Do we need more features in our DAW software?

This week Apple released version 10.2 of Logic Pro X (http://www.apple.com/logic-pro/whats-new/). Having glanced at the list of new features, we Googled "Logic Pro X release notes" and found this .. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203718 .. which includes an impressive list of bug fixes, including a couple which will make us feel a lot more confident when using the application.

Is it just us or are bug fixes more important than new features? Sure the new workflow features are welcome, and the Alchemy synth is fine (although we're not sure there's anything particularly new here), but having a stable and reliable platform to get music production work done seems more important somehow.

The New Alchemy synth in Logic Pro X 10.2

The time has long passed when the average DAW user knew, let alone used, all of the features DAWs offer, but it is true that each of us will have a different needs and working practices.

But how many of us buy new pieces of gear hoping they will produce the results we want without first getting to know our existing gear? Guilty! Are there really any limitations to the music and sounds we can produce and process in Logic, or Cubase, or Live etc? If there are, we must be close to eliminating them.

The last 10 years must be close to being the least innovative in terms of sound design/engineering originality. With many artists, producers, sound engineers and gear manufacturers focused on re-creating the classic sounds of yesteryear is it any wonder?

The problem is that even if we are attempting original sound design with our gear, its hard to produce anything truly original. It's mostly been done before. We're just not sure originality can be created with gear anymore. No matter how talented we are, we can't impress with sound design alone anymore.

All is not lost however! The individual voice that results from unique songwriting and musicianship will always produces original artists we want to hear. Many will argue that our gear is no longer the problem. We have a fantastic choice. But we can always innovate when it comes to songwriting, arranging and performance.

At Project Studio Handbook we have a long list of technical to-dos, including repairs, learning new software, creating a better DAW song template etc. Our list of new song ideas is considerably shorter. Time to do something about it!

Thanks for watching and reading.
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