Now you can use Twitter and Facebook to comment in the blog

Hi, just a quick heads up.
Use your Twitter or Facebook account to comment on the new posts.

This feature will be implemented on future posts only.

Cheers.

Now EVERYONE can afford a MacBook Pro.

Apple, I'm surprised, utterly surprised.... SURPRIZED even...

Remember that 13 inch aluminum notebook called "MacBook" ? Well, it's now a MacBook Pro and here are the specs + price.

A MacBook PRO for $1,199.00! who'd have thought? Nice huh?

Not only that... you can upgrade the RAM at up to 8 Gb. *gulp* and guess what??

FIREWIRE'S BACK BABY WOHOOOOOO!!!

But it's not just ANY FireWire, it's FW800 baby.

Click here to see the new specs and presentation.

Nuff said. I'm out.

Look out Logic Studio, Propellerheads Record is coming

Update: 17th of May - No Propellerheads, snappy readers are not buying your argument that this is not a DAW and your "don't call it a DAW" tantrum will be just that... a tantrum. Of course, I'm willing to say "oh dear, I'm affraid they were right, it is not a daw... " when it comes out and it proves to be something completely different.


Hi,

You know Propellerheads that Swedish company that created Reason and ReWire right?
They are now cooking their own DAW and it's bound to be quite something, after all they claim the following:

• They've modeled the mixing console after the legendary SSL 9000k analogue mixing desk.
• They've implemented real-time time stretch.
• It will include Virtual Pod from Line 6
• Also Bass amp and speaker modeling by Line 6
• Logic-style comping.

and some other features...

What is all the fuzz about? As I've said before I love to have products competing against Logic Studio so that Apple programmers are forced to innovate.

With Propellerheads Record probably some musicians already using Reason will want to take Logic out of the picture since apparently Record will have some impressive matching features, and with the ability to incorporate Reason natively that will make it a complete DAW solution for composing/recording/mixing.

The question is, how well will it compare to Logic Studio?
Well, they are both aimed at mostly composers/performers aren't they? most people would say Logic cannot be compared with say, ProTools because that's for post-prod engineers, but no, it CAN be compared to ProTools in many ways, why not, they have similar features.
If you told me the same thing about Logic-Ableton Live then, I would agree, they are very different and they cater to different audiences.

Surely Propellerheads Record will have features we can compare to Logic, bear in mind however, that I will use a songwritter/composers perspective for the following VERY PERSONAL opinion on how the game will score, OK? here we go:

Propellerheads Record-Reason vs. Logic Studio by modules or plug-ins.
A very quick comparison of features sounds and user interfaces.

Hideous, yet important notes in UPPER CASE!!!!

• THIS IS BASED ON WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE ON PROPELLERHEADS REASON!!!
• WE KNOW RECORD IS NOT A FULLY RELEASED PRODUCT, IT'S ON BETA!!!
• APPARENTLY THE TIME STRETCH FEATURE WILL ROCK!!! (click here to listen to examples)
• NO NEED TO COMPARE THE DYNAMIC EFFECTS AND AMP SIMULATION BECAUSE THEY WILL BE ITERATIONS OF THIRD PARTY COMPANIES LIKE LINE 6 AND SSL AND WE KNOW THEY ALREADY ARE VERY SERIOUS GOURMET SH*T
  

Synths

Thor Polysonic Synthesizer vs. ES1 + ES2 + EFM1 + ES E/M/P
The winner is Thor, wait, what? againts all of them?

Why:
1. Frankly the ES E, ES M and ES P are the same synth in just different modes: Ensemble, Mono and Poly, seriously Apple? they could have been built in the same interface, they sound just OK
2. Thor is ALL the synths, has 6 forms of synthesis: analog, wavetable, phase modulation, FM pair and noise
3. It's modular
4. It has a killer user interface (that actually looks like a modular synth)
5. Has its own purty step sequencer ;)
6. Arturia-worthy analogue oscillators and filters (I'd say arbitrarily it sounds 98% like the real deal)
7. While ES2 doesn't sound that bad it's really not there yet, and its user interface is a counter intuitive nightmare.

