Customer Reviews

Logic Express 9 Upgrade [Old Version]

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Why should you upgrade to 9? Because Snow Leopard introduces the ability for intel powered Mac's to move up from 32 bit to 64 bit for some choice software. Logic being just about the choiciest.

Do you really want to move to 64 bit? It isn't necessary. If you like to work with Logic's EXS sampler, you can reconfigure in 32 bit if you'd like to take advantage of assigned virtual space on your hard drive. But if you got 9 (and you download the free apple upgrade), and if you got more than 4 gigs of ram, you can get that extra ram assigned directly to your sampler. Or if by chance you have any sampler laden 64 bit 3rd party software (Omnisphere, a lot of NI's stuff), same thing.

On the other hand most 3rd party plugs have not made the leap to 64 yet. They still will run on the upgraded system, but without any advantage. We're still early here in what now seems a significant (and in a few years' time will appear quaint) upgrade. If your relatively new to this and not heavily invested in 3rd party plug-ins, this probably is a great time to set yourself up for the future. Otherwise, there's no rush.

I've been using Logic for about two years. It has always been a great product. The recent upgrade however has added several significant upgrades. First, the LE9 upgrade offers better integration with Garageband. I can start my projects in the simpler program to lay down basic tracks, then easily import them into Logic for more intensive editing. Before the upgrade I could import Garageband tracks into LE8, but the process was buggier and slower! Second, the addition of flextime. Flextime allows me to change the duration of sound clips without changing their pitch - which allows for spot editing of slight timing problems that I could not have fixed before! Its a simple feature to use, and so useful that once you've tried it you'll be slapping yourself in the forehead saying "why didn't someone think of that before?" The third and perhaps most fun improvement is the addition of squash boxes to the effects processing functions. When you add effects to a track, you can edit those effects using virtual footpedals, which show up in a pedalbay window on your screen - just like having the real pedals at your feet! Its cool and intuitive, and the effect algorithms are very high quality. Logic, already an excellent program before, has taken a huge step forward with this new upgrade. I highly recommend it!

Garage Band is a great tool for composing and recording, but, since it's an entry-level application, has it's limitations. Logic Studio is even more full-featured but, for me at least, is overkill.

There is a learning curve to this app! But if you know Garage Band you'll feel and home and can begin recording immediately.

The new Flex tool is just amazing but, again, there's some learning involved.

If you're thinking of upgrading to Logic Express don't wait! It's low price and powerful features make it a must-have for most any musician.