Logic Pro X 10.1 and Apple’s software woes

If you are a Logic Pro X user you will probably already be aware that Apple have released version 10.1 of the software. It’s an incremental update (we know this because it’s free) but still contains many new and useful features, including mellotron sounds for EXS24, a re-designed Compressor plug-in, the re-introduction of region based automation, and a list of bug fixes. This time it’s noticeable that Apple have only listed 7 fixes in their release notes (rather than the 24 in the 10.0.7 update). Under the heading “Stability” the text reads .. “Logic Pro X 10.1 includes improvements to stability including, but not limited to fixes for” .. after which the 7 fixes are listed.

The phrasing of this text raised eyebrows here because the initial version of Logic Pro X was undoubtedly one of the least stable versions of any DAW software ever, and the 10.0.7 update didn’t stop our 8-core Xenon MacPro quitting at least twice during every session. Using it has been like walking on eggshells. We’ve even rediscovered our cmd-s twitch, standard operating procedure back when we used an Atari ST and Cubase.

A member of our team remembers working at a pro audio retailer 15 years ago. The salesman were eligible for a full (so called VIP) copy of Logic Audio (probably version 2 or 3) for a 10th of its retail price (then about £500). Emagic believed that if salesman were using it, they would evangelise it to their customers, and they would take market share from Steinberg. It worked. Our colleague installed it on his Power Mac 8200 and was amazed to find it didn’t crash for 9 months. Yes 9 months! He was an immediate convert and transferred all his Cubase projects.

Since Apple bought Emagic the stability of Logic has declined but the seriously unstable nature of version 10.0 was a shock. This version not only introduced significant new features but also a completely new look to bring it in line with other Apple products. Anyone who has programmed knows that changing the interface of a programme is a relatively simple process and certainly does not require changing underlying algorithms. Therefore the first hint that all was not well was the unfinished update to the environment. It sported the old graphical style and had very very serious bugs. In the latest update the look has still not been updated.

We cannot yet comment on the stability of this new version, but we can say something about Apple’s wider software issues. The problems with iOS8 are well documented as are issues affecting core Apple applications such as Mail and iCloud. Mavericks has a tendency to lose connections with local servers and a couple of basic Finder bugs have emerged that produce incorrect layering of windows.

The wider online community is starting to question Apple’s ambitious release schedule of a major OS update each year. Is this simply too fast to ensure stability and quality? Apple has huge resources but even it can’t bend time and no matter how many engineers you throw at a problem you need time to consider, reflect and make the correct engineering decisions.

We know that despite selling more Macs than ever, Apple has morphed into a consumer mobile electronics company. Even their advertising looks like Benetton or Coca Cola these days. The question is, with so many divisions focusing on selling more iPads and iPhones, do they have the will to continue providing stable tools for professionals too?

What do you think? Thanks for reading.
FairFax