Logic vs Cubase on new Mac Pro

Just the other day a Cubase convert to Logic posted here. He said that you can apply FX directly (and I believe, destructively) to individual audio regions; that's unlike Logic's normal modus operandus, where FX are applied to the audio channel that the region plays back on. So you can't perform the exact same function as what he described in Logic, but there are equivalent methods of working out the same process. Still, I thought that was a very cool feature.

Other than that, Cubase drools and Logic rules! There, it's all settled. (Only kidding!)

What kinds of things did you find counter-intuitive about Logic Express?

To be honest I suspect that my "issues" with Logic
Express were more to due with me being new to
software like Logic/Cubase, but I did find it
slightly more complicated to assign tracks to
instruments, rewire, etc.

Ditto, I started on Logic when it was still eMagic but it was my first DAW. Couldn't get to grips with it so went round all the others, Tracktion, DP, Live, Pro Tools and recently Cubase SX. I thought I would have another look at Logic and guess what? Perfectly understandable and the environment, that bane of the newbie's Logic experience, actually makes perfect sense! But you need to understand how recording process works - it's not for the uninitiated.

Re Cubase, I got tired of clicking everywhere and the busy screens with buttons everywhere. It's a very powerful and flexible sequencer but it's the flexibility that makes it a hinderance to the creative flow. They've put so much into it, given options for everything and alternative methods to achieve the same thing to suit as many ways of working as possible that it takes forever to achieve anything. E.g., insert a VI in a MIDI track in Cubase and bang!, an audio track is automatically created for all it's outputs. I know you can hide them in a folder but it is still sixteen or so extra tracks right there in your arrange page to negotiate. A few multi channel instruments and you have 48 extra tracks to either hide, delete or otherwise deal with.

Once I tried Logic, I must say I immediately sold Cubase SX and bought LP.

Performance is much better on my machine in LP than Cubase by a mile (I use almost exclusively VI's).

Also remember Cubase isn't UB yet so you can't run it on your Mac Pro unti Steinberg get their fingers out (probably later this year).

HTH.

Regards

David

PowerMac Dual 2GHz Mac OS X (10.4.6) Logic Pro, NI Komplete, Akoustik Piano, Philharmonik, Firebox, Gin

I have some wievs on Cubase Vs Logic. I started using Cubase at v 4.0 on Mac (Used Cakewalk on PC before that) I Liked Cubase, until the SX version came out. I could not recognize Cubase anymore when I first started the SX version. They had moved everything around, new layouts and new menus. I had Cubase 4-5 in my fingers. SX slowed me down extremly. And besides me not getting used to the new layout, I think Cubase from SX1 and up have a terrible GUI. And a lot of cool MIDI stuff had been removed from the program. This is realy not important for you. But Cubase slowed me down in other ways. Steinberg always takes the PC version first, and Mac second. I remember waiting longer for upgrades on Mac. And the performance in Cubase SX is not good on Mac. I used it on at G4 733MHZ. It did a lot worse than v 4 and 5 on the same machine. A few softwareinstruments and 3-4 VST strangulated my CPU.

2-3 months ago I compared Cubase SX1 to Logic 7 on the same G4. Logic did a lot more instruments and effekts than Cubase. And Logic comes with a lot more plugin and instruments, and they are much better. And I THINK Logic sounds better than Cubase (could be imagination)

For what it's worth - my 2 cents...

Up until a few months ago I was a confirmed Cubase user (after switching from Windows).

I had to go into a small studio to do some work where they used Logic Pro, and was very impressed how logical (duh!) it was. Want to load a plug-in, re-route an audio track to another buss, just click the button and select... BANG, it's there, practically everything you need is on the main arrange window - SX3 always left me slightly confused as to where I should load FX for inserts or sends (open another window... do I install it there on the left or there on the right - Aghhh!)

And now that I have a MBP, I can take my studio anywhere (SX3 ran via Rosetta, but only just!)

Logic Pro is just superb - it has all the plug-ins you need and for the price, it can't be beat! Plus the fact that Cubase won't be universal until SX4, whenever that'll be.

GN:

Before the Logic Pro,Cubase is my Best Friend!!
but after Logic Express was lauch..i'm interested on it...bought it and try out...i fully utilize it till i found out the limited on it but i oso surprise of the POWERFUL function and helping hand to me!!

