Emagic Logic update soon; migration to Mac offered

Emagic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple Computer Inc., announced a migration plan for users of Emagic’s Logic 5 for Windows. “Obviously, the platform does matter now and we would like to cordially invite all Logic Windows users to join us on the Macintosh,” reads a note on the Emagic Web site.

Emagic will offer users of Logic Audio 5, Gold 5 or Platinum 5 the opportunity to cross-grade to the Macintosh version free. The promotion runs from August 1, 2002 until December 31, 2002.

According to the company’s Web site, “details about how to apply will be released shortly. We would certainly be delighted to have you join us on the Mac.”

Emagic also notes that Logic 5.2 will be available from the company’s Web site as a free download in August. With version 5.2 Logic offers a considerably extended feature set including additional audio routing possibilities through auxiliary channels; more audio tracks; improved track mixer; optimizations within the automation; and more.

In addition, individual outputs for VST2.0 and Emagic software instruments make a debut in Logic. Intelligent management of individual outputs ensures that single output signals are automatically added to the sum output of the software instrument as soon as the instrument does not make any use of its individual output.

Logic 5.2 will also offer a newly created plug-in, known as the I/O-insert, which is used to route the signals of external effect processors into individual channels via inserts. Monitoring and pre-processing with plug-ins, as well as the ability busses and inputs as sidechain inputs, and hardware-independent real-time sample-rate conversion will also be available.

When Apple acquired Emagic on July 1, 2002, they said Emagic’s Windows-based product offerings would be discontinued on September 30, 2002. Emagic said on their Web site that they would “continue to service and support all Logic Windows owners according to the standard product warranty policies beyond September, 30 2002.”

There was no indication on Emagic’s Web site if Logic 5.2 would support Mac OS X. The Logic Web site currently lists Mac system requirements for the product line as Mac OS 9.1 or higher with Mac OS X support under development.