Is Logic Pro the Best Audio Recording Software for Mac?

Couple questions. I do a lot of audio production and
work currently. I use a gateway with Cubase, and its
not bad, but I feel like I need something mroe high
end.

Yes, you do indeed need sth more high end.

I'm looking at the 17 inch Imac. Does anyone record
using this computer? How's it sound? Is there any way
to put in a new soundcard or something if i don't
like the current one?

It's not an iMac, but a faithful PowerBook G4 that I am using. Apples Core Audio is awesome. Your sound, however, will depend on your interface.

Secondly, is logic pro the most advanced and best
audio recording software for the mac? Are there
others as well?

That's why we are here, and that's why you ended up in this forum as well 🙂
To me personally, Logic sounds warmer and bigger than any ProTools system I've ever heard. From what yopu described as the work you need to do, there is no comparable application. Logic also offers you many more features above and beyond what you currently need to do.

I know about Pro Tools, but it seems like there isn't
anything high end enough that is TOO high end.

Everybody is using PT, and you should maybe get a Light Edition version of it. However, as stated above, Logic offers by far more possibilities.

Does the Pro version have superior mixing
capabilties. I am primarily going to be micing a
guitar amp and having a mixer run into a firewire
port, and also using a preamp for my guitar direct
into the computers USB.

For your purpose, Logic does have superior mixing capabilities. In my humble opinion, only the popularity of PT made it become the choice of studios and engineers, but things are turning...

Lastly, how are the mixing features on Logic Pro vs.
Logic Express? I do a lot of post production mixing
as well, and use VST plugins. Speaking of that, will
it accomodate using a drum program like BFD through
VST or Midi like Cubase will?

If you do post production mixing, forget about Logic Express altogether and go for Logic Pro. LP will accomodate tons of plug-ins, and it comes with a bunch of great one's as well!
The format for the plug-ins is called A(udio) U(nit) and works flawlessly. Many VST plug-ins are also available in AU format and the development of those is moving fast forward.
In other words, yes, you will be able to use BFD in Logic by means of the AU format.

Thanks for your time guys.

You're welcome.

Hey MM,

Welcome to the forum.

The new iMacs rock...but there's no way to change the internal sound card so use external firewire equipment. It is a very powerful machine though.

Logic Pro is very powerful and advanced, but comparing Logic to, say, Pro Tools is like comparing oranges to Apple's orange. Pro Tools is primarily an audio recording/editing DAW, although I hear (haven't experienced) that Pro Tools 7 does MIDI pretty well. Logic is mainly a MIDI sequencer (the best one really) with some very good audio recording/editing capabilities. In fact if you are very versed in Logic, some say it's better, but that can start arguments.

I don't know the difference between Express and Pro. I only have Pro.

And Logic 7 Pro and Express, only use AUs. VSTs aren't compatible any more (unless you use an AU wrapper...and that's not always a wise decision).

Anyway, good luck with your choice MM.

X

Seems not! I don't think any software if good for my personal G5. I've had nothing but problems. I will say I have the least problems with Logic! Understandable though as apple makes it.

G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

hi
logic is
THE LOGIC PRO 7

Is there a way for me to get Express preinstalled and
then pay less to upgrade to Pro? Or, since I'm
thinking eventually I'll want to get Pro, would the
best option to just save up $500 extra dollars and
buy it right then? Or can I spread out the cost a
little more and pay $150 for Express preinstalled and
pay $350 to upgrade to Pro later on?

Thanks for the help.

Nope, Apple is pretty tight when it comes to pricing.
I got Express first to learn the program, but soon found
it limiting. From your post I suspect you will too.
If you want to save a few bucks you might try getting
Express at Guitar Center. If you are buying a few things
(or you are just plain cheap) you can get them to come
down on the price of it a little. I was in there the other day
and some guy was getting his studio stuff and wanted
Express and they came down I think about 30 dollars.
I commented to him and said the Apple Store wont
even do that. Then it will be about 700 to upgrade to
Pro. This sounds like alot but you get so much with
the Pro Version that it really is a bargain.
It ends up being about a grand for Pro (give or take
a few bucks)

Definately get Logic Pro. It is the only DAW that comes with a sampler and has so many great plug-ins and features. There are major differences between Pro and Express; I have both. Go read the Apple Pro Training series books on Logic 7 & Express 7 and Advanced Logic Pro 7 to get an idea of the hundreds of differences.

READ: You can get Logic Pro Academic for only $299 at many universities if you have valid student ID. I got mine at UW that way. It is exactly the same as the standard Pro 7 version at stores and can still be upgraded, contrary to popular belief.

