Logic Pro X updated with Smart Tempo, new plug-ins

Apple on Thursday updated its professional music software, Logic Pro X, adding new features and plug-ins. Apple told me that this is the 20th free update Apple has released since the launch of Logic Pro X.

As a guitar player, I often like to record without a click or drum track—it feels more natural because I am controlling the pace of the recording with my playing. When playing to a click track, it controls the pace, which can take some of the groove away from the song I’m trying to record.

The problem is that when when you add tempo-based content to your recording, nothing stays in sync. Apple fixed that with a new feature called Smart Tempo.

Smart Tempo allows you to record your track naturally without a click track because it uses an advanced tempo detection technology that automatically manages tempo across all the content in a project. According to Apple, all bars and beats conform to your recording. All loops, delays and even the drummer track will follow along with your recording.

You can even use recordings from sources with varying tempos and Smart Tempo will make it all work together. This is going to be a huge feature for all types of musicians from guitar players and drummers, to electronic musicians.

Apple also added a number of new plug-ins to Logic Pro X—my favorite is a bundle called Vintage EQ, which includes Vintage Graphic EQ, Vintage Tube EQ and Vintage Console EQ. These new plug-ins were modeled from the API 560, Pultec, and Neve 1073N—all classic EQs.

ChromaVerb is a new algorithmic reverb plug-in with a colorful interactive interface. It includes a number of acoustic spaces like Rooms, Chambers, Theaters, Halls, and more.

Phat FX is a multi-effects plug-in designed to add warmth and heft to guitars, bass, and drums. Step FX adds rhythmic movement to any track by arranging filters, effects and independent step sequencers to control treatments over time.

Logic Pro X 10.4 also includes a variety of new content, including two Drummers that play roots and jazz-influenced brush styles, two vintage brush kits for the Drum Kit Designer feature, more than 800 additional loops, and a new library for Alchemy synths with 150 cinematic presets.

This is a fantastic update for Logic Pro X users. In all, there are over 2,000 enhancements and bug fixes in this version. The update is free for existing users.