Apple have finally launched the successor to Logic Pro 7. Logic Studio is a complete audio production suite that includes Logic Pro 8, Soundtrack Pro 2, a massive loop library, enhanced instruments and a live performance application all at a dramatically reduced price.
Here are the main points of Apple's announcement:
Logic Studio costs £319 / $499 and includes Logic Pro 8, Soundtrack Pro 2, Main Stage live performance application, Studio Instruments, Studio Effects and Studio Sound Library. It's available to buy from 13/09/07.
Existing Logic Pro 7 users can upgrade to Logic Studio for $199, and users who purchased Logic Pro 7 after August 1st 2007 are eligible for a free upgrade, although there will be a $9.95 postage and packaging charge. These are US prices, no announcement has been made regarding upgrades in other territories.
Logic Pro 8 has been redesigned and now features a single window interface, sample-accurate editing directly in the arrange window, snap-to-transient selection and new production tools such as Quick Swipe Comping and dynamic channel strip creation.
Logic Pro 8 includes what Apple describe as "end to end" surround capabilities including innovative surround panning controls, multitrack channels and busses, and support for True Surround instruments and effects.
Soundtrack Pro 2 is taken from Apple's Final Cut video editing software series and is designed for audio to video work, specifically dialogue editing, and sound design.
MainStage is a live performance tool designed to be reliable and consistent. On screen controls link software plug-in parameters to hardware controllers, and the interface has been designed for distant viewing in poor lighting condition.
Studio Instruments includes 40 instrument plug-ins including enhanced versions of Ultrabeat, Sculpture, ES2, and EXS24.
Studio Effects is a library of 80 effects plug-ins including the new Delay Designer, and Space Designer which now offers True Surround capabilities.
Studio Sound Library includes content from the five Jam Pack collections and Final Cut Studio running to a grand total of 18,000 Apple Loops, 1,300 EXS instruments and 5000 sound effects.
Other utilities include WaveBurner for CD mastering, Compressor 3 for surround encoding, an Apple Loops utility and a new Impulse Response utility for capturing your own impulse responses.
Check out these images to whet your appetite
More information can be had from Apple's Logic Studio page.
What with a potentially amazing array of new features and a bargain price tag, Logic Studio looks set to up the music production software ante dramatically. So, has Cubase's time been and gone? Is Reason 4 too little too late? Will Sonar 7 disappear off the radar? Tell us your thoughts.