You can buy express and then upgrade logic pro but doing this will still add up to the $999 retail cost of Logic Pro. The only good thing about that is that you have Express to use when your'e mad at that infernal XSKey (you can also get Express for $99 at universities).

Hope this helps!

15" PowerBook G4 1.67Ghz 2GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.6) Logic 7 / Yamaha C5 & MO8

Forgot to mention- there's a saying here in the mac music community:

Everyone has Pro Tools because everyone has Pro Tools.

Sounds real similar to something... what could that be?

... cough PCs cough... 😀

I use a gateway with Cubase, and its
not bad, but I feel like I need something mroe high
end.

Choosing a different DAW on a different computer platform is quite a step. Why would you do that in the first place? What's wrong with eg. Nuendo or Samplitude? Maybe you should first consider all your options on the pc-side. Make a calculation of the costs of a hardware upgrade. Learning Logic can take some time. In the end it's definitely a high end program. But not with it's faults and quirks. I mean, even Logic can quit in the middle of a session. It happened to me just yesterday. Be prepared to crossgrade all you VST plugs to their AU counterparts or get a wrapper from FXpansion.

I'm looking at the 17 inch Imac. Does anyone record
using this computer? How's it sound? Is there any way
to put in a new soundcard or something if i don't
like the current one?

iMac G5's are not so fast, the Intels are better, but not all third party plugs are ready for Intel Mac's. 17" is too small for what you want. 20" is good. This machine can't be modified or expanded. You have to use USB or Firewire audio. Adding a second screen can't be done. My G5 iMac get's a little noisy when heavy mixing, and it's sitting right in front of my nose... I wish I had the money for one of the new MacIntel desktops.

Secondly, is logic pro the most advanced and best
audio recording software for the mac?

Guess so. Get Logic Pro if you make the step to iMac. Good allround program. But as I said, there are lot's of options on the pc-side. If I do some mixing and mastering stuff outside of my studio it's most of the time on pc programs on custom build and very fast and truly silent machines. But since I'm a composer I like Logic best.

The great benefit of Logic Pro is the synthesizers and samplers that comes with it. It runs superbly on Intel hardware and will get any job done. Pro Tools is wonderfull as well but the RTAS plugins get expensive QUICKLY.

Another option is Ableton's Live which is cheaper, but is lacking in synthesizers but can be purchased as third party tools.

I often hear of people having a hard time learning Logic, but unless you have a ton of external midi equipment, it's really very simple to use.

For me, I use Logic Pro and Live.

One bit of warning: Not all software companies have made the switch to Intel compatable (universal binaries) but are slowly making progress. See Native Instruments. (grumble).

PC's have plenty of capable software however. Cubase/FruityLoops/Nuendo to name just a few.

Good Luck!

ah....the age ol' question........

I'm not sure I can endorse logic as the "best" daw for mac, but it is at the very least the most complete.

realisticaly, you don't "need" anything else. Well, maybe a virtual acoustic drummer.....

hi there,

I see that you've gotten some great advice so far and I'm certainly not trying to turn you off to logic (I use it everyday for music), but there is a valid reason why protools is dominating the post-production world. Protools imports omf files flawlessly. Logic does not. If you are planning to recieve avid made omf files from your video editor, I would highly recommend that you conisder protools LE with the DV toolkit.

Just my opinion.

all the best,

Lou Teti

G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

hi guys,
sorry if i get in the conversation, but i'm having a frustrating problem with a virtual instrument.
it's the EZdrummer, and there is no way to install it correctly.
now, since you said that VSTs aren't compatible with logic expres (that i use on my iMac) do you think that that's the major reason why i can't install it?
-is VST just a different sample format or a total different software code and software structure?-

i don't know what to think anymore.. see, on the EZdrummer web site they say that logic and garage band are both tested and compatible with the EZdrummer...but how???
plus, on garage band i don't even see a way to use a virtual instrument like EZdrummer.
-EZdrummer is just like bfd (a multichannel sampler inly for drums).-

please guys, give some good tips!

thanx a lot!

nookstudio

tip 1

Always start a new thread if you want answers to a different question than the one being discussed.

tip 2

VSTs and AUs are not the same thing...they do the same things, but the coding is different.

tip 3

if EZdrummer says they are Logic and Garageband compatible, then they are selling an AU version and you need to specify which you need.

tip 4

You should be able to install a VST, but you won't be able to use it in either of the afore mentioned programs.

tip 5

If you have a Garageband question, you should ask those in the GB forum.

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Hope this helps.

X