Logic - Worth it??

af_thefragile

Hey, i wanted to know is Logic worth buying or am i better off getting
ProTools instead??

Basically what i'm looking for is a platform to record audio tracks, edit them, process them (EQ, Compresson, reverb, delay, limiting n all) and use it along with Reason, Guitar Rig and probably a drum sequencer like Battery or BFD.
Basically have guitars going through amps or Guitar Rig to be recorded onto the platform, have synths n other electronic stuff from Reason, drums n stuff from Battery or BFD.

I've used Protools before and i quite liked it. Found it pretty straightforward and very professional to work with (as its designed to work like an analogue desk). I also quite like the plug-ins on Protools. Though i'ld never use it for MIDI programming as i found it to be pretty complicated and inefficient on it. Where as Logic just looks like a better version of Garage Band (which in my opinion is absolute crap, well its extremely simple to use but the editing n dynamics processing on it is crap).

I've never herd anything about how the effects and dynamics processing plug-ins on Logic are. Does it support VST? (which i presume it does) and how easy is it to use along with Reason and Guitar Rig??

So what should i get here??
Should i get the Mbox Micro, as i really like the whole idea of protools on the go without having to carry a bulky audio interface around...
or
Should i go with the latest trend and get Logic??
or
Should i just stick to Cubase???

fitz

If it's between Cubase and Logic?
Logic, so much more straight forward to use, and the included plugins are excellent.

PaulBrewer

Logic all the way I vote...

bedbugs

Quick reply to answer a couple of points..

No, Logic does not support VST. It supports AU (Audio Units). BUT you can get a VST to AU wrapper from FXpansion.

As to what sequencer to get, well the new Logic is beautiful. Nice plugins, much improved workflow. Then again, I use Cubase 4.1 and love that too. Most of them are the same -as in they all do the same thing. Except for "LE" (lite editions) programmes which can be heavily crippled. Protools LE is one such example -pretty much the same as m-powered. There are a lot of restrictions, like track count and the like.

But then again, it's not fair to compare Protools LE/m-powered with Cubase 4, Dig Performer, Logic Pro etc, because it's not a full version. Cheap though if the protools look is what floats your boat, or if you buy into that popular "industry standard" myth. If we're talking recording industry, rock bands are a tiny part of it. You also have Sound Design, Scoring for movies, Location recording, Video Game scoring...etc etc... You'll find a tonne of users of Sadie, Pyramix, Nuendo, Logic as well as Protools HD.

Sorry, rant over..

af_thefragile

^ I already have an old version of cubase SE.

My main decision is between Logic and ProTools. I really liked protools cuz i felt the audio editing on it was really straightforward. But i didn't like working with MIDI on it at all.
While on the other hand the only thing i've come close to working on Logic is Garage Band, which i think is extremely straightforward to use but the editing features sorta suck.

Hows Logic with VST plug-ins and Reason??

bedbugs

Oh yeah, which one to get... if it was between Logic and Cubase and I was using a Mac, I'd change to Logic.

James Hunt

Logic and Pro Tools both play nice with Reason. Guitar Rig can be a cpu hog, bear that in mind especially if you use Pro Tools which tends to be a bit heavier than Logic on system reasources (for me anyway).

The Mbox micro has no audio in's....as you're probably aware, so it would probably be no more than a convenient mixing interface on occasion. Judging on your first post, you'll need some audio inputs.

af_thefragile

bedbugs wrote: »

Quick reply to answer a couple of points..

No, Logic does not support VST. It supports AU (Audio Units). BUT you can get a VST to AU wrapper from FXpansion.

As to what sequencer to get, well the new Logic is beautiful. Nice plugins, much improved workflow. Then again, I use Cubase 4.1 and love that too. Most of them are the same -as in they all do the same thing. Except for "LE" (lite editions) programmes which can be heavily crippled. Protools LE is one such example -pretty much the same as m-powered. There are a lot of restrictions, like track count and the like.

But then again, it's not fair to compare Protools LE/m-powered with Cubase 4, Dig Performer, Logic Pro etc, because it's not a full version. Cheap though if the protools look is what floats your boat, or if you buy into that popular "industry standard" myth. If we're talking recording industry, rock bands are a tiny part of it. You also have Sound Design, Scoring for movies, Location recording, Video Game scoring...etc etc... You'll find a tonne of users of Sadie, Pyramix, Nuendo, Logic as well as Protools HD.

Sorry, rant over..

Well, i really doubt i'ld be doing any major scoring and all on Logic and Protools HD is sorta a little wayy out of budget right now...

So you presume Logic should do me fine with what i'm looking for here??
Like i wanna be able to use Guitar Rig and other VST instruments like Battery with it...

Its 366eur for Cubase Studio 4 on Thomann and 479eur for Logic 8 on apple's website. While Mbox Micro is only 249eur.
Cubase is certainly the cheaper option here and it works pretty well with Guitar Rig and Reason, and the fact i'm quite familiar with it helps too... Anyone know what the plugins on Cubase Studio 4 are like??

Yeah, you see i'm on a really tight budget here!!:)

Oh and i do have a M-Audio FW Solo audio interface which does the job for now...

bedbugs

Don't get me wrong. I love Cubase! I'm using the full version, but Cubase Studio is a great application and I reckon it'll do all you'll need, unless you want to mix in surround, but I'm guessing you don't.

Plus your m-audio interface should work like a dream with it.

