Although the stock AutoTune plugin for Logic Pro X is super solid and widely used, you may want to check out some of these other AutoTune plugins: Antares AutoTune Pro by Antares Audio Technologies Tune Real-Time by Waves Celemony Melodyne by Celemony. Plug-ins and Sounds Logic Pro gives you a massive collection of plug-ins and sounds to fuel your creativity. The ever‑growing Sound Library is also a powerful source of inspiration, thanks to Patches that allow for rich layers of instruments and effects — and Smart Controls that let you easily shape any sound.
Quick Answer
Logic Pro X Stock plugins are surprisingly good for both mixing and mastering.Although you may still want to download or purchase other 2nd and 3rd party plugins, Logic Pro X Stock plugins are good and easy enough to use, to create decent mixes and masters.
Are Logic Pro X Stock Plugins Any Good? – In Detail
Stock plugins don’t get much attention or praise, but they’ve really come a long way in the last few years.
What used to be plugins you’d only use because you didn’t have any other ones to choose from, have become decent enough to use on a more regular basis.
Although some of Logic Pro X’s plugins definitely need to be updated, there are a lot of them that are great for both introductory and advanced mixing and mastering.
So let’s take a lot at some of the different stock plugins that you can use.We’ll look at some of the best ones including but not limited to a limiter, an equalizer and tube equalizer, their compressor, and others.
We’ll also listen to examples of each plugin being used on a stereo mix (in the video embedded above) so be sure to check that out if you want audio examples to better understand these plugins.
If you’re an artist or engineer, and you have a mix that you need mastered, send it to us here:
We’ll master it for you and send you a free mastered sample of it.
Is the Amp Stock Plugin by Logic Pro X Good for Guitar Modeling?
In short, yes – the Logic Pro X Amp stock plugin uses impulse responses to model various amp heads and guitar cabinets.Furthermore, you can change the microphone type and model, as well as alter its position around the cone to change the timbre.
As you’d expect, each amp head offers unique settings that you can control and alter, including gain, a basic equalization section, maybe some reverb or tremolo depending on the amp head that you choose.
All-in-all you get a lot of options here for amp modeling. What’s more, if you combine this plugin with the Pedalboard plugin, you can achieve some really cool effects and make your guitar even more realistic sounding.
Also, if you put the pedalboard plugin before the amp plugin, this will more realistically emulate the signal chain of a guitar.Granted, these plugins won’t sound as good as the real thing but sound good nonetheless.
Of course, you can make this effect even better with some other stock plugins like compressors or exciters, but we’ll cover those later on.
Is Logic Pro X’s Limiter Any Good?
Although it wouldn’t be my first choice to use as a limiter, Logic Pro X offers a decent limiter.Whereas other limiters only offer an input gain and an output function, Logic Pro X’s limiter offers gain, release, output level, lookahead, true peak detection, and 2 limiting modes.
This makes it a lot more versatile than other limiters, especially free ones.What’s great about this limiter, in particular, are the lookahead and true-peak detection functions – both of which will allow you to make your master louder without introducing significant distortion to the signal.
If we run a 100Hz sine wave through the limiter, and then measure it with a frequency analyzer, we see that if lookahead is enabled it’s difficult to get the plugin to distort.
Granted if we significantly attenuate the signal, lower the release time, and don’t use lookahead, low frequencies will distort, but this is true of most limiters.
If you want to find some free limiter plugins check out our list:
Does Logic Pro X Offer Good Equalizers?
Yes – Logic Pro X offers multiple equalizer types from your basic EQs to more advanced and rare equalizers with matching capabilities and linear phase options.Logic Pro X also offers a
Vintage EQ collection with emulations of Neve, API, and Pultec equalizers. Enable camera on mac.
They’ve even improved the Pultec emulation by avoiding stepped rotaries, and by offering phase and harmonic generation options.
Furthermore, if you use the regular equalizer, you can enable mid-side equalization – which is great for mastering and stereo imaging during mixing.
All-in-all there are some really impressive and somewhat surprising options here.
Does Logic Pro X Offer Any Good Reverb Plugins?
Although the majority of Logic Pro X’s reverb plugins are pretty basic if not slightly disappointing, they do offer one reverb plugin which is useful and impressive.The new version of the Space Designer reverb really offers some fantastic features as well as offers an intuitive design.
With this plugin, you can load multiple impulse responses, in turn achieving realistic reverberation – at least more realistic than you could get from most algorithmic reverb plugins.
Various functions allow you to affect the impulse response and shape the overall reverb length, density, and frequency.
