Logic...books? Bugs? System Reqs? Options

[paulman592]

hey there. I'm a recent mac convert trying to find some good book(s) on Logic 7. I've been doing sound reinforcement for about ten years and studio recording for the last 8 months. I've noticed, however, there are huge differences between user interfaces among DAWs. I was trained on Sonar 3/4 and decided to switch due to my frustration from crashes and bugs. Also, how "buggy" is logic? Are there known issues? Finally, i'm trying to figure out if my system will be capable of handling the load. Kind of waiting for pb G5 (yeah... right 2006 now?), so i splurged on a mini for my first mac. Any input is helpful. Finally, I use a Tascam FW-1884 and record to a maxtor ext 250gig HD. Would it be more efficient to put it on the same chain as the Tascam (if so, before or after the board), or should I connect it via USB??

Specs:
Mac Mini G4 1.42ghz
1GB Mem
Logic 7 Express
Tascam FW-1884
Maxtor One Touch 250 GB Ext HDD

[Stuarta]

Hi, I have been using Logic now for many years, basically ever since Opcode died.
The most recent release of Logic Pro V7 is dynamite and by far for me the most stable version of Logic I have used. It is a bit early trying to find books on Logic 7 it is too new for that but there are some good books on LOGIC 5 and 6 and although there are some differences between 5,6 and 7, you will not be led too far astray from how things happen in Logic 7.
Basically a lot of stuff you had to do manually is now more automated or user friendly. Besides for us that have got to Logic 7 Via Updates the manuals that come with V7 are a wish come true (Actual printed manuals), at least with Performer I have always been sent a complete set of manuals with every update I have had.

As for the Interface and Hard Drives I would plug the Drive into Firewire first and the Tascam after the drive, I have found that agenerally putting the drives ahead of other peripherals seems to work the best.

It sounds to me Like you have a pretty good starter setup with the Mini Mac and Logic Express.

As for bugs there is some issue with validating some Plug Ins. Logic Pro fails certain plug Ins, however you can override this by running the Plug In validator yourself from inside Logic and just checking the failed Plug In as if it is OK. Then when you want to use it, just go ahead and use it, for me so far everything has worked just fine.

I really cannot comment too much on Logic Express as I am using Logic Pro but I am sure you will find some users who are.
Logic Express, I am sure with all that is available in Logic Pro is probably all you will need for quite a while as Logic Pro is getting huge in its capabilities, and getting to know everything in Logic is probably impossible.

You might want to take a look at Peformer as well as that has some really excellent qualities, I use them both and find it hard to really recommend one over the other, unless you have specific requirements.

Stuart

[K-note]

Suggest Martin Sitter's "Logic Pro 7 & Logic Express", Peachpit Press.
<http://www.peachpit.com> Excellent book with clear explanations, and a host of "tips" that I doubt most people would learn any other way.