So that,i've upgrade the express to Logic Pro!!

Wow...that's what i want!!it treat me so good in Sequencing,Mixing even Mastering!!

Powerful Sampler,Powerful Plug-in and interface is clear.

I should say,Logic is belongs to APPLE...so that the design is suite the APPLE platform,you won't have a lot of problem on it!!

if you are really like cubase,please...use it on PC, no Mac...steinberg is not interested to invest it on Mac since LP has launch!!

PC...is just a platform...it din't own his own software...but APPLE different,it provide the PRO for PRO user...Logic as well...

I've had own my Final Cut Pro studio as well...when i compare it to PC user's software...it's awesome!!PC got a lot of choice...but the choices almost the same,finally it'll lead you to pirated 😀 ; Mac have only choice...The choice is PRO.no regreats and no turning back since Mac provide the PRO...

😀
Ray

I just wanted to point out that there is a free trial of logic express available for download, just incase you wanted to dip your feet into it again.

http://www.apple.com/logicexpress/trial/

You may also want to search some other forums like http://www.bigbluelounge.com. They have all the major apps represented, and many posts comparing them.

Best of luck.
BTW, I came from Cubase VST and haven't looked back 🙂 but in all honesty, ALL the major sequencers a great. Its just comes down to personal preference and working style.

Yes, you can still use the audio tracks in Logic, although you may have to slightly re-edit and align them.

Don't forget that any plug-ins you use must be AU compatable, and remember to save any presets you have created on them.

Andy.

I am a user of both Logic and Cubase on a G5 mac. Logic can perform better as far as number of plugins running at the same time, number of audio channels etc..

I use alot of Plugins, especially virtual instruments, Logic's selection here is very nice. Out of the box you get a lot more instruments than Cubase offers.

If you use multi-timbral/mutli-channel plug-ins often, such as Kontakt, or any other virtual sampler, setting up mutliple midi channels and mutliple audio outs is a real pain in Logic.. In Cubase there is nothing to do, it just works, select the Instrument on a track, select a midi channel, done. In Logic I have to search the web first to figure how to set it up.. i forget every time. Incomprehensably complicated.

No VST support is a big downer.

No Midi output support for plug-ings. This means that any Virtual-Instruments that have cool built in sequencers or appegiators ( Reaktor, Virtual Drummer, Logic's own Ultrabeat, Kontakt2..etc ) cannot be fully used. For me that's a big big downer.. Logic's arppegiator is not that hot.

That's my 3 cents.

Depending on what kind of music you do and what tools you use, do not dismiss Cubase too quickly.

I came from 4 years of PCs running Cubase upto vSX3 about 7 months ago. I struggled at first with Logic but once you stop trying to use it like Cubase you're half way there!

Logic is an awesome program & the bundled plugins are second to none too!! The ONLY thing I miss from cubase is "Quadrafuzz".

Once you get into Logic you won't look back. Guaranteed!!

yeah, i would think again, or at least try logic express.

I have been using Logic for about 10 years, and have to say that its handling of audio is pretty poor. mixing, and midi, very intuitive, and some great editing functions.

however, if you are used to working with audio, and doing complex edits, you may find Logic very frustrating..

and, also you will have to deal with Apples fickle support, and whims.. like if you are a G5 user, like myself, it seems that Apple has halted all updates for the platform, choosing only to focus on Mac Pro. nice operating system as it is, Windows is seeming more and more closer to 'open source'

just my 2 cents. I am thinking of making the opposite transition to cubase on PC. any thoughts?

One difference that I've just become aware of --- Cubase apparently has a much greater PPQ resolution than Logic. Might want to check this out...

Mr. Schwartz, Guten Tag. Genki desu ka?

Yes you are right, also, I think DP has the highest ppqn of all the sequencers. My bandmate uses it, and it has some sickly high resolution like 2400 or something like that. Also is configurable (i.e. you can set to different resolutions) Cubase may have this behavior as well.

Gustaf, if you get a Mac Pro, why not try running windows with Cubase on it. This may solve your problem until the next update. I would guess the Cubase installer includes both PC and Mac version...

In fact you could be in a position to make various comparisons, i.e. PC Cubase vs Intel Mac Cubase vs Logic etc. might be fun?