Logic Pro Vrs. Digital Performer, features? scoring capabilties? Options

[chagos]

greetings all,

I am getting ready to do a bit of a drastic change in the studio. I'm bswitching from a Pro Tools based studio to more of a MIDI enviromnet.

I'm looking into either Logic Pro or Digital Performer to be the main workhorse, and I'll keep a Pro Tools LE rig on the side for everything else.

I mainly do sound design and film scoring/music.
I am somewhat new to Logic since the last version I used was 5.5.1 and I have never used DP.

I am semi-pro, working on many indie films, games and animations.

I have been using Pro Tools, Live, and Reason together for the last few years, but the time has come to get a more sturdy midi program. Almost all of my work is done exclusively through MIDI, mostly by softsynths or plug ins(hence the reason I am moving over pro tools)

I'm mainly just wondering what everyones opinions are on the two sequencers I mentioned. Should I go for Logic or DP?

I've read about both and they both seem to get pretty good reviews, and they both would do the job I need them for. So, i guess I would just like some user feedback.

do both have timecode?
does DP support most plug ins( example: native instruments)?
do both bounce to quicktime?
do they both support 5.1 surround routing and mixing?
rewire?

Any information on either of these would be great, as I am really cautious about a change like this.

Thanks so much for the help. Its appreciated.

(oh, i'll be using os x.3.9, G5, etc.)

[tencentcat]

I have had all three, and recently dumped Pro Tools in favor of Logic Pro 7. I don't regret it at all.

They will all do what you need, so the best thing you could do is find someone who has Logic and/or DP and see how they feel. If you're used to PT, then DP won't feel that different (they have many similarities. Unfortunately MOTU is lame enough not to have any kind of demo or even detailed info on their site.

If you mainly want MIDI, go with Logic. It's by far the smoothest workflow out of all of them IMO.

[Jsegura]

Logic 7.1 with its incredible lot of plugs, the optimization for OSX and G5, and the enormous development of software in both last years, one has become in the most powerful tool for recording of audio midi. It's the reference to follow. He is the king.

[chagos]

i've also heard really bad things about logic/apple support, and the extremely steep learning curve of logic.

the plug ins are a definite bonus though.

[JOHjoh]

I ve used both. I have now Logic pro 7.1 and for sequensing it's better than DP (i think). You get also so many nice plugins and instruments at same price, those only worth more than only program, with DP you'll have to buy instruments if you like to use those (there are some free and very nice forex. GreenOak Crystal, Automat 0.03 and some smart electronic plugins)
One thing I hated was DP's midi auto phase function what glued midi note's arbitrary...I had 3.1... what I miss, was that in DP you can have easily have different arrangements in one song and change those in fly. That was really cool.

For audio, my opinion is that DP is much more better... one thing I really miss is that in DP you can move you audio files sample accurate to right place. For example if you use extrenal prosessing and get back your prosessed audio files back to DP you can easily move files to start and get your audio wave to go in right phase. Logic is phase error prosessor for me.....Logic dont allow to move you audio files how you want. There is somekind on f***ing grid that I haven't found how to get it off, or I think you cant ??? One thing why I'm going to update my DP to tiger compatible. (I waited that update to logic 7.1, but it did not come)

[azusa]

If you looking for film scoring, nothing beats DP.

1.do both have timecode?
2.does DP support most plug ins( example: native instruments)?
3.do both bounce to quicktime?
4.do they both support 5.1 surround routing and mixing?
5.rewire?

1. If you mean are they support time code? -yes
2. yes - for VST you need a VST wrapper such one by audio ease ($46) or VST to AU.
3. yes
4. yes , DP can do more than 5.1.
5. yes

[tencentcat]

Oh yeah - DP is a major CPU hog compared to Logic. At least on my machine (Dual 1.25 G4, 1.25 gb ram). If I open the same file through OMF there is a major difference in power.

[JOHjoh]

I forget one thing... DP doesn't need dongle. I have powerbook and G5 2x2.5 ghz. I use powerbook and Logic for sketching... doing beats at home, for recordings in field... Dongle is for me disadvantage. I have apogee Mini-Me, what takes One USB port and logic dongle another. If I want to use mouse, i have to take USB hub with. I'm also worried about, because it's quite thiny, where did I put it, do I have it with me, if I want to do some sketch at home or go to record something with powerbook. Did i remember to took it with when i go back to studio. If I lost it, I cant do anything...does anyone actually know what happends, if you lost it, do I'll have to buy whole new logic? Logic dongle make me nervous...2 years ago I had a dongle jungle, Adobe After effects, Reaktor, waves (2), (these dont have no more), Logic is only.
...but thats maeby only my problem, i'm quite absent...

[Jsegura]

i've also heard really bad things about logic/apple support

I have logic from version 3, and never had problems of support. As it's a deep program, its curve of learning also. So that it works of basic form, it's not necessary much. Soon everything comes with the practice. I do not agree that DP is superior to Logic in audio. In audio Logic he is also the best one.

[formatj]

........ and the extremely steep learning curve of logic.

The learning curve of Logic is no steeper than any other program. I've used just about every sequencer and I don't know why people keep saying that Logic has a steep learning curve.

You have to read the manual with every program to learn all the features.