Apple released a major update to its flagship digital audio workstation program, Logic Pro X. The main focus in the new version 10.1 is a significant change in Drummers, bringing 10 new options covering more styles, particularly for dance and electronic music. In addition to the extra styles, the sound quality has been upgraded, controls have been re-worked, and the Drum Machine Designer plug-in has been revamped.
In addition to the drum changes, the update adds support for Yosemite features like AirDrop and MailDrop, and refines or adds to many existing features. The Piano Roll Editor, for example, now offers new view options to let users see more notes, and help identify drum sounds by name. It also gains a new Brush tool, allowing composers to “paint” notes with the mouse, and the notes themselves get “time handles” to compress or expand timing.
The program offers a new plug-in manager, and the Compressor plug-in has been redesigned with Retina display support, a freshened interface and seven new models. A new (up to) eight-voice Retro Synth has been added to the catalog of instruments, and the included sound library has been greatly expanded with 10 Mellotron instruments and 200 new synth patches. The Mixer tool now allows remote control of microphone and other input settings for compatible audio interfaces as well.
Other new features include Smart Quantize, Note Repeat and Spot Erase modes for the drum machine, console-style VCA faders, real-time rendering of fades (allowing them to work with Flex Pitch to speed up project load times), and more. Automation can now be part of a region, not just the track, which makes it easier to use effects creatively, and Relative and Trim Automation modes extend the options for fine-tuning existing automation.
The update is free for existing Logic Pro X users. The program costs $200 to buy from the Mac App Store for new users.