Subtractor vs. ES1
Winner is: ES1

Why:
Now, this is a more likely comparison since these two are the first attempts by both companies at analogue synth simulation.
While the Subtractor synth has a great user interface and all, it doesn't really sound that analogue does it? and neither does the ES1 by the way, but it comes closer.

Malström vs. ??
The winner by default is: Malström

Why:
There is no Graintable synth in Logic for the moment.

ID8 vs. EXS24 as multi-instruments
The winner is: ???

Why:
We haven't heard how ID8 sounds, we'll have to wait on that one.

Samplers

NN-XT vs. EXS24
The winner is: match

Why:
Let's face it, none of them is ideal when it comes to interfaces, I feel like I'm filling out my tax forms with the EXS Editor and you have no way to assign a filter to every individual sample.
On the NN-XT side, I'm not the greatest fan of its non-rezisable editing screen nor the scroll bars it boasts, you can't use the arrow keys when editing its parameters so you are limited to the mouse. Each time I have to heavily edit any patch I just prepare for the eventual tendinitis that is going to cause me.
Soundwise, there is no obvious advantage of one over the other.

Drum machines

ReDrum vs. Ultrabeat
The winner is: Ultrabeat

Why:
1. Ultrabeat is a not just some sampler it's also a very feature-packed state-of-the-art synth.
You could build your entire analogue kit on it
2. It has it's own sequencer
3. You can accomodate a large number of drums vs. ReDrums 10.

Arpeggiators

RPG8 Monophonic Arpeggiator vs. Logic Arpeggiator
The winner is: RPG8

Why:
1. RPG8 HAS a decent properly-skinned user interface, a box or something perceptible as a machine rather than some obscure "environment object".
2. Implementing the Logic arpeggiator is no walk in the park, of course it's not rocket science either (I've said it many times) but anything that is implemented by a single right-click menu wins.
3. RPG8 gives you the ability to regulate the rate on Hz, and easily AUTOMATE all its values, (try that with Logic's arp, good luck).

Reverbs

RV7000 Advance Reverb vs. Space Designer
The winner is Space Designer

Why:
1. Space designer uses convolution reverb technology
2. It's fully customizable, the number of parameters is impressive
3. You can use any impulse response you'd like

Vocoders

BV512 Digital Vocoder vs. Logic Vocoder
The winner is: BV512

Why:
1. BV512 is way snappier
2. Ability to change the carrier input (so you can use any instrument as the carrier Logic's cannot do that)

I will stop there, sure there are more things to compare like EQs, compressors and amp simulation but you know Propellerheads are going to try to recreate both Line 6 and SSL gear so the game will be completely different.

Also I would love to compare the sequencers but as we all know the Reason sequencer is one thing that might not be there in Record, it will probably be something much different so it will be hard to compare for the moment.

Watch the promotion video of Record



See it in action-ish


Happy weekend.

Apple repairs my 2 old Macs free of charge - I love you

Oh man, I just had the greatest customer service experience.
Big deal you might say - but hey I live in France where usually the policy is "The client is NEVER right" and the now internationally famous "The customer is NOT king".

I called Apple, explained my woes and they gave me 2 exception case numbers to use with any agreed Apple service provider.

Here's how the story goes:
I got myself a case of the terrible yellow line (yeah they even made a blog about it) on my iMac and on the other hand a terrible case of MacBook casing cracking EXACTLY like this one.

The person on the phone just took my serial numbers and swiftly handled the case by providing me with what we know as "exception codes". Which means they will cover the repair fees exceptionally -it's beyond the guarantee, mind you.

If there are such many cases then I imagine this does not come cheap for Apple, if I am not mistaken, in the case of the iMac's yellow lines (according to some) the cause might be that the graphics chip is doomed and it needs replacement, some say it would mean the whole motherboard.

On the other hand for the MacBook it would be a case of just replacing a much less expensive part but hey, someone's got to pay the technician right? Apple will.

