Comparison of Ableton Live and Logic Audio?

[Rusty G.]

Can anybody here compare Ableton Live and Logic Audio?

I've got a ProTools TDM system, running on a G4 in OS-9. Most of the newer drum programs must be in either Windows or Mac OS-10.

I'm considering buying a new laptop and audio/midi interface for just running something like Fxpansion's Guru, EZDrummer or the Toontrack Superior 2.0, or the like. Maybe even just getting a ProTools LE system for Digidesign Strike (probably not).

Anyway, from what I gather, Logic only runs on Macs and Ableton live can run on both.

I'm considering the new platform for midi only. . .I'm still going to use my ProTools rig for audio. . .but for drum sequencing and playing with my Zendrum. . .what DAW software works best. . .Ableton or Logic?

Thanks for your consideration.

Rusty

[Rusty G.]

I'd also consider Sonar.

Maybe PC is the way to go. I'm connected to the internet via a PC in my recording room. . .my Mac is not connected to the internet. Anyway, maybe something like this http://www.sweetwater.com/store/closeup/PowerStu660--Main

Sonar software and a firewire interface.

Any better ideas?

[Griz]

I used Sonar on my PC with a Firebox for a number of years. No complaints. Sonar is excellent software, written specifically for windows.

OTOH, since my PC died I've been using Apple's Logic Studio with a MacBook Pro and an external hard drive for audio. Also very impressive.

[LSchefman]

My son demo'd Ableton for me on his Mac, and I use Logic. Ableton's cool, useful for "pick a loop" stuff to integrate into a song. I'd think it'd suit techno and hip hop productions best, but I know it's being used for other things.

Logic's as good as it gets, and the audio sounds great; plus the synths and effects that come with it are most impressive. No need to go back and forth if you get Logic. You can run it under DAE using a pro tools HD rig, by the way.

[TRW]

Logic is insane value for money and the instruments and plugins really are the best stock sounds out there.

Ableton is very cool, but you wouldn't want to finish a track there (but you can and it sounds OK). Both are great tools, and as a composition platform I'd probs pick Ableton for electronica, but for advanced midi integration (orchestral scoring etc) I'd pick Logic. You can run VSTis in ableton so if you have a large 3rd party library of sounds you wont want for the logic sound sets.

Instruments that make logic worth it are: Ultrabeat (very good), some of the synths, the EVP88 and perhaps EXS24 if you have 3rd party sounds, stock sounds are shit.

Guru is wicked though, really really cool drum machine, closest thing to working with an MPC in the box.

-T

[mkoetter]

I have both. Up until 6 months ago, I was all about Live. I have toontrack instant drummer, Live 6 and an M-Audio Axiom controller. It's a lot of fun to lay down loops in live and then use the performance feature to record them onto a timeline. I find it to be a great sketchpad. Also, the interface is really clean and it will run on a pretty modest hardware footprint. I have heard that the new version is great, and has some fantastic new instruments (which I don't really use).

I recently got Logic Pro 8, which is fantastic. I love the ability to record multiple takes and then mix them down into a single track. It's really a much better overall interface for people doing multitrack recording.

I can't really judge how it would fare from a purely midi perspective. If I were using it in a live context, Ableton is the obvious choice. Also, if I were more into electronica, I'd probably stick with Ableton. For more traditional arrangements, Logic seems to be a better alternative.

[PTS]

It seems funny to me that Ableton always gets the electronica / hip hop / techno tag - it's just as good as any other software out there to record any style of music that you want. I use it, and am not into dance music at all.

[decay-o-caster]

It seems funny to me that Ableton always gets the electronica / hip hop / techno tag - it's just as good as any other software out there to record any style of music that you want. I use it, and am not into dance music at all.

+1. And I don't loop either - I just use it for recording human and instrument sounds and integrating with MIDI for keys and drum boxes. I found it to be the most intuitive yet powerful recording software I could find. Now, I never tried Logic, and would like to, but forget the techno/dance tag Live has, it's a great application for recording your tunes.

[mkoetter]

I don't disagree. I'm a big fan of Live. Maybe I overstated the techno thing, but the live looping and midi performance features are so far ahead of anything else that I think it justifiable earns its marks with the techno crowd.

I guess that once I tried Logic, I realized how powerful it is (from my perspective) for more straightforward multitracking. Each to his own though. These DAW's are so powerful that most of us only use 1/4 of the features.

[matte]

i use live as my beat farm (as a rewire within dp). amazing.

[Orren]

If I were using it in a live context, Ableton is the obvious choice.

Hmmm....in a performance context, MainStage, the live application that comes as part of Logic Studio, is pretty seriously cool. It doesn't do what Live does, but it also does completely unique things that Live can't touch.

Orren

[j04n]

I use both - used Logic in a studio for some years and preferred it to its direct competitors - still do - more so since Apple have put it at a really good price point. I think Live is the best platform for on the fly, intuitive working - especially if you use a lot of samples - the whole drag+ drop, auto beat matching and linear bank layout allows you to work very quickly - but more to the point, I think with Live you can trip over interesting ideas - it seems a more serendipitous environment than Logic. Now I come to think of it (OK I'm slow...) the names are incredibly apposite - I tend to work in a much more considered way in Logic, but in a more dynamic engagement with Live. My experience playing live with Live has been very good - I intend to do much more, its stable and reliable. I have to say that I find it most useful for loop and beat based material, though of course as has been mentioned, it can cover much else. My feeling about MainStage is that it is still a bit like a Beta - I have found it has some latency and stability issues, though it certainly has potential.

At home, I am running both on a G5 dual 2GHz 4Gb RAM, MOTU Firewire interface, for Live work I use a 17inch MacBook Pro 2,4GHz, 2Gb RAM. I think you need the screen space unless you have another monitor. On these rigs I have found that after about 12 tracks, if running heavy FX or SW instruments, I have to start freezing tracks, but that is still enough room for me.
Bottom line, its Horses for courses - if you are a songwriter, or want to play live with a DAW, I'd choose Live, for a studio guy covering many styles, Logic.

[Rusty G.]

Here's what I'm hoping to do with the Sequencer software that I'll eventually choose:

I just purchased the new Toontrack Superior Drummer 2.0. Incredible sounding drums. It's also got some really nice loops, with variations included, along with "cymbals" and "fills" for the different grooves. The software also comes with EZPlayer Pro, which is a sort of "sequencer" that allows you to take the grooves and align them as a type of "song". You can also take the hi-hat from one groove, and layer it with the kick and snare of another groove, or cymbals or toms, and make your own "grooves."

The problem, you can't, or at least, I haven't figured out how to chop the fills up more than say 4 beats. . .I'd really like to be able to drop in a one or two beat "fill", which would involved chopping up the midi files and dropping them into a sequencer. . .Hence, the questions about Logic or Ableton live.

I'm not really looking for great sounding "virtual instruments" at this point, because I've already got BFD and now, "Superior Drummer 2.0" for my drum sounds. (I know, I usually just go to a studio and hire a drummer--but I'm trying to do some stuff totally from home here). And, I'm not looking for great plug-ins, because I've got just about all I need on my ProTools TDM rig.

I'm just looking for the best sequencer for using midi files and chopping them up and making realistic "drum tracks."

To my ears, BFD and Superior Drummer 2.0 sound incredible.

And thanks for all contributors to this thread for your opinions and insight.

Rusty

Anyway,

[j04n]

Hi Rusty,
based on the features you have outlined, I would go with Logic for sure. IMO Live is not optimized for this - sure you CAN do it, but I think the kind of relatively intricate assembly you need is much better catered for in Logic