Apple Announces Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad With Subscription Models

[Dave245]

At £4.99 a month or £49 a year, you are getting professional grade editing software with Final Cut Pro and professional recording with Logic Pro. It’s a bargain in my opinion. The iPad Pro is now more of a pro machine than it’s ever been before.

 

[nathansz]

When you’ve owned a copy of FinalCut Pro for over 12 years and it’s still getting updated, you’re basically getting it for free at this point. Those $300 are long gone, the development team isn’t seeing that.

It’s not like the team that develops Final Cut is some indie company that needs $300 to keep running

It’s a tiny department of one of the most profitable companies in the history of the planet

and without Final Cut and logic they don’t sell anywhere near the the amount of higher end macs that they do

…….


What this really is all about is the larger change of apple’s primary revenue stream from hardware to services

Why make really good software and sell it for cheap to get people to buy hardware with a profit margin of $n when you can make mediocre software and sell it as a service for a profit of $n x 10

 

[groove-agent]

I think there are two camps of people looking at the subscription issue.

One camp looks at the subscription being cheap and reasonable and seeing the value of it.

The second camp sees the long-term implications of not just Apple's FCP+LPX (plus whatever other software they're going to move to subscription), but every other software company doing the exact same thing. Soon I think we won't have much option but to subscribe to most of our software, having to keep track of multiple companies who will have their hands perpetually in our pockets.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer here. It depends on the individual's needs and perspective. 🙂

 

[deevey]

Since when can iPads provide power to audio interfaces? I must have missed something.

The iPad Pro's provide power over USB-C. You can even charge your phone using the USB-C port 🙂

I've tried both pioneer DJ controller and Behringer 502 usb mixer without any problems with a USB-C to USB-B cable. The battery drains a pretty fast though. A USB-C hub with PD in is the right way to do it if you intend working with an external DAC for any length of time.

 

[iPadified]

Why should I change the way I am using computers?

No one says you should not but ask yourself why you bother hanging in iPad treads and speak constantly ill of the iPad. No one forces you to use iPads and you are in no position to tell other not to use one.

 

[petvas]

No one says you should not but ask yourself why you bother hanging in iPad treads and speak constantly ill of the iPad. No one forces you to use iPads and you are in no position to tell other not to use one.

Because I have one, I have been using iPads from the beginning and of course I am interested in the platform. I just believe that especially with the last two versions of iPadOS is losing its main advantage, namely simplicity. The iPad was originally meant to be the computer for everyone, especially people with no tech knowledge whatsoever. That's why I wrote that it is for novice users. Most non tech savvy people find computers overwhelming and complicated. The iPad is not. Trying to make a full blown computer out of it seems to me unfitting. The iPad should remain a great tablet. That is just my 2 cents..

 

[Dave245]

Because I have one, I have been using iPads from the beginning and of course I am interested in the platform. I just believe that especially with the last two versions of iPadOS is losing its main advantage, namely simplicity. The iPad was originally meant to be the computer for everyone, especially people with no tech knowledge whatsoever. That's why I wrote that it is for novice users. Most non tech savvy people find computers overwhelming and complicated. The iPad is not. Trying to make a full blown computer out of it seems to me unfitting. The iPad should remain a great tablet. That is just my 2 cents..

The iPad is still a great tablet, there are different versions of the iPad for people who want different things. The basic iPad, the iPad Air, the iPad Pro and the iPad mini. The Pro is obviously for people who want to get more done, Final Cut Pro now on iPad Pro highlights that. The Air is the inbetween, the basic iPad is more for the everyday person who just wants to browse the internet, play a few games via Apple Arcade. iPad mini is just a small version of that for ultra portability and those who want an iPad that can fit in the palm of their hand.

The iPad Pro is becoming more and more professional, it’s never been about the hardware since the M1 was more than powerful enough, it’s about the software and how Apple have finally added some Pro level software with Logic and Final Cut Pro.

I like how Apple have done this all before WWDC, it all but confirms that WWDC is going to be a big one.

 

[MobiusStrip]

Stupid in so many ways. First, why would you attempt precision editing with a clumsy touchscreen UI? Second, how are you going to get massive video files onto and off of an iOS device?

And if you use an iPad “Pro”, you can’t do audio work because Apple idiotically removed the headphone jack from those.

and look at that picture. Why would you struggle to make a toy into a computer, when you can just get the MacBook Air and do real work?

 

[Dave245]

Stupid in so many ways. First, why would you attempt precision editing with a clumsy touchscreen UI? Second, how are you going to get massive video files onto and off of an iOS device?

And if you use an iPad “Pro”, you can’t do audio work because Apple idiotically removed the headphone jack from those.

and look at that picture. Why would you struggle to make a toy into a computer, when you can just get the MacBook Air and do real work?

How do you know it's clumsy, have you used it? you do know that the Apple Pencil and Apple Magic Keyboard can be used as well. iCloud has 2TB Storage, also you can use an external SSD with the iPad Pro.

You could buy a MacBook Air yes, or a MacBook Pro BUT a lot of people like the iPad and prefer to have something more portable to carry around.

 

[nathansz]

…….

 

[petvas]

How do you know it's clumsy, have you used it? you do know that the Apple Pencil and Apple Magic Keyboard can be used as well. iCloud has 2TB Storage, also you can use an external SSD with the iPad Pro.