What's the big deal? you may ask again, well, for the most part, I do not intend to sell or replace my toys. Back when I was a Windows user I just could not care less, upgrading or replacing a computer would never be a problem for me, -Yes I can still buy my parts and build my own system I do that for friends who would want a cheap Windows computer.

But when you have a working relation with a Mac (musician stuff meaning not just for email, browsing and chat) I'm talking about the kind of relationship where your gear is always there, working, stable, ready you can't help but thinking or feeling that your material has a life of its own, like say, a musical instrument.

If you think I'm saying crazy stuff, believe me, I know how you feel.
I used to ridicule and completely dismiss any such relationship a Mac owner would have with its machine as complete baloney.

To be honest I know some of you might not have rosy Apple customer care stories like mine, come here and share them, good and bad.

Cheers.

Major Logic Studio update?

Hello, well...

This is not a rumors site, you know, like this site that says that major updates might be coming the Pro Apps way... nor a site to talk about non-existing features, there are already tons of websites that have countless "wish lists" on what users would like to see on Logic Studio.

Being the company Apple is, makes it very unlikely that you would know anything about what they're cooking until it's ready.

Nevertheless I would like to present to you some features I would love to see implemented on LS, please feel free to comment on it.

In no particular order...

1. More guitar effects! bare with me, don't roll your eyes and think it's petty, better wahs, tremolos, and more amp simulation never hurts. Don't forget that a lot of guitarists use LS. (just look at the poll here on the side)

2. Real time Time Stretching/pitch correction: You know, making your audio tracks change either pitch or tempo or both but independently, on the fly.
All this would be better if it could be applied to Apple Loops.

This may sound far fetched but yeah, Autotune or Melodyne style would be lovely.

3. Simpler ReWire implementation: not having to create first an external MIDI track and then a bus for ReWire tracks, just a single track that would act as both, like an instrument track, would that destroy the world? naa, it would probably make it a better place.

For those who do not like to see changes in that department a toggle switch would allow the "Legacy Method" or the old style way of "ReWire-ing".

4. Speaking about ReWire, make MainStage a ReWire host/client, a lot of people would love to use it along with Ableton Live or Propellerheads Reason.
If not, why not let MainStage receive transport messages? and if it's not much to ask, to send MIDI.

I know, the video where Trent Reznor talks about MainStage and says it's the best thing around looks impressive, but most of us are not NiN and we do not have an army of roadies, sound engineers or truckloads of gear so don't just ignore the hords of electronic musicians and dj wannabes who would like to take their laptops on a live show and have top quality effects and instruments (like Ultrabeat) well sequenced and synched.

5. Simpler Arpeggiator implementation: (yeah that means not having to use the Environment) oh well, you know it's not rocket science but wouldn't it be nice if it would just work like a plug-in? They have got the vocoder right, now it's the arpeggiator's turn.

6. OSC implementation: Open Sound Control is the next thing after MIDI, yeah, trust me, IT IS, just give up, embrace it. We would be able to use almost any piece of hardware like Wii-motes, iPhones, home-made step sequencers you name it. Plus, we wouldn't have to hack our way into Logic via Max MSP.

7. New or updated instruments: We cannot complain about the 40+/- instruments that come with LS, hey, some of may even be perfect, but who ever said musicians do not appreciate new stuff? You know, the ES1 debuted 10 years ago!


That's about it for me, anyone has more suggestions?

Cheers.

Soundtrack PRO, Editing Audio Tips I

Hello,

I know I don't talk much about Soundtrack Pro, I mostly talk about Logic Pro and sometimes about Mainstage, but I would like to start a series of posts about Soundtrack Pro which is mainly the audio editing tool for Logic Studio users that work in broadcast, this would be filmmakers, TV, Radio and Podcast people.

When editing audio the main features you are looking for havent changed since the tape editing era and they would be:

Cut or split, Delete or Insert Silence, Nudge, Copy and Paste.

Other functions like fade-ins, outs, normalizing etc would belong to the "process" field.

Here's a great little video from Pixel Heads Network I found it on the Vimeo website and it features an interview recorded via Skype which needs some editing and processing.

