Apple Releases Logic Pro 12 for Mac and iPad with AI-Powered Session Players

Apple has officially released Logic Pro 12 for Mac and iPad, delivering a massive update to their flagship digital audio workstation. The headline feature is the new AI-powered Session Players, including a Synth Player that generates dynamic synthesizer performances with intuitive controls. A major addition is Chord ID, which can identify chords from any part of your song and have Session Players automatically follow along. The update also brings an expanded Sound Library with audio preview capabilities, comprehensive chord track enhancements, MIDI 2.0 data display in the Step Sequencer, new playback modes including Pendulum and Brownian, enhanced mixing features with multitrack selection support, Spatial Audio recording compatibility with iPhone, and hundreds of bug fixes and improvements across the entire application.

What's New in Logic Pro 12.0 for Mac

AI Session Players

• Synth Player: Transform your tracks with the all-new Synth Player, and create keyboard and bass performances with intuitive controls
• Generate dynamic synth performances manipulating instruments and playing notes
• Simple Pad: Adds harmonic layers with Modulated Pad and Rhythmic Chords
• Synth Bass styles: 808 Bass, Pump Bass, and Sequenced Bass options
• Chord ID: Identify chords from any part of your song and Session Players will automatically follow along

Sound Library

• Free, expanding collection of premium sound packs
• Audio preview capability for sound packs
• Delete unused packs to free storage

Chord and Chord Track Enhancements

• Contextual menu offers transpose ±1 semitone options
• Start/stop playback while Chord picker is open
• Shift+rubber band selection works in Chord Track
• Fixed: Option+Arrow Up on key signature no longer incorrectly transposes by two semitones
• Region Chord editor no longer shows Root Note as "Undef" after deleting chords
• Deleting Region Chords from Pattern Regions no longer incorrectly deletes Chord Track chords
• Fixed: Single chord paste no longer unexpectedly creates two chords
• Chords preceding song key changes are now transposed
• Newly created chords default to 1 bar length
• Region inspectors offer switch to select Region Chords or Global Track as chord follow source
• Fixed: Copied chords/chord groups no longer offset by one bar
• Chord Picker recalls MIDI Input setting when reopened within same session

Automation Improvements

• Track Header displays current MIDI automation values
• Recording automation with MIDI regions: region start value for automation entered after recording start now set to first recorded value
• Piano Roll automation settings reset to defaults when Option-clicked
• Volume automation tooltips display value change in dB
• Audio region fade adjustments in Inspector immediately show in Automation view
• Newly created automation rows display current parameter values
• Touch Trim mode no longer overwrites existing automation
• Region-based automation no longer displays two discrete MIDI CC events as interpolated
• "Delete Redundant Automation Points" command no longer deletes non-redundant points
• Regions display contained region-based automation
• Steep automation curves feature finer resolution
• MIDI Pitch Bend automation timing improved

Step Sequencer

• Step Sequencer displays MIDI 2.0 data
• New playback modes: Pendulum, Brownian, Arp1, Arp2
• Copy/Paste/Clear individual pages in long Step Sequencer Patterns
• Step playable only on first/last loop of Pattern region
• Pattern lengths optimized for 5/4 and 7/8 time signatures
• Automation capture in Mono Mode no longer deletes note steps
• Step note pitches follow Chord Track
• Pattern Inspector includes Loop Start/End setting
• Pattern Regions support region chords
• Note values displayable as Scale Degree
• Randomization targetable to specific controls
• Note repeats and offsets freely controlled per step
• Velocity randomization constrained to specific range
• MIDI Pitch Bend properly recorded in live recording
• Samples draggable directly into Step Sequencer on Drum Machine Designer tracks
• Repeat command Pattern Regions follow original Pitch Source
• MIDI automation rows immediately update with "Set MIDI Display as" changes
• Subrow values immediately update when subrows not displayed

Audio & Recording Enhancements

• Compatible with Spatial Audio recordings from iPhone
• Sampler zones selectable by RMS levels
• Create Pattern region by dragging one-shot sample to Drum Machine Designer
• "Use Flex Time" option in New Project sheet enables Flex Time on creation
• Recording works after audio recording with Software Monitoring OFF and Quick Punch ON

Mixing & Processing

• Track Inspector supports multitrack selections
• Match EQ filter curve maximum boost limiting possible
• Quantec reverb adds Pre-delay, Pre-cut, and Pre-level controls
• Apple Intelligence Writing Tools available in Mixer Track notes
• Record button on Software Instrument tracks puts them in Live Input mode
• Audio plug-in drag no longer changes displayed MIDI CC data channel
• Sends routed to Aux follow Pan Law settings
• Top track in selected edit group is target when pasting

Project Management

• Setting allows/disallows multiple projects open simultaneously

Session Players Improvements

• Electronic Drummer follows chords more accurately
• Session Piano Player follows rapid chord changes in Freely style
• Acoustic Drummer region adjustments no longer change mid/end fills
• Simple Pad with negative "Start Note" values triggers first chord
• Keyboard Session Player Simple Pad regions no longer empty with mid-chord positioning

