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Apple Final Cut Pro X is ready to edit VR video
Apple isn't just making the iMac Pro available to order -- it's also updating the creative software you'll likely run on that iMac. A new upgrade to Final Cut Pro X adds support for both newer video technology and some key color editing tools. Most notably, the editing tool now handles VR video -- you can edit 360-degree footage at high resolutions (8K "and beyond"), complete with motion graphics. And if you need to see how your work looks, you can preview it in real-time on an HTC Vive or other compatible headsets.
Apple's Logic audio editor will use the MacBook Pro Touch Bar in 2017
The new MacBook Pro's Touch Bar might already come in handy with video editing in Final Cut Pro X, but what if you're a musician? If you depend on Apple's Logic Pro X, you'll have to be patient. The company has informed an AppleInsider reader that Touch Bar support will arrive in the audio production tool "by early next year." It's not certain what's prompting the longer development process, but it wouldn't be surprising if it's a matter of complexity. It's not just a question of adding a timeline control and calling it a day -- Apple has to account for the many, many interface elements you need to produce album-worthy tracks.
Apple updates Logic Pro X with bug fixes
Apple has released an update to its Logic Pro X software. The 10.0.2 update is the second update to the Logic since its release on July 16. Music fans and audio professionals will be happy to hear that Apple has fixed some outstanding (and annoying) bugs in this release. Here's a list of 'em: This update improves overall stability and performance issues including: • Undo commands work as expected after Flex Pitch editing • The Vintage Electric Piano plug-in now performs correctly at all sample rates • The Capture Last Take key command no longer erases a MIDI recording • Double-clicking on a Drummer region now opens or closes the editor • Addresses a graphic issue where the Piano Roll Editor could display an empty window This release is recommended for all Logic Pro X customers. Logic Pro X is available on the Mac App Store for US$199.99.
Daily Update for July 16, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Apple debuts Logic Pro X with redesigned interface, new Drummer feature
Logic Pro faces some stiff competition from the likes of Pro Tools, but Apple's hoping to bring a few more music professionals into its camp with a fairly major revision of the software. Available today for $200, Logic Pro X brings with it a whole new interface that Apple's Phil Schiller says is "designed to streamline the process of creating professional quality music," along with a number of new features. Those include Drummer, which draws on performances of some well-known session players and recording engineers to provide realistic drum tracks, as well as Waves Tune-style pitch editing with Flex Pitch, Track Stacks to collapse multiple tracks or create layered instruments, and the Arpeggiator MIDI plug-in. Also launching today is the free Logic Remote app for iPad, and a major update to the Main Stage live performance application (it will set you back $30). Additional details can be found in the press release after the break.
Apple introduces Logic Pro X and MainStage 3
Rejoice, musicians and audio mavens: Apple unveiled a new version of Logic Pro today. Logic Pro X includes a new drummer feature that'll play drums along with your song. There's also a Flex Pitch feature to easily edit the pitch of an audio recording, and a remote control feature that lets you control Logic Pro via your iPad. Apple also updated MainStage to version 3. MainStage 3 is a live performance companion app for Logic Pro; the new version features a fresh, new UI and compatibility with Logic Pro X. Logic Pro X and MainStage 3 will be available today from the Mac App Store for US$199.99 and $29.99, respectively. Logic Remote for the iPad will be available for free from the iOS App Store. Apple has a page with what's new in Logic Pro X here. Jim Dalrymple of The Loop has been using Logic Pro X in his studio, and you can hop over to The Loop for his hands-on review. Don't miss his video demo (17 minutes long!) of the new Drummer feature.
Apple still working on 'next version of Logic Pro'
There have been rumors bouncing around recently that Apple's digital audio division has been losing employees over the past few years, to the point where it's just a couple of guys still around to maintain the audio apps that are still out there (mostly just Logic Pro, which last saw a new full version back in 2009). A MacRumors reader named Nicholas decided to check in with Apple on the matter, and his request for information reached all the way up to the music product marketing chief in Cupertino, named Xander Soren. Soren replied to Nicholas via email, and assured him that "the team is still in place and hard at work on the next version of Logic Pro." You'll note that he didn't say just how big the team was, or even deny the rumors that the department's numbers had been lowered recently (Logic Pro itself was cut back last year, from a full retail version to a Mac App Store-only version, at half the price). But Soren did say that there is another version of Logic Pro planned, at least, so anyone still using Logic can be assured that there's at least one more update on the way. It'd be a shame to lose Apple's formerly popular audio editing suite, but given the company's focus on mobile devices and other areas, it's not too surprising to see something like this may be falling by the wayside.
