Ableton vs Logic

[faberwire]

I just got a new 15" macbook pro (finally!), and am trying out Logic Studio for the first time. I've been producing electronic music using Ableton Live for a couple years, and I love its flexibility and ease of use. I really think it is one of the most intuitive programs I've used.

However a friend has really been talking up Logic, and so I'd like to give it a try. The effects and synths that are included with it are very good. And I know it is a powerful and well respected program. But I immediately notice that the learning curve seems to be quite a bit steeper than Ableton. I actually have to spend hours trying to figure out how to do things that were just right there at my fingertips in Ableton.

So my question is, is it worth my effort trying to learn Logic? Is there anyone here that's familiar with both programs? Or does anyone have any advice at all that might help me decide which direction to go?

Thanks much!

[seraph]

I used to have both but I quit Ableton at version 4. (I have been a Logic user since the Atari days!).
I think it depends on what you want to do with a sequencer. Pattern based and linear ones are 2 very different approaches to sequencing. Both applications are very good at what they are intended to do. The linear approach fits my way of composing much better than the pattern based one. But that's just me

[BobTheDog]

I use both Live and Logic.

I find for me that I use Live for ideas and playing and when I actually want to move those ideas into a song based structure I move everything over to Logic.

Also live enables me to record on multiple simultaneous midi channels easily, something I have never found very easy with Logic.

I must admit for me they complement each other perfectly.

Carlo: Live has come on a bit since version 4, you should get the demo and have a play.

Cheers

Andy

[faberwire]

Thanks for the response!

Can you tell me though, why is it that when you want to finalize an idea you move over to Logic? I'm curious to know what Logic has that Ableton lacks, and vice versa. I know you mentioned multiple midi channels at once, but is there anything else?

Here's one specific thing I'm curious about:

I'm interested in remixing live bands. I've never even tried this in Ableton yet, but I know Ableton is good at allowing you to sync audio files with its midi-clock. Is Logic just as flexible?

I know that people do remixing with Logic, I just haven't yet come across how to sync audio files so that you can speed them up/ slow them, add new elements, etc. In Ableton, you don't have to dig through menus and manuals nearly as much as it seems you do in Logic, but I'm just wondering if spending the time learning it will open up more possibilities than I would have had if would have only stuck with Ableton.

On another note, I'm new to Mac as well. On my PC I always used Soundforge for audio editing. Is there something comparable for Mac, or do you generally use the audio editor built into Logic?

[seraph]

[LektroiD]

I own both products. I basically use Live for DJing, and playing out, but Logic is my workhorse in the studio, I have a lot of hardware to run. Having said that, I know people who own both but use Live as their main workhorse. I think they are both just as capable.

[XpanderXT]

I am a long time user of both.
I bought Ableton at version 1.0 and have used Logic since version 1.5.
I also use an MPC for sequencing and Pro tools Le

All of these are great tools for making music on.

I used to do woodworking and made furniture. I had a number of saws. Each saw excelled in different areas and trying to use just one saw would have limited me. The same is true for music tools. You approach each one differently based on it's workflow.

Ableton and Logic are both unique in what they do and how they do it. I use Ableton for more loop based work. Logic is better for a more traditional style linear sequencing. I also use Logic's environment to help manage my studio connections and to build custom MIDI processors. Ableton is horrible to mix in though, so I tend to rewire it into Logic to finish there.
Pro Tools is the best for mixing as it allows for better subgrouping than Logic does. It is also a much better editor so I like to use it for mastering.
The MPC is a musical instrument. Playing on it give a better experience than the others. I can sequence up ideas very fast on it. I don't like editing MIDI or audio on it though so I usually export my sequence to a MIDI file and bring it into Logic for further manipulation.


Should you spend time on learning Logic? Yes, it is very powerful, has some really useful effects and softsynths.
Should you move from Live to Logic? Probably not. Use both for what they do best. You might find them to help you expand your music and help to get your ideas down which is what all these tools are for.

[EdisonRex]

[XpanderXT]

[Floppy]

about the learning curve, its always hard to learn a new application when you know another one already. i came from logic to live and it took me forever cause i didnt have the same initial curiousity and as soon as im stuck i just load the other program.
in fact there are many users who would love live and logic merged together, thats why they use live as rewire slave in logic.
main reasons are logics better sounding engine and lives better workflow.

soundforge, wavelab and audition are not existing on mac and there is nothing to substitute, but you can try audiofile engineering wave editor, peak or as you said logics internal editor.

[faberwire]

Thanks so much. Very useful info.

At the moment when I write, I tend to think in loops; possibly due to working with Ableton so much. So I think I'll probably stick to Ableton for now when coming up with new ideas. But I'm definitely interested in seeing what it's like to mix the final project in Logic. I'll see if I can figure out Rewire for that purpose.

And I've been looking into Peak Pro. I hope to be checking it out soon.