Apple today introduced Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1, free updates that bring some significant new features to the multi-platform DAW.
The update introduces the new Quantec Room Simulator plug-in, which allows users to “tap into the legendary sound of the most acoustically accurate reverb ever created”, according to Apple, built using the original schematics, algorithms, and code from Quantec founder and inventor Wolfgang Buchleitner.
Users can select the vintage Quantec QRS to add natural acoustic space to music while preserving sonic character, or the modern Quantec Yardstick for improved clarity and detail. The Quantec QRS technology is also great tool for video editors who want to add natural-sounding spaces to dialog, foley, and music.
“The Quantec Room Simulator has been a key element to my sound for many years, appearing on records like Passion and Us. I also used it to build harmonic drones to start my live set, which then evolved into songs like Across the River,” said musician Peter Gabriel. “It’s wonderful that Apple is bringing the Quantec QRS back to life as a plug-in for Logic users around the world.”
Other updates:
With Reorder Mixer Channels, users can rearrange channel strips by dragging them, and can even select multiple channel strips to reorder them collectively. To make it easier to find and add any plug-in directly using a keyboard command, Logic Pro for Mac users can now search by category, company name, or even part of a plug-in name. Logic Pro for iPad also introduces Sample Folders, giving users access to their personal collection of samples directly from the built-in Sound Browser right from iPad, external storage, and iCloud Drive.
Pricing and Availability:
Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 is available today as a free update for existing users and for $199.99 (U.S.) for new users on the Mac App Store. Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 requires macOS 14.4 or later.
Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 is available today as a free update for existing users, and available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial for new users. Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 requires iPadOS 18.1 or later.
I own Logic Pro and MainStage. Why isn’t the QRS available as a plugin in MainStage?
I only have MainStage and not Logic. It’s possible that because MainStage is a $29 entry-level plugin host, it doesn’t get all the Pro-Level features of Logic; though, it has gotten some of them, which is a nice surprise.
FWIW, and IMHO, there are plenty of really gorgeous reverbs in MainStage, and there are even more glorious IRs for space designer that can be found for free. So we aren’t really lacking for awesome reverb sounds. It seems like Quantec is just a very specific flavor and probably not that grand compared to the actual spaces you can get with convolution.
But it is nice for nowt. You can end up with a few different reverbs and choose one to suit or try some happy accidents. i like the Valhalla DSP ones too. I make electronic music and natural isnt always needed but sometime “room” does add to a sound.
And it sounds like QRS has a special use case for the film industry, which Apple is losing to DaVinci users.
Was MainStage updated too?
Peter Gabriel’s blessing will always equal a certain number of sales on its own. You can fall down a dark hole just cruising KVR for new toys. I’ll obviously check out the Quantec, but Space Designer has been my starship reverb for years. You can all but play it like a synth.