POLAR and other stuff Logic Pro doesn't have...?

[kassonica]

In all fairness, here is Apple's current screen <yawn>:

(Note: MOTU has very little in the way of DP screenshots up in their site now. BIG mistake, IMO. Also, the new site doesn't do the tour, which I thought was a major plus. Hmmm... don't they WAT to sell more DP's???

It looks worse

But i used it recently and it does have some awesome features (my wife owns it I know I know) but I still feel sick after looking at it for 30mins or so, Beer or NO beer.

[James Steele]

Hate to say this, but I think the newer Logic screen shots look pretty nice actually. I think the audio soundbites look especially "polished" and easy on the eyes. My big problem is the way the app works seems so strange to me. If I could apply a Logic skin to DP, I'd be tempted to do it.

[bayswater]

I don't find it easy on the eyes. The light grey on dark grey gave me a headache. Might work better on your 30" Apple display. The screen shots make it look clean and uncluttered, but I think when you are very familiar with an application, clutter is ok and even good if you know where everything is and what it does.

Hate to say this, but I think the newer Logic screen shots look pretty nice actually. I think the audio soundbites look especially "polished" and easy on the eyes. My big problem is the way the app works seems so strange to me. If I could apply a Logic skin to DP, I'd be tempted to do it.

[dacart]

here are some things DP doesn´t have...

1. no MIDI regions in the SE - it´s so cumbersome to copy MIDI and it´s so confusing to get an overview of the arrangement. it´s so much easier to see what is the musical context in Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar, Live, Samplitude.... I don´t know any other DAW, which doesn´t support MIDI-region editing. For me it is a mystery, why Motu still doesn´t provide that, even PT7 with it´s ridiculous MIDI implentation has that feature
2. no muting of individual MIDI-notes
3. no loop recording with MIDI (like it behaves with audio, so that every pass creates a new take)
4. there´s no handy manipulation of incoming MIDI-data (crazy consoles don´t doin´it...for me another big secret in DP)
5. no snapping of MIDI-notes or soundbites to the current wiper position or an adjacent region on another track
6. I/O inserts
7. selected tracks in the SE are not highlited in the mixer window (in big arrangements it has always been a big search to locate the according fader)
8. no saveable settings in the create-, change- and reassign contionuous data windows (I assume they have forgotten to put it in)
9. MIDI-monitoring (why not putting a little MIDI-monitor window in the control window so that one has a detailed view of what´s happening with MIDI-in)
10. the handtool for stretching soundbites doesn´t work with more than one selected soundbite
11. better documentation including update info and user manual as pdf and support (I have techlinks unread since 4 months and if there´s coming an respond it´s often incompetent), updates (no updates clearing the worst bugs for months) and the lack of Motu´s communication with it´s users

1. +1. Although there is some opposition to having MIDI regions implemented in DP.....
2. +1
3. +1
10. It does work if all the soundbites you wish to stretch (or shorten) are exactly the same length and in the same position on each track..
11. MOTUNATION!

Well to each his own,
I personally loath the region editing in Logic. I'm much faster editing MIDI sections in DP's TO than I am in Logic. Doing stuff like splitting out notes from one MIDI track to another is an enormous PITA for instance. I've never been a big fan of region based DAWs anyway.
Also the transform window in Logic is a joke. DP has much better tools for editing MIDI than what can be found in transform.

I could go on but it's late.

In the end it's the Indian and not the arrow that makes the biggest difference. All of the DAWS nowadays do a great job. It's more important to find what works for you rather than pursuing every chimera of coolness that can be found in the music mags.

Dan

[timriley]

In the end it's the Indian and not the arrow that makes the biggest difference. All of the DAWS nowadays do a great job. It's more important to find what works for you rather than pursuing every chimera of coolness that can be found in the music mags.
Dan

Absolutely agree! I would never change from DP just to have MIDI regions..

I really need to learn more about DP and what it has to offer me before i start complaining.......... Though sometimes you just want things instantly..

Very interesting topic, none-the-less...

[James Steele]

I don't find it easy on the eyes. The light grey on dark grey gave me a headache. Might work better on your 30" Apple display. The screen shots make it look clean and uncluttered, but I think when you are very familiar with an application, clutter is ok and even good if you know where everything is and what it does.

Hate to say this, but I think the newer Logic screen shots look pretty nice actually. I think the audio soundbites look especially "polished" and easy on the eyes. My big problem is the way the app works seems so strange to me. If I could apply a Logic skin to DP, I'd be tempted to do it.

Hey... everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm not saying Logic is perfect visually, but frankly I feel some aspects of the app look nicer than DP. (And yes... I have a 30" display, but it's a Dell.)

[daveyboy]

I think that for people who are curious about Logic but don't want to buy it can check out some free vids on You tube by Logic Ninja. Or, pay $29 at Grooveboxmusic.com and get an unlimited number of video tutorials for Logic, along with PT, Reason, Auto tune, etc. A cheap investment to get a better feel for the app. Also, the videos might inspire to learn new things in DP. Obviously, it's the best to actually have the actual software to record with. I ended up with L7, which I only really toyed around with and used it to convert some client projects to DP. But, after getting L8 I've gotten very comfortable using it with clients in the room doing real production work. The groovebox tutes where huge in this. The things I miss from DP are:

1)DP's take feature and the ability to edit any take, make a comp, edit that, etc. In Logic you have to make your take and then flatten it for any further editing. I find myself making more track copies so that I can go back if I need to. Audio editing is also better in DP.

2)DP's built in pitch correction. I work with a lot of singers and am always using that feature.

3)Multiple mixes.

I've gotten workarounds for other missing features like applying FX (have to use Sound Track Pro). I like Logic alot. It's so great with latency it's insane, really. I can have the buffer be set to 256 and track direct electric guitar and have it be totally tight feeling. Same goes with MIDI VIs. I also like the big dorky arrange window as I can fit everything in it with a quick key stroke or zoom in on something quickly to edit. But, as someone else stated, it's just a tool so who cares in the end. What ever gets the job done. If you're a pro facility then you should have as many DAWs as you can just to be compatible and to open up your market! My main axe is still DP but Logic is getting a lot of use as of late. Ironically, I rarely use Pro Tools unless it's to fix the timing on drums or to import/export something. I think PT has the best audio editing tools but am not a person who needs to do different things in different DAWS within one song, unless I need to do some serious surgery (like fixing live drums....). I'm happy to stick in one till the end.

[Sting]

After reading through all the commentary and boading over other DAWs....even considering Abelton rewired into Logic, I have determined that a feature like POLAR is not worth learning an entirely new app. I have also found that I can do the same type of audio loop recording in Logic, but I must use autopunch with about a 2 bar lead and 2 bar trail before and after the punch range....perhaps a faster HD / Processor setup than my current 2.5 Dual Core 5400 RPM Mac Book Pro might solve the problem. Since all of this would be done at a home studio rather than a mobile setup, seems my next best option is to save the $500 bucks I could spend on DP (or any other application), invest in a Mac Pro 8-Core system, and just continue to use Logic without the frusrtation of learning a new app.
Thanks all.