Apple may acquire Italian digital audio editing software firm Redmatica
Speaking at the recent D10 conference, Tim Cook said Apple is still in the business of buying companies, but he doesn't want to announce these accusations acquisitions unless necessary. According to a recent Tech Crunch report, Italian startup Redmatica may be the target of one of these quiet buyouts. The source of this acquisition information is Italian blog Fanpage, which found a paper trail in the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority (Agcom). Redmatica specializes in music-editing software for the Mac. Its website lists several apps including the flagship Keymap Pro 2.3, a sampled instrument editor. Though the details are not known, it's possible that Apple is purchasing this company to improve its music offerings like Logic Pro and GarageBand. [Via TechCrunch]
Apple tells education customers: no more boxed software
It seems Apple is about to cease (almost) all shipments of boxed software to its education customers. ZDNet has published an email that was sent to "a major academic institution" (ZDNet does not mention who wrote or distributed the email, but it sounds like it could have come from a member of the school's faculty or staff). From the message: "Apple confirmed today that, with limited exception, they will cease to ship boxed software to campus resellers. This includes Mac OS X Snow Leopard , iLife, iWork, Apple Remote Desktop, and Aperture, among others...The only products that will remain as boxed software offerings are Logic Express and Logic Studio. The email's author goes on to encourage interested parties to sort through the remaining stock of boxed software for anything they might need. Apple opened the Mac App Store in January of this year, which saw the beginning of the end for boxed software for consumers on the Mac. Now that Apple set to sever the supply of boxed software for educational institutions, it moves even closer to all-digital distribution. The exceptions, as noted in the email, are Logic Express and Logic Studio. However, that is presumably only because those two software apps aren't available on the Mac App store yet. When they are, boxed software from Apple will see its final day.
Logic Pro and Logic Express updated to version 9.1.5
Are you a user of Apple's Logic Pro or Logic Express software for writing, recording, editing, or mixing music? If so, hie thee to Software Update for the latest version -- 9.1.5. As seen in the screenshot above, the update helps stability of the app and addresses issues with instrument and effect plug-ins that use LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillations) synced to the beat of a song. Apple also fixed a problem where the Toggle Zoom key command didn't return to the previous zoom level, and improved compatibility with Apogee's Duet 2 USB audio interface. The updates can also be downloaded directly from the following links: Logic Express Logic Pro
Software Update: Apple Logic Pro, Logic Express
Apple's music creation and audio production apps, Logic Pro and Logic Express, have just received updates via Software Update. Both apps have been updated to version 9.1.4, which provides support for importing projects from GarageBand for iPad. The download for Logic Express is 138.74 MB in size, while that for Logic Pro weighs in at 192.48 MB. The updates are available through Software Update, or can be downloaded directly from the following links: Logic Express Update: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1015 Logic Pro Update: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1014
Logic Pro and Logic Express updated
Apple has released updates for Logic Pro 9, its flagship digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer application and Logic Express, its lighter counterpart. Both the Logic Pro 9.1.3 update (193.1 MB) and the Logic Express 9.1.3 update (139.68 MB) improve general stability and compatibility and addresses issues including: Resolves problems related to the support of Hyper-Threading Improved compatibility with 6 and 12-core Mac Pro systems Support for iOS control surface apps that utilize the OSC protocol REX files now supported in 64-bit mode Improved compatibility with select Audio Unit plug-ins Both updates require Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later and are recommended for all users of Logic Pro 9 and Logic Express 9 respectively. Further details on the Logic Pro update can be found here, and on the Logic Express update here.
