Logic Pro X or Pro Tools?

I use both regularly, & as Edgar pointed out, whilst both have their strengths & weaknesses, it very much depends on your usage & preferred workflow. Some things that are a lot easier to do in Logic than Pro Tools... & vice versa.

Logic definitely wins hands down when it comes to value - for $200 (every major release), you get a lot more plugins & virtual instruments. Pro Tools starts at $599... & then the following year (& thereafter) you have to pay a minimum of $99 per year to stay current, (with a penalty fee of $299) if you let your upgrade plan lapse.

Logic also wins hands down with efficiency - particularly with Virtual instruments. Pro Tools VI's (& midi) are more of an afterthought in PT - even their own VI's struggle to keep up. If you have an older or under-spec'd Mac.. Pro Tools will struggle.

Whilst Pro Tools to some extent is considered the industry standard (particularly in the States), those major facilities that use it have invested tens of thousands in the hardware - HDX Pro Tools is a very different (& expensive) proposition.

To summarise... Pro Tools excels at tracking, editing & mixing. Logic excels at composition, arrangement & mixing. I prefer the workflow of Logic, but I do prefer the summing engine of Pro Tools.

The best advice, is to try both... Although there's no demo version of Logic, Garageband (free) would give you a feel for Logic (as it's essentially a stripped down version of Logic). Alternatively try Pro Tools 'First' for a month (their entry level offering), & see which you prefer. Ultimately, they're both tools of the trade, & it's what you put in that counts!

Speaking of summing engines... I purchased Harrison's Mixbus a couple of years ago, early versions somewhat primitive compared to most modern DAWs but improving rapidly. However, the sound of this software is incredible, the most analog DAW I've ever heard, projects I've mixed in both Logic and Cubase take on new life in this software.

In my opinion it comes down to personal prefercence. I use Logic Pro X and I love it, have never tried Pro Tools. Look around the web for reviews and hopefully you'll be able to make a decision.

As for Logic Pro X being optimised for El Capitan, it has been optimised really well as it is an Apple product.

The most important question that comes before all is What do you want to use your DAW for?

Here are the key factors when choosing a DAW:

Purpose

If you want to do EDM, film music, or live tracking, then your choice of DAW might be difference

What's your budget

Logic is by far the most reasonable priced product. Nothing else comes even close to it. For $200 you get the most value and pretty much everything to work without any additional investment. You don't have to laugh up money for every "forced" update.

Personal Preference

Sometimes it just comes down to taste.

Collaboration

If you are about to work with other users then it might be easier when everybody is using the same DAW.

Future proof

Although, nobody knows what Apple is doing next, having the software made from the same company that makes the hardware has some advantages regarding compatibility. Apple's financial statement indicates that the company might be around for awhile. Pro Tool on the other hand is an amazing app, but the company is run into the ground over the years by boneheaded decisions from beancounters that took over the company. Their financial situation is on the brink of collapse or takeover. This unstable situation is always not good for app when engineers/programmers are fired or leaving.

Don't look back

Once you made the (right) decision, don't look back. the grass is not greener on the other side. One DAW always has the heads up over another DAW on a feature by feature comparison. But that is pointless. Unless it becomes a deal breaker regarding your workflow, stick with your DAW and invest your time learning and master it, instead of reading of other DAW users bragging about the superiority of their DAW.

Final Wisdom

If you just listen to music and investigate what was recorded/produced with what DAW, you would find out that great music is recorded with any DAW on the market (yes, even GarageBand). On the other hand, there is a lot of crap out there, recorded/produced on the same DAW. So maybe, at the end, it has a lot to do with HOW you use an app and not WHAT app you are using.

Hope that helps

Edgar Rothermich - LogicProGEM.com

(Author of the "Graphically Enhanced Manuals")

http://DingDingMusic.com/Manuals/

'I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.'

Just to add......

Even though Logic is widely used, ProTools is still the de-facto software found in most professional studios. Logic comes with a lot of ready made stuff, and has been adopted by beatmakers. If you're needs are mixed almost any DAW will do. I use Logic for my own stuff but Use Cubase for recording live shows and recording in the traditional method, (people actually playing instruments) I need Cubase because the University here NPR/PBS uses Nuendo DAW's. Cubase/Nuendo files are interchangeable.

Logic has had occasional problems keeping up with the speed of Apple's OS releases. If you have a smooth running DAW it's always recommended not to upgrade to the latest greatest operating system as soon as it comes out. There will be some OS/Logic kinks, at least there has been the past few OS releases. Usually ironed out in a couple of months.

If you need to mix in surround sound, go with Logic, because Pro Tools only offers surround mixing when you step up to the expensive HD version of the software.

Thanks for the info. Harrison's Mixbus 4 looks awesome and sound seven better! Never heard of it before you mentioned it so thanks 🙂

What is Harrisons mixbus exactly Pancenter? another DAW? excuse my ignorance!