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.

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.

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]

The App Store is somewhat deluged with music-related applications. While I find many of the instruments to be novelties, the iPhone-based remote controls available for various Digital Audio Workstations have really caught my attention.

I've been playing around with the various musical remote controllers available for a while now. When the various iTouchMidi controllers were released, I got pretty excited. Problematically, I'm a fan of Logic Pro, and these intriguing but mostly Logic-incompatible controllers weren't up to snuff for my personal needs. It was a few weeks before I discovered the available OpenSound Control (OSC) apps in the App Store.

I've played with the lineup of controllers such as OSCemote and Mrmr (iTunes link), and both of those are a lot of fun with a good amount of potential. One stood out for me, though, and TouchOSC has officially become part of my home studio setup.

TouchOSC provides an array of control screens consisting of faders, rotary controls, buttons, toggles, XY pads, multi-faders/toggles and LEDs in various configurations. It communicates wirelessly with software and hardware which can receive and send the OSC protocol. I thought I'd offer a quick rundown of the steps I used to get from TouchOSC to Logic. I'm sure the same methods can be applied to other software, with a little variation.

An overview of the controller configurations in TouchOSC can be found in the gallery below. Read on for the lowdown.

Attention Logic Studio users. Apple has released version 8.0.2 of Logic Pro. According to Apple, this update "...addresses specific customer and compatibility issues of Logic Pro 8.0. It includes Wavebuner 1.5.2 and Impulse Response Utility 1.0.2, which address issues for Waveburner 1.5 and Impulse Response Utility 1.0 respectively."

Version 8 of Logic Studio and Express became available in September of last year. If you think that rate of updates is slow, take heart. Apple recently re-affirmed their commitment to the pro applications, most notably Final Cut Server.

As usual, we ask you to report any issues you experience after installing this update.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

With the Apple Store back up, it seems that it wasn't merely maintenance this morning, as the store now bears new versions of Apple's professional music software, Logic Pro 8 (now 'Logic Studio'). Logic Studio's new features include:

• A new single-window interface (similar to Apertures)
• Improved editing
• Sountrack Pro 2.0 in the box
• The ability to "...save your key commands, channel strip settings and plug-in settings to your .Mac account for easy backup, sharing, and portability".

Logic buffs will no doubt want to check out the technical specs of the new version, which can be found here, along with the new features page. Logic Studio will set you back $499US, with upgrades starting at $199US.

Logic Express, the little brother to the studio suite, also received an upgrade to version 8, with the baby brother $199US version taking many of the new features in the Pro version including "...full notation, 24-bit/192kHz resolution, and Quick Swipe comping". Previous versions of Logic Express can upgrade for $99.

The updates just keep coming. Today Apple has updated both Logic Pro and Logic Express to 7.2.2. Logic is Apple's professional music composition program (think Final Cut Pro and Express for music).

New in Logic Pro is improved compatibility with the Mac Pro and optimized support for the built-in audio ports. Logic Express delivers the same enhancements on the Mac Pro.

That's right, kids, Apple's first Pro app to go Universal is Logic 7.2 (which is now available). There is a $49 crossgrade available for everyone who shelled out the big bucks for Logic Pro 7, but if you are using 5 or 6 you'll have to pony up $299 to able to run Logic on that new Intel Mac of yours.

Apple even offers up some top ten reasons for upgrading to 7.2, they include:

• New royalty-free jingles and sound effects Apple Loops (the same ones that come with iLife '06)
• Universalness
• lots of other audio goodness that I know nothing about

Check the crossgrade page for more info, and the Logic Pro website for the skinny about the application itself.

[via Infinite Loop]

Update: If you are looking for more indepth information about this upgrade (and from someone who knows a thing or two about audio) check out Create Digital Music's coverage.

If you haven't made up your mind that Intel chips will "save" the Mac platform, Apple demoed the Intel-native version of Logic Pro 7 at NAMM today. How fast is it? Let's just say I'm going to have to call that PowerBook of yours - yeah, the shiny 17" version - a paperweight. Don't go planning any Grammy's, that's for sure. The Intel version of Logic is doing things that weren't even possible on PPC versions. To quote Bob Hunt, as he wowed the NAMM'ers with a session full of video and high-end effects: "None of these sessions would even run on a PowerBook." It's nice to see Apple calling it like they see it. Here's hoping the music industry hops on board. I know some indie producers jumped ship a few years ago for PC's because the hardware was cheap, and many of the audio tools they were using were getting long in the tooth. Logic Pro for Intel might just be insanely great enough for them to come back home.

[Via AppleInsider]