Drummer & Drum Machine Designer

• Drum Machine Designer insertable directly into Software Instrument channel strip
• Output note display updates with different root note samples
• Output note updates when Recorder creates sample
• Reset Settings command applies correct defaults
• Replace Drum Machine Designer pads with dragged samples regardless of current instrument
• Session Drum Kits consistently respond to MIDI Stop Crash command

Alchemy Updates

• Spin Rate control in Transform Pad now menu-based with rate divisions
• Sample length marker cannot move beyond sample end
• No error when loading Alchemy patches with "Open Plug-in windows in Control view by default"
• Complex to Sine switching in Additive Details works correctly
• Additional Alchemy and Sample Alchemy controls assignable via MIDI Learn
• Fine-tune nodes in MSEG/Modmaps possible while Snap mode active

Sampler, Quick Sampler, Sample Alchemy

• Quick Sampler reliably displays all parameters when loading saved presets
• Preview Mode in Sample Alchemy reliably records selected note
• Dragging audio file alias to Sampler now possible
• Impulse responses no longer re-exported when saving Sample Alchemy patch edits
• External volume ejection resets Samples file browser to root
• Sample Alchemy offers dotted and triplet-based Arp/Bow rate values
• Bow Rate and Arp Rate controls snap to set values
• Dragging zoom control center in Sample Alchemy moves entire range
• LFO and Mod Matrix targets reliably shown in Sound Library Quick Sampler patches
• Preview Key and Root Key values adjustable by typing
• Waveform zoom in Trim mode works with simple scroll gesture

Studio Instruments

• Studio Piano no longer hangs notes in Cycle mode with "Cycle Pre-processing"
• Studio Horns hanging MIDI notes resolved
• Modern Slap style range setting in Studio Bass works correctly
• Studio Piano Sustain automation plays back correctly when track/region not selected

Plug-in Improvements

• Single-click on block in reordering strip toggles effects in Step FX and Phat FX
• Changing step length of bipolar controls in Step FX works for both halves
• Vienna Sample Library VEPro AUv3 switches to 7.1 format when project set to 7.1
• Keyboard now sets Frequency control in Ringshifter
• Option-dragging plug-in to copy no longer opens plug-in window
• Dragging plug-in over another no longer closes open windows
• AUv3 plug-in windows resizable as expected
• Latency-compensated plug-in meters in correct sync
• Low Latency mode accounts for Mastering Assistant latency
• Melodyne (ARA) plug-in window freely scalable
• Software Instruments respond to MIDI Mono Mode messages
• Filter cutoff for ES series synthesizers assigned to CC74 (brightness) by default
• Sustain pedal no longer stops Studio Strings playback
• External Instrument Auto Compensate Latency button works
• "Leslie" search string shows Rotor Cabinet plug-in

Stem Splitter

• No processing start when no output options enabled
• Audio files include tempo data from source
• Submix checkbox remains available after deselections
• Region-based automation transferred as Track Automation with "Move Track Automation with Regions" set to Never

Takes & Comping

• Copy/paste Take regions and Comps work on grouped tracks
• Disclosure triangle no longer causes unexpected selections
• Takes display correctly with Zoom Focused Track enabled
• Take folders no longer unexpectedly truncated with No Overlap option

Track Stacks

• Easier channel strip selection within Track Stack with Follow Track Stacks disabled
• Convert to Sampler Track follows source audio track output routing

Track Alternatives

• Delete Section Between Locators (Global) correctly deletes inactive/hidden Track Alternatives

Bounce, Export, Sharing

• "Alternative Name" available as name pattern when exporting tracks
• Same-named file bouncing no longer triggers unnecessary replacement request
• "Group Name" available as filename element when exporting
• AAC shared audio files no longer unexpectedly large with previous Lossless setting
• Moved MIDI regions reliably export as MIDI files
• Bounce window no longer incorrectly shows 320 kbps for mono M4A
• Marquee selection bounce to track works reliably
• Exported MIDI regions account for "Clip Length" and region parameters
• Cycle zone indicator visible when bouncing with active cycle zone

Flex Features

• Left flexed region border adjustment no longer shifts content
• Speed Flex Mode no longer offers unavailable Transpose parameters
• Flex-time edit waveforms no longer shift unexpectedly
• Left flexed region border trimming no longer unexpectedly shortens with Snap to Zero Crossings
• Cycle Mode first track audio no longer unexpectedly truncated
• Anchor visibility resolved with Flex & Follow enabled
• Left-side quantized region division no longer unexpectedly truncates with Search Zero Crossings

Live Loops

• Session Player cell selection no longer opens Cell/Track Inspectors
• "Select All Following Cells" commands work with empty cells selected

MIDI

• Multi Instrument icon changes no longer delete custom bank messages
• Joined MIDI regions no longer contain outside-boundary CC data
• Global setting enables MIDI Mono Mode on instrument/patch load
• MIDI 2.0 data viewable in Step Sequencer

Global Tracks

• Shift-selecting multiple Arrangement Markers works as expected
• Rename Marker possible in Marker track with Marker List open
• Custom Arrangement Marker names appear in dropdown menu

