Logic Pro
Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Initial release | 1993 | (as Notator Logic)
Stable release | 10.8.1
/ November 30, 2023[1] |
Written in | C (programming language) |
Operating system | macOS (12.3 and later) iPadOS (16.4 or newer) |
Platform | x86-64 (as of Logic Pro 9.1)[2]
ARM64 (as of Logic Pro 10.6) |
Type | MIDI sequencer and digital audio workstation |
License | Proprietary |
Website | apple |
Logic Pro is a proprietary digital audio workstation (DAW) and MIDI sequencer software application for the macOS platform developed by Apple Inc. It was originally created in the early 1990s as Notator Logic,[3] or Logic, by German software developer C-Lab which later went by Emagic. Apple acquired Emagic in 2002 and renamed Logic to Logic Pro. It was the second most popular DAW – after Ableton Live – according to a survey conducted in 2015.[4]
A consumer-level version based on the same interface and audio engine but with reduced features called Logic Express was available starting in 2004.
Apple's
Features
Logic Pro provides software instruments, audio effects and recording facilities for music synthesis. It also supports Apple Loops –
Logic Pro can work with MIDI keyboards and control surfaces for input and processing, and for MIDI output. It features real-time scoring in musical notation, supporting guitar tablature, chord abbreviations and drum notation. Advanced MIDI editing is possible through Logic Pro's MIDI Transform Window,[10] where velocity, pitch, pitch-bends, note length, humanize, and precise note positioning can be edited.[11]
Software instruments
The software instruments included in Logic Pro X include: Drum Kit Designer, Drum Machine Designer, ES, ES2, EFM1, ES E, ES M, ES P, EVOC 20 PolySynth, Sampler, Quick Sampler, Step Sequencer, Klopfgeist, Retro Synth, Sculpture, Ultrabeat, Vintage B3, Vintage Clav, Vintage Electric Piano. These instruments produce sound in various ways, through subtractive synthesis (ES, ES2, ES E, ES M, ES P, Retro Synth), frequency modulation synthesis (EFM1), wavetable synthesis (ES2, Retro Synth), vocoding (EVOC 20 PolySynth), sampling (Sampler, Quick Sampler, Drum Kit Designer), and component modeling techniques (Ultrabeat, Vintage B3, Vintage Clav, and Vintage Electric Piano, Sculpture). As of version 10.2, Logic Pro X also includes Alchemy, a sample-manipulation synthesizer that was previously developed by Camel Audio. The software instruments are activated by MIDI information that can be input via a MIDI instrument or drawn into the MIDI editor.[12]
Audio effects
Audio effects include amp and guitar pedal emulators, delay effects, distortion effects,
Distributed processing
The application features
History
Creator and Notator
In 1987, C-Lab released Gerhard Lengeling's MIDI sequencer program for the Atari ST platform called Creator.[13][14] From version 2.0 onwards, released in 1988, a version with added musical notation capabilities was also available, called Notator, made with the help of Chris Adam.[15] A later bundled multitasking utility called Soft Link rebranded the packages as Creator SL and Notator SL.[16]
In the United States, its main rivals at the time included
When it was released, Notator was widely regarded by both musicians and the music press as one of the most powerful and intuitive sequencing and notation programs available on any platform. After the later introduction of competitor Steinberg's
Notable users of Creator included Coldcut,[20] Fatboy Slim,[21] The Future Sound of London,[22] LFO,[23] Clint Mansell,[24] Nightmares on Wax,[25] The Orb,[26] Orbital,[27] and System 7.[28]
Logic
The C-Lab programmers left that company to form Emagic, and in 1993 released a new program, Notator Logic, which attempted to fuse both track- and pattern-based operation (but looked much more like track-based sequencers than Notator). While rich in features, early versions of Logic on the Atari lacked the intuitiveness and immediacy of either Cubase or Notator, and never achieved the same success. However, by this time the Atari was becoming obsolete, and part of the reason why Notator Logic had been written from scratch with an object oriented GUI (though it shared the same nomenclature as its predecessor) was to make it easier to port to other platforms. The Notator prefix was dropped from the product name and the software became known as simply Logic.
As later versions of the software became available for
Apple acquired Emagic in July 2002.[29] The announcement included the news that development of the Windows version would no longer continue. This announcement caused controversy in the recording industry with an estimated 70,000 users having invested in the Windows route not wishing to reinvest in a complete new system. Despite much speculation in various Pro Audio forums however, exactly how many users may have abandoned Logic upon its acquisition by Apple, or abandoned the Windows platform for the Mac version, remains unknown,[30] but Apple Pro Apps revenue has steadily increased since Apple's acquisition of Emagic,[31] (roughly $2 billion a year as of Q1 2014).
Versions
Early versions
Logic 5 featured significant improvements in user interface, and increased compatibility with more types of computers, operating systems, and a wide range of audio interfaces. Logic 5.5.1 was the last version to be released for Windows. From Logic 6 onwards, the software would only be exclusively available on Mac OS.
