I'm looking at purchasing Logic, but I'm not really sure just how versatile the sound modelling feature is. Would it completely eliminate the need for any hardware modelling synths, like say this Alesis Ion I've had my eye on?:



How wide a range of sounds can I create with it? Can I create sounds from scratch, or only massage existing ones?

That's a tough queston as I hear answers from both points of view. Some guys swear that there are certain sounds that they simply cannot get with virtual synths. Some guys threw their hardware synths out years ago & never looked back.

I agree. What you have to remember is that they are both great. I have a mix of hardware and software and although the hardware is less convenient and less flexible in some ways compared to software, it has a wildness to it that add unexpected features to your music. Also, filters on real analog devices sound better than software models.

That said, Logic Pro has some pretty tasty plug-ins that have no equal in the hardware domain. A good example of this is sculpture. There are a couple of soft synths similar to it, but it is capable of making totally incredible synthetic sounds which have a strangely realisitc/organic quality. Also, forget about an individual synth, with Logic Pro, you can combine multiple insturments, and loads of effects and mixing tricks to achieve combinations of sound you won't find anywhere in the hardware domain.

I started using Soft synths primarily because I had longed to have fully automatable synths/drums. Well, with apps like Logic, you get that with software, but in the hardware domain, you have limited options for real-time control.

Also, software is definitely where the value is. If you want to expand your studio of keyboards quickly, there is no less expensive way than Logic Pro. (over 100 effects & instruments and over 1000 sampled instruments..) its pretty massive and you will likely spend the first year exploring the sounds.
(wipes sweat from brow)

I must sound like a tool of the music software industry, eh?

Well, just remember, I use both. You really don't have to choose. You can buy Logic for new school sounds and then save your pennies for old analog stuff if you want that kind of character.

-bs-