Logic 8 Released (Finally!)

Apple have finally pulled the finger out and released Logic 8. The first thing that hits you is the value – U$499 new for Logic 8 plus the usual suspects of Waveburner and Apple Loops Utility, plus Soundtrack Pro 2 (for post-production audio for video), plus all five Apple Jam packs, plus the highly useful Compressor (from Final Cut Studio), plus some new thing called Mainstage that (supposedly) allows you to integrate Apple plug-ins into live performance rigs (for guitar as well as keys!).

Value is nice, but that alone won’t tempt the existing user (upgrades from Logic Pro will be U$199, from Logic Express U$299). Whilst we will have to wait for real world testing before seeing if some of the infamous bugs are sorted out, or just replaced with new and more elaborate ones. For example, we are tempted with a promise of better Rewire functionality, but we’ve heard that before. I’ve only just found stability with Rewire over the summer and I’m reticent to risk that stability.

That said, the new comping features, sample accurate editing in the arrange window and snap to transient features look very good and the new finder and library features might help Logic’s somewhat roundabout workflows. There appears to be no new virtual instruments, but there are some new plug-ins including a vintage compressor and new multi-tap delay. As yet, I can find any mention of the Arpeture-style stamp feature we saw in Soundtrack Pro for changing channel strip settings. There are promises regarding improved notation, better scoring for video and an auto-learn process for third party controllers that all sound good in theory at least.

My overall impression is that Apple have not just tried to make the interface more, well, Apple-like, but also tried to orient the product more towards the recording and mixing of live instrument tracks. It’s now a lot easier to start from scratch an create a clean set-up for live recording, a lot easier to mange multiple takes (especially multi-mic tracking) and a lot easier to edit audio regions. For me these are the improvements that have to work well to make this upgrade compelling.

Oh and a final note, it seems Apple have moved to the CAF format we encountered with Garageband 4/’08 – not just for loops but also for recording. I’ll be looking forward to some professional reviews of the quality of this format before doing anything.

To paraphrase the film Gladiator – Logic 8 and Reason 4? Yes, but not yet…

[tags] Logic 8, Apple [/tags]