With Logic 6, Emagic added the availability of separately packaged software products that were closely integrated add-ons developed specifically for use with Logic, including software instruments, the EXS sampler and audio processing plug-ins. The Logic 6 package also included the stand-alone program
In March 2004 Apple released Logic Pro 6, which consolidated over 20 different Emagic products, including all instrument and effect plug-ins, Waveburner Pro (CD Authoring application), and Pro Tools TDM support, into a single product package. Apple also released a scaled down version of Logic called Logic Express, replacing two previous versions that filled that position called Logic Silver and Logic Gold. Apple began promoting Logic Pro as one of its flagship software 'Pro' applications for the Macintosh platform.
Logic Pro 7
Logic Pro 7 was released September 29, 2004. Most notably, Apple modified the interface of Logic 7 to look more like a product that was developed by Apple.
Additions to Logic Pro 7 included: the integration of Apple Loops, Distributed Audio Processing (a technology for combining the power of multiple computers on a network), 3 new instruments including Sculpture (a sound modeling synth) and Ultrabeat (a drum synth and sequencer), and 9 new effect plug-ins including Guitar Amp Pro (guitar amp simulator), and a linear phase corrected version of their 6 channel parametric equalizer. In total, Logic Pro 7 now included 70 effect plug-ins and 34 instrument plug-ins.
Pro-Tools TDM compatibility, which had been a feature of Logic since version 3.5, was not supported by Logic 7.2 on Intel-based Mac computers;[32] TDM support returned with the release of Logic 8.
Logic Pro 8
On September 12, 2007, Apple released the Logic Studio suite that included Logic Pro 8. Logic Pro was no longer a separate product, although a limited version Logic Express 8 was released on the same day, and remained a separate product.
Significant changes were made for Logic 8. Logic Pro 8 was now mainly Cocoa code, but still included some Carbon Libraries.[clarification needed] Alongside changes such as the new processing plug-in (Delay Designer), Apple included features such as Quick Swipe Comping, similar to Soundtrack Pro 2, and multi-take management.
Apple also made changes to ease of use. These include the discontinuation of the XSKey dongle, and a streamlined interface. Each plug-in used in the channel strip opens in a new window when double-clicked. Many of the features found in Logic 7 have been consolidated into one screen. Other additions to the new interface included consolidated arrange windows, dual channel strips, built in browsers (like that in GarageBand) and production templates.
Logic Pro 9
On July 23, 2009, Logic Pro 9 was announced. A major new feature included "Flex Time", Apple's take on "elastic" audio, which allows audio to be quantized.[33] A version of the pedalboard from GarageBand was included, together with a new virtual guitar amplifier where the modeled components could be combined in different ways. There were also a number of improvements to audio editing, fulfilled user requests such as "bounce in place" and selective track and channel strip import, as well as an expanded content library including one more Jam Pack. Some of the bundled software, including MainStage 2 and Soundtrack Pro 3, was also improved. Logic Pro 9 is Universal Binary, although not officially supported for use on PowerPC computers.[34] SoundDiver, which had been quietly bundled with previous versions, was dropped, eliminating support for arguably the world's most popular synthesizer editor/librarian. As Apple has bundled so many software instruments with Logic, it is not likely that we'll see the return of integration with external synthesizer hardware to the Logic platform.[citation needed]
On January 12, 2010, Apple released Logic Pro 9.1, an Intel only release, thereby officially discontinuing Logic for the PowerPC platform. Logic Pro 9.1 had the option of running in 64-bit mode, which allowed the application to address more memory than in the past. Says Apple "With 64-bit mode, the application memory is not limited to 4GB as with 32-bit applications, so there is essentially no practical limit by today's standards." Third party plug-ins that are 32-bit were still compatible, but would run from a 'wrapper' inside Logic Pro itself.
On December 9, 2011, Apple announced that Logic Pro Studio 9 would no longer be available on DVD, and would only be sold via the Mac App Store. The price was reduced from $499 to $199.99 for the Logic Pro app, and $29.99 for MainStage. The download was just over 400MB, and 19GB of optional loops were available as in-app downloads.[35]
This version of Logic Pro Studio 9 no longer allowed users to access any microtunings in Scala format other than those provided with the software by Apple.
Logic Pro X
Released as successor to Logic Pro 9 on July 16, 2013, Logic Pro X (10.0.0) included a new, single-window customizable interface, with a design in line with
Logic 10.4 introduced a new reverb called ChromaVerb, and new functionality such as Smart Tempo, as well as the option to undo mixer actions. In addition, version 10.4 introduced support for version 2 of the ARA (Audio Random Access) standard.[38] 10.5 was released in May 2020. It features Live Loops, Sampler, Quick Sampler, Remix FX, new drag-and-drop workflows, Drum Synth, and Step Sequencer.[39] Sampler and Quick Sampler replaced the EXS24 as Logic Pro X's flagship sampling plugin. 10.5 also came with a demo project for Billie Eilish's hit song Ocean Eyes available for all Logic Pro X users to download.[40]
Logic Pro
In November 2020, Logic Pro X was renamed "Logic Pro", coinciding with the release of macOS 11 Big Sur.[41]
In October 2021, Apple released Logic Pro 10.7 coinciding with the release of Apple's new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips for its latest MacBook Pro 2021 lineup.[42] Logic Pro 10.7 supports audio production mixing in Dolby Atmos and surround sound format.[43] This version also included two more demo projects. These were two versions of the original multitrack project of Lil Nas X's "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)", one version in stereo and another in Dolby Atmos.[44]
Logic Express
Logic Express was a "light" version of Logic Pro. The first version, Logic Express 6, was announced on January 15, 2004, for release in March 2004.
