Apple is updating two of its biggest pro apps to complement the new iPad Pro models announced today. The updated Logic Pro will be available first, hitting the App Store starting on May 13th for both the iPad and Mac, while the next version of Final Cut Pro for both platforms comes later this spring. Both will be free updates for existing users of the macOS and iPadOS versions.
Final Cut Pro for the iPad finally supports external projects — that is, users can create and access products on external storage and won’t need to import the media to their iPad’s internal storage. That’s a big deal for anyone editing on the go, as even Apple’s higher tablet storage tiers can be limiting when working with massive video files (particularly now that the app supports taking in four camera shots at once).
Another big new feature in Final Cut Pro (officially called “Final Cut Pro for iPad 2”) is Live Multicam, which allows you to record, monitor, and even adjust settings camera settings like exposure, focus, and zoom for up to four other iPhones or iPads being used for filming.
The company also debuted Final Cut Camera, a new iPhone and iPad app that offers more professional-style control over things like white balance, manual focus, or ISO and shutter speed. Apple says the app is free for all, but it’s geared toward the Live Multicam feature.
The Mac version of the app (version 10.8) also includes a new editing feature called Enhance Light and Color on the Mac, which offers “the ability to improve color balance, contrast, and brightness in one simple step,” and Apple says it’s optimized for SDR, HDR, RAW, and Log-encoded video.
In the next version of Logic Pro (again, “Logic Pro for iPad 2”), Apple has added new AI-generated bass and keyboard instruments, building on the app’s automated drummer. Apple also added a new Stem Splitter feature, which it says uses AI to break out recordings into four parts: drums, bass, vocals, and “other instruments,” using on-device AI. It also announced ChromaGlow, a new machine learning-powered reverb effect with “five different saturation styles” for “ultrarealistic warmth, presence, and punch.” Apple says users can also choose other sounds like “nostalgic vintage warmth, or more extreme styles” that users can customize.
Both ChromaGlow and Stem Splitter will work on the Mac version of Logic Pro. However, neither will work on older Intel Macs — Apple requires its own silicon to use the feature on its desktops and laptops. Both iPad and Mac versions of the app will work for any device on at least either iPadOS 17.4 or macOS Ventura 13.5. For iPad versions, Apple recommends its M-series Apple silicon chips for Logic Pro’s Session Players and ChromaGlow feature, and the chips are required for Stem Splitter.
First introduced last year, the iPad versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are available for $4.99 per month, or $49 per year, compared to Final Cut Pro’s $299.99 and Logic Pro’s $199.99 one-time fee on Mac. Aside from the (arguably) more palatable price, these apps are one of many offerings that have drawn creatives to the iPad platform, alongside Procreate, Affinity, and numerous ports of Adobe software like Photoshop and Illustrator.
Update May 7th, 2024, 2:39PM ET: Clarified Logic Pro features’ hardware requirements for Macs and iPads.
