Why is Logic Pro so bad?

Question

Level 1

19 points

Why is Logic Pro so bad?

I have recently bought Logic Pro after being a Pro Tools user, and boy it is bad! So many things are hard or impossible to do. And when you search for ways to do things, the results dont work.

For instance, creating a stereo track should be easy, but the program does not give you this option. And converting two mono tracks to stereo seems impossible. Why make it so hard?

And then consolidating a track is difficult. And then changing gain on a part of a track is not intuitive.

I get the impression the programmers have no clues at all!

iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Apr 4, 2023 11:08 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 5, 2023 2:31 PM in response to RadarDoug

You can change a track to stereo from mono in the "input" section of the inspector. If you bounce a track (or use " bounce in place" you can output a stereo track; I do this all the time. As for changing the gain, go to the "region" section of the inspector, and you'll see the "gain" option there, you can adjust for any region.

If you don't mind me asking, what were you looking to do in Logic that you can't? I've used both PT and Logic; I prefer Logic because my studio is mostly analog, and I think Logic plus UAD interfaces handles the I/O with routing signal through 500-series units and analog devices (eg, the Neve 1073) better than Pro Tools. I also think Logic handles midi and composing in midi much better than pro tools, but that's just a taste thing.

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Answer 2

Apr 6, 2023 4:16 AM in response to RadarDoug

Thanks Kerochan - that's what I was trying to explain above, but didn't do it as well.

RadarDoug: look, man, if you come to Logic thinking it's going to function like Pro Tools, then of course you're gonna be disappointed. Everybody has preferences. one thing about PT I don't like is that I find its UI very messy, while Logic is "clean," but I always preferred the Apple aesthetic, which is why I'm a 30-year user.

But the point of any DAW is to provide a means to create music. Good luck with your journey and I hope you find a DAW that meets your standards. I don't think it'll be Audacity, which is pretty feature-light. You could also check out UAD's Luna, which while nice I can't use as it doesn't permit hardware inserts.

PS, there's a way of doing the things you mention above - dragging audio tracks to stereo tracks, etc. The Logic manual is very nice.

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Answer 3

RadarDoug Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 6, 2023 12:33 AM in response to kerochan

After playing with it some more, then yes, that changes it to a stereo track. Once you record, it is stereo.

But there are many other annoying features. For instance, in Protools, you can drag a pair of audio tracks onto a stereo track, but not in Logic! And I have discovered the different ways to do pitch shifting, and they are not sensible. For example in the audio editor you can freely enter the number of cents, but why is there no semitone button as well? In the channel effects menu there are semitones, but the cents intervals are fixed, and you cant change them, even though the web says you can. Audacity which is free, is in many ways a far better program than Logic, and much more intuitive.

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Answer 4

yoyoBen

Level 4

3,577 points

Apr 5, 2023 6:26 AM in response to RadarDoug

• Creating a stereo track can be done with just one click.

• There are several methods converting two mono regions into a stereo region. Most of them are done with one click.

• Consolidating a track can be done with one click.

• Changing gain on a part (Region) of a track can be done very easily.

BTW, why didn't you ask for solutions and instead made strange claims (this is a user forum)? Any software must be learned and is not perfect.

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Answer 5

kerochan

Level 4

1,071 points

Apr 5, 2023 9:34 AM in response to RadarDoug

I moved to Pro Tools a while back, it just makes a lot more sense to me, much easier to work/edit with and great keyboard shortcuts.

Having said that, I still use Logic for certain projects, the zoom features are better than Pro Tools, and Logic's Drummer is outstanding.

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Answer 6

RadarDoug Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 5, 2023 4:02 PM in response to James Holloway

That does not change the track to stereo, it just gives it a stereo input. But having said that, if you then record on it, does it record in stereo? Not very logical. I note that I can change current mono tracks there, but the recorded track does not change. And in the menu 'New audio track', there is no option for a stereo track.

Maybe there is stuff buried in menus, thats not helpfull. I am waiting for the man who said you could create a track with one click!

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Answer 7

RadarDoug Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 6, 2023 2:30 PM in response to James Holloway

James I dont expect it to be like Protools. I was hopefull it would be better. And I understand the learning curve problem. What I have a problem with is the more I get in to it, the more inconsistent and non intuitive I find it. And thats why I am criticising it. In the track menu that you add tracks, it would be very easy to include mono or stereo. But they dont. And the differences in the ways they do pitch shift are very inconsistent.

Processing mono tracks to stereo and bck is a very common thing to do, and they dont handle it well. I notice that they have a LOT of menus and choices. But that adds greatly to the learning curve.

As a working pro, I often use Audacity for quick jobs, and it seldom disappoints.

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Answer 8

scottcb

Level 1

8 points

Apr 18, 2023 1:42 PM in response to RadarDoug

Sorry you are having such troubles with Logic Pro. Right now that's all I use, but confessions being what they may I only am using MIDI tracks to create lightshows on the flickerSong, no audio is being recorded or modified. Sometimes I have dozens of disjointed MIDI regions, and my only issue is needing to be sure the first region on each track starts the same time as the audio track. The keyboard shortcuts aren't very intuitive which has slowed me down, but the software/external instruments to Audio MIDI Setup has worked fine.

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Answer 9

Sep 12, 2023 5:33 AM in response to RadarDoug

I own and have used Logic 9 on many projects. I have several degrees in music. Logic 9 is Tough but eventually useable. Then comes Logic X.

Wow. Where do I start? The sounds included are a sharp poke in the ear! Brash, harsh, set way too loud!! Unusable.

Where is the pause button? How can you even record a track without it?Why are controls hidden? How do you even set the time signature?

So unintuitive! And why do edit controllers all have to look like a guitar amp box? I used Logic 9 for about 10 years and felt like I knew a good deal about it’s intricacies and editing capabilities. Granted, it was a learning curve. But this? This redesign is not even recognizable.

I can’t use this. So much hype and bs out there. Waste of money and time!!

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Answer 10

Sep 12, 2023 7:46 AM in response to RadarDoug

What's really interesting about someone who describes themselves as a Working Pro is that in all the professional environments where I have the chance to work, a professional attitude and human relations skills are often what makes the difference between a Pro and a professional.

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Answer 11

Oct 21, 2023 4:07 AM in response to RadarDoug

It's gonna be OK. Congratulations on making the change. Just accept the learning curve. Unless of course you wanna have a crack at Ableton Live, which is the most popular DAW but nowhere near as intuitive as Logic. Try not to complain so much Douglas.

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Answer 12

May 30, 2024 8:11 PM in response to RadarDoug

I guess you were feeling angry at the time. This is understandable when you’re faced with learning any new software. There’s plenty of support here and on YouTube. You’ll find the answer if you’re persistent and patient. Wishing you well.

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