Apple has releases version 10.1 of its Logic Pro X digital audio workstation and version 3.1 of the MainStage music application designed for live performance.

Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X is the most advanced version of Logic ever. Sophisticated tools for professional songwriting, editing and mixing are built around a modern interface that’s designed to get creative results quickly and also deliver more power whenever it’s needed. Logic Pro X includes a massive collection of instruments, effects and loops, providing a complete toolkit to create amazing-sounding music.

Changes in Logic Pro X v10.1

  • 10 new Drummers that produce beats in a variety of electronic and hip hop styles including Techno, House, Trap, Dubstep and more.
  • Drummer provides specialized sound and performance controls for dialing in electronic or hip hop drum grooves.
  • New Drum Machine Designer plug-in offers new sounds and features for customizing electronic drum kits in a variety of styles.
  • Create a sequence of notes with a single mouse gesture using the new Brush Tool in the Piano Roll Editor.
  • New view options in the Piano Roll Editor let you see more notes in less vertical space and help identify drum sounds by name.
  • Easily compress or expand the timing of selected notes with new time handles in the Piano Roll Editor.
  • Note Repeat and Spot Erase modes allow classic drum machine style techniques for creating beats in realtime.
  • Smart Quantize proportionally corrects the timing and length of notes to preserve the musicality of your original performance.
  • Redesigned Compressor plug-in features scalable, Retina-ready interface and 7 models including the new Classic VCA.
  • Retro Synth can now create wavetables from imported audio and is able to stack up to 8 voices.
  • Expanded sound library includes over 200 new synth patches and 10 classic Mellotron instruments.
  • Automation can now be part of a region, not just the track, which makes it easier to use effects creatively.
  • Manage large-scale mixes more easily with the addition of console-style VCA faders.
  • Relative and Trim Automation modes extend the options for fine-tuning existing automation.
  • Mixer now allows remote control of microphone and other input settings for compatible audio interfaces.
  • Realtime rendering of fades allow them to work with Flex Pitch and speeds up project load times.
  • The Plug-in Manager now allows you to customize the organization of your menu.
  • Support for Mail Drop and Air Drop in OS X Yosemite makes it even easier to share your Logic projects.

Changes in MainStage v3.1

  • Redesigned Compressor plug-in features scalable, Retina-ready interface and 7 models including the new Classic VCA.
  • Retro Synth can now create wavetables from imported audio and is able to stack up to 8 voices.
  • Expanded sound library includes over 200 new synth patches and 10 classic Mellotron instruments.
  • The Plug-in Manager now allows you to customize the organization of your menu.
  • Turn your favorite hardware synthesizers into sampled instruments using new Auto Sampler plug-in.
  • Assign and manage custom shortcuts using the new Key Command editor.

More information: Apple / Logic Pro X