Apple Updates Logic Pro X and MainStage 3 With New Features - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Updates Logic Pro X and MainStage 3 With New Features

by

Apple today updated Logic Pro X, its software designed for professional audio editing. Version 10.4.2 of Logic Pro X introduces several useful new tweaks and updates to Logic Pro X features.

Users can now relocate the Sound Library to an external storage device if desired, and Smart Tempo is able to analyze tempo data across multi-track recordings to define a Project Tempo. Smart Tempo also now analyzes the tempo of MIDI performances recorded without a metronome, and a new mixer mode lets channels strip fader and pan controls.

logicprox
A full list of everything that's new in the Logic Pro X update is below:

- The Sound Library can be relocated to an external storage device
- Smart Tempo can analyze tempo data across multi-track recordings to define the Project Tempo
- Imported multi-track stems can follow or define Project Tempo
- Smart Tempo now analyzes the tempo of MIDI performances recorded without a metronome
- Alchemy provides drag and drop hot zones that let you select re-synthesis and sampling options while importing audio
- Alchemy allows numerical editing of parameter values
- Dragging one automation point over another now aligns them vertically
- New mixer mode allows channel strip fader and pan controls to be used to set send level and pan
- Automatic Slurs can be applied to selected notes in the Score Editor
- Add a photo to track or project notes to help remember key session details or studio hardware settings
- This update also contains numerous stability and performance improvements

Apple has also updated MainStage 3, which accompanies Logic Pro X and is designed to turn the Mac into a live rig. A long list of new features have been added to MainStage, as outlined in the release notes listed below:

General
- Channel Strip MIDI input inspector allows any MIDI CC data to be filtered, transformed or passed through
- Text notes can be added to the bottom of channel strips
- The Metronome is now fully configurable, with separate settings for Bar, Group, Beat, and Division
- This update also contains numerous stability and performance improvements

Sound Library
- The Sound Library can be relocated to an external storage device
- 2 vintage brush kits for Drum Kit Designer
- More than 800 new loops in a variety of instruments and genres
- New Visions library for Alchemy adds 150 cinematic presets

Plug-Ins
- ChromaVerb is a sophisticated new algorithmic reverb with a colorful, interactive interface for creating rich acoustic spaces
- Space Designer offers a new design and a scalable, Retina interface
- Step FX adds rhythmic multi-effect processing using 3 powerful step sequencers and an X/Y pad
- Phat FX makes your tracks bigger and bolder using 9 effects that add warmth and punch to your sounds
- The Vintage EQ Collection provides 3 accurate models of vintage analog EQs from the 1950s to the 1970s
- Studio Strings and Studio Horns are deeply sampled, realistic ensemble instruments with custom articulation controls
- Mellotron is now available as a standalone instrument plug-in
- Retro Synth now offers 18 different filter models
- The length of individual steps in the Arpeggiator plug-in are adjustable
- Loopback now applies a small crossfade at each loop cycle to reduce the likelihood of clicks or other audio artifacts

Alchemy
- Alchemy provides drag and drop hot zones that let you select re-synthesis and sampling options while importing audio
- Alchemy allows numerical editing of parameter values
- Alchemy adds 12 new synthesized formant filter shapes
- Alchemy now offers a side chain input that can be used as a source for envelope followers
- Alchemy includes an automatic time align feature for improved morphing
- New additive effects in Alchemy expand the options for filtering and modulating sound

Logic Pro X can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $199.99. [Direct Link]

MainStage 3 can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $29.99. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

104 months ago
I love Logic Pro X, it’s the main reason I have a Mac. There really is nothing else like it.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
104 months ago
Honestly I feel like Logic Pro is some of the most impressive and user-focused software Apple is making these days. It's such a relief that Apple still sees its professional Mac apps as a priority for the company.

I never understand though why MacRumors relegates Logic Pro announcements to the Mac blog when every tiny iOS announcement gets front page treatment.

UI of Logic out of place now with dark mode. Needs darkening.
This seems to happen with every update. I believe the Logic team is still based in Germany, and it's always seemed that they're not really included in the loop about upcoming OS features. I imagine in the next update we'll see Mojave feature support.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dspdoc Avatar
104 months ago
Glad to see that Logic is not being abandoned by Apple!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
104 months ago
Cheers guys I got mine.
Really?! Mine's still on 10.4.1.



Ah man don't tell me I'm gonna have to delete it and redownload it to get an update. I've looked at the release notes and it was 17 hours ago.

Are you on Mojave?

EDIT: I went to the "Updates" tab on Mojave and pressed CMD + R a few times. Refreshed the search and it's there, if anybody else is having the same problem. Didn't work by CMD + Q'ing & reopening, but CMD + R's your girl.

Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
104 months ago
Thanks for the heads up guys, wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Sadly, not showing for me as of yet... I was hoping the App Store on Mojave would be a bit faster. Still saying no updates. Even searching it in the App Store just says “Open”.

Waiting just a few minutes for an update to become visible is like waiting for a pizza when it’s passed the expected delivery time. It’s never usually long from there but boy is it frustrating.
Just open the App Store go to the Updates tab and press command + r.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
104 months ago
Thanks for the heads up guys, wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Sadly, not showing for me as of yet... I was hoping the App Store on Mojave would be a bit faster. Still saying no updates. Even searching it in the App Store just says “Open”.

Waiting just a few minutes for an update to become visible is like waiting for a pizza when it’s passed the expected delivery time. It’s never usually long from there but boy is it frustrating.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Reportedly Starts With 256GB of Storage

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:22 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro has double the base storage compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, there will apparently be no further increase this year. Taiwanese research firm TrendForce today again reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models will start with 256GB of storage, like the iPhone 17 Pro models. Minimum storage capacities by model:iPhone 16 Pro: 128GB iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB iPhone 18 Pro...
apple watch series 12

Leak Hints at Four New Features for Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

Monday September 7, 2026 8:57 am PDT by
Ahead of the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 later this week, code in the watchOS 27 and iOS 27 betas points to a series of new features for the product line. The information comes from a new post from MacRumors forums member "pdfu." The findings include: New "Readiness" app: An all-new separate Watch app referred to in code as "Readiness," distinct from the...