Apple updates Logic Pro X, MainStage 3 pro apps with new features and enhancements

Following Apple's consumer oriented music app updates on Wednesday, the company pushed out new versions of its professional audio software Logic Pro X and Mainstage 3, each bringing numerous feature additions and performance improvements.

Last updated in August, Logic Pro X's latest version 10.2.1 release mixes in a new multi-threading feature for improved performance when processing multiple live channels, while a collection of 30 plug-ins has been redesigned to support Apple's latest Macs with Retina displays.

Other enhancements include more responsive playback of Apple Loop previews and selective region edits, Flex Pitch editing user interface changes, Apple Loops support and 11 new spectral effects for Alchemy and multi-file drag-and-drop for the Drum Machine Designer. A new export option allows users to create stems from multiple tracks and the entire app has been tweaked with better support for VoiceOver accessibility.

Apple also made reliability improvements for downloading content, which now includes direct downloads from Sound Library and Apple Loops browsers.

Logic Pro X version 10.2.1 is a free 1.3GB update for existing users, while new customers can purchase the app for $199.99 from the Mac App Store.

Apple's Logic Pro X live performance companion tool, MainStage 3, hit version 3.2.3 on Wednesday with similar enhancements, including 27 redesigned plug-ins for Retina Macs. The software brings Apple Loops support and 11 new spectral effects to Alchemy, which also gets support for third-party Expressive MIDI controllers like those marketed by Roli and Roger Linn Design.

The latest software version allows for faster changing of input/output devices containing large files. Other enhancements include minor UI tweaks and improved VoiceOver support.

MainStage 3 version 3.2.3 comes in at 1.15GB and can be purchased for $29.99 from the Mac App Store.