From Logic to GarageBand '11

I had been on Windows for ages for recording, primarily using Tracktion and before that Cubase. When I got my Mac in 2008, I used GB for awhile until I could swing Logic 9. When I got it, I just didn't have the time to properly learn it; grad school, kids, work, etc. So I've gone back to GB, and love using it. I'm a guitar player, and this is all just a hobby, so GB fits perfectly for that.

We'll see what happens with the next version of Logic. I know the pros will be angry if this happens, but if Logic turns into "GarageBand Pro" like they say FCP now is, then I personally will be happy. I like GB, but there are a few things I wish it did that it doesn't, like MIDI output (without relying on third party stuff).

It really is all about the interface, isn't it? GB just makes sense, with little to now work put into figuring stuff out and finding stuff. Logic is nowhere near that (at least not for me), and while I can recognize it's power, I just don't have the time to dedicate to it. It's really an instrument unto itself.

Started with Ableton Live, then went to Logic Express 8 and now with GB. The major selling point for me was that the GB menu and options learning curve was soooo much easier to get to know than the other DAW's I tried. Granted it can be very easy to get something recorded in Live and Logic, but they get very deep very quick when you start to put the finishing touches on a project. I also found that GB got me to a point very quickly where I was using my ears and finding creative outcomes while making actual music rather than trying to understand the actual program itself. I often found that after putting down a project for a week or so, trying to come back to it in Logic or Ableton meant that I had to get the manual out once again or try and find explanations on the net before I could get back into the swing of things again.

I too want a 'Pro' version of GB, in that a few things like a better mixing view, perhaps some group folders, MIDI mapping to external controllers, send MIDI to external synth, some improvements to the MIDI editing features, a guitar only clef with a TAB view and a drum clef in the score view and perhaps some access to some of the sound generators in Logic.... 👿

Anyways, I have tried a few other program demo's as well but always end up back at GB. 😀 Cheers.

I pretty much just us Logic now. I like the feel of logic and can't live without the Aux channels. Of course for the first year or so of using logic I lost a lot of hair.

isteveus wrote:

I like the feel of logic and can't live without the Aux channels.

Hi isteveus. What is an Aux channel and how do you use it... or how does GB lack in this area and what are GB users missing out on?

Aux (Auxiliary) channels are channel that can be added in between input and master channel. They actually can take input from any output and sent to any input that you want.

Usually used for echo and reverb they work like the echo and reverb channels in garageband except with much more flexibility. You can assign them any effect and send any channels output or portion of it's output to a aux channel and send a percentage of it to the master or headphone or to another aux. This lets you share and mix effects with any or all channel while not having to add the same effect to each input channel strip.

I like it because it saves cpu allowing you to freeze channels and still adjust effects on the aux's. Also I can have many takes on separate tracks using different amp sims but using the same effects on a aux. I'm not sure if this is how it's meant to be used but it's how I use them.

Also riding the faders is nice in logic also.

I'm loving Pro X, being a Express and Garageband user I find X feels like a old friend.

Here is a good tube vid of first impression http://youtu.be/xU-Ya7NpQOU

Great link isteveus .... thanks