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| Logic
Studio:Giving More For Less
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Q:
Is it worthwhile to upgrade to Logic Studio?
This is the most frequently asked question that
I get from ICOM students. Considering that Logic
Studio consists of a software bundle of 7 audio
production tools, with the software contents coming
in 8 DVDs and taking up about 46GB of hard disk
space when fully installed, all of which retails
for less than half the price of the old Logic Pro
7... the answer is a foregone conclusion! (Yes,
it is most definitely a highly worthwhile purchase/upgrade.)
Apple's comprehensive package at such an attractive
price makes Logic Studio so tempting that many users
would most likely overlook Logic Express 8!
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Logic
Studio: Apple's new flagship audio production
suite includes the latest Logic Pro 8. |
Q:
How much is "less than half the price"
(as mentioned above)?
Logic Studio
retails at US$499 while the last published price
of Logic Pro 7 was US$1,299. Meanwhile, the Logic
Studio upgrade from Logic Express 7 costs US$299
(US$199 if upgrading from Logic Pro 7).
Of course, all ICOM students are eligible for special
educational discounts via the college while new
ICOM students are expected to get Logic Studio in
their m-Mobility package.
Q:
What are in the 8 DVDs? Why do they take up 46GB
of hard disk space?
There is 1 DVD which contains the applications
and tools (Logic Pro 8, MainStage, Soundtrack Pro
2, Studio Instruments, Studio Effects, Utilities,
etc.), 6 DVDs containing the sound libraries (Jam
Pack collections, sound effects, surround music
beds, EXS24 samples, impulse response files, etc.)
and 1 DVD containing the demo content.
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| DVDs
"R" Us: The bulky but compact box
contains a set of DVDs and manuals for the various
applications and sound libraries that are in
the Logic Studio package. |
Logic Studio's standard installation
requires 7GB of free hard disk space while it is
the optional audio libraries that require a whopping
39GB! But fortunately, these can be installed onto
an external hard drive which will free up disk space
on the internal drive.
Q:
What are the 7 audio production tools that are included
in Logic Studio?
Logic Studio's audio production tools include
the following:
1. Logic Pro 8 - The primary application in
the Logic Studio package. A music production tool
that integrates digital audio, MIDI sequencing and
music notation into 1 application.
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| Logic
Pro 8*: The new face of Logic. |
2. MainStage - A new application that provides an
easy-to-view interface designed specifically for live
performance.
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| MainStage*:
The nice, big display makes the window easy
to read while on stage. |
|
3. Soundtrack Pro 2 - An application optimized to perform
audio post-production for film and video.
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| Soundtrack Pro
2*: Simplifies the audio post-production process of
creating soundtracks. |
4. Studio Instruments - A large collection of software instrument
plug-ins, with several updated instruments including Ultrabeat,
EXS24, Sculpture and ES2.
5. Studio Effects - A large collection of effect plug-ins,
with the new Delay Designer, Surround Compressor and many
more updated plug-ins.
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| New Effect Plug-ins*:
The Delay Designer (left) is a multi-tap delay plug-in
while the Surround Compressor (right) is a multi-channel
compressor plug-in. |
6. Studio Sound Library - A huge (39GB)
collection of optional audio content: 10GB for Jam Pack collections,
16GB for sound effects, 6GB for surround music beds and 7GB
for other optional content (EXS24 samples, impulse response
files, etc).
7. Utilities - A software bundle of several utility applications:
WaveBurner 1.5 for CD mastering, Compressor 3 for surround
sound encoding, Impulse Response Utility for creating Impulse
Response files, Apple Loops Utility for converting audio files
into Apple Loops as well as an upgrade to QuickTime 7 Pro
for additional audio and video export options.
Q:
What's new in Logic Pro 8?
A major change in Logic Pro 8 is in its new user
interface - it is based on a single-window design with a consolidated
Arrange window. Retractable panes minimize the clutter of
opening multiple windows whereby the mixer and graphic editors
can now be selectively displayed below the Arrange area, media
browsers and list editors on the right and the Inspector on
the left (for parameter settings and dual channel strips).
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| Consolidated
Arrange Window*: Logic 8's new single-window interface. |
Also new in Logic Pro 8 is the multitake
recording feature. Expandable take folders are automatically
created during the recording process and can be manipulated
(moved, edited, etc.) just like the audio regions. Complementing
this is Quick Swipe comping, which easily builds an ideal
composite track simply from the selections of the best takes
(or sections of each take).
Logic Pro 8 has made it even easier
to time-stretch/compress an audio region (without changing
the pitch) simply by option-dragging the region-end directly
in the Arrange window. In addition, Apple has also replaced
the XSKey (a USB dongle) with a serial number, thus freeing
up a USB port and reducing the hassle of carrying an extra
piece hardware.
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| XSKey: The old
Logic Pro USB dongle is history now as it is no longer
used in Logic 8. |
Q:
What are the changes to Logic Express 8?
Logic Express 8 retails at US$199 while the last
published price of Logic Express 7 was US$379. (The upgrade
price from Logic Express 7 is US$99.)
In terms of features, Logic Express 8 shares a similar user
interface as Logic Pro 8, with changes such as the new consolidated
(single-window design) Arrange window, multitake recording,
Quick Swipe comping and easy option-dragging of region ends
directly in the Arrange window to time-stretch/compress
audio regions (without changing the pitch).
Several plug-ins that were previously available only in
Logic Pro 7 are now available in Logic Express 8. The Ultrabeat,
ES2, Pitch Correction and Ringshifter are new plug-ins while
the EXS24, Guitar Amp Pro and Channel EQ with FFT analyzer
are upgrades from stripped-down plug-ins.
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| Ultrabeat: A
drum machine/synthesizer plug-in that is now available
in Logic Express 8. |
Logic Express offers an inexpensive way
to get started with Logic but with the narrowing price difference,
Logic Studio has stolen the limelight with its massive audio
production package. Apple has left the competition to play
catch-up and it will be interesting to observe how the market
reacts to this new development over year 2008.
* Picture courtesy of Apple.
Email author
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ICOM installed a CA6 active PA system supplied by KME of Germany
in the Recital Hall. |
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