Apple Introduces Biggest Update to Logic Since “Logic Pro X”

Last week, Apple released a massive update to their Logic Pro X software with version 10.5. The DAW already excels at music production and songwriting, with useful features like Drummer, a huge built-in loop library, intuitive MIDI capabilities, and more. Continuing on that path, the breakthrough 10.5 update introduces new creative tools geared towards electronic music production.

Included in the release is a professional version of Live Loops, which was formerly only available in Garageband for iOS. Apple also completely redesigned sampling workflow, and ushered in new beat-making tools such as a step sequencer and drum synth. It’s a powerful collection of creative features, making Logic Pro X 10.5 a massive release for all musicians—especially those producing electronic music.

Logic Pro X 10.5 release notes:

Live Loops

• Compose music by arranging and triggering cells in a grid using loops, samples, and your recordings.
• Perform and capture free-form arrangement ideas into the tracks area.
• Add Remix FX to perform creative effects like filters, gates, repeaters, and downsampling.
• Use Logic Remote on your iPad or iPhone to perform Live Loops and Remix FX using Multi-Touch gestures to trigger several loops or effects simultaneously.

Sampler

• Create sophisticated multi-sampled instruments using a drag-and-drop workflow.
• New modern design provides synthesis, mapping, and zone editing in a single window interface.
• Integrated zone editor offers detailed control over start, end and loop points.
• Mapping editor enables fast and flexible assignment of samples across the keyboard.
• Flex Time has been integrated into Sampler allowing sounds to be played at the same length, regardless of pitch.
• Auto Sampler automates the process of converting MIDI-enabled hardware and software instruments into Sampler instruments.
• Supports all existing EXS24 instruments.

Quick Sampler

• Import a single audio file to instantly build a playable sampled instrument.
• Quick Sampler automatically identifies the root note, optimal loop points, and trims silence from an imported sample.
• Use Slice mode to chop a vocal or drum sample into multiple slices that can be triggered on a keyboard.
• Record live samples using a microphone, external hardware, or from any track or bus.

Drum Machine Designer

• Use Drum Machine Designer to build custom drum kits by dragging and organizing samples.
• Directly access Quick Sampler or Drum Synth controls on any pad.
• Easily assign any instrument or third-party plug-in to a pad.
• Perform any sound chromatically to create bass lines or other melodic parts.

Step Sequencer

• Build your own beats, melodies and effects automation using an interface inspired by classic drum machine workflows.
• Create and edit patterns with discrete control over velocity, repeat, chance, offset, step rate, skip and tie for each row.
• Use any patch as a sound source, including custom kits made with Quick Sampler and Drum Machine Designer.
• Includes a library of over 150 rhythmic and melodic patterns.

More Content included in the Logic Pro X update

• Over 2,500 new loops in a variety of instruments and genres covering modern and classic hip-hop, electro house, reggaeton, future bass, techno, and transition effects.
• 17 Live Loops starter grids covering a range of electronic and hip-hop genres.
• More than 70 new Drum Machine Designer kits.
• Over 1,500 new patches.
• Original multi-track project of Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes.”

 

Apple reached out to some of the most talented professional users of Logic Pro X for comment on the update. Denzel Baptiste and David Biral—the Grammy-nominated production duo Take a Daytrip, and the creative minds behind hits like Lil Nas X‘s “Panini,” Sheck Wes‘s “Mo Bamba,” and most recently the #1 Billboard single “THE SCOTTS” by Kid Cudi and Travis Scott (co-produced with Dot da Genius, Plain Pat, and Mike Dean)—had the following to say about 10.5:

Logic Pro X 10.5 has changed the way we approach making music. We’ve been working with all the new features, from recording sounds with the MacBook Pro’s built-in mic directly into Quick Sampler, to quickly arranging a song while simultaneously recording artists using the Live Loops grid. Logic has been used for years on all our productions and the new version will make it even faster for us to create lasting songs.

Finneas O’Connell, the Grammy-winning producer behind Billie Eilish’s wildly successful debut album, also commented:

Logic Pro X has always been my one and only DAW. The workflow is unmatched, and the built-in sound libraries have been essential to my music from the beginning. Now with the addition of Quick Sampler and Drum Machine Designer, I’m getting back hours I used to spend in the studio building sounds and kits. This lets me spend more time writing new verses and editing 70-take vocals.

Logic Pro X 10.5’s additions to beat creation workflow make it perfect for modern producers in today’s hip hop/pop dominated world. 

“Step Sequencer is a new editor in Logic designed to make it fun and easy to program drum beats, bass lines, and melodic parts using an interface inspired by classic drum machine workflows. Step Sequencer combines a pattern-based style of music creation with powerful editing options for creating original parts — providing detailed control over note velocity, repeat, gate, skip, playback direction, and randomization.

“Drum Synth provides a wide collection of kick drums, snares, toms, and percussion sounds generated entirely by software. Each sound is accompanied by dedicated sound-shaping controls to help musicians fine-tune their favorite parts. Drum Synth sounds can be used on any pad in Drum Machine Designer, where it can even be blended with samples for creative sound design options.