The plugins in Cubase are excellent, synth wise and HalionOne has some excellent sampled sounds. I actually haven't used the effects to a great extent, but the ones I have used are brilliant.

af_thefragile

^aah, thanks.
Then i guess i'm gonna stick to cubase as i has originally planned.
I'm not gonna go as far as mixing in surround for this project. Trying to focus more on the music than anything else for this one. Just need a software that could do a good job with it all. Nothing too fancy. As its gonna be just my first project. And i'm anyway planning on getting it mastered in a studio once i've finished producing it too...

I'm just looking for a software with good dynamics processing plugins. Compressors, EQ's, Reverb and Delay units, Limiters and all... But i think there are loads of good quality plug-ins for those that you can get off the internet too...

bedbugs

af_thefragile wrote: »

^aah, thanks.
Then i guess i'm gonna stick to cubase as i has originally planned.
I'm not gonna go as far as mixing in surround for this project. Trying to focus more on the music than anything else for this one. Just need a software that could do a good job with it all. Nothing too fancy. As its gonna be just my first project. And i'm anyway planning on getting it mastered in a studio once i've finished producing it too...

I'm just looking for a software with good dynamics processing plugins. Compressors, EQ's, Reverb and Delay units, Limiters and all... But i think there are loads of good quality plug-ins for those that you can get off the internet too...

Yep. There are tonnes of great free plugs out there. here are a few that I use that are totally free and great too..

The Fish Fillets by Digital Fishphones are amazing -especially Blockfish as a compressor.

The Classic Series from Kjaerhus Audio are some great standards that I always return to.

SIR 1 for a great convolution reverb

Reaplugs - The good plugs from Reaper - but for any DAW

And in general, www.dontcrack.com is great for good free stuff. It also has a wealth of rubbish too.

Best of luck with it all.

Colin

af_thefragile

Thanks a lot with those!!!

trackmixstudio

Is Logic worth it?
Does the pope wear a funny hat?
Does a bear sh1t in the woods?
YES!
The amount of included content in logic studio for 500 quid is staggering.
The included plugins are fantastic. Space designer (convolution reverb) is worth the asking price on its own.
The EXS24 sampler is great too and comes with a massive library of sounds.
There are also lots of software instruments included.
You are correct in saying Logic is best for midi, but for audio the new "takes" feature is really useful.
Apple loops are great for putting ideas down too.

jtsuited

absolute no brainer. get logic. as was said, staggering amount of good stuff you get with it, including a convolution reverb (which tend to be very pricey).

i ditched protools as soon as i got my hands on Logic 8. And i was a big protools fan.

af_thefragile

and you had to post that and confuse me again!!

I think for now as a temporary thing i'll get Cubase Essential. Then when i can save up a little more i'll decide on getting Logic or Cubase...

And this brings me to ask, is Cubase Essential good for doing a temporary job??
Or how about Logic Express for that sake?
yeah, i keep falling down the scale with every post...
But then again, i'm just a student very low on budget!!

trackmixstudio

Why not get logic express for €199, then you can upgrade to the full logic studio later for €299. That is only €20 more than buying logic studio in the first place.

af_thefragile

^yeah, i actually like the sound of that...
Might go for Logic Express then...!!

fitz

Or you could get Logic Express, which is €200.
It's essentially exactly the same thing, but you don't get the all the instruments, jam packs, apple loops, some of the more advanced plugins, Mainstage (for using Logic instruments live) or Soundtrack Pro.
For the purposes you're describing, it will more than do the job, and you can always upgrade to Studio later when you have the money. The upgrade is priced so that the Logic Express price + the upgrade costs you the same as buying Studio, so it's not even like going for Express costs you more in the long run.

+1 for the take feature mentioned above being fantasic btw.

EDIT: Beaten to the punch!

I went for Logic Express and haven't looked back. Guitar Rig works a treat with it too btw.

af_thefragile

Yeah, for what i'm doing right now, Logic Express should more than do the job.
I don't really need any of those jam packs and loops anyway. Neither do i need sountrack pro.
I'm gonna be programming my own beats n stuff and recording guitars, piano's and basses on my own. So guess Logic Express is what i need right now.
And i can always upgrade ot the studio later when i have the money and feel the need...!!

Damn, you guys have converted me into a logic guy from a Protools n cubase guy!!

trackmixstudio

You won't regret it!
I am an Apple Certified Trainer for logic.
If you have any questions either now, or when you get it, ask them in the logic 8 thread and I will try my best to answer them.
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055219339

I also run logic in trackmix studio in Blanchardstown. You are welcome to call over to sit in on a session if you want. It would really help you to see how it works in a real world scenario. I mainly record rock and metal bands so I don't know if thats your thing.
PM me if you want
Michael

dav nagle

I have both but I am sticking with pro tools for the moment. Michael is right in terms of the pure value for money with Logic 8. I prefer Logics Midi but I also quite like Pro tools straight forward approach to doing things, especially editing. Logic and Pro Tools have rather similar automaton. The problem with Pro tools is that you end up having to keep on spending more and more money. Logic is an all in one wonder. However, Pro tools LE can be upgraded with the DV toolkit.


As a Pro tools user for 5 years I absolutely love it, in many ways I prefer the interface for being so straight forward. The bottom line is money. If you need cash for BFD 2 which I also use and you want an unlimited amount of track counts and huge variety of plug ins definitely get Logic.If your in the recording game for the long haul and you feel more comfortable with LE then go down that road. Either way you will be happy :pac: