1. Logic Pro X Free Download
2. Logic Pro X Free Trial

You can use Smart Tempo when recording one or more audio, software instrument, or MIDI tracks. Smart Tempo includes three modes, Keep, Adapt, and Automatic:

• Use Keep mode to use the project’s tempo setting for syncing all tempo-related material.
• Use Adapt mode to have Logic analyze and follow the tempo of a recorded performance or audio file.
• Use Automatic mode to let Logic Pro choose the mode, based on whether or not a tempo reference (such as the metronome, or another region) is in your project. When a tempo reference is present, the project tempo is maintained. When no musical tempo reference is present, the project tempo adapts to match the tempo of recorded or imported audio files.

There are many different ways to incorporate the new Logic Pro X Step Sequencer into your workflow, but here’s one of the quickest ways to explore it. (Image credit: Future) Step 1: Select a preset sound – we’re opting for some of the new electronic drum kits (which, as you can see, we’re still in the middle of downloading). Logic Pro X is the best splurge music production software available. The virtual instruments are easy to control and sound eerily similar to their hardware counterparts. The loop library is diverse and uses the same great-sounding instruments. If you are serious about producing professional-quality recordings, the investment is well worth it.

To choose a Smart Tempo mode, click the Smart Tempo pop-up menu in the LCD.

Match the project tempo while recording

To match the project tempo to your performance while recording, use Adapt mode. Use Adapt mode temporarily, when recording the first tracks in your new project. If you record subsequent tracks with Adapt mode on, the tempo map will change based on the latest recording.

1. Create a new project and add audio tracks.
2. Choose Adapt from the LCD Tempo display. The Tempo track opens so that you can see how the project tempo changes when recording, adding, or moving audio regions.
3. Before you start recording, you can set some automatic actions Logic Pro will perform just after you've recorded the tracks. For example, Logic Pro can automatically trim the beginning of the tracks up to the first downbeat. Choose File > Project Settings > Smart Tempo, then select “Trim start of new regions” next to the “Set new recordings to” pop-up menu.
4. Start recording. While you’re recording, the project tempo adapts to the recording. Red lines in the region show detected tempo changes, and a tempo map appears in the Tempo track.
5. When you’re finished recording, press the Space bar to stop the transport.
6. In the dialog that appears, you can choose to open the File Tempo Editor. With Smart Tempo Editor, you can preview the recording and make adjustments to the downbeat, tempo, and other tempo parameters.

When you move or edit regions, changes in tempo follow regions to their new location. If you add a Drummer track, other rhythmic instruments, or Apple Loops to the track, they’ll automatically follow the tempo of the original tracks. If you did a multitrack recording and you add tracks later, you can add the tracks to the set of tracks Smart Tempo uses to create the tempo map, and reanalyze the tempo.

If you import an audio file, the project tempo will change to adapt to imported audio files.

Create DJ mixes with Smart Tempo

You can use Smart Tempo features to easily create seamless DJ-style mixes, where all the songs in the mix conform to the same tempo. You can create a mix in which all songs in the mix play back to a pre-determined tempo, or play back at the tempo of the song you imported first.

Create a mix that plays back at a predetermined tempo:

1. Create a new empty project.
2. Set the Snap pop-up menu to Smart.
3. Double-click the tempo in the LCD, then enter the tempo you want for the mix.
4. Choose File > Project Settings > Smart Tempo, then do the following:
   • Choose Keep Project Tempo from the 'Default for Project Tempo mode' pop-up menu.
   • Choose 'On + Align Bars and Beats' from the “Set imported audio files to' pop-up menu. This automatically turns Flex on for imported files, and uses Smart Tempo analysis to quantize the downbeats and beats to the grid at the current project tempo.
5. Import the first audio file. Logic Pro analyzes the file, conforming the file to the project tempo you set.
6. To make any adjustments in the Smart Tempo Editor, click Show.
7. In the Tracks area, trim and move the song’s beginning and end as desired.
8. Import the next audio file. The newly-imported file plays back at the project tempo.

Create a mix at the tempo of the first song you imported:

1. Create a new empty project.
2. Set the Snap pop-up menu to Smart.
3. Choose File > Project Settings > Smart Tempo, then do the following:
   • Choose Adapt Project Tempo from the 'Default for Project Tempo mode' pop-up menu.
   • Choose On from the “Set imported audio files to” pop-up menu. This automatically turns Flex on for imported files.
4. Import the first audio file. Logic Pro analyzes the file, and creates a tempo map.
5. To make any adjustments in the Smart Tempo Editor, click Show in the dialog. For example, you might need to set a new downbeat at the beginning of the file.
6. In the Tracks area, trim and move the song’s beginning and end as desired.
7. Set the Smart Tempo to Keep, then import the next song to the same track. The imported file plays back at the last tempo event of the first audio file.

Use Smart Tempo with multitrack recording

For multitrack audio recordings, Smart Tempo analyzes the multitrack audio files together to create the tempo map. To do this, Logic Pro creates a multitrack set, which you can edit at any time. In the background, Logic Pro creates a downmix, which Smart Tempo uses to analyze the multitrack audio files. Use the downmix when refining the tempo analysis in the Smart Tempo Editor.

You can work with Smart Tempo and multitrack recordings three ways:

• You can create a multitrack recording and have Smart Tempo match the tempo while recording.
• You can import multiple audio files into a project and have Smart Tempo analyze them at the same time on import.
• You can select audio regions in the Tracks area of a project and have Smart Tempo analyze them together.

When creating a multitrack recording, or if you're importing multiple files into the Tracks area, set these options first.

1. Choose File > Project Settings > Smart Tempo.
2. Choose Adapt Project Tempo from the 'Default for Project Tempo mode' pop-up menu.
3. When importing audio files, choose On from the “Set imported audio files to” pop-up menu. This automatically turns on Flex for imported files.

Select and analyze multiple audio regions in the Tracks area

If you didn't use Smart Tempo when creating a multitrack recording, you can analyze audio regions after you've recorded them.

1. Select the audio regions that you want to analyze in the Tracks area.
2. Control-click one of the selected regions, then choose Tempo > Create Smart Tempo Multitrack Set.
3. In Contributes to Analysis column of the Smart Tempo Multitrack window, deselect the regions you to exclude from the Smart Tempo analysis.
4. Click Analyze. You can fine-tune the tempo analysis of individual regions in the in the Smart Tempo Editor. You can also add and remove regions from the multitrack set and reanalyze them at any time.

Edit the multitrack set

After you initially analyze multiple regions, you can edit the multitrack set to add or remove regions from Smart Tempo analysis, then update the tempo analysis. In the Tracks area, control-click one of the regions used in the multitrack set, choose Tempo > Edit Smart Tempo Multitrack Set.

To reanalyze the set, select or deselect regions to include in the tempo analysis, then click Update.

To create a new multitrack set, click Break Up Set. Then, select the new regions you want to include in the Tracks area, Control-click one of the selected regions, then choose Tempo > Create Smart Tempo Multitrack Set.

Use Smart Tempo with software instrument and MIDI tracks

In a new project, create a software instrument or external MIDI track, set the Smart Tempo mode to Adapt, then record your performance. Logic Pro creates a tempo map, like it does for audio tracks. You can also use the Smart Tempo Editor with software instrument and MIDI tracks. Unlike with audio files, Logic Pro saves Smart Tempo edits directly to the MIDI regions.

Refine Smart Tempo analysis and correct tempo detection errors

After you record an audio region or import an audio file using Smart Tempo, you can refine the tempo analysis, and correct any tempo detection errors with the Smart Tempo Editor.

For example, you can set the downbeats of an audio file if Logic Pro didn’t detect them properly when you recorded or imported the audio file. In the main display that shows the audio file waveform, place the pointer over a beat marker (indicated by red lines) you want to make the downbeat (orange lines). A set of circular handles appears along the length of the beat marker. Each handle shows a tag describing the function of that handle. Place the pointer over the beat marker and click the Set Downbeat handle. You can also move and scale beat markers using the handles in the main window.

The Smart Tempo Editor also includes other functions:

• To edit tempo data in the audio file, click the Edit pop-up menu. You can reanalyze the audio file, apply the tempo of a region to the project or apply the project tempo to a region, extend tempo changes, remove tempo edits made to the file, and more.
• To double or halve the tempo of the file, click x2 or /2 in the Tempo display. For example, you might’ve recorded an audio track in Adapt mode, and Logic Pro detected the tempo at double or half the tempo you want.
• To preview the file, click .
• To add a metronome to the preview, click .
• To loop playback of the file, click .

With MIDI files, The Smart Tempo analysis for a MIDI region does not include time signature or downbeat location analysis. Logic Pro automatically makes the first MIDI note event the downbeat.

Edit a multitrack set downmix

When editing a multitrack set in the Smart Tempo Editor, make sure to edit the downmix instead of one of the individual regions included in the multitrack set. In the Smart Tempo Editor, click the Filename pop-up menu and choose Downmix. Then, you can set the downbeat and perform other actions on the multitrack set.

Learn more

We know that it's tough to decide which software is the best for making beats. That's why we've pulled together a list of the best DAWs for producing. Let me make a disclaimer. This isn't actually a list of the best DAWs for producing. I've compiled a list of what I believe to be the most popular DAWs among producers. I gathered this information through personal experiences and research. Before going through our Best DAWs countdown, you should consider a few things first.

DAW is short for Digital Audio Workstation. You can use a DAW to record, mix, master, edit, and produce audio files. If you plan on making music with your computer, you're definitely going to need one of these.

All of these factors are very important to think about before choosing a DAW. You want a DAW that complements your workflow and allows you to get your ideas out as fast as humanly possible. Alright! That's enough talking! Let's get into the list!

Logic is my favorite DAW (really because it's the only one I use). Apple revamped it's Logic series last year with the 10th release in the franchise. Logic Pro X comes with a whopping 50 GB sound library of instruments and effects. The program is available for Mac computers only.

New features in this installation of Logic include the Drum Machine Designer, Drum Kit Designer, Enhanced Piano Roll Editor, and Region Based Automation. The easy export options Logic provides lets users bounce tracks to Soundcloud, Final Cut Pro, Airdrop, iTunes, or Mail Drop.

The addition of Logic Remote allows users to control the program from their iPad as well. Mainstage 3 app is available for those who are looking for a live-performance companion for Logic Pro X. Mainstage 3 transforms your Mac into a highly efficient music making powerhouse. It allows for more processing power by freeing up your memory to focus on music tasks. You can also customize your layout by adding knobs, meters, faders, buttons, etc. This is a must have for live performances.

With a price point of $200, Logic Pro X is a great DAW to start making beats.

Famous Users: Justice League, Metro Boomin, illmind, Kenny Luck, Gwen Stefani, Kay Gee, Rick Rubin, The Roots, Coldplay, and Dave Pensado

The Good: Logic Pro X is really cheap considering how much comes with this DAW. Its a powerful DAW that's great for making most styles of music. If you're looking for a well rounded DAW, Logic Pro X may be right for you.

The Bad: Logic Pro X doesn't support 32-bit plugins. That means you are going to have to download 3rd party software to use plugins like Sylenth.

FL Studio is BY FAR the most cracked (illegally downloaded) DAW on this list. It has grown to be known as the 'Trap' DAW, after producers like Lex Luger highlighted the simplicity of producing in FL Studio. If you are into beat making videos, you've probably seen Lex Luger in the lab making a beat in 10-15 minutes. His rapid production style shows how quickly you can get ideas out with FL Studio.

Everyone who uses FL Studio seems to love its piano roll. Grossbeat is a FL Studio plugin that's designed for time and volume manipulation effects. This is one of the most unique plugins to come bundled with a DAW. FL Studio comes with 30 instruments and several effects. FL Studio is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit plugins.

The update to FL Studio is focused on sound design. Its Bass Drum plugin is a percussion synthesizer with sample layering. Image Line has provided producers a new option for designing their own kicks. The Effector plugin comes with 12 performance oriented effects: Distortion, Lo-Fi bit reduction, Flanging, Phasing, Filter (low/high pass), Delay, Reverb, Stereo Panning & Binaural Effect, Gating, Granulizer, Vocal Formant and Ring Modulation.

FL Studio is available in three versions: Fruity Edition ($99), Producer Edition ($199), and the signature bundle ($299).

Famous Users: Mike Will Made It, Lex Luger, Sledgren, Southside, TM88, Tarentino, Sonny Digital, Johnny Juliano, Jahlil Beats, Cardiak, Hit-Boy, Avicii, Deadmau5, Wondagurl, Afrojack, 9th Wonder, and Boi-1da.

The Good: FL Studio makes it easy to 'bass bend'. You can throw any WAV sample in FL Studio and easily apply a glide to it. If you are looking for a DAW that extremely efficient, FL Studio is worth exploring. FL Studio is also affordable compared to other major DAWs.

The Bad: FL Studio is not available on Mac operating systems. If you have an Apple computer, you are going to have to bootcamp it to run the Image Line program. It's also rumored that the audio quality of FL Studio is slightly worse than the other major DAWs. That's just a rumor though. I don't have any data to support that claim.

