While the focus of Apple's May 7 special event was primarily on hardware (four new iPads, a new Apple Pencil, and a new Magic Keyboard), there were mentions of AI with the M2 and M4 chips, as well as new versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic. Pro for tablets.
The latter is all about new AI-powered or infused features that let you create a drum beat or piano riff or even add a warmer, more distorted feel to a recorded element. Even better, Logic Pro for iPad 2 can now take a single recording and split it into individual tracks based on instruments in a matter of seconds.
It's a look behind the curtain at the kind of AI features that Apple finds most attractive and profitable. Notably, unlike some Google or OpenAI implementations, it is neither a chatbot nor an image generator. With Logic Pro, you get features that can be really useful and further expand what you can do within an app.
A trio of AI-powered additions to Logic Pro for iPad
Arguably the most useful feature for musicians will be Stem Splitter, which aims to solve the problem of separating elements within a given track. Say you're working on a song or giving an impromptu performance at a cafe; you can simply press record on voice memos on an iPhone or use a single microphone.
The result is a track that contains all the instruments mixed together. Logic Pro 2 can now import that track, analyze it, and split it into four tracks: vocals, drums, bass, and other instruments. It won't change the sound, but it essentially places each element on a separate track, allowing you to easily modify or edit it. You can even put plugins, something Logic is known for, on iPad and Mac.
The iPad Pro with M4 will probably be very fast at tackling this thanks to its 16-core neural processing unit, but it will work on any iPad with Apple Silicon through a combination of on-device AI and deep learning. For musicians big or small, it's set to be a simple and intuitive way to turn voice notes into workable, mixable tracks.
AI-powered instruments to complete a track
Building on Stem Splitter is a great expansion with Session Players. Logic Pro has long offered Dummer, on both Mac and iPad, as a way to easily add drums to a track via a virtual player that can be customized based on style and even complexity. Logic Pro for iPad 2 adds a piano and bassist to the mix, which are extremely adjustable session players for any given track. With the piano, in particular, you can customize the individual playing style of your left or right hand, choose from four piano types, and use a host of other slider tools. It's even smart enough to recognize where it is in a track, whether it's a chorus or a bridge. It only took a few seconds to create a decent sized track on an iPad Pro too.
If you're just a singer or desperately need a bassline for your track, Logic Pro for iPad 2 aims to solve this problem with an output that plays and complements any existing track.
Rounding out this AI expansion for Logic Pro on the iPad is a Chromaglow effect, which takes a common and expensive piece of hardware reserved for studios and places it on the iPad to add a little more space, color, and even warmth to the clue. Like other Logic plugins, you can choose from a few presets and tweak them further.
Interestingly, along with these updates, Apple didn't show any new Apple Pencil integration for Logic Pro for iPad 2. I imagine we could see a custom experience with the palette tool at some point.
It's clear that Apple's approach to AI, like its other software, services and hardware, is focused on creating a meaningful experience for whoever uses it. In this case, for musicians, it is about solving weak points and opening even more doors to creativity.
Stem Splitter, the new session players, and Chromaglow all feel at home in Logic Pro, and I expect to see similar improvements in other Apple apps announced at WWDC. Imagine an easier way to edit photos or videos built into the Photos app, or a way to simplify or condense a presentation in Keynote.
Prices and availability
All of these features are included in Logic Pro for iPad 2, which is rolling out and launching on May 13, 2024. If you're already a subscriber for $4.99 a month or $49 a year, you'll get the upgrade. free and there is no price increase if you are new to the app. Plus, you can get a one-month free trial of Logic Pro for first-time iPad users.
