WHY LOGIC?
Apple Logic Pro is a very powerful mac music recording software application that combines MIDI sequencing, audio recording and music notation (scoring). It is the integration of these three aspects that make Logic an ideal general music application for music students and professional commercial composers. Other more specialised audio software such as Protools do not have the advanced and versatile MIDI and scorewriting capabilities of Logic. Music publishing/engraving software such as Sibelius may have more scorewriting features, but the fact that Logic combines all these functions into one application make it the best choice of software for music students. When working as a consultant for the Music Department at Southampton University I chose Logic as I considered that it has much better score-writing functions than other sequencer applications such as Cubase and Cakewalk, and so is more useful for music students in all areas of the curriculum. In addition it is the sequencer of choice for an increasingly larger proportion of the professional recording industry and also integrates very well with Protools in the professional audio production arena.
Why not Sibelius or Finale?
It is easy to confuse the different types of music software.
Sibelius and Finale are ideal for notation if your music is to be presented to a publishing house. They are dedicated music engraving publishing programs. Finale is generally considered to be the industry standard, but Sibelius is beginning to take over as it is simpler. Finale is more flexible but considered to be be more difficult to learn. Many composers use traditional paper or sequencers for composing, but if the final product is to be presented for publication, then I would recommend Sibelius as a final stage, although if more specialised notation such as early
music or modernist
styles are required then Finale may be much better. However, for general all purpose
scores, individual parts for musicians, composing and musical examples, Apple Logic Pro is by far the best choice as this one application will do everything you need: MIDI sequencing, audio recording and professional quality notation in one go. I use Logic scores for professional film/TV recording sessions, including scores for the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra.
However, one of the biggest problems for students is working the other way round, iestarting the work in an engraving program such as Sibelius or Finale and then trying to convert into Logic for recording or further development of a composition, which usually causes big problems.
As Logic is a totally integrated application, the learning of the notation features takes a little longer, so for this reason we are in the process of preparing templates so that students can have all the advantage of using a sequencer, without necessarily needing to learn too much technology
unless they want to. It is planned to implement a 1st year course that will integrated the teaching of Logic with the teaching of music theory skills.