As any real pro would, the host makes it seem incredibly easy (and with such a great audio editing tool it must be).

Enjoy

Tip: Record from Logic to Ableton Live.

Hello,

If you have ever tried to record something from Logic into Ableton Live and found that you were not able to (audio routing) here's a nifty solution.

First of all who would want to record anything from Logic to Ableton Live?
Me.

I perform live from time to time and I love to use Ultrabeat as my ultimate "beat construction kit".
- Yes, I could just use MainStage, but no, it does not have ReWire support and it's not really a sequencer.
- Yes, I could just export my sounds from Logic and then import them into Ableton Live, but no, that's a little time consuming.

I want the audio output of Logic to go into the audio input of Ableton Live so I can record clips of whatever Logic is playing.

Here's how:

1. Download and install Cycling '74's utlility "Soundflower". What is it?
In Cycling '74's own words:

Soundflower is a Mac OS X (10.2 and later) system extension that allows applications to pass audio to other applications.

Meaning: whatever application has Soundflower as its audio output will be picked up by whatever application has Soundflower as its audio audio input.

2. Open Ableton Live FIRST and Logic SECOND. If you do it the other way around Ableton Live will be a slave to Logic via ReWire and we do not want that.

3. Open Live's preferences and in the audio tab chose "Soundflower" as your audio input.



4. In Logic Preferences/Devices/Core Audio chose "Soundflower" as your audio output.


Note: Be sure to keep your usual audio output device on Ableton Live so you can hear what you are recording!

That's it! in any audio track that you create in Ableton Live you will be able to record whatever Logic plays.

Happy recording.

Slumdog Millionaire scored with Logic Studio

In the latest feature of "Logic Studio in Action" Joe Cellini interviews Indian film composer R. A. Rahman and he talks about his award wining work in "Slumdog Millionaire" (Best Original Music Score and Best Orignal Song Oscar Winner 2009).

• 

Here are some snippets from the interview:

"...I’ve been working with Logic for almost 12 years. I use it as my writing tool because I can have it on a desktop or on a laptop. I can carry it all over."

"...most of the processing was done with Logic plug-ins actually: Ring Shifter; Multipressor; Space Designer. I also really like EXS24, EVP88, and Sculpture, and I use them a lot."

"Logic becomes a part of your life. I have three or four programming rooms, and I exchange files across the Internet with London; it has become a whole philosophy of using the Logic tools."

To read the interview go here: http://www.apple.com/logicstudio/action/arrahman/

Logic Studio Quicktip: Pickup Clock, stop dragging regions around.

Hey, it's been a long time I know, and probably the tip I have for you you already know it, but if not then enjoy.

So you've been dragging those regions around to arrange your song haven't you?
Nice, but what happens when there are too many regions and you want to put them at a point beyond your arrange window?

Enter the Pickup Clock command.

In your arrangement window, place the cursor where you want your regions to be and then press the semicolon key ( ; ), the result is that the regions will follow the cursor position!

Here's a little video of it, I'm not using the semicolon key though, I'm using the button.

Apple pan-European Creative AATCe Students Contest

Apple is organizing a talent contest in Europe aimed at students of any European AATCe (Apple Authorized Center for Education)
I'll quote Apple UK's site:

Looking for a creative challenge to showcase your skills? Take part in the Creative Talent Contest 2009, a pan-European competition organised by Apple for all AATCe Students. Create a film or song using Final Cut Studio or Logic Pro, and have your project reviewed by an international panel of creative professionals and celebrities. To cap it all, finalists will be awarded amazing prizes at a special awards ceremony held in London.

So if you're a student in any European AATCe and you work creatively with Final Cut Studio or Logic Pro you're in!

To see the details visit the Apple contest site of your country:

Austria
Belgium (Dutch)
Belgium (French)
Denmark (English)
Finland (English)
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy (English)
The Netherlands
Norway (English)
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland (French)
Switzerland (German)
UK

For other countries not mentioned check out the European website for the contest.
Enjoy.