http://www.apple.com/logicstudio/

Maybe I'm missing something, but that price is incredibly cheap considering it includes Logic 8.  Is that the pro version of Logic, or the express version?

$500 for all of that is a steal.

It's the full Logic Pro 8 (plus everything else). Considering Logic Pro 7 used to go for $999 this is a pretty insane deal.

Very cool.  I'm not a Logic user, but big price drops and improved features always means that their competitors will have to do the same.

Apple has dropped the price on a lot of their software.  When they took over Shake it was selling for around $5k with a $1k/year fee, then they dropped it to $3k, then they dropped it to $500 with a $250 educational version.  This is the same fx compositing software used for Lord of the Rings, King Kong, and many other feature films.  Their Final Cut Studio became so popular that Adobe completely dropped several of their programs on the Mac. 

I just got the upgrade, and so far, so good.....in fact I'm very impressed with Logic 8. The interface will take some getting used to, but I think it's an improvement. Everything is still there - now all I have to do is figure out how to use VD2 with it - just got that as well!

Any suggestions, Jim?

If you're using an Intel Mac, you will need to upgrade to VDL 2.5/Kontakt Player 2 in order for the Audio Unit to be properly recognized. Once you've done that, VDL 2.5 will be directly available when you load any instances of KP2 as you would any other Audio Instruments within Logic.

I've got it all recognized, etc. just trying to figure out the best way to actually do the notation in Logic and make it sound right. Does there exist any sort of map for this? What is the best way to make things so it can all be done in Logic, sans Sibelius/Finale?

Thanks,

Clark

[quote author=Clark link=topic=1986.msg10081#msg10081 date=1190075519]
I've got it all recognized, etc. just trying to figure out the best way to actually do the notation in Logic and make it sound right. Does there exist any sort of map for this? What is the best way to make things so it can all be done in Logic, sans Sibelius/Finale?

Thanks,

Clark
[/quote]

Oh, I see what you mean. Actually, I'm uncertain how Logic's percussion mapping works (or if it's robust enough to handle the various complex mappings in VDL). Essentially, you'd want to be able to control if an F#5 should sound like a left-hand rimshot on snare drum, the printed notation wouldn't look like an F#5, but rather, a shot on snare drum. This is why the Finale/Sibelius templates are in place, and as far as notation goes, are the only things that are 'officially' supported. Doesn't mean it's not possible in Logic, but perhaps not as notation-oriented as an actual notation app.

I think Allen Joanis has done some of this in Logic, so I wonder if you tracked him down (at jw3.com) he might have some advice for you.

Aside from the obvious scenario of referring to Logic's documentation (which seems pretty extensive), you may also check around with some of the folks on the Logic Pro help forum. I'm sure there are many seasoned veterans there:

http://www.logicprohelp.com

Yeah....not much on ther in regards to this issue (btw, sonikmatter.com is also a fantastic resource for all things Logic). No reason to re-invent the wheel if you can find someone already driving a car! Whenever I find a way to make this work properly, I will let you know.....I would think that this could become a priority, given the capabilities offered by Logic combined with the new pricing. If this proves to be functional, how could anyone possibly justify purchasing Finale/Sibelius vs. Logic? The advantage, value, and capability can't possibly be disputed.

[quote]I think Allen Joanis has done some of this in Logic, so I wonder if you tracked him down (at jw3.com) he might have some advice for you.[/quote]

I was about to say the same thing.�� I know that Allen a year or two ago was doing ALL composition through Logic Pro.�� We're talking full band shows plus 20 lines of percussion.�� He got it down pretty well.�� I remember him saying that setting it all up was the booger, not actually daily usage.

Hope things are going well, Clark.�� I am sure that Klein is missing you!

Mike

Thanks for the lead, guys - I sent an email to Allen, so perhaps that can save me a ridiculous amount of tinkering. Nice to hear from you, Mike. Things are going very well, and I really enjoy being out here.

One of the biggest changes for us Kontakt 2 and Kontakt Player 2 users is the support for Multi-Timbral instruments without any crazy setup. This should allow us to load our Multi's directly in, and assign them by midi channel only. That's what kept me from using Logic beforehand! It is super simple to set up in this new version. The interface similarities to Garageband should also make it easier to pick up than Logic 7 for a new user.

Allen responded to my request and was [i]incredibly[/i] helpful. He was kind enough to email me templates that include instrument mapping, etc. which is saving me hours of work. He was very pleased to know that somebody else could benefit from his efforts, and is very supportive of anyone using Logic that wants to make this work. I will be happy to forward his templates to anyone who can use them. Perhaps we can start a Logic thread on this site and/or post his templates? It certainly isn't a widely-used application for this right now, but it has tons of potential. At least more people will be able to find a resource for this particular application of VD2.

Clark - thanks for keeping us posted on your progress, and I'm glad Allen was able to hook you up. He's a great guy. Sounds like it's a system that could have a lot of potential for people who want to work that way. If Allen is okay with it, and if you or him wouldn't mind supplying some sort of brief write-up on how people can work with the template, we'd love to host this on the Tapspace site and make it available to others. Sounds like a great idea!