Logic Studio Retail (2007)

Remember Emagic Logic Platinum 4? And 5? And 6? And Apple Logic 7? If you're a long term Logic user, then you'll recognise that this product has just got better and better with each generation. It is now vastly more powerful, vastly more processor efficient, and vastly more capable of being adapted to what you want to do (rather than what the programmers thought you might want to do).

Up until this version, though, I've had two ongoing dislikes.

The first was the dongle system. I've never liked dongles. They're easy to lose, easy to break, and they occupy USB ports that are better used for Midi boxes and graphic tablets. I've taken my laptop on tens of thousands of miles of international travel, but I've rarely taken my Logic dongle out of the house -- unlike the laptop, it couldn't be backed up.

Mercifully, then, Apple has decided to take the dongle out of the Logic system. I am now free to use this software wherever I have my computer. As far as I'm concerned, this upgrade alone was worth the price.

The second niggle was the overcomplex way Logic's environment coped with external devices. This may have been necessary in the days of OS 9 and OMS, but in OSX it was just silly and cumbersome. Logic still has an Environment window, but it now properly checks what is installed and makes sensible decisions about what you want to do with it.

At last, this product has become truly Apple-like.

There are lots of other benefits of upgrading. You can now use the synths and effects as a live-production tool. I'm not sure I will, but if i didn't already have a huge investment in live equipment, I probably would. You also get all of Apple's current Jam Packs in the price. I spent more than the price of the upgrade on two of the packs last year. I'm not cross about that, as I get three more at a bargain price. If you don't own any of the Jam Packs, though, and want to use Apple Loops, then the upgrade is a very good deal, and even the full package is a bargain.

So much for the upgraders. What about if you're buying this software for the first time. Is it worth it?

Emphatically yes. At £200 cheaper than I originally paid for Logic 4, Logic Pro Studio is a phenomenal bargain, and is the most complete music production application available for the Macintosh. If you want a music production environment, with audio recording, scoring, sequencing, remixing, mastering, and the best set of loops and software instruments in the world, I would recommend this wholeheartedly.

If you are a current ProTools user, then Logic is now much more worth a look than previously, but you would still need a pretty serious reason to switch -- for example because you wanted access to Logic's other features. Prior to version 7, Logic always lagged behind Digidesign Pro Tools because Pro Tools was based around off-computer processing engines, which meant you could endlessly add more tracks and effects without things seizing up. Since Logic 7, though, Logic is able to exploit the power of any other recent Mac on your network via Ethernet, provided that you have 1 gigabit ports and switches, something which has been standard for a few years. You don't need to buy any more Logic licenses to make this work -- you just need to install Logic node on each machine, and you can put it onto as many machines as you like. Logic will also happily use all of your TDM hardware. Of course, none of this is actually a reason to switch. Logic and Pro Tools have quite a different approach to working, and I personally find switching from one to the other fairly tedious. However, if you want access to Logic's sequencing and scoring, which approaches the capabilities of Coda Finale, then you will find Logic uncompromisingly powerful. Logic can also export OMF files, and is designed to work well with Avid, though, naturally, with ProTools LE and AudioSuite integrated with Avid, Logic will never be as easy a partner.

If you're a GarageBand user, looking for something more professional, then Logic offers a reasonably pain-free upgrade. However, do be aware that this is fundamentally a very different kind of software, not a Pro version of GarageBand. Logic Pro has a similar interface to DVD Studio Pro and Final Cut Pro: they are designed to offer maximum power and flexibility, and this inevitably makes them more complex. Expect to spend a good couple of hours with the manuals!

If all this sounds too good to be true, then mark it up to two things. First, Logic is a major player in the recording industry and is used professionally in thousands of studios world-wide. It's a response to what recording professionals demand, not merely a marketing upgrade. In buying Logic, you benefit from the relentless pressure that the recording industry has placed on the developers. Second, Apple bought Logic (and cancelled the Windows version) to support pressure to switch to the Macintosh. It is priced and specified to make the Macintosh attractive to switchers.

Recommended to every Mac user who wants to do music production. For Windows users, almost a reason in itself to switch. Almost.

To the review about disk space above.... the other content is optional, you don't have to install it all.

Also, if you are trying to run this piece of higly advanced software on a mac with 60gb of space, then you need to think about upgrading.

Logic Pro Studio is better, generally, than all the other music creation/production software out there at the moment.

I was a bit worried about buying this retail version but it turned out to be great. Everything you need in the box. My advice is : read the manuals, watch the tutorials and then move on. All updates are june 08 and nov 08 from Apple. Best ever investment so far ! One of the best products ever made by Apple. Easy to work with and logical !
Great delivery from Amazon ...as always !
If you`re into music , buy it !