Soundtrack or Logic Express?

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smashbrosfansmashbrosfan
Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
Okay, I've gone all over Apple's site and product pages. And I can't tell the difference between Soundtrack Pro and Logic. As far as I can tell, they pretty much do the same thing.



I'm getting a Macbook Pro this weekend hopfully, and I'm going into small-time music production and independant films. So I want to buy a few Pro Apps installed on purchase, like Final Cut Express and what-not. But I can't decide If I want Soundtrack or Logic Express.



I'm on a somewhat limited budget So I can't go all out and get the "Pro" versions, or the Creative Suite. And I'll have to be really mobile for my job, so a full blown worstation ala Mac Pro isn't really an option.



So which app should I get?



~Brady

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    jarlandjarland Posts: 15member
    Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but Logic is for professional recording, and Soundtrack is more for fine tuning your audio tracks (mostly used along side Final Cut). If you're talking about doing film stuff, I can assure you that Soundtrack is what you want out of the two.
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  • Reply 2 of 6
    smashbrosfansmashbrosfan Posts: 139member
    Well what I really want is to create my own original songs. And soundtracks for my movies too, but that would be a seperate project. Most of the use would be for creating completely new and original content. Then editing that. Not editing existing content.
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  • Reply 3 of 6
    superbasssuperbass Posts: 688member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by smashbrosfan


    Well what I really want is to create my own original songs. And soundtracks for my movies too, but that would be a seperate project. Most of the use would be for creating completely new and original content. Then editing that. Not editing existing content.



    Do you have a soundcard of any sort? If you don't, you'll need one if you want to record live instruments, vocals, etc. with any real degree of quality, as well as use advanced midi.



    I would recommed checking out an "MBox" from Digidesign (see their webpage). They're cheap, ultra portable, give you a couple of mic/instrument inputs, and come with a free scaled-down version of ProTools (basically with a maximum of 48 tracks per song, and less plugins available and per-track than full Protools).



    ProTools is very similar to Logic, although I would say there are 3 or 4 times as many 3rd party ProTools plugins available nowadays, and is probably used in an equal number of studios as Logic nowadays. I use both (mainly depending on the client), and each has an equal number of pros and cons.



    Just check out the Digidesign website or go to any musical instrument store which has computer audio, and ask about MBox, it's probably the best-selling piece of computer sound hardware other than midi keyboards.
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  • Reply 4 of 6
    smashbrosfansmashbrosfan Posts: 139member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Superbass


    Do you have a soundcard of any sort? If you don't, you'll need one if you want to record live instruments, vocals, etc. with any real degree of quality, as well as use advanced midi.



    I would recommed checking out an "MBox" from Digidesign (see their webpage). They're cheap, ultra portable, give you a couple of mic/instrument inputs, and come with a free scaled-down version of ProTools (basically with a maximum of 48 tracks per song, and less plugins available and per-track than full Protools).



    ProTools is very similar to Logic, although I would say there are 3 or 4 times as many 3rd party ProTools plugins available nowadays, and is probably used in an equal number of studios as Logic nowadays. I use both (mainly depending on the client), and each has an equal number of pros and cons.



    Just check out the Digidesign website or go to any musical instrument store which has computer audio, and ask about MBox, it's probably the best-selling piece of computer sound hardware other than midi keyboards.



    I used Protools a bit when I worked in the A/V Dept. of a college near L.A. last year... It felt really clumsy to me...



    Regardless though, I'll be working in a sound studio, so soundcards won't be a problem. But just to clarify, you think I should get Logic over Soundtrack then?
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  • Reply 5 of 6
    eckingecking Posts: 1,588member
    Depending on your level of seriousness the version of soundtrack that comes with Final Cut Express might be enough, hell garage band might be enough. They both let you use loops, midi keyboards and software instruments, and can both be used for scoring. For most people that's more than enough.



    I use soundtrack pro and frankly for what I do it's enough.



    Final Cut Expres HD automatically comes with a version of livetype and soundtrack. Back when all apps were separate a lot of people just bought FCE and DVD studio pro and were set. Now people make do with FCE and iDVD.



    Check it out:

    http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/soundtrack.html

    and see if between that and garageband it isn't enough for your needs. Don't waste money on software you're not gonna use to it's fullest.
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  • Reply 6 of 6
    smashbrosfansmashbrosfan Posts: 139member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ecking


    Depending on your level of seriousness the version of soundtrack that comes with Final Cut Express might be enough, hell garage band might be enough. They both let you use loops, midi keyboards and software instruments, and can both be used for scoring. For most people that's more than enough.



    I use soundtrack pro and frankly for what I do it's enough.



    Final Cut Expres HD automatically comes with a version of livetype and soundtrack. Back when all apps were separate a lot of people just bought FCE and DVD studio pro and were set. Now people make do with FCE and iDVD.



    Check it out:

    http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/soundtrack.html

    and see if between that and garageband it isn't enough for your needs. Don't waste money on software you're not gonna use to it's fullest.



    I use Garageband now. And it's WAY too limited. I run into things all the time that I have to use a workaround for. Like changing the tempo of one instrument. In Garageband you can only change the tempo of the entire song.



    So what I do is get one track the tempo I want, export it to .mp3, start a new project, add the other instruments, set the tempo, and re-import the mp3 as a track...



    That is just one of several work arounds. I guess I'll get Logic Express then... After thinking about it on my some more and really assesing what I'll need, Logic Express fits the bill nicely.
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