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.

Some Love (Mostly) for GarageBand

Uncategorized

Link at RollingStone.com: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/apple-garageband-modern-music-784257/

“Musicians’ applause for Apple’s Garageband — which celebrates its 15th birthday this year, humbly, still living in the media shadow of many of the tech giant’s more glittering products — is similar across genres and skill levels. Artists from Radiohead to Kendrick Lamar have used the app to demo, produce and sometimes even finalize master recordings. “It allows you to not be constrained by what you can or can’t play,” Dan Smith, frontman of British band Bastille, tells Rolling Stone. “I can quickly get something out of my head. Or I can write a song from start to finish in a couple of hours.” “

iLok it or Not

Effects, Plug-ins, ,

First of all, copy protection. Manufacturers of music software seem to claim that a) music software is pirated more than “regular” software and/or 2) they are small developers and can’t afford to be pirated like Adobe, Microsoft, and Apple can. To their first point, I have never seen proof of the first claim, and I’ve asked for it. I’m guessing it’s just anecdotal, which really isn’t a kind of evidence, Mr. Hutz. To their second point, there are tons of small developers out there and they don’t use much, if any copy protection and nothing like music software companies insist on using.

I have heard one developer use what was almost a sensible argument, that if you could show him that he wouldn’t get pirated out of business if he didn’t use copy protection, he would do it. That almost makes sense, but it might be trying to prove a negative, or maybe prove a double negative!

But, as long as the developers insist on using it, we’re stuck with copy protection.

One common form of copy protection is the iLok USB key. Lots of people are not fans of the hardware iLok and I completely understand why. I am fortunate in that I’ve not had issues with mine. Personally, I do like its advantages. I don’t have to install licensing software on multiple computers and I can have my licenses with me when I work somewhere else. I can download the plug-in on whatever computer I’m using and it will work with my license, I just plug in the iLok USB key. The other thing I like is one method of copy protection for multiple manufacturers and products.

In fact, I would rather everyone just use iLok. Some companies have moved away from it lately, and I find that annoying. It seems like each one has their own copy protection scheme that I have to go through installing and configuring. Any time I get a new plug-in from that developer, I have to remember how to authorize it. I have not only their plug-ins but also their copy protection junk on my computer, and those things just add to the clutter. I think it would be simpler to just use iLok for everyone and be done with it.

Of course, the simplest solution would be little or no copy protection just like everyone else does. I don’t know if we’ll ever get there with music software developers.

Plugging It In

Effects, Plug-ins, ,

Do you need to buy third-party plug-ins when you have Logic Pro X?

Short answer: Probably not.

Longer answer: Logic Pro X comes with tons of plug-ins, both instruments and effects. Lots of instruments are well-covered in Logic, but some haven’t been updated for a number of years and some types just haven’t been covered. So there are lots of good reasons to buy third-party instrument plug-ins. But as far as effect plug-ins, I think for many people Logic has what you need. Sure there are some types of plug-ins that Logic does not include (tape emulators and analog-style VU meters are two off the top of my head) so if you need or want those, third-party is the only way to go. On the other hand, Logic comes with a bunch of compressors, reverbs, EQs, and more that should be enough for almost anyone to get started.

That’s not to say there aren’t some great third-party plug-ins out there. I fully support them. If you feel they work better for your workflow, if you think they sound better or right for what you’re trying to do, or they came with your interface, have at it. There’s no reason you shouldn’t use them. My point here is that I see a lot of people ask if they should get a plug-in from Chalk Digital or Trough Audio because they heard it was great. They may be, but you should ask yourself if you’re at a point where you can even tell the difference between their plug-in and the one in Logic. What’s cool is that you can often download the trial and listen for yourself. If you can hear the difference, if the third-party one works more intuitively for you, or if for some other reason you like it better, go for it. But there’s no reason to buy it sight unseen because someone told you to and you don’t really know if there’s an audible difference for you. If there’s a free trial, try it first.

There is one more thing. Lots of plug-in manufacturers often have sales. You should keep an eye out for those before you pay full price. Some companies will eventually put each plug-in on sale at one time or another. I’m sure you can wait for the better deal.