Logic Studio and Express 8

Apple on Wednesday introduced a long-awaited upgrade to its Logic audio production suites. Logic Studio replaces Logic Pro 7 as the company's professional editor and is the first to include MainStage, a live performance tool for both rehearsals and stage sessions; on-screen controls link directly to faders, knobs, and other hardware controls on mixing equipment. The app provides an easier-to-read display for the dim light of a concert environment and a set of pro templates that encourage experimentation with new sounds. Studio also revolves around Logic Pro 8, a new version of Apple's primary music editor that switches to a more intuitive single-window interface and enhanced features such as a snap-to-transient selection, time stretching, and sample-accurate editing straight from the Arrange window. Quick Stripe Comping that generates an ideal take and dynamic channel strip creation are also staples of the new core program, Apple says.

The new Logic collection is also home to Soundtrack Pro 2, a link to Final Cut Studio and other movie editing programs. Artists can use the new version to edit and mix both the musical soundtrack as well as dialog and sound effects, bringing them into sync with video footage. Every app in the suite can rely on Studio Instruments to generate unique sounds: incorporating 40 virtual instrument plug-ins including previous expansions like UltraBeat and Sculpture, the collection also provides Delay Designer and Space Designers that alternately handle delay taps and creating surround sound mixes.

Apple ships Logic Studio with Sound Library, a group of 18,000 samples that brings in Logic-specific samples as well as all of Apple's GarageBand JamPacks and clips provided from Final Cut Studio 2. It should be available today from the online Apple Store for $499.

Also released today but not mentioned in the announcement is Logic Express 8, the company's editor for audiophiles graduating from GarageBand. It also uses the same single-window interface as Logic Pro 8 and shares some of the same professional features, such as Quick Swipe Comping, graphic time stretching, and snap-to-transient selection. It lacks the dedicated MainStage and Soundtrack Pro 2 programs but bundles virtual instrument tools previously absent from the budget Logic edition, such as UltraBeat, ES2, and a complete EXS24 sampler. It currently ships in 3-5 days from the Apple Store for $199.

by MacNN Staff