You could buy a MacBook Air yes, or a MacBook Pro BUT a lot of people like the iPad and prefer to have something more portable to carry around.

Yes, there are people that prefer the iPad, but it's not more portable. Actually it's heavier than a MacBook Air (with the Magic Keyboard)

 

[junior]

Stupid in so many ways. First, why would you attempt precision editing with a clumsy touchscreen UI? Second, how are you going to get massive video files onto and off of an iOS device?

And if you use an iPad “Pro”, you can’t do audio work because Apple idiotically removed the headphone jack from those.

and look at that picture. Why would you struggle to make a toy into a computer, when you can just get the MacBook Air and do real work?

You'd imagine most people working on audio would have a USB class compliant DAC for headphone, monitor out, line/mic in, etc.
If it's just mixing, a bluetooth device will be fine as monitoring latency is a non-issue.

Either way as long as it's subscription, to hell with Apple. Would have purchased both apps if they were perpetual.
Had high hopes when I bought the M1 iPad Pro (many rumors back then about a FCPX release) when it came out. It will remain as my non-Pro Youtube/movie streaming device.

 

[Dave245]

Yes, there are people that prefer the iPad, but it's not more portable. Actually it's heavier than a MacBook Air (with the Magic Keyboard)

Yes but not everyone uses the Magic Keyboard, plus you can remove the iPad and reattach it to the iPad. It also depends on which iPad, the 11” or 12.9”

What’s very interesting tho is that Final Cut Pro and Logic can both work on the M1 iPad Air 5th gen. I honestly thought Apple would reserve it for the Pros only.

 

[craigrusse11]

All the Apple apologists out there claiming this is a great deal and a game changer seem to be in denial that there’s a thing out there call a 14” MacBook Pro which is way more capable and effective as a portable machine for Final Cut or Logic than any pumped up iPad could be.

To use this software effectively you’re looking at a 12.9” iPad (‘21, ‘23) which has similar dimensions to the MacBook. A pound heavier sure, but I’d take it to get a full macOS and improve I/O.

The concept of a pro iPad is flawed from the start unless Apple are willing to provide a genuine upgrade to the operating system and built in I/O. At which point you’ve effectively built a touch MacBook.. so yea.

 

[Wildkraut]

No Thanks Apple, keep your subscription crap, just another handcuff.
There are accountable better non-iPad alternatives.

 

[AvgMrcl]

I wonder if they also make FCPX on Mac a subscription as well, kinda excited for such possibility, ngl.

 

[dannys1]

The iPad supports 3rd party AUs as long as they're in the App Store.

Urgh, so no then basically. It's yet another platform and format audio makers would have to support - and we know how bad they are that anyway.

That makes iPad Logic Pro nothing more than another "sketch pad" with a few more tools than Garageband, but you'd still be better off by a million miles just using a MacBook Air to produce on the move.

 

[Flynnsworth]

More than happy to pay perpetual licensing and paid upgrades. Working Copy handles this well.

Subscriptions are a hard no.

 

[galad]

Urgh, so no then basically. It's yet another platform and format audio makers would have to support - and we know how bad they are that anyway.

That makes iPad Logic Pro nothing more than another "sketch pad" with a few more tools than Garageband, but you'd still be better off by a million miles just using a MacBook Air to produce on the move.

The iPad App Store is full of AU and others audio apps and effects. Audio makers have been supporting the iPad since 10 years ago.

 

[BEUVK]

If you want to run around, you can run around with an iPad. If you want to sit down and do some work, you also can with an iPad. I don't think people will run around with a MacBook.

 

[coredev]

The development team is seeing it from the hardware sales Apple gains from users tied into their pro apps.

Well, Apple sees the money coming in and may decide to reallocate that money for pro software development.
However, at some point they might decide that this game becomes unfavourable for them.

 

[opeter]

It is (was) just a matter of time when every commercial software will go to become software as service, with subscription fee. Sadly, but this seems to be the future.

 

[gank41]

Since when can iPads provide power to audio interfaces? I must have missed something.

I've got a Hyper USB C Hub and have used it a few times before to connect 2 Blue Yeti mics (only) with the Cubasis app. It works, although I'm not fond of the Cubasis UI.

:::Sorry, had to re-read your post. I guess I explained myself poorly. My plan is to use the Blue Yeti USB mics plugged into my hub, and record with the iPad version of Logic. I normally use a Focusrite 18i8 (plugged in, powered by the outlet, not the iPad) with my M1 MBP, but have used it with my iPad Pro. It works fine.

I can now pretty much plan on using my iPad Pro w/ the 2 Blue Yeti Mics along with Logic for iPad and record on the go. If anything it'll be REALLY great to record outside sounds like streams & birds and stuff. Then still utilize those same Logic Project files on my MBP.

 

[SpotOnT]

If you want to run around, you can run around with an iPad. If you want to sit down and do some work, you also can with an iPad. I don't think people will run around with a MacBook.

You think wrong. Been running around with my MacBook since they were released. Ran around with my PowerBook before that.

 

[gank41]

You think wrong. Been running around with my MacBook since they were released. Ran around with my PowerBook before that.

I've been running sort of a recording studio in a backpack for a few years now. I can fit my MBP in my backpack along with a Focusrite 18i8, some cables & mics, and some other small random gear. Then I stick my amp, guitar, and pedalboard in the car and take off.