Entries Tagged 'Apple' ↓

Well after much speculation, we are now able to see all that Logic Pro 8 has to offer. And perhaps the most surprising part of the announcement is the price: $499 for the full suite, and $199 for the upgrade. I thought it had to be wrong, but it seems Apple has actually cut the price in half and added some very helpful new features.

The consolodated window is a very welcome feature (thanks to the folks at MOTU for coming up with this — Digital Performer is way ahead of Logic here). Basically, this means you can access the mixer, arrange, transport, piano roll editor or whatever else you want to see in one window. There have been many times that I hit F9 (Exposé) only to find I have over a dozen windows open — and I’m not using 10 of them! The whole look seems a lot more “Apple,” meaning simpler.

The new multitake and comping tools also look amazing. I won’t try to describe them here. Check out the Logic Studio pages for more details.

The inclusion of Soundtrack Pro was not that surprising to me. I think this really allowed Apple to focus on Logic as a music production application and leave out features (and complexity) that would have duplicated Soundtrack Pro’s functionality.

The surprise for me, is a new application in the bundle called MainStage. This application basically allows you to use your favourite soft synths in a live performance setting without having to have Logic open. The look and feel of this app is also very simple — a welcome feature for live use.

The latest release of Logic is in no way a “Pro Tools killer,” but rather a very professional music production suite that allow both musicians and engineers a swiss army knife of tools to create — and perform — with ease and flexibility. I’ll be picking up my copy shortly. -mc

I really don’t want to be Mac centric here at diyrecording.com, but I found a great resource for anyone considering buying a new Mac that I just had to share. Check out the Mac Buyer’s Guide at MacRumors.com. Because Apple is so secretive about new products, it’s hard to know when to expect an upgrade.

The fine folks at MacRumors.com have been tracking all of Apple’s releases for years now. You can come to your own conclusions on the right time to buy based on the time between releases. There are lots of “rumour” sites claiming to have news about upcoming Macs, but the Mac Buyers Guide here isn’t just speculation. After all, it really sucks to have spent $3,000 on a new setup only to have Apple announce a replacement the next week that’s got a faster processor, more RAM and a larger harddrive — and maybe even a cool new look — all for the same price. -mc

This is the post where I rant about not seeing a major update to Logic in about three years. And this is the post where I dream about some welcome improvements we should see in the next release. Even though the next major update may not be called Logic.

Improved Compressor

I have to admit, I actually like Logic’s built-in comp. It’s far from transparent and I find it reminiscent of classic dbx compressors. However, that’s the only sound it does well. The new revamped compressor should have a selection of “circuit types” to chose from. Whether they’re just approximations or modeled after specific hardware doesn’t really matter, as long as more options are given.

The new face of the Multipressor

The Multipressor is a plugin I love… when it’s not messing up the phase of the audio! Hopefully, the Multipressor will receive more than a cosmetic makeover. With this revision maybe it could be a contender to compete with Waves C4, Wave Arts MultiDynamics or TC Electronics Master X3. All I can say is I can’t wait to get it!

SpaceDesigner

Logic’s convolution reverb processor isn’t getting the cosmetic makeover that some other plugins are getting. It’s getting more under the hood.

Those familiar with Space Designer will be happy to see these improvements. Perhaps my favourite update is the inclusion of an EQ with the reverb. A new button is now at the top right of the display beside the “reverse” button that gives access to visual 4-band EQ. In addition, a 5.1 surround sound version will also be available.

These new Logic plugins will look very familiar to users of Apple’s Final Cut Studio as they’ve already been updated for Soundtrack Pro 2 in April of 2007. So now that the folks working in audio post have had a few months to enjoy the improved functionality of these plugins, isn’t it time to release them to the music producers? -mc

Apple’s iLife suite was updated today, and that means a new version of GarageBand is now available. The three new features that seem the most exciting (and help bring GarageBand up a notch) are visual EQ (finally), a multi-take feature and the new arrangement feature.

Visual EQ

The first time I saw GarageBand I was surprised the EQ didn’t give the visual feedback I’ve become accustomed to in DAW setting. Getting a visual representation of EQ curves can be a great way to learn about sound. Anyway, it’s finally here.

Multi-take feature

This is great. And if it’s implemented like it looks to be, it’s going to be stellar. Just keep recording take after take of a part, and audition each one after to find the best. Of course you could do many takes before, but there was no neat and tidy may to keep track of everything.

Arrangements

This was one of the things that Steinberg has done with Cubase (and now Sequel) for a some time now. In short, this feature allows you to label different parts of your song (verse, chorus, etc.) and then chose the order in which it plays the sequence. With this feature it is easy to answer the question, “what would it sound like if we did another bridge before the guitar solo and then did the chorus twice at the end of the song?” No need to rerecord, just get GarageBand to take what you’ve done and move it around. Maybe if it sounds good you’ll want to record it over again. If not, go back to the original. Steinberg users: I’m sorry if all that seemed like dreadfully old news.

So now that GarageBand has been upgraded twice since the last version of Logic was released. When are we going to see Logic 8?

Today Apple announced the first upgrade to its iMac line of computers in almost a year. The new iMac also sports a new look, faster processors and new pricing.

• 20-inch, 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 250GB hard drive, $1,199
• 20-inch, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 320GB hard drive, $1,499
• 24-inch, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 320GB hard drive, $1,799
• 24-inch, 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme, 2 GB memory, 500GB hard drive $2,299

Prices in US Dollars. All models ship with 1 GB memory (unless noted) and 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW).

For musicians looking for the best iMac for music production, I recommend the most expensive one you can afford. I bough my G5 in 2003 (for $2,799CAD) and it’s still going strong. In comparison, these new iMacs all kick my Mac’s butt, and they all cost less than my G5 tower did 4 years ago.

Gone are the days when the only viable option for music production was a big, heavy tower and display. I believe an iMac will be my next machine.

But there’s one last thing to say about buying a new Mac today: if you’re a Logic user (or you’re thinking about getting into Logic) wait for Logic 8 before heading to your local Apple Store. See what the requirements are. It has to come soon. It’s been almost 3 years since a major update. Come on Apple.