The ADSR of the reverb can be altered, and the quality of the impulse response can be increased for added realism.
If you want to find some free reverb plugins, check out our list:
Does Logic Pro X Offer Any Good Compressor Plugins?
Logic Pro X’s Compressor offers 7 variations in the 1 plugin – each with different compression characteristics, optional mild distortions, and overall timbres.The Compressor plugin is one of Logic Pro X’s best stock plugins due to its versatility and the quality of the compression and plugin’s design.
This plugin is probably my favorite stock plugin – in fact, I think other paid plugin developers could take note of the design and ease of use of this plugin.
It’s pretty amazing how simple it is to switch between multiple compression types – each type offering recognizable designs and aesthetics respective to the era that they represent.
All of the basic functions are available as are some extras like distortion, a basic limiter, knee, and automatic makeup gain.
The metering is simple but intuitive, allowing you to monitor the amount of attenuation without making the metrics convoluted.
Simply put, it’s a very impressive stock plugin that gives engineers a lot to work with.
Conclusion
Although not all of Logic Pro X’s stock plugins are the best – the DAW offers engineers a lot of great introductory and not-so introductory options.
Granted, there are some plugins that really need to be updated, like the Multipressor or the vocal tuning and pitch plugins, but overall there’s a lot to be impressed by.
So, if you’re a Logic Pro user and you’re curious whether or not you should use the stock plugins, I think you should.They really are some of the best free plugins available and that’s saying something considering how many talented developers are out there.
If you’re an artist or engineer, and you have a mix that you need mastered, send it to us here:
We’ll master it for you and send you a free mastered sample of it.
Best Free Plugins For Logic Pro X
Get a Free Mastered Sample of Your Song → SageAudio.com/register.php
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Ridiculously powerful. Seriously creative.
Live LoopsFor spontaneous composition.
Live Loops is a dynamic way to create and arrange music in real time. Kick off your composition by adding loops, samples, or your recorded performances into a grid of cells. Trigger different cells to play with your ideas without worrying about a timeline or arrangement. Once you find combinations that work well together you can create song sections, then move everything into the Tracks area to continue production and finish your song.
Remix FX
Bring DJ-style effects and transitions to an individual track or an entire mix with a collection of stutters, echoes, filters, and gating effects.
Logic Remote
Control features like Live Loops, Remix FX, and more from your iPad or iPhone using Multi-Touch gestures.
Novation Launchpad
Live Loops supports Launchpad for a tactile experience. Use an 8x8 grid of colorful and expressive pads to dynamically trigger cells, input notes, adjust mixer levels and more.
Step SequencerPure beat poetry.
Step Sequencer is inspired by classic drum machines and synthesizers. Using the Step Sequence editor, quickly build drum beats, bass lines, and melodic parts — and even automate your favorite plug-ins. Add sophisticated variations to your pattern with a wide range of creative playback behaviors. Use Note Repeat to create rolling steps, Chance to randomize step playback, and Tie Steps Together to create longer notes.
Logic RemoteTouch and flow.
Logic Remote lets you use your iPhone or iPad to control Logic Pro on your Mac. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play software instruments, mix tracks, and control features like Live Loops and Remix FX from anywhere in the room. Swipe and tap to trigger cells in Live Loops. And tilt your iPhone or iPad up and down and use its gyroscope to manipulate filters and repeaters in Remix FX.
NewSequence your beats
Program drum patterns and melodic parts from your iPad or iPhone. Create dynamic rhythmic performances, and automate your plug-ins — all with a quick tap of your finger.
Multi-Touch mixing
Control your mix from wherever you are in the room — whether that’s next to your computer or on the couch — with Multi-Touch faders.
Pair and play
Free Logic Pro X Sounds
Use a variety of onscreen instruments, such as keyboards, guitars, and drum pads, to play any software instrument in Logic Pro from your iPad or iPhone.
Key commands
Create at the speed of sound with key commands in Logic Remote. Choose from curated commands for popular workflows, or create your own custom set.
Sampler
We redesigned and improved our most popular plug-in — the EXS24 Sampler — and renamed it Sampler. The new single-window design makes it easier to create and edit sampler instruments while remaining backward compatible with all EXS24 files. An expanded synthesis section with sound-shaping controls brings more depth and dynamics to your instruments. The reimagined mapping editor adds powerful, time-saving features that speed the creation of complex instruments. Use the zone waveform editor to make precise edits to sample start/end, loop ranges, and crossfades. And save hours of tedious editing with new drag-and-drop hot zones.
