Apple Logic Pro full review

For a number of years now Apple'due south Logic Pro X music product software has been ane of the quiet jewels in the company's crown. Yeah, the iPhone, iPad and Mac will be used by more than people, but when it comes to quality, value for money, and the continual addition of new features, Logic takes some beating.

Now with Apple Silicon support to match your artistic ambitions, plus plenty of fun and forward-thinking new features, Logic Pro X is the all-time information technology'southward ever been.

To see how the pro-level software compares to the free music production app that comes with every Mac, read our Logic Pro 10 vs GarageBand feature.

Logic Pro has a gratuitous trial here, it costs £174.99/$199.99 as a i-fourth dimension purchase afterward which subsequent updates are free.

New features and fixes

As Logic has get more than and more fully featured, you'd expect the gratis updates to get a little lighter each time and nevertheless, Apple tree seems to find surprising new means to add to the app.

Headlining Logic Pro'due south current major version, x.7, is the improver of Dolby Atmos back up in the mixing panel, as well as over ii,800 new loops and Apple silicon back up. These follow on from ten.6 adding the Step Sequencer on Logic Remote to trigger audio on your iPad, and ten.v'south excellent Alive Loops improver that makes it easier than ever to get started making a rails.

It's still got a steeper learning bend than its gratis brother GarageBand, but Logic Pro X feels more than approachable than ever regardless.

Spatial sound tools

Logic Pro Review

If you own a pair of AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, you'll know just how impressive Spatial Audio technology can exist. Whether it'south sounding like you're in the center of two people having a conversation while listening to a podcast, or having the feeling of being at the forepart of a alive gig while a band plays, information technology's come up a long way in merely a few years.

At present, Logic Pro X will actually allow users to create Spatial Sound mixes, with expanded pan controls and expansions to plugins. You can fifty-fifty consign in Dolby Atmos, which tin can make video content feel much more alive – whether it's a domicile movie or a blockbuster. As you can imagine, though, you lot'll want some uniform headphones to be able to hear your work as you make changes.

Expanded sound library

Logic Pro Ten has never been shy when it comes to offering sounds, and while other sound apps will gate new library additions behind more expensive bundles or subscription services, Apple tree has thrown a huge number into x.vii every bit a free souvenir.

There are over two,800 new loops in plenty of genres, as well as 230 new instrument and audio patches, fifty new pulsate kits, and plenty more. That's a pretty staggering addition to an already impressive library.

Apple Silicon back up

Apple's M1 architecture means that Logic now runs much more smoothly than it ever has before. Skipping through your workspace is fluid (particularly on the latest MacBook Pro), and being able to export a track quickly to share with colleagues or friends is bully.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages is the advancement in energy efficiency. Whether you're on an M1, the Pro, or the Max versions, y'all'll notice yourself less likely to need to attain for a charger every couple of hours. More demanding users will however desire to stay in the studio, only it'll make it easier to record while you're out and near.

Alive Loops and Sampler

Logic Pro Live Loops

Introduced in Logic Pro 10.v, Live Loops and Sampler are new, intuitive ways to utilize Logic Pro X.

Live Loops lets users trigger cells in a grid. The grid can exist made up of your own recordings, loops or samples, and are great for creating a full rails from disassembled parts and disparate elements. You can add instant filters, gates and more than using Remix FX, also, so you tin customise sounds within the Live Loops setup.

And then there's the Sampler which uses dragging and dropping to create a serial of samples on a keyboard. Flex Fourth dimension is integrated, besides, allowing for a broad range of sample lengths without altering the pitch.

iPad and iPhone integration

Logic Remote has been a companion app for iPhones and iPads for years, only in the last couple of years it's come into its own.

Function of that is down to the aforementioned Alive Loops feature. Triggering sounds from an iPad, using multi-touch to activate each 1, isn't only more accurate than triggering them regularly – it'due south more fun, too.

The same works with Footstep Sequencer, bringing pulsate car capabilities to your telephone or tablet.

Verdict

As we stated at the start of this review, Logic Pro 10 is one of Apple'due south most polished products. We're non shy of pointing out when the company charges too much for its devices, but the software segmentation really does have the bit between its teeth at the moment.

Each of the recent versions accept added not just a wealth of stability improvements, but a huge number of changes. Not anybody will desire to trigger things from their other devices, or create Spatial Audio mixes, simply that's the joy of Logic Pro Ten – it can do exactly what you want, and other things you had no idea you wanted, too.

Logic Pro X was a five-star product before the update, but now that this upgrade has arrived, and is completely free to existing users, nosotros may well take to get-go rethinking the maximum number of stars that tin be awarded.

For advice on hardware that's upwards to this kind of task, read our guide to the best Mac for music production. And for our thoughts on suitable alternatives to Logic, read best Mac music product software.