Apple’s latest Logic Pro for Mac and iPad update simplifies things and creates an iconic reverb effect
Whether you’re a singer or songwriter, in a band, musician or podcaster, chances are you use Logic Pro on the Mac or iPad to produce, edit and ultimately export. Apple gave Logic Pro a significant upgrade in May alongside the new iPads, giving it real AI in the form of session players.
But now, with Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1, Apple is expanding some core capabilities and adding a plug-in with some historical significance – at least in the music industry.
A slew of new features, led by the Quantec Room Simulator plugin, are rolling out today as a free update to both platforms. First, a bit of a history lesson on the Quantec Room Simulator – it is built from the original documentation and algorithms of the physical piece of hardware created by Wolfgang Buchleitner, which allows for clear and precise reverb adjustment. It’s used by countless artists, including Peter Gabriel, who uses it during live shows to build harmonic drones and on records like Passion And Us.
Apple actually acquired the technology to convert the Quantec Room Simulator into a plug-in that now ships with Logic Pro for Mac and iPad. This allows you to add natural-sounding effects to anything, whether it’s spoken word, music or even foley sounds. There are two routes to use it: one that is more vintage and one that is modernly updated.
In addition to the Quantec Room Simulator plugin, Logic Pro gets “Reorder Mixer Channels” which lets you rearrange different strips individually or in groups. You can also add your own personal sounds to iPad via sample folders, which you can retrieve from connected storage, the Files app, or iCloud Drive. A new categorization now makes it easier to search for plugins on Mac. These are some useful additions that will help you get the most out of Logic Pro, either by using the built-in tools or using other resources.
The Quantec Room Simulator is also one to try out, and of course a Logic Pro update wouldn’t be complete without some new sounds. To meet that need, Apple is also adding a Modular Melodies Synth Pack at no additional cost.
If you’re new to Logic Pro for Mac or iPad, there will of course be costs involved. On the Mac it’s a one-time purchase of $199.99 in the United States, and on the iPad it’s $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. These updates are rolling out now with Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1.
