Apple has announced the imminent availability of Logic Express and Logic Pro v7.1 which adds a generous collection of new features and sought after enhancements such as full native plug-in delay compensation and over 70 new key commands (40 in Express). It provides greater facility for creating and managing Apple Loops and a convenient new method for re-ordering Channel Strip plug-in configurations. Logic 7.1 further extends the creative options with 5 new plug-ins (3 in Express) including a Bass Amp and two hybrid synthesizers. The update is rounded out by a host of optimizations and refinements that significantly improve the performance and stability of both Logic and the included, updated version of Waveburner (Pro only).

Main new features

1. Expanded Apple Loops Integration
Produce your own software instrument Apple Loops using any Logic or Audio Unit plug-in. Place the software instrument Apple Loops onto an Audio Instrument track and the original MIDI performance and Channel Strip configuration is completely restored. Convert your ReCycle (REX) files into Apple Loops by simply dragging them into the Arrange window. Find your Apple Loops more easily by limiting which Jam Packs or other loop collections you wish to browse.

2. Full Native Plug-In Delay Compensation
Take advantage of full plug-in delay compensation which now corrects for latency produced on bus, auxiliary, and output channels in addition to every other path in the native audio mixer. You'll especially appreciate this enhancement if you own third party DSP cards like those developed by Universal Audio and TC Electronics.

3. New Instrument and Effect Plug-Ins
Add beef and character to your bass or other instruments with a new Bass Amp plug-in which replicates the sound of the industry's sweetest bass amplifiers and direct boxes. Tighten up any performance using the Enhanced Timing plug-in or be inspired by the massive atmospheric synth textures produced by two new Hybrid Synth instruments.

4. Hand Tool in Track Mixer
Freely move, copy and swap plug-ins between Channel Strip Inserts using the new Hand Tool in either the Arrange window or Track Mixer.

5. Over 70 New Key Commands (40 in Express)
Speed up your workflow by assigning up to 70 new key commands to your favorite functions, including many of those introduced in 7.0 such as Open Loop Browser, Next/Previous Channel Strip, Create Multiple Tracks, Import Audio Files, and Bounce.

6. Numerous Plug-In Improvements
Swap, copy, and import Ultrabeat voices and sequences using a simple drag and drop operation. Export Ultrabeat patterns directly to the Arrange window also using drag and drop. Create or edit EXS24 instruments more easily using rubber-band selection of Zones and the ability to define Start Note and Width settings when importing multiple samples. Exploit new options for the Rotor effect in the EVB3, which also now has improved integration with the Hammond Suzuki XB-1, XK-2, and XK-3 hardware Drawbar controllers. Enjoy many other useful refinements made to Sculpture, Vocal Transformer, Pitch Correction and other plug-ins.

7. Support for 9 additional Control Surfaces
Increase your choices for compatible hardware control surfaces thanks to dedicated support for these 9 popular controller devices: Korg KONTROL49 and MicroKONTROL, Frontier Design Groups Tranzport, Tascam US-2400 and FW-1082, JL Cooper CS-32 and FaderMaster 4/100.

8. Follow Tempo Option for Recorded Audio
Enable the new "Follow Tempo" Region parameter for any audio recorded into your song, and Logic will time and pitch shift the file when you change the song's tempo or key.

9. Insert Chords from Chord Track
Simplify the process for placing chords in lead sheets using a new option which imports the chords from the Global Chord Track.

10. Multiple Performance Enhancements
Streamline your entire workflow as a result of numerous general optimizations and performance enhancements found in Logic Pro 7.1. Highlights include accelerated waveform overview creation, speedier initialization of Audio Units plug-ins during startup, the option to add files to the Audio Window after many audio file functions, improved handling of XML, AAF, and OMF file transfers, and more.

The v7.1 updates cost US$19.95 and are available for purchase from the Apple store with delivery expected within 2-3 weeks.