The iPad has just graduated to the next level and, for video and audio editors, it will be next to impossible to put it down as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are arriving on iPadOS. These are two of the most-used pro packages in the world and have only been available on the Mac. Introducing it on the iPad is simply a logical step forward.
Final Cut Pro for iPad has a powerful set of tools for video editors to record, edit and share while Logic Pro for iPad comes with a collection of “sophisticated” tools for songwriting, beat making, recording, editing, and mixing.
There are some massive updates
Ask a video editor — both professional and prosumer-level — it’s a massive step up and comes with pro-level features that are among the best in the industry, be it multicam editing, external monitor support, finest colour grading tools and, of course, stability. It also offers the best editing capabilities when it comes to Apple’s Cinematic Mode, designed to take advantage of footage shot with an iPhone 13 and above, meaning you can easily pull focus or even track focus.
Apple had to make some changes to the software to adapt it for the iPad and take advantage of the machine’s big advantage — touchscreen. Final Cut Pro gets a touch interface, including a new jog wheel. Logic Pro too gets a fillip with features based around multi-touch gestures, which is best seen when playing digital instruments, for example. The other advantage the software now enjoys is support for Apple Pencil, like the ability to draw directly onto video, or skim and preview without touching the screen.
Creators and developers have been asking Apple for this update for years. While using Final Cut Pro, advantage can be taken of iPad’s powerful built-in camera. There is a Pro Camera mode that allows for on-site recording. It means the camera on the iPad will only keep getting more powerful. Manual controls for various camera settings like focus and white balance are also accessible, and multi-cam video editing lets you sync and edit multiple camera clips.
On Logic Pro the multi-touch control layer can be used to scroll, zoom, play digital instruments from inside your project. There is a new sound browser to display all of Logic Pro’s patches, presets, samples, and so on in one place.
Reimagined for the modern generation of creators, Logic Pro for iPad puts the power of professional music creation at a person’s fingertips
Creators can give shape to their audio projects with over 100 powerful instruments and effects plug-ins in Logic Pro. Effects like vintage EQs, compressors, and reverbs let users tweak and fine-tune their tracks. Logic Pro on iPad also comes with a deep collection of realistic-sounding instruments and powerful synths, including Sample Alchemy, a new sample manipulation instrument that can transform any audio sample with the tap of a finger.
On Final Cut Pro for iPad, there is Machine Learning to complete tasks on the fly. With Scene Removal Mask, you can quickly remove or replace the background behind a subject in a clip without using a green screen.
The machines that support it
To take advantage of the developments, you need to use certain iPad versions. For Final Cut Pro, you will need at least an M1 iPad while Logic Pro will be available on A12 Bionic chip iPad models or later. It means Final Cut Pro works on the current and previous generations of the 12.9-inch or 11-inch iPad Pro and the latest iPad Air with an M1 chip inside.
Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice-president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said: “With a powerful set of intuitive tools designed for the portability, performance, and touch-first interface of iPad, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro deliver the ultimate mobile studio.”
Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad will be available on the App Store as subscriptions starting May 23. Each will be available for Rs 499 a month or Rs 4,999 per year with a one-month free trial.