability, Performance, Accessibility, Mixer, Flex Time and Flex Pitch, Smart Tempo, Alchemy, plug-ins, Drummer, Automation, Apple Loops, Key Commands, ARA, Score, Undo, Takes/Comping, Dynamic Plug-in Loading, Export/Bounce, Import, Smart Controls, Fades, Articulations, Control Surfaces/MIDI Controllers, Global Tracks, Track Alternatives, Track Stacks, Editing, and General. I had no idea that list was that long when I started it.

I hope to get to know the new major features soon and post about them, most notably the new samplers and the Live Loops. If so, you’ll see those articles here on this site.

The new manuals for Logic Pro X should be available as an update from the Apple Book Store, if not now then soon as reports are that some have downloaded them already.

Logic Pro X 10.4.5 Update

Updates

This week, Apple released the Logic Pro X update that was shown at WWDC 2019. This version takes advantage of the upcoming Mac Pro with support of up to 56 processing threads, 1,000 audio tracks and 1,000 software instrument tracks.

“Additionally, Logic Pro X now supports 1,000 auxiliary channel strips, 1,000 external MIDI tracks and 12 sends per channel strip. Users can also expect improved responsiveness of the Mixer and Event List when working with large sessions, and projects with numerous Flex Time edits and tempo changes perform more efficiently than ever.”

I can’t imagine ever needing anything close to this amount of power, but it’s nice to have some extra headroom, eh? More information here, full release notes here, and of course get the update at the App Store.

Logic Pro 10.4 is released

Updates

It’s not a huge list of new features, but they look pretty killer.

New in Logic Pro X 10.4

New Features and Enhancements

Smart Tempo

  • Advanced tempo detection lets you automatically combine content together, regardless of their original tempo.
  • Record audio without using a click or drag in an audio file and have the performance define your project tempo.
  • Add any audio file and have it automatically conform to the project tempo.

Plug-ins

  • ChromaVerb is a sophisticated new algorithmic reverb with a colorful, interactive interface for creating rich acoustic spaces.
  • Space Designer has a new design and a scalable, Retina interface.
  • Step FX adds rhythmic multi-effect processing using 3 powerful step sequencers and an X/Y pad.
  • Phat FX makes your tracks bigger and bolder using 9 effects that add warmth and punch to your sounds.
  • The Vintage EQ Collection provides 3 accurate models of vintage analog EQs from the 1950s to the 1970s.
  • Studio Strings and Studio Horns are deeply sampled, realistic ensemble instruments with custom articulation controls.
  • Mellotron is now available as a standalone instrument plug-in.
  • Retro Synth now offers 18 different filter models.

Content

  • 2 new Drummers play roots and jazz-influenced brush styles.
  • 2 vintage brush kits for Drum Kit Designer .
  • More than 800 new loops in a variety of instruments and genres.
  • New Visions library for Alchemy adds 150 cinematic presets.

Other Enhancements

  • You can now undo mixer and plug-in actions.
  • The Files Browser now allows you to bookmark locations for your favorite folders containing samples or projects.
  • In addition to Apple Loops, the Loop Browser now supports looping audio file and can preview them in sync with project tempo.
  • A new universal design for controlling articulations provides a consistent interface for Logic and third-party instruments.
  • Plug-ins: The Direction Mixer plug-in has an updated interface, and offers new functionality.
  • The Audio Track Editor can now be opened as a stand-alone window.
  • Logic now supports the Audio Random Access (ARA) standard.
  • Plug-ins: The Category and Manufacturer sections at the left side of the Plug-in Manager window now scroll independently of one another.
  • Region quantization can now be set from a submenu in the contextual menu opened by right-clicking on a region.
  • There is now a preference to toggle user interface animations on or off.
  • There four new options for the behavior of Replace mode when recording MIDI: Region Erase, Region Punch, Content Erase, Content Punch.
  • Smart Controls and Instrument plug-ins now offer a key switch view for Articulation IDs.
  • Transformer, Transform Window, Environment Faders and Step Editor can now edit MIDI fader events.
  • Logic now supports bouncing files as 32-bit float.
  • Click-holding the Replace button in the Control Bar now brings up new options to set the behavior of replace – Content Erase, Content Punch, Region Erase and Region Punch.
  • There is now an option to have Logic automatically set a new color for each newly created audio, software instrument, or external MIDI track.
  • There is now an option to switch the first automation lane in a track to show the last clicked control.
  • There are now Key Commands for Undo and Redo in plug-in windows.
  • The File Browser and Loop Browser now show a waveform overview and playhead when previewing files and loops.
  • Plug-ins: Plug-in windows offer a new Multilink mode that updates open plug-in windows per insert slot as channel strips are selected.
  • Articulation symbols automatically added to the score based on their note articulation setting are colored blue in the Score.