Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro are finally available to iPad users. After years of waiting, the Cupertino firm has brought two of its most important Pro apps to a multi-touch display. Here’s everything you need to know about the Logic Pro application for iPad.
Features
Apple says that Logic Pro for iPad combines the power of Logic Pro with the portability of iPad to unlock an all-in-one professional music creation app. With Multi-Touch gestures, music creators can play software instruments, interact naturally with controls, and navigate complex projects with pinch-to-zoom and swipe-to-scroll. Here are the top features:
All-new sound browser: The sound browser displays all available instrument patches, audio patches, plug‑in presets, samples, and loops in a single location, and users can tap to audition any sound before loading it into a project to save time and stay in their creative flow.
Effects Plug-ins: Logic Pro for iPad offers over 100 instruments and effects plug-ins. Effects like vintage EQs, compressors, and reverbs let users tweak and fine-tune their tracks.
Production tools: Beat Breaker, a new time and pitch-morphing plug-in, lets music creators swipe and pinch to reshape and shuffle sounds radically. Quick Sampler can chop and transform audio samples into entirely new playable instruments. Step Sequencer lets users program drum patterns, bass lines, and melodies and even automate plug‑ins with just a few taps. Drum Machine Designer enables the creation of custom drum kits by applying samples and plug‑ins to any drum pad. With Live Loops, users can capture inspiration and quickly build arrangements by mixing and matching musical loops.
Pro Mixer: A full-featured mixer — complete with channel strips, volume faders, pan controls, plug‑ins, sends, and precise automation — gives users everything they need to create a professional mix entirely on iPad
Import and Export: Logic Pro for iPad supports roundtrip capabilities, making moving projects between Logic Pro for Mac and iPad easy. iPad users can export their finished songs in a variety of compressed and lossless audio formats, as well as individual audio track stems. Music creators can make a soundtrack in Logic Pro for iPad and export it into Final Cut Pro, providing flexibility for working across music and video. Logic Pro for iPad also supports the ability to open projects created in GarageBand for iOS so that users can take their music to the next level with pro features and workflows.
Major updates
In November 2023, Logic Pro for iPad had its first major update with version 1.1:
- Deliver a release-ready mix with Mastering Assistant and its professional palette of intuitive sound-shaping tools.
- Record live into Quick Sampler to create instruments and drum kits using the built-in microphone or any connected audio device.
- Interact seamlessly between apps like Voice Memos with added support for Split View and Stage Manager.
- Select and drag multiple files at once from the Files app to quickly build drum kits or add stems to a project.
- Instantly audition samples, loops, or instruments in the Browser by sliding your finger up or down
- Free “Hybrid Textures” Sample Alchemy pack includes a collection of 70 patches and over 80 loops built from found sounds flipped into creative playable instruments.
Logic Pro for iPad 2
During Apple’s Let Loose event, the company announced version 2 of Logic Pro coming May 13. These are the main features for iPad users:
Session Players: It offers groundbreaking experiences for creators by providing a personal, AI-driven backing band that responds directly to feedback.
Stem Splitter: Artists can recover moments of inspiration from any audio file and separate nearly any mixed audio recording into four distinct parts: Drums, Bass, Vocals, and Other instruments, right on the device.
ChromaGlow: It models the sounds produced by a blend of the world’s most revered studio hardware by leveraging AI and the power of M-series Apple silicon. Users can dial in the perfect tone with five different saturation styles to add ultrarealistic warmth, presence, and punch to any track.
Version 2.1
In November 2024, Apple updated Logic Pro for iPad to version 2.1. It brings these new features:
- Quantec Room Simulator: Access the only authentic hardware recreation available as a plugin, including the legendary sound of the Quantec QRS and Quantec Yardstick hardware reverb.
- Sample Folders: Access your personal collection of samples directly from Logic’s built-in sound Browser, add sample folders from your iPad, external storage, and iCloud Drive, use multiple folders to provide an organized view of your favorite samples, and more.
- Sound Library: Download the new Modular Melodies sound pack and discover hundreds of loops crafted from patchable hardware synths and a collection of design Alchemy synth patches.
- Enhancements: Drag channel strips to organize your mixer layout and send your mix directly to Voice Memos and preview on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
iPad compatibility
The app is compatible with A12 Bionic iPad models or newer running at least iPadOS 16.4. These are the models
- iPad Pro 3rd generation or newer;
- iPad Air 3rd generation or newer;
- iPad mini 5th generation or newer;
- iPad 8th generation or newer.
Logic Pro release date and price
The app was released on May 23, 2023. It requires a subscription, which costs $4.99/month or $49/year. Apple offers a one-month free trial. You can find the app on the App Store here.
