Apple unveils Logic Studio

[Boyd Ostroff]

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007...gicstudio.html

Apple Unveils Logic Studio

Major Upgrade to Logic Pro and Introduces MainStage

CUPERTINO, California—September 12, 2007—Apple today unveiled Logic® Studio, a comprehensive suite of professional tools that gives musicians everything they need to create, produce and perform in the studio and on the stage for just $499. Logic Studio features Logic Pro 8, a major upgrade that combines an intuitive new interface with Logic’s renowned sound quality and rock-solid timing, and introduces MainStage, an innovative new live performance application that turns the Mac® into a streamlined live rig. Logic Studio also includes Soundtrack® Pro 2, Apple’s professional audio post production software; Studio Instruments, made up of 40 pristine quality instruments; Studio Effects, with 80 professional effect plug-ins; a vast Studio Sound Library; and a powerful set of production utilities.

“From the fun and intuitive GarageBand to the all new Logic Studio, there’s never been a better time to be a musician on the Mac,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing. “For less than $500, Logic Studio transforms the Mac into the most powerful musical instrument in the world.”

At the heart of Logic Studio is Logic Pro 8, now with an intuitive single-window interface for instant access to powerful music creation and production functions, including snap-to-transient selection and sample accurate editing directly in the Arrange window. New audio production tools such as Quick Swipe Comping and dynamic channel strip creation speed up common tasks. Logic Pro 8 also includes end-to-end surround production capabilities with innovative surround panning controls, multichannel tracks and busses, and support for True Surround software instruments and effects.

MainStage turns the Mac into a powerful live performance rig that produces reliable, consistent sound—whether music is being made at home, in a rehearsal space, or in front of an audience. Screen controls link software plug-ins to hardware knobs, faders and buttons, so musicians can use their favorite gear while performing live. An easy-to-read interactive display, designed for distant viewing in dim light, shows exactly the information needed on stage. Professional templates simplify set-up giving musicians more time to explore and create their own unique sounds.

Soundtrack Pro 2 is the musician’s bridge to sound for picture with professional editing tools and seamless film and video integration that simplifies every aspect of the audio post production process. Musicians can compose their score in Logic Pro 8 then use Soundtrack Pro 2 to edit dialog, design sound effects and complete the mix in cinematic sound.

Studio Instruments with 40 instrument plug-ins enable musicians to access and play almost any sound imaginable, including enhanced versions of Ultrabeat, Sculpture and ES2 synthesizers, and the EXS24 sampler. Studio Effects include a new Delay Designer plug-in that offers in-depth control over individual delay taps, and Space Designer, now with True Surround enhancements for multichannel audio processing. Logic Studio gives musicians a vast Studio Sound Library, featuring content from the five Jam Pack® collections and Final Cut Studio® 2, for a total of 18,000 Apple Loops, 1,300 EXS instruments and 5,000 sound effects that span a huge variety of genres and styles. Production utilities include WaveBurner for CD mastering, Compressor 3 for surround encoding, an Apple Loops utility and a new Impulse Response utility for capturing the acoustics of real performance spaces.

Pricing & Availability
Logic Studio is now available for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Registered Logic Pro 7 users can upgrade to Logic Studio for $199 (US). Customers who purchased Logic Pro 7 on or after August 1, 2007 are eligible for a free upgrade to Logic Studio ($9.95 shipping & handling). Full system requirements and more information on Logic Studio including a list of certified, compatible hardware and software, can be found at www.apple.com/logicstudio.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.

[Harrison Murchison]

Nice

So Soundtrack Pro 2 is the "bridge" between Final Cut and Logic 8 I presume.

[Evan C. King]

Apple is going nuts with their software prices. Logic itself was 999 before, now it's 499!

[Chris Hocking]

This is fantastic news! I've always wanted to get my hands on Logic, but the price was always too high, as I would only be using it every now and again. But now with the massive price decrease, and the added features, I think I'll be picking up a copy in the not-so-distant future! Thanks Apple!

[Floris van Eck]

Originally Posted by Evan C. King

Apple is going nuts with their software prices. Logic itself was 999 before, now it's 499!

True. But Apple wants to sell their systems so the more Apple software they get out in the wild (which only runs on Apple operating systems) the more hardware they sell.

[Tyler Franco]

Is this a competitor with ProTools or something designed for other uses?

If it is a ProTools competitor, does anyone know if you can use the Digi 002 hardware as an interface with the software?

[Shaun Roemich]

I don't believe you can use the Digi hardware.

[Erik Daniel]

Shaun is right. It will only function as a normal sound card. The control surface features will not work.

[Tyler Franco]

Thanks guys.