Apple updates Logic Pro, Express
Apple has updated Logic Pro and Logic Express, its digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software applications. The Logic Pro 9.1.1 update weighs in at 192MB and addresses compatibility and numerous fixes including: - Improved stability of the 32-Bit Audio Unit Bridge - Compatibility with Novation"s Automap feature in 64-bit mode. - Compatibility with Euphonix Eucon protocol in 64-bit mode. The Logic Express 9.1.1 update weighs in at 139MB and addresses compatibility and numerous fixes including: - Support for 64-bit native mode - Compatibility with 64-bit Audio Unit plug-ins - File names with over 32 characters are now supported - Samples are now mapped correctly when using the "Contiguous Zones" option in the EXS editor Both Pro and Express require Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later for 32-bit mode or Mac OS X 10.6.2 or later for 64-bit mode.
Count The Beats: Playing keys and synth live on a Mac (interview).
Over the coming months, the Count The Beats series is going to be taking a closer look at how the Mac (and the accompanying software) fits in with the various components of a typical rock band (drums, bass, electric guitar etc. You get the idea). In this post we're going to take a closer look at keyboards (playing keys and synths) in a live performance context. From honky-tonk piano's on fire to out-of-control oscillating synths, there is so much gear and software out there it can be difficult to know where to start, especially when it comes to playing in a live performance context. Session musician, and good friend of mine, Jon Dean does a fair bit of this, and does it well. In the last few years he's gone from classically trained pianist to Rock 'n Roll, synth and pad-crazy keys extraordinaire. I managed to pull Jon away from his busy touring schedule to sit down with me and a cup of tea with some After Eight Mints (it's a new kind of Rock 'n Roll out there, apparently) to talk controllers, audio interfaces and moving from PC to Mac, with a couple bad musician jokes thrown in for good measure. Even if you're not a keys player, it's interesting to see how the Mac continues to facilitate and encourage creative musicianship to an extent that just wasn't available a few short years ago. Click the Read More link for the interview. Photo credit: kolleggerium on flickr.
Mac OS X 10.6.3 out to devs
The third major update to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is getting closer to appearing in Software Update. A new beta of Mac OS X 10.6.3 (build 10D538) was released to a limited number of Apple developers last Friday. The Friday beta includes an update to QuickTime X that enhances reliability, security, and compatibility. The release also provides performance-enhancing tweaks for Apple's 64-bit Logic Pro audio suite, better compatibility with a host of printers, and applications that use OpenGL. Apple is asking developers to evaluate other core system components in their testing, including VoiceOver, AirPort, and graphics drivers. There's a known issue with the beta when viewing photo albums using Front Row, but the approximately 670 MB release should arrive for the rest of us within the next six weeks. Although past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future releases, both 10.4.3 and 10.5.3 were released about 110 days after the earlier versions. That would put the release of 10.6.3 near the end of February, 2010. [via AppleInsider]
Logic Pro and MainStage updated, now 64-bit friendly
Two pieces of Apple's Logic Studio suite for Mac, Logic Pro and MainStage, have been updated today and the new versions are available immediately through Software Update or the links below. The Logic Pro 9.1 update includes support for 64-bit native mode, compatibility with 64-bit Audio Unit plug-ins, and support for file names over 32 characters long. According to the update notes, samples are now mapped correctly when using the "Contiguous Zones" opetion in the EXS editor. The full release notes are available for viewing here. MainStage 2.1 also includes 64-bit native mode and compatibility with the 64-bit Audio Unit plug-ins. Other fixes and improvements include better compatibility with MainStage 1.x documents, improved recording when using the Loopback plug-in, and multiple playback plug-ins in the same group now sync reliably. Full release notes are available here. Enabling 64-bit native mode for both applications requires Mac OS X 10.6.2 or later. [A tip of the studio professional hat to TUAW reader samw for letting us know about the update]
Count The Beats: Interview with a mixing engineer
In the last year I've spent a fair amount of time doing some recordings. In particular, I've been working on some of my own material. Having invested a large amount of time and money into pre production and the actual recording sessions, what started out as a small bedroom demo soon escalated into something much more than that (I'm sure you know what I mean). It soon became apparent that I was going to need someone with a bit more experience and 'know how' when it came to post production, and in particular, mixing. After calling in some "favours," and reaching as far as I could into the "industry," as such, I was introduced to Mr. Stephen Harding. An exceptionally talented musician, producer, and up and coming mixing engineer. To my delight, I discovered that not only is he a pretty nice guy, he is also darn good at mixing, and he's a fan boy of all things Apple too! Amongst all our post production endeavors, Steve and I managed to sit down with a cup of tea and some rich tea biscuits to talk Macs, set-up , plug-ins, outboard gear and the art of approaching a mix backed by the stability of Mac OS X. Read on for some wise words on mixing, but be forewarned though, as is becoming customary in the Count The Beats series, there is some pretty heavy tech talk ahead. However, it does make for some juicy reading. Don't forget, if you don't understand, just nod your head and pretend you do like the rest of us! Enjoy.