Cubase comes with 3,000 instrument presets and 1,500 effects presets in the Pro version. This music creation program is available on Windows and Mac platforms. The newest version of Cubase comes with the redesigned MixConsoleand Chord Track. Chord Track is really useful for those producers wanting to quickly map out a harmonic progression.

Logic Pro X Free Download

The Cubase update includes several effect plugins: Quadrafuzz v2, VST Bass Amp, Multiband Envelope Shaper, Multiband Expander, Deesser, Multiband Compressor, and Tuner.

Cubase is available in Cubase Elements ($99.99), Cubase Artist Full Version ($299.99), and Cubase Pro Full Version ($549.99)

Famous Users: Superstar O, Cirkut, Hector Delgado, Jake Gosling, M-Phazes, Tiesto, and Zedd

The Good: Steinberg (the company that makes Cubase) has lots software and hardware that's designed to work with Cubase.If you are looking for a DAW to use as a compositional tool, you should consider Cubase.

The Bad: Cubase isn't Steinberg's only DAW. That means they're not completely focused on making Cubase the best DAW out.

Garageband is the only free (well technically free for Mac users) DAW on the list. Garageband is aimed towards the beginner musicians. It comes bundled with several guitar and piano lessons for users to learn the basics. The program really is a baby version of Logic Pro X. It comes bundled with instruments, effects, and loops.

Like it's older brother, Logic, GarageBand is incompatible with 32-bit plugins so say goodbye to Sylenth. You can shell out 5 bucks for additional GarageBand content designed to work with the app. Extra sounds, drummers, loops, and Learn To Play music lessons are at your disposal.

Famous Users: T-Pain, Kate Nash, Fred Durst, Fallout Boy, Nine Inch Nails, Seal

The Good: GarageBand is pretty easy to use overall. If you're new to making beats, GarageBand is a good option to start learning the ropes. It comes already installed on MacBooks and iMacs so there's no extra software to buy.

The Bad: GarageBand has major restrictions. If you are an advanced beatmaker, GarageBand is probably too basic for you. The older versions of GarageBand can't open projects created with the newest version. If you're a PC user, you won't be able to use GarageBand on your computer.

Pro Tools has been known as the 'industry standard' DAW for several years now. Musicians tend to use Pro Tools for recording, mixing, and mastering, but it can be used for producing too! The program is compatible with Windows and Mac computers.

Pro Tools shines the most when it comes to recording and editing audio. If you like to use real instruments on your beats, Pro Tools may be the best solution for you. Its Loop Recording and Quickpunch features let you assemble the ideal recording from multiple takes.

Pro Tools is still a legitimate option if you don't use live instruments that often. The DAW comes with a variety of virtual synths, drums, instruments, and loops. Pro Tools supports 256 tracks at once for you monster users out there!

Avid is developing the online functionality of Pro Tools. This year they are introducing a cloud based collaboration platform where users can work together via internet. Avid also included an in app marketplace in Pro Tools 12 for users to buy additional content. This is definitely something you're going to want to keep your eye on.

Pro Tools 12 with upgrade plan is available for $899.

Famous Users: Dave Pensado, Bangladesh, Jake One, Harry Fraud, JR Rotem, Zaytoven

Logic Pro X Free Trial

The Good: Pro Tools is what a lot of industry people use for recording, mixing, and mastering. Developing skills in Pro Tools will definitely help you down the road as long as you're still making music. If you are looking to engineer and produce, Pro Tools may be the best option for you.

The Bad: Pro Tools only supports 64 bit AAX VSTs and plugins so make sure your favorite programs are compatible before making the switch.

Maschine is both hardware and software for making beats on Windows and Mac computers. It comes with an 8 GB sound library and Native Instruments products like Massive, Reaktor Prism, Scarbee Mark 1, and Solid Bus Comp.

Maschine is more flexible than your typical DAW. You can load Maschine as a plugin in another DAW for sampling or drum programming. Even though this is an impressive feature, I personally haven't been able to use it with Logic Pro X because it crashes every time :( However, I do like Maschine's Drum Synth. It's easy to use and helpful for creating custom drum sounds.

For those of you who make beats on the go, you can sketch ideas in the iMaschineapp and transfer them to your DAW later. Its pretty useful as it comes with a voice recorder, sampler, and sequencer.

