The New Version of Logic Pro And The New Apple Creator Studio Bundle!

New Features, Speculations & Subscription Options

Well, we may have found out the reason that Logic Pro dropped off it’s on average 3 month update cycle lately. Apple announced today the “Apple Creator Studio”. This is a bundle of six, (or ten depending on how you want to count it), different apple creator apps brought together under a single subscription and includes

the Mac and iPad versions of the apps that are available on both platforms. Included in this news is that there is also a new version of Logic and it’ won’t only be included in the new subscription.

But First, What Apps Are Included With The Subscription?

The included apps are:

Logic Pro of course, both the Mac and iPad versions.

Main Stage, an app that brings Logic’s (and 3rd party) plug ins, presets and patches into a performance friendly interface. Main Stage is Mac only.

Final Cut Pro, Apple’s Video Editing app on both the Mac and iPad.

Motion, a Final Cut companion app for motion graphics for videos, and is only available on the mac.

Compressor, another companion app to Final Cut for converting video quickly to various formats and sizes, and is also mac only.

Pixelmator Pro (a photo editing app) on both the Mac and iPad.

Premium templates, images, themes and similar content for Pages, (similar to Word), Numbers, (similar to Excel), Keynote, (similar to Power Point), and Freeform, a collaborative visual planning and organizing app for projects of all kinds.

Is The Subscription The Only Option Going Forward?

It appears that the one time purchase version of all these apps will still be available along side the subscription options. Apple is also stating that you will be able to have both the subscription and stand alone versions installed on your Mac at the same time. Logic and Main Stage will receive all new features as the subscription version as well. Content created with the subscription will remain in your projects after a subscription lapses, but changes to said content will not be available without renewing the subscription. Also while speaking of subscriptions, as Logic for iPad is only a subscription, it will be curious to see if the existing subscription of $5/month or $50/year will remain or if Logic for iPad will only be available through this new Apple Creator Studio subscription for $12.99/month or $129/year. One thing to note here is there is a one month trial for new subscribers and a 3 month trial with new Mac or iPad purchases. Also subscriptions can be shared with all members of a family plan.

So far if I am following this correctly it appears that the big selling point for the subscription for a Logic Pro user is access to both the Mac and iPad version and AI features and sounds. Does this mean the new sound packs that are in the form of loops, samples and patches etc that have previously been a part of Logic Pro updates will now only be in the subscription? Perhaps, or does Apple stating that Logic and Mains Stage will continue to receive all new features mean that both the one time purchase and the subscription version of Logic will have all the same AI features and new sounds? Either way we’ll find out soon as the new subscription, and I assume the new Logic Pro update as well, will be available via the App Store starting Wednesday January 28.

So What Are Some Of These new Features?

It appears the sound library from the iPad version will be making its way to the Mac version. One notable feature of the iPad’s sound library is that it allows for new sound packs to be added outside of a Logic Pro update. Currently on the Mac version of Logic, sound packs are usually only delivered as part of a Logic Pro update. This seems to be inline with the subscription including new sounds. The new sound library should in theory allow for new sound content to be delivered to Logic subscribers, and possibly all Logic users, without a Logic update with new features.

So the question here is, will the new sound library replace the existing library? Or will they co-exist. Given that as I understand it the sound library is the only option on the iPad I am guessing it will replace the current Logic library and you will be able to browse existing patches and etc in the sound library in addition to the new content.

The other exciting new feature appears to be chord ID. Chord ID is able to analyze any section of your project, whether it be made up of MIDI or Audio, and figure out the chords and add them to the chord track. I have said for sometime now whenever I was asked if the chord track could do this, that it’s only a matter of time before it will and that time appears to be nearing. I am definitely curious to see how well this feature works and how accessible it will be to use and work with in a project as a blind producer.

Of course this also most likely means its only a matter of time before new session players will be added. That being said, it appears that they may be expanding what’s currently available. It appears the simple pads from the keyboard session player is being expanded into a Synth Player with more synth related controls in the session player editor. Apple is also listing the Upright bass separately from electric bass and acoustic and electronic drums on their own as well. Does this mean there will be more session player appropriate controls for those in the session editor? Only time will tell.

Other rumors and speculation includes, Retro Synth and another classic included synth getting an under the hood update to their sound engine bringing a more analog vibe to them, ChromaGlow gaining improvements and or new modules and their is certainly a lot of images of Live Loops, so maybe something new there as well.

The Subscription Value Proposition For A Blind User

So with all that being said, what’s the value proposition for a blind user? Is the $12.99/month or $129/year a good deal for those of us most likely to only use Logic Pro? If you don’t yet own Logic Pro for Mac and or iPad, It could be. Especially if you are an iPad user who works on things on the go. I say could be though as when I tried the iPad version I didn’t find it as efficient to use overall as the Mac version. There are some cool new features and a couple things that were easier or more efficient on the iPad, but overall a full typing keyboard with full key commands I find is still the fastest way to work in Logic. That being said, I imagine there will be a day, and possibly sooner rather than later, that Logic for iPad and Logic for Mac will be come the same version sharing all the same features and I hope the ability to share the same key commands file. I believe this is when the new subscription starts to become a bit more of a tempting proposition for the multi device blind user. Though in a user base that in a lot of cases is on a fixed income, $12.99/month or $2.99 if you are a student could be a viable way to get into a DAW that’s accessible and has a lot of the most interesting new features around composing and producing industry standard bangers without much else in the way of hardware or software needed to be added on.

However, in our current AI crazy hype world, I could see the new AI features and functionality being a major selling point, especially if those features are indeed subscription only. Everyone is always looking for easier and faster ways to do things with AI and music production and the blind community are no exceptions to this. More so if voice prompting and on going conversational style prompting becomes a thing. One new feature for the iPad version of logic appears to be the ability to use Natural language to search the sound library. As it stands searching the library appears to be just matching the words to the titles of patches and searching the loop browser relies on the tags added to loops. This new Natural language feature however, allows for searching using normal words and phrases with out having to have tagged things first thanks to AI being familiar with the sounds in the library. This is an Intelligent feature I’d look forward to when it makes its way to the Mac version of Logic if it’s not available right away.

The new features that we are aware of so far are welcomed ones, especially if they are implemented well accessibility wise on release. This is just scratching the surface though, as some things apple have stated, while others are speculation and or rumors, either way though I am sure this isn’t everything that’s new but we most likely won’t find out much more until the new version is released. The confirmed new features also paves the way for new things to be added like new session players among other stuff down the road. It’s also great news for current Logic Pro owners that the subscription won’t be required for new features, but what I am curious to know is whether AI or sounds will get you interested in the subscription, if they are indeed subscription only. Also if you have been considering Logic, and not currently a Logic Pro license owner, does the monthly price make it more enticing or attainable, or are you still planning for the one time purchase? Drop a comment and let’s chat about it.