Control Surfaces & MIDI Controllers

• Mackie control surface Large Nudge mode no longer causes endless command loops
• User assignments without value change messages retained
• Recording Light sends MIDI channel 1 messages on Channel 1
• Custom Mackie assignments work as expected
• Control Surface Setup hides disabled MIDI ports instead of listing as Invalid
• Plug-in window focus auto-displays plug-in controls on supporting surfaces
• Pinned track assignments show in Controller Assignments window
• User Mackie assignments reliably stored correctly
• Exclude specific event types from MIDI Learn (Notes, Sustain, etc.)
• Behringer X-Touch no longer sends random messages with "Value -> Multiply" at -1.00
• "Pinned to Track" settable as default for new learned assignments
• MIDI controller Key Command assignments remain after idle
• Nektar CS12 remains available after idle period
• MIDI Learn toolbar shows correct On/Off state
• Controller Assignments window closure no longer breaks MIDI Learn
• Learned control surface Fader Bank messages show color bars
• Control Surface Assignments window display improved
• Cycle status displayed correctly when Control Surface Setup has focus
• Zone/mode deletion no longer affects other modes
• Command-G selects next matching search result in Controller Assignments
• Global clock parameter assignments support direct mode
• Key command learning assignments without opening window works
• HUI surfaces show level meter activity on channel 8
• Sample Alchemy Source Handle MIDI Learn no longer blocks additional assignments
• Existing hardware controller reassignment replaces previous
• "Fill consecutive rows" command sets Touch-Release messages correctly
• Realtime transport command MIDI Learn now possible
• Nektar CS12 OFF no longer unexpectedly changes External Instrument MIDI Port
• MIDI Learn toolbar shows current state in Controller Assignments window
• Launch Control XL3 encoder use no longer disables some faders

Key Commands

• Commands control Automation Subtrack display
• Audio File Editor window start/end navigation works
• Plug-in header menu function triggers available
• Deleted control surface assignments immediately removed
• Solo toggle commands work with nothing selected
• Commands specify displayed Global Track in Single Global Track view
• Key Command applies key signatures from Apple Loops to Global Track

Smart Tempo

• "Apply Region Tempo to Project Tempo" correctly aligns 6/4 time signature downbeats

Sound Library

• Channel Strip settings for Mixer and Selection Based processing available

Spatial Audio

• Bounced Atmos projects no longer have unexpected start fade
• Manually adjusted 5.1.4 downmix Trim controls written to ADM exports

Score

• Zoom key commands work correctly
• Slur right end draggable to another note
• Chord symbols no longer overlap in bar repeat symbol bars
• Copy/Paste notes works with notes before region start

Import

• Multiple FCPXML video clips with same start time: longest clip always imported
• User audio files in project folder import reliably

Editing

• Piano Roll notes preceding region start show Velocity handles
• Time-stretching MIDI region shows result in real time
• Piano Roll automation display shows saved parameter
• Select All Muted Notes works when nothing selected
• Event List Delete Duplicate Events works
• Scale Snap option aligns MIDI notes to specific scale

Stability & Reliability Fixes

• VoiceOver closing project no longer causes unexpected quit
• Deleting MIDI region alias with Score display no longer causes crash
• Importing tracks no longer causes unexpected quit
• Macro duplication no longer shows Out of Memory error
• Deleting unused files from Project Audio window no longer causes crash
• Plus (+) key on floating Transport no longer causes crash
• Nektar Panorama P-series no longer causes hang on quit
• Arrangement Marker Cut command no longer causes crash
• Dragging audio to Sampler in "Split at Silence" mode no longer freezes
• EXS instrument with malformed filename no longer causes crash
• "Convert all beat hints to downbeat hints" twice no longer causes crash
• Auto-saved projects never manually saved no longer crash on close
• Projects from pre-11.2 versions no longer hang on open
• Second control surface parameter learning no longer causes crash
• Long Sysex messages from Lua scripts no longer cause crash

Performance Enhancements

• Rubber-band selecting with Nektar CS12 improved
• Creating tracks with Console Fader 1 device improved
• Learning Control Surface assignments with large existing assignment counts improved

Accessibility

• VoiceOver reads Enable Performance checkbox for Live Loops
• VoiceOver announces which cell Loop is added to in Live Loops grid

General

• Snap Regions to Absolute Value is default Snap setting
• Select All reliably selects all Flex Pitch notes with Global Tracks displayed
• Select commands omit hidden tracks/regions
• Notes no longer hang at meter changes on Studio Strings
• Protect MIDI checkbox state retained across save/reopen
• SMPTE-locked MIDI regions splittable
• Track List scroll wheel zooming keeps focus on beginning
• Track Solo with Power switch deactivated reactivates it

Undo

• Region border changes no longer revert Flex Pitch edits

Screensets

• Screenset showing only SMPTE/Beat counters no longer blocks recall

Availability

Logic Pro 12 is available now as a free update for existing users through the Mac App Store. New users can purchase Logic Pro for $199.99 or subscribe to Logic Pro for iPad at $4.99 per month or $49 per year.

For complete release notes and documentation, visit Apple's official Logic Pro support page.