Maschine is one of the best DAWs for sampling. Its audio editing features allow for users to trim and chop samples very quickly. There are several options for assigning audio clips to the Maschine pads. If you like sampling and/or finger drumming, you definitely need to explore Maschine.

Maschine is available in 3 versions: Maschine ($599), Maschine Studio ($799), and Maschine Mikro ($349). Even though there are 3 options available, the software is the same for each one. The hardware controller is the thing that varies.

Maschine ($349)

Maschine ($599)

Maschine Studio ($799)

Famous Users: Sledgren, Lex Luger, Bryan Michael Cox, El-P, Jeremy Ellis, Ski Beatz, F Major,

The Good: Maschine comes with an outstanding library of drums and percussion sounds. I believe Maschine has the best stock drum sounds to ever come with a DAW. These sounds are usable and inspiring! If you like physically playing your drum patterns, you should consider Maschine as an option.

The Bad: I feel like Maschine is tedious to use as a DAW. Whenever I try to make a beat using Maschine, I feel so lost. I struggle to figure out how to sequence my beat properly in the program. Some producers have success with Maschine though so don't let my experiences dictate how you feel about it.

Ableton Live is another great DAW for making beats on Windows and Mac platforms. It comes fully loaded with 4000 audio loops, 390 drum kits, 5 synthesizers, and 3 samplers. Ableton Live features signature drum collections from Daniel Miller, Soniccouture, Flatpack and Puremagnetik.

The newest version of Ableton boasts some great features for capturing ideas quickly. It includes a 'melody to MIDI' and a 'drum to MIDI' function that allows you to record live instruments and convert that input to MIDI information.

The Ableton update places all sounds in an easy to navigate view. You will be able to quickly locate your VSTs, instruments, packs, and effects while you're making beats.

Like Maschine, Ableton Live is designed to work with its own hardware controller, Push. The Push control pad gives producers the tools necessary to create and sequence beats on the fly. The controller comes with 64 pads and is highly customizable. Push was designed by the creative minds at Akai Professional.

You can easily hook up your MIDI controller to Ableton and go to work. It's compatible with most controllers and automatically maps controls to the most popular ones.

Ableton Live comes in three versions: Lite ($99), Standard ($499), and Suite ($749).

Famous Users: El-P, Ski Beatz, ID Labs, Daft Punk, Diplo, M83

The Good: Ableton Live is great for live performances as the name suggests. If you want a DAW made to work with a specific MIDI controller, take a closer look at Ableton Live.

The Bad: The development of the audio hardware Push may have taken away from the development of Ableton Live. The program is also on the expensive side compared to other DAWs.

Propellerhead's Reason is available on Windows and Mac platforms. The DAW comes with 9 instruments and 25 effects. The stock effects include compressor, phaser, delay, reverb, distortion, chorus, and flanger. If the stock instruments aren't enough for you, you can get some Rack Extensions from the Propellerhead Store. Hopefully, those Reason Refills are enough to hold you over because the program does not support VSTs or Audio Units.

Reason is a unique DAW in that once you go Reason you don't go back. Its lack of plugin support and distinct workflow encourages users to completely delve into Reason's creation process. You're either gonna love this DAW or hate it.

Reason is available in two versions: Reason Essentials ($99) and Reason 8 ($399).

Famous Users: DJ Mustard, DJ Lucky Date, Cid Rim, The Runners, Scott Storch, David Banner

The Good: Reason makes the process of sampling easier by providing users with a variety of audio editing options. I can't think of another DAW that compares to Reason's virtual rack design either. If most of your beats are sampled or created with live instruments, Reason could be the best fit for you.

The Bad: Reason has major restrictions against using third party plugins within the software. You're pretty much left with Rack Extensions as your only option for getting new VSTs into the program. Reason does not have video support or surround mixing. Reason doesn't have a crossfade feature for blending overlapping audio clips.

Honorable Mention DAWs that didn't make the list: Mixcraft, Sony Creative Software Acid, MuTools MuLab, Steinberg Nuendo, Magix Samplitude Pro X, and Bitwig Studio.

In conclusion, you're going to have to decide which DAW fits your production needs. The best DAW for you heavily depends on the computer you have. Be sure to try a demo of the DAW you're interested in before you buy it.

There's no substitution for being a great musician. You're going to have to have great music making skills to make great music using any program. You need to commit to a DAW and learn all of its features to get the most out of it.

What do you guys think? What's your favorite DAW? What are the pros and cons of the DAW you use? Leave some feedback in the comments section below!