Today we’re going to take a look at Apple’s 3 players in audio software– GarageBand, Soundtrack Pro, and Logic. Do you ever find yourself wondering what’s the difference between these apps? Which one should I buy?

This is the first in a 3 part series– next time we’ll look at Logic as compared to some other pro-level software, such as my favorite, Digital Performer, and ProTools. And in the following article we’ll fill in the holes with a slew of 3rd party apps.

We’re going to do this bullet-style– A little something like this:

Garageband.

What is it?
Lite audio production and music creation looping software. Part of the iLife suite of products . . . the latest version has added podcasting support.

Who’s it For?
Pretty much anyone – Budding amateur musicians & podcasters. An easy way to jump into audio and music production and generate some nice results.

Features:
Many podcasting features, such as a Podcast Artwork track, sound effects and jingles, Podcast radio engineer– which includes speech enhancers and dynamic ducking of the music track. iChat interview recording, iMovie scoring (for you budding John Williams wannabes out there), and one click iWeb publishing.

Pros:
Very Very easy to use in only the way that Apple makes software. This is music and podcasting for the masses. Looping software is fun and effective for music creation. The podcasting features are quite unique, including the auto ducking.

Cons:
Can be a little bit buggy, iChat integration does not sound as good as recording Skype conversations in 3rd party apps. Movie playback can stutter.

Mac Mediacast Opinion:
I wholeheartedly recommend this software for all of you budding musicians and podcasters, but as you watch the MMC and become dangerously knowledgeable about audio and video, you’ll want more power!

Price:
$79 US as a part of the iLife suite of products.

Technorati Tags: apple, audio, howto, ilife, mac, multimedia, music, product review, tutorial

Soundtrack Pro.

What is it?

The audio editor of choice for Apple’s Final Cut Studio users.

Who’s it For?
Video editors, people who want more power than GarageBand will give them. Musicians. Podcasters.

Features:
Tons of loops, advanced tools and sound design capabilites, advanced audio editing. Integration with Apple’s ProApps– Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and Motion. New surround sound and podcasting capabilites.

Pros:
As with all Apple apps, great intuitive interface, extensive loops and sound effects, great quality effect plugins, integration with Pro Apps

Cons:
You have to buy the whole Final Cut Studio Suite to get it.

Mac Mediacast Opinion:
I do like this app a lot, I especially recommend all of you Final Cut Pro users out there to use it more to clean up your video audio. Its tight integration with FCP makes me drool over it more and more and makes me want to switch from Digital Performer.

Price: $1299 US as a part of the Final Cut Studio 2 suite.

Logic Pro Audio:

What is it?
Apple’s big daddy music production program. It has a long reputation of greatness, even before Apple acquired it from Emagic some time ago.

Who’s it For?
Audio, Music, and video professionals

Features:
Great plugins and loops, midi instruments built in, multitrack audio and midi recording and editing, support for professionals who use high bit- and sampling rates.

Pros:
Great and powerful program– considered by many to be the best at what it does. Longtime reputation of greatness.

Cons: Expensive, high learning curve. Getting a little “long in the tooth” as Apple seems to have passed it by with no new versions in years.

Mac Mediacast Opinion:
It’s great and powerful. The price is a bit steep for me to make a casual switch, so I’d have to jump in feet first if I wanted to do this.

Price: $999 US

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Filed under: Audio, Product Review