Logic Express 9 is a bit tough to learn, despite the hype about how "easy" it is to edit and to do "everything easier". If only there were better tutorials. (Onboard Videos would be nice) Not nearly as "easy" as Garage Band and you can't do Podcasting or send your material to iWeb from Logic Express which is something I do personally on a regular basis. However, the "sound"; which is what recording is all about, is quite phenomenal to say the least! If you're a beginner; once you get some basics down, it is simple to get a great recording. I still find myself using some of the Garage Band MIDI instruments as the "out of the box" Logic Express instruments seem limited in scope. No banjo and select other instruments you would normally associate with a well rounded selection of MIDI instruments. You will eventually want to purchase more. (Logic Studio includes all the Jam Pack instruments) It is pretty difficult to edit using the Flex Tool in my opinion. In particular, it is difficult to select the exact area you want to edit. I was used to the Garage Band way of quite easily selecting and seeing what I wanted to edit, versus Logics very different way of doing things. But with that out of the way, I have produced several awe inspiring recordings. I have no latency problems on the Mac platform and no "surprise" quits or interruptions while recording either live or MIDI instruments. Even with songs using 20 tracks. I used to use Sonar, but Apple provides a MUCH more stable program and adds a "low latency" mode at the touch of a button. Works very well with my Tascam interface. New and seasoned recording engineers will love Logic Express! In all, Logic Express 9 is worth every penny and a lot more considering the smooth operation of the software. …More

112 of 125 people found this useful

Garageband rocks! Why does Logic Pro have to be so convoluted? Garageband is so clean and uncluttered and easy to navigate. When I bought Logic Pro, I nearly abandoned it and that's coming from one who uses Nuendo, Ableton, FlStudio and Reason!!! I bought $400.00 worth of video's and I am still not comfortable with Logic! I never need a single manual with Nuendo and I have a recording engineering degree. Couldn't someone just keep making Garageband better? I would add process screens to the program, like Edit which contains a simple layout with Edit tools in the right hand pane. Really, it needs a couple of mode sheets like Edit, Create, Rewire and Mixdown, you know, kind of like Ableton where it switched modes depending on what you are doing.
Garageband is one of the most beautiful and well implemented programs for music creation. If you keep improving it, I will keep using it. I would buy Garageband Pro if it kept its looks and improved functionality.
I never start with Logic Pro 8 anymore, it's ugly, and cluttered. In this day and age, I want my programs to work like Garageband does. My buddy just bought ProTools, when he saw Garageband on my Mac he was so jealous!!!
There are a lot of features in Logic Express and Logic Pro that suit creative people but most people I have talked to agree that little brother is more conducive to writing music than it's more endowed siblings. …More

63 of 177 people found this useful