Quick Sampler
Quick Sampler is a fast and easy way to work with a single sample. Drag and drop an audio file from the Finder, Voice Memos, or anywhere within Logic Pro. Or record audio directly into Quick Sampler using a turntable, microphone, musical instrument, or even channel strips playing in Logic Pro. In a few steps, you can transform an individual sample into a fully playable instrument. And with Slice Mode, you can split a single sample into multiple slices — perfect for chopping up vocals or breaking up and resequencing drum loops.
Drum Synth
This powerful but easy-to-use plug-in creates synthesized drum sounds. Choose from a diverse collection of drum models and shape their sound with up to eight simple controls. Drum Synth is also directly integrated into the bottom of the Drum Machine Designer interface — giving you a focused set of sound-shaping controls.
Drum Machine Designer
Redesigned to be more intuitive and integrated, Drum Machine Designer lets you effortlessly build electronic drum kits. Apply individual effects and plug-ins on each discrete drum pad to experiment with sound design and beat-making in new ways. You can also create a unique layered sound by assigning the same trigger note to two different pads. To help you quickly edit sounds, Quick Sampler and Drum Synth are directly integrated into the Drum Machine Designer interface.
DrummerCompose to the beat of a different percussionist.
Using Drummer is like hiring a session drummer or collaborating with a highly skilled beat programmer. Create organic-sounding acoustic drum tracks or electronic beats with the intelligent technology of Drummer. Choose from dozens of drummers who each play in a different musical genre, and direct their performances using simple controls.
Compositions and PerformancesYour studio is always in session.
Logic Pro turns your Mac into a professional recording studio able to handle even the most demanding projects. Capture your compositions and performances — from tracking a live band to a solo software-instrument session — and flow them into your songs.
The ultimate way to record.
Seamless punch recording. Automatic take management. Support for pristine 24-bit/192kHz audio. Logic Pro makes it all easy to do — and undo. You can create projects with up to 1000 stereo or surround audio tracks and up to 1000 software instrument tracks, and run hundreds of plug-ins. It’s all you need to complete any project.
Get the most out of MIDI.
Logic Pro goes beyond the average sequencer with an advanced set of options that let you record, edit, and manipulate MIDI performances. Transform a loose performance into one that locks tight into the groove using region-based parameters for note velocity, timing, and dynamics. Or tighten up your MIDI performances while preserving musical details like flams or chord rolls with Smart Quantize.
Industry-leading tools
As your song develops, Logic Pro helps organize all your ideas and select the best ones. Group related tracks, audition alternate versions, and consolidate multiple tracks. Lightning-fast click-and-drag comping helps you build your best performance from multiple takes.
Smart Tempo
Go off-script and stay on beat with Smart Tempo, a way to effortlessly mix and match music and beats without worrying about the original tempo. Record freely without a click track. And easily combine and edit MIDI and audio tracks — from vinyl samples to live instruments to multitrack audio stems — with constant or variable tempo.
Flex Time
Logic Pro X Add Plugins
Quickly manipulate the timing and tempo of your recording with Flex Time. Easily move the individual beats within a waveform to correct drum, vocal, guitar, or any other kind of track without slicing and moving regions.
Flex Pitch
Edit the level and pitch of individual notes quickly and easily with Flex Pitch. Roll over any note and all parameters are available for tweaking.
Track Alternatives
Km player mac. Create alternate versions of a track or multiple grouped tracks, and switch between them at any time to audition different options. Create, store, and select from different edits and arrangements of track regions to make it easier to experiment with various creative ideas.
Takes and Quick Swipe Comping
Click and drag to choose the best sections of each take to create a seamless comp, complete with transition-smoothing crossfades. Save multiple comps and switch among them to pick the one you like best.
Track Stacks
Consolidate multiple related tracks into a single track. Use a Summing Stack as a quick way to create submixes. Or create layered and split instruments.
Project Alternatives
Create as many alternate versions of a project as you’d like, each with its own name and settings but sharing the same assets — efficiently saving storage space. Load any version to make changes without compromising your original.
Track Groups and VCA Faders
Manage large mixes with Track Groups and VCA faders. Assign any selection of channels to a track group, then control the levels or other parameters of all tracks in the group from any single channel in the group.
Automation
Easily capture changes to any channel strip or plug-in parameter. Just enable automation, press Play, and make your changes.
Even more pro features in the mix.
Logic Pro is packed with incredible tools and resources to enhance your creativity and workflow as you sharpen your craft — even if you’re a seasoned pro.
Graduate from GarageBand.
Logic Remote. Touch and flow.
MainStage
Sound as great onstage as you do in the studio.
Education Bundle