Count The Beats: Logic Studio, are you in love? (Poll)
Here at TUAW, we've not given Apple's Logic Studio a great deal of coverage recently. In particular, back in July 2009, Apple released its latest iteration of the popular music production software, Logic Pro 9 (alongside the upgrade to all its various virtual studio components too), and not much has been mentioned about it since. With Pro Tools' much vamped version 8 released at the beginning of 2009, and, more recently, the introduction of Reason's new DAW Record (not to mention all the other powerful DAW's out there), we thought it was high time to take a good look at the new features of Apple's flagship music production solution. Since Logic Studio boasts over 200 new features, and takes a one-size-fits-all approach (basically everyone will find something different to take away from this enormous package), we're not going to do a comprehensive review (well, not at this stage anyway). Instead, we'd love to hear from you (sitting in your dark studio making funny noises and dreaming of Grammy's) to share with us how these new features are working out in the real world. What's that awesome new feature you keep on going back to? What's the most annoying problem that disrupts your work flow? From the tones of 'Pedalboard' and 'Amp Designer' to being a master of time with 'Flex Time,' how is it all working out for you? Apple describes Logic Studio to be "...a complete set of professional applications that lets you write, record, edit, mix and perform. It's also the largest collection of modelled instruments, sampler instruments, effect plug-ins, and audio loops ever put in a single box. So it's easy to get amazing sounds and amazing-sounding recordings. Now you can tackle any stage of your project yourself - without losing your inspiration along the way. " Do you agree with this statement? If Logic 9 isn't your DAW of choice, or you haven't yet upgraded, now's your chance to tell the world why your DAW is genuinely better. Or why you're sticking to your Logic 8 guns because you think Logic 9 (Studio) isn't worth the upgrade. This isn't a time to gloat and sneer (I'm looking at you Pro Tools people in the corner, you're always up for a fight!!!), but rather to get some genuine conversation going on what really works and what doesn't on our beloved Mac platform. In the future we're aiming to do a series on the various components of Logic Studio. To get to grips with the nitty gritty of what each application has to offer. If you work professionally, and rather closely, with one of these apps then let us know, we'd love to hear from you. %Poll-37016%
Logic Pro 9.0.2 is out and ready for updating
Apple has just released an update to Logic Pro, revving it to version 9.0.2. This update provides numerous fixes and enhancements, as well as addressing several issues. These fixes include: Flex Markers can align & snap to MIDI notes Performing a punch-in recording with Replace Mode now behaves correctly The I/O plug-in adds an option for latency measurement TDM plug-ins now behave as expected. (Only affects users with Pro Tools HD audio hardware.) It's 183MB, and is available through Software Update or the listing on the Apple Support Downloads page. This update is available for all users of Logic Studio 9.0 and later, which was released this July.
Apple store back up; Final Cut Pro 7, Logic Pro 9 released
It's always an exciting day when the Apple Store goes down. And it's not even a Tuesday.Apple has updated Final Cut Studio, including Final Cut Pro 7 and Logic Pro 9. That's good news for artists! Musicians and filmmakers now have something new to play with. Even better, they can do it for less: the suite is now $999, $300 less than the previous version. Upgrades are $299. FCP 7 includes three new ProRes codecs, alpha transitions, new sharing options including support for iChat Theater, automatic transfer of P2 media and more. Motion 4 includes new 3D shadow and reflection options, and the ever-popular bad film filter. All the apps in Studio have been updated to new versions.Apple also announced version 1.5 of the Final Cut Server collaboration and asset management environment. The unlimited-license edition of FC Server is also $999 & upgrades are $299..Full feature list from Apple PR in the continuation of the post.[H/T The Loop]
