Garageband sounds vs Logic Express

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Level 1

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Garageband sounds vs Logic Express

Hi All,
I'm new here and I apologize if this has been covered in an existing post. I've searched a lot and not found an answer to my specific question...

I've read that the loops that come with Logic Express sound better than those that come with Garageband. I understand that Logic's instruments sound better. I'm thinking about upgrading to Logic Express for this reason (and others).

But what I would like to know, is upon upgrading to Logic Express, will my existing Garageband loops sound any better?

If a Garageband loop is just a simple audio sample, then I wouldn't expect any improvement. But if the loop is based on a MIDI instrument - then would it make sense that Logic could provide a better "engine" for all those existing instruments?
To take it one step further, how do the Jam Packs apply to this? I'm thinking of getting one of them. If the instruments in the Jam Pack only sound as good as Garageband instruments, then is it really worth getting it if you have Logic?

Any advice is much appreciated!

macboook core 2 duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Feb 9, 2007 12:47 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 9, 2007 3:59 AM in response to superloud

My advice to anyone with Logic is to get all the Jampacks if you can. For $100, you can't beat what the Jampacks offer you. I'd say before investing in any other loop libraries, etc... buy a jampack. I wish I could take back the $1000's I spent on other libraries when honestly I use the Apple Remix, Symphony, and World Instruments 99% of the time when I'm laying down the rough sketch for a composition.

Also, instead of trying to understand what "sounds" better, Logic or Garageband...look at it as with Logic, you can make everything sound better because it provides you with the tools to manipulate sound far beyond what garageband can do.

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Answer 2

superloud Author

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Feb 9, 2007 9:00 AM in response to stevechristian

I think it's important to understand if the same Jam Pack loop will sound better when played in Logic compared with Garageband.

When I play the default loops in Garageband, they don't exactly sound bad...but they don't sound all that much like real instruments. I also recently got the R&B Track Pak - which has all the loops necessary for 12 well known songs. These loops also sound a little weak.

If I upgrade to Logic, will all the loops I have sound better? And will the Jam Packs sound better?

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Answer 3

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Feb 9, 2007 9:13 AM in response to superloud

I think it's important to understand if the same Jam Pack loop will sound better >when played in Logic compared with Garageband.

Hi "superloud"

I think it's important you understand that if you play the same exact loop through ANY software,it will sound the same.That is because in Logic,or in Garageband you are accessing the same exact samples.
Logic Express and pro have additional tools like Equalizers,Compressors,and other FX that if used properly,CAN make a loop sound better.All thisrequires is that you spend the time to manipulate that "stock" loop into what you want it to sound like.

Now,as far as software "virtual" instruments,well,Logic provides more of them,and some are MUCH better than the stock Garageband ones.So your MIDI performances will have more sounds to choose from,adn will probably sound better because of this.

Now,please understand,Logic in both Express AND Pro versions,is quite a step up from garageband.It takes some time to learn how to use it.You will NOT be able to just install and start playing,like Garageband.With that said,IF you are willing to put in some time to learn Logic,you can rest assured that the results will be what you want them to be.Just please don't expect Logic to do it for you...it won't.

Cheers...

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Answer 4

superloud Author

Level 1

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Feb 9, 2007 4:56 PM in response to noeqplease

Hi noeqplease 🙂

I think my problem is that I still don't understand exactly what makes up a "loop".
If a loop is just an audio sample, then I understand why it will sound the same using any software. I also understand that Logic will be able to get more out of that sample - because it has more tools to apply to that sample.

However, take a look at this quote from the following Jam Pack review article:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/reviewof_garagebandjampacks.htm

"In a typical Jam Pack you get loops AND audio instruments. The "blue" loops are straight audio loops and are typically of high quality. They can be stretched, compressed, effected, like any other audio track. But the "green" loops in the browser are actually an audio instruments with a MIDI track associated."

After reading that, it sounds like some loops are really just MIDI files which point to a certain instrument. Therefore, if you get all new (and better) instruments with Logic, then maybe all those loops will sound better.

So here's where I ask again:
-is it true that some loops aren't hard samples, but rather depend on the quality of your instrument synthesizer?
-if so, will installing Logic make those loops sound better? (i.e. does Logic have better instruments to use for all the old Garageband loops? - OR does Logic only provide new and better instruments for the new loops included with Logic?)
-if so, what % of Jam Pack loops are "green" and would get the benefit of being used with Logic vs GB?

thanks again!!

macboook core 2 duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 5

lwilliam

Level 2

363 points

Feb 11, 2007 9:13 AM in response to superloud

Just remember there are two types of Apple Loops: Audio and Midi. The green ones are midi.

If you load the same GREEN Apple Loop into Logic, it will load the the GarageBand instrument and plugins associated with it. That's one of the things that Logic 7 did: added full GB compatibiltiy along with Apple Loop compatibility.

All GB instruments are available in Logic. That's part of the "compatibility". Logic DOES have better-sounding instruments that could be used for those Apple Loops. I can't think of a GB instrument where you couldn't find a better-sounding similar one in Logic; either with the built-in synths, or with the EXS sampler.

I believe the only differences when you initially import a GB song would be the reverbs and delays: they get converted to Platinum 'verb and Tape Delay in Logic, which sound better.

Now you can certainly take those midi loops (vs the audio loops) and assign different, better-sounding instrument and plugins to them in Logic, but if you load a GB song into Logic, you'll basically get the same sound starting out. Then you can tweak it a lot...a LOT.

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Answer 6

superloud Author

Level 1

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Feb 20, 2007 7:57 PM in response to lwilliam

Thanks for the advice!

now to add my 2 cents...
I just got Apple Jam Pack #1. I know it's old and might not be as good as the newer ones. But I'm pretty happy with it. I seems to me that it contains mostly "blue" audio loops.
That suits me since to me they sound better than the midi loops anyways. Especially since I'm still using Garageband.

So to summarize the answer to my own question...
-Jam Packs likely contain mostly "blue" audio loops
-those blue loops will sound good in GB or FCE
-however, if you're serious about using FCE, you'll be able to get noticeably more bang for your buck for those same loops (due to tweaking power)

macboook core 2 duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

macboook core 2 duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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