I’m not the guy to ask – I’ve barely launched Logic … I’d suggest going to http://www.themonobox.com .. and there’s a great “getting started” article on TheWorshipCommunity.Com as well – just search for “loops” or look in the archives under “Worship Technology” category.

Thanks, man! Love having you hear on the blog!
For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
http://www.fredmckinnon.com
http://www.theworshipcommunity.com

However, SampleTank was a memory hog, and McKendree tells me there are some fabulous piano samples that come “stock” right out of the box w/ Logic Studio .. which is a huge reason I got it. I’m not thrilled with the 3 piano options in GarageBand.

Also, have you had any experience with Synthology Ivory?

http://digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=234&itemid=5383

Actually, in my LIMITED experience, I found ProTools to be much easier to navigate – it made a LOT more sense to me. I remember trying to figure out that “Environment” window in Logic where you setup MIDI stuff and I about went nuts.

But, as you saw … I’ve made the plunge, and purchased Logic – but I bet I’ll still use ProTools a lot – we’ll see.

I haven’t used Logic, but I can see where it would be an great deal for what you get, and I’ve read some awesome reviews. I hear the virtual instruments that come with Logic are off the chain. The Garageband loops alone are almost worth the price of Logic Pro (if you purchased all the Garageband libraries seperately!) Because my studio is not near my residence (45 miles away!), I’ve seriously considered getting another Mac (laptop) and Logic for home use.

I’ll agree with one of the earlier comments that Logic may not be necessarily “easier”, just laid-out in a better setup. I’m sure there are pros & cons of both systems. I’ve read recently where many folks are using Logic, Cubase, or some other application for tracking, but will then take those tracks into a Pro Tools session because you simply can’t beat Pro Tools for mixing / mastering. I guess it’s an “apples vs. oranges” kind of thing. I’ve read several forums where folks simply don’t like the Pro Tools 002 / 003 preamps. Presonus just came out with a simple 8-mic preamp interface that connects via light-pipe offering 8 more channels for Pro Tools 002 / 003 setups. I’ve never read a bad review on a Presonus product.

Not trying to steal Fred’s M-Audio thunder! Does M-Audio have a similar product like the Presonus DigiMAX D8? I’m curious, because I don’t know. I’ll have to look more closely at the M-Audio products. For $400, the D8 seems to be a good deal for anyone looking at adding 8 more mic inputs to a system that has light-pipe connections. Some products that are coming out now, like the D8, seem to be Pro Tools hardware friendly. And of course, the M-Audio products are Pro Tools friendly. Maybe the times are a changin’?

One trend I see is that although Pro Tools is a little more pricey than other apps, the folks at Digidesign seem to be noticing the market changes and customer needs, and there seems to be adjustments being made in relation to customer demands. The latest upgrade in Pro Tools 7.4 is a good indication that they are beginning to offer more bang for the buck. I mean, for $50 upgrading from 7.3 to 7.4, you get the elastic time and quanitzation function, and if you don’t think that’s a big deal, visit the Digidesign site & check out the demo. I tracked a session last week where I will definitely use the quanitization function once I upgrade.

Having given my two-cent’s on Pro Tools, If I had it to do over again I would probably buy Logic instead of Pro Tools, simply because of what you get for the money. There are so many applications and tracking software that work well, I’d say pick one and run with it. It will always be apples vs. oranges.

Everybody needs to check out the M-Audio products (and buy from Fred!) I’ve read nothing but stellar reviews on these products.

Less than $400 for the interface, would work with Logic, and/or would work with ProTools M-Powered.

Louis – Brent did a great job answering …. w/ ProTools, you’d have to use ProTools-qualified hardware, which is a disadvantage. However, ProTools does now support some of the M-Audio gear ..

um..er … COMMERCIAL BREAK:
Fred is a fully, qualified M-Audio dealer – so pick out your speakers, MIDI controller, and interface at http:///www.m-audio.com and email me to order it!

Back …
Pastuh … Russ has been asking the same thing about my studio … so sure … I’ve got a session in about 2 weeks … when I transform it BACK into a recording studio instead of a shipping warehouse for HPP Enterprises, I’ll shoot some video and post it.

Good to be back! Will be traveling to Gainesville, GA today, but will be back online this afternoon after arrival.

Fred

Louis, I’ll jump in since I know Fred is offline today.

To get multiple tracks of material in the computer, you need an interface that will allow multiple inputs. Both Pro Tools and Logic allow for multiple tracks, but neither of them at the $500 price allows for enough inputs. At that price you would basically have between 2-8 inputs. This is where Logic would excel though. For probably around $1000 Logic would allow an interface to be used for up to about 16 tracks. Pro tools would require a lot more money to get it to this point. Read…thousands of dollars.

So, Logic for under $2k could allow a pretty flexible system for worship recording.

Thanks, and I am enjoying this thread.

as for the intuitivity of ProTools, i find myself banging my head against a wall. i’ve been following “Ignite” – a type of protools for dummies user manual, with pictures. but i need more “visual learning” than that. in fact, i will PAY someone to get me over the hump of the MIDI & Plugins setup/usage in ProTools.

any takers?

I am curious. What you get for the $499? Software, Plug Ins, Track Count, Sample Rates, Interface?

Just curious. Maybe we could then match it against the $500 Mbox pus software and see what compares.

I like both. I have never used Logic in a larger studio environment, cause it isn’t there and there is so much depth to after market products for Pro tools, that it is still a standard. I like how Logic feels though. It is a much better program for music production. Simpler and more efficient.

I am curious apples to apples, what we are looking at though.

Logic looks like a solid option though.

We switched from ProTools to Logic at Canyon Ridge a while back, and our guys love it. It’s so easy to use, and has so many functions. Stephen May, my friend/roomate also personally had a Protools studio at our house here for over a year….we never used it, because of the pain. He switched to Logic also, and we have been recording drum tracks, guitar and piano parts, and it rocks. MAKE THE SWITCH!!