Logic Express 7 was released alongside Logic Pro 7 on September 29, 2004.
Logic Express 8 came with 36 software instruments and 73 effect plug-ins, including almost all of those in the Logic Pro Package. Those that it didn't include are Sculpture, a physical modelling synthesiser; the "vintage" instruments (the EVB3 tonewheel organ, the EVD6 Clavinet and the EVP88 Electric Piano), however a cut-down version of these are included with the GarageBand instruments; Space designer, a convolution reverb effect; and delay designer, an advanced delay effect.
Logic Express was discontinued in 2011, when Logic Pro moved to the Mac App Store for $199.99.
See also
- MainStage – a companion app to Logic Pro for live performances
- GarageBand – Apple's consumer digital audio workstation
- Core Audio – the low-level system sound API that Logic Pro relies on, built-into Apple's operating systems
- Audio Units – Apple's plugin architecture for Logic Pro
- Logic Studio – a discontinued software suite which included Logic Pro and other Apple audio-editing apps
- Logic Control – a discontinued control surface for Logic dating back to its Emagic days
- Comparison of multitrack recording software
References
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- ^ "A Brief History Of Logic, From Emagic To Apple". macprovideo.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ "The Top 11 Most Popular DAWs (You Voted For)". ask.audio. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
- ^ "Logic Pro X". Mac App Store. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ "Logic Pro for iPad". Apple (United Kingdom). Retrieved January 21, 2024.
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- ^ "The Logic Pros: A look at Logic's new heavy weight sample manipulation synth Alchemy". August 30, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ^ Russ, Martin (November 1987). "C-Lab Creator". Sound On Sound. United Kingdom. pp. 57–61. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Trask, Simon (December 1987). "C-Lab Creator". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 72–74. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Waugh, Ian (September 1988). "C-Lab Notator". Sound On Sound. United Kingdom. pp. 22–26. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
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- ^ Houghton, Matt. "Play Order Track". SoundOnSound. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
Like Notator, Vision, and several other of the early MIDI sequencers, it was pattern-based. There was no timeline, no timeline-based looping of selections, and no arrange page. This method was more like a relational database than a modern computer sequencer. Users programmed various parts, comprising rhythms, chords and melodies, then programmed the order and number of repetitions of each of these parts to form songs.
- ^ "The Audio Interface Choice". Home Studio. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
- ^ Ward, Phil (June 1993). "The Magic Circle". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 56–60. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ Goodyer, Tim (August 1990). "What's That Noise?". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 30–34. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Doyle, Tom (January 2017). "Classic Tracks: Fatboy Slim "Praise You"". Sound On Sound. United Kingdom. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Trask, Simon (January 1994). "Future Talk". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 16–18. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Trask, Simon (August 1991). "Deep Vibrations". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 60–65. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ @iamclintmansell (April 25, 2020). "Headache music..my rig was MC-303, with AKAI S1000, an Atari 1040 running Creator which would become Logic. As far gear went this was my set up, & a Roland JV 880. I'd had a Nord Lead too but it got burned out when lightning hit our building & I couldn't afford to get it fixed" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Trask, Simon (September 1991). "Waxing Lyrical". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 36–39. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ Goodyer, Tim (June 1991). "Tune In, Turn On, Chill Out". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 42–48. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ Humberstone, Nigel (April 1994). "Music of Spheres". Sound On Sound. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Trask, Simon (October 1991). "All Systems Go". Music Technology. United Kingdom: Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing. pp. 36–42. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ "Apple Acquires Emagic". Apple, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2007.
- ^ "Apple Drops Emagic Bombshell". The Register. Retrieved July 1, 2002.
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- ^ According to Digidesign’s compatibility document for Pro Tools TDM HD 7.2 and 7.3, Logic Pro will require a future update from Apple to support Pro Tools HD DAE for Intel-based Macs."
- ^ "Logic - Using Flex Time on Vocals -". soundonsound.com.
- ^ "A First Look At Logic Pro 9". XLR8R. July 24, 2009. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ "Logic Pro 9 Product Page on Mac App Store". Apple, Inc. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
- ^ a b "Review: Logic Pro X loses none of its power, gains great new features". Macworld. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ "Logic Pro X review: Powerful new features & a simplified UI with no compromises for pros". July 26, 2013.
- ^ Libertini, Carlo (February 4, 2018). "Logic 10.4 Update: the first to utilize ARA-2". Produce Like A Pro. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ "Logic Pro X 10.5 release notes". Apple Support. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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