How much better is Pro Tools vs. Logic X?

[thingstoponder]

Pro Tools isn't better at all. It's more or less the industry standard for audio recording but that doesn't mean it's better. It's not an artist's tool like Logic is. Logic can do

Given that Apple is pulling out of the pro market left and right, I think it's only a matter of time before Logic Pro X goes the way of Aperture-- unfortunately.

As a relatively recent convert to Logic (from Sonar on the Windows side), I'm still amazed at the amount of stuff they pack into the Logic package - the sample libraries and included synths are so good I haven't even felt the need to reinstall all my EastWest libraries since my last computer upgrade.

But, I still worry that Logic X is going to wither and die, like Aperture. There doesn't seem to be anything that can take its place of being powerful, accessible, and having so much included content for the price.

If they were going to pull out of the pro market they wouldn't have bothered with Logic X at all. They've also recently acquired a major plugin company so I highly doubt they will pull out.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Given that Apple is pulling out of the pro market left and right, I think it's only a matter of time before Logic Pro X goes the way of Aperture-- unfortunately.

As a relatively recent convert to Logic (from Sonar on the Windows side), I'm still amazed at the amount of stuff they pack into the Logic package - the sample libraries and included synths are so good I haven't even felt the need to reinstall all my EastWest libraries since my last computer upgrade.

But, I still worry that Logic X is going to wither and die, like Aperture. There doesn't seem to be anything that can take its place of being powerful, accessible, and having so much included content for the price.

Since Logic Pro X has a huge user base world wide and is being updated frequently I doubt Apple is going to cease the development of Logic anytime soon. Apple acquired Redmatica and Camel Audio to make AutoSampler part of Mainstage and Alchemy part of Logic/Mainstage. Why? Because Logic is one of the Pro applications that bring people to the Mac platform.

 

[AlexParagraphs]

Concur with ThingsToPonder's post. I've just spent a week in a pro studio with a bunch of songs that were composed and arranged in Logic ... but finished in ProTools with a 24 track SSL desk. The long and short of it:

ProTools is:
1. Better at audio editing: easier to tame timing and move between transients.
2. Better at auditioning and comping takes: certainly better than Logic 9.1.8, more intuitive and better visually.
3. Better at mix control: Logic's awful automation leaves a lot to be desired, it's easy to end up with a million untamed volumes to deal with. PT allows you to think about the mix as you would on a desk. Simpler, and you can just tweak individual audio components where needed.
4. PT seems to stitch into the world of enormous mixing consoles by design. Not likely an issue for the home user!
5. PT is set up for more demanding professional workflows, particular involving mixdowns of audio through a console.

ProTools is worse at:
1. Midi editing: pretty basic on PT, far better on Logic.

So: write in Logic. Produce in ProTools.

Pro Tools isn't better at all. It's more or less the industry standard for audio recording but that doesn't mean it's better. It's not an artist's tool like Logic is. Logic can do


If they were going to pull out of the pro market they wouldn't have bothered with Logic X at all. They've also recently acquired a major plugin company so I highly doubt they will pull out.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Things have changed a lot since Logic 9.1.8 - topic says "Pro Tools vs. Logic X". Logic X is way more capable in points 1, 2 and 3 now.

 

[JoelTheSuperior]

Things have changed a lot since Logic 9.1.8 - topic says "Pro Tools vs. Logic X". Logic X is way more capable in points 1, 2 and 3 now.

Precisely this. I would've agreed with his points a few years ago but I'd honestly argue that Logic is better than Pro Tools in many of those respects now. There are some things that I feel still work better in Pro Tools but it's not enough to convince me to switch at this point, though I'm actually considering my options as of late because I'm less than happy with Apple's recent Mac hardware so want to keep my options open if I switch back to Windows.

 

[niploteksi]

From what I understand Pro-Tools also work on Windows.

 

[dspdoc]

Neither PT or Logic is "better". It is all about workflow preference and specific usage cases. I personally use both. I write in Logic and track, edit, mix and master in PT. I call it my "hybrid" rig.

 

[Cayden]

Neither PT or Logic is "better". It is all about workflow preference and specific usage cases. I personally use both. I write in Logic and track, edit, mix and master in PT. I call it my "hybrid" rig.

I'd say this is a pretty common trend I've seen. Logic is great for writing (and I personally love mixing with it too) but it has a lot of weaknesses, especially with automation and the issues with the exported tracks not sounding like the tracks in Logic

 

[F1Mac]

I'd say this is a pretty common trend I've seen. Logic is great for writing (and I personally love mixing with it too) but it has a lot of weaknesses, especially with automation and the issues with the exported tracks not sounding like the tracks in Logic

What do you mean "not sounding like the tracks in Logic"?

 

[Cayden]

What do you mean "not sounding like the tracks in Logic"?

Generally the volume level isn't the same out of Logic, at least in my experience. The issue is that when it clips inside Logic you don't really hear it, but that isn't much of an issue if you're looking at your meters. It's just something I noticed when I first started learning out to mix

 

[1050792]

Generally the volume level isn't the same out of Logic, at least in my experience. The issue is that when it clips inside Logic you don't really hear it, but that isn't much of an issue if you're looking at your meters. It's just something I noticed when I first started learning out to mix

What are you bouncing to? WAV? (I suppose) I never noticed any difference between the mix played in Logic and when exported.

 

[Cayden]

What are you bouncing to? WAV? (I suppose) I never noticed any difference between the mix played in Logic and when exported.

It doesn't currently happen anymore, it was just when I first got the DAW and didn't really know much about digital clipping. I knew it couldn't be too loud, but I didn't know that the limit was 0.0. Because of this and the nature of Logic (or GarageBand for that matter) I didn't really hear the clipping in logic and was confused about why my mixes sounded so flat and crushed, but I realized it was because of the clipping. It just isn't really heard while using Logic, so it lead to some confusion with me and a few other beginners I've talked to in the past

 

[R3k]

ProTools is better for audio editing, post production and recording. Logic Pro is better for composition / writing and using internal instruments and MIDI. This is a simplistic way of looking at it, but it still holds true imo.

In your case Logic seems a better fit. It is better for content creation. It is a very well rounding piece of software.

Experience- i work in A grade film music production and mixing.

 

[JoelTheSuperior]

ProTools is better for audio editing, post production and recording. Logic Pro is better for composition / writing and using internal instruments and MIDI. This is a simplistic way of looking at it, but it still holds true imo.

I disagree with this. A few years ago I would've agreed but Logic has caught up such that I really struggle to think of any meaningful ways in which Pro Tools is better for editing audio and I can think of some ways in which Logic is superior now. Logic is definitely better with software instruments though granted Pro Tools has improved in this area too, if you disregard the bugs with latency compensation which seem to keep reappearing.

I'd really struggle to recommend Pro Tools to anyone at this point unless they absolutely must have Pro Tools HD and its hardware related fun or integration with Avid Media Composer.

 

[groove-agent]

I've used most DAWs, and taught them to students as well. The *best* DAW is based on *your* needs, not someone else's. Considering you own a mac, have or considering FCP, and mostly do photography and video, I would say Logic is the best choice, particularly for the money. Garage Band in my experience, is the easiest to learn for composing, but for deep editing I think it falls short. The good news is, you can bring your Garage Band files into Logic and continue from there.

 

[F1Mac]

Pro Tools isn't better at all. It's more or less the industry standard for audio recording but that doesn't mean it's better. It's not an artist's tool like Logic is.

That's a strange, and false, assumption.

 

[groove-agent]

Not to get too far off topic, but Pro Tools was arguably the unofficial industry standard. Most medium to large studios used it, particularly in the Digidesign days (although I wish I had some stats to back it up). These days that line is blurred, especially since Avid has gone to a subscription model. I personally see a lot of people sticking with their old versions (me included) or new users will adopt some version of Cubase (esp if they're on PC) or maybe Logic if they have a Mac.

 

[alanidron]

Pro Tools HD is the one thats over 1k you can get the standard version for around £400. I currently use Logic X however I have Pro Tools 11 coming on Monday, its just the little features in my opinion that make it quicker to use, things like tab to transient etc (watch the PT11 videos on youtube) it also depends what you will be using it for, Pro Tools 11 won't replace Logic X in my workflow as i dont feel i could produce my own tracks in it however I will no longer be using logic to actually record, like bands and acoustic sessions etc.

Hope this helps

do you say because of quirks with Logic we audio processing in general? or a better audio sound/engine to PT?

I ask because I'm thinking of switching to PT, I started with GB so then that lead to Logic. And I use both MIDI and AUdio.
i know the interface plays a big role, but I know the DAW does as well