Apple Pro Training Series: Logic Pro 8 and Logic Express 8

Well i got logic six months ago and have got the basics down.This book just makes you use it (logic8) more efficiently and teaches you how to build a track.I have only just started the book but can see the benefits of owning this book highly recommended.

This book is REALLY great. Comes with a DVD with all the lesson projects, loops, etc. that you'll need. The great thing here is that you DO everything rather than just READ about how to do it. Everything happens on your computer in the exact way that the book describes it, as you're going along. I was quite experienced in the basic uses of Logic 8 when I got this book, and I had been a proficient user of Logic 7 before. But I followed the book from the beginning to end, and I learned SO MANY new things. I also really learned things that I kind of thought I knew but didn't really understand, I learned three and four different ways to do the same thing each step of the way, and going through the process allowed me to internalize all of the really useful key commands as I worked through the lessons. I am literally 100 times more proficient at just getting around in the program now -- it's becoming like an extension of my fingers.

Such an amazing, almost infinitely deep program -- ideal for literally ANY type of musician -- and this book is without a doubt the BEST one available, whether you are just starting out or you really want to polish your chops.

I recently switched from a 7 version vetran of Sonar to a new Mac/Logic convert. So teaching an old DAWg new tricks hasn't been easy and Logic is full of handy little tricks that you wouldn't guess just opening up the program and starting with it. This book and the companion website ([...]) has been an invaluable resource for me in the transition.

Compared to the manuals included with Logic Studio, this guide is FAR easier to understand. Everything is step by step, and even if you're a novice with Logic, like I was, you'll have no problem learning. The book tells you exactly what to click, where to drag, and everything else in between for many, many functions of Logic. While it is a bit pricey, it is well worth it, as you will save a ton of time learning and spend more time having fun with Logic. In about a week, I was proficient in all of Logic's basic functions; if you have used Garageband in the past, it will be a bit easier for you. The book also comes with a disc loaded with sample project files so that you can follow the tutorial word for word, step by step.

This guide takes the wise approach of assuming you are completely new to Logic and proceeds to take you through a hands-on tour. This is a step-by-step type of arrangement where you are expected to follow along through each section and build upon the sample project at each stage. It does not assume you know things, it tells you what you need to know in order to understand each covered aspect of the software. If you've got experience in other DAWs then parts of it will bore you but I'd be wary of skipping this even if you are a Pro-Tools or Cubase whiz. The Logic interface and workflow makes use of hovering tool tips and button plus mouse commands so parts of it can remain well hidden unless you've had something like this book show them to you.

I found the format of the step-by-step instructions to be concise and clear. The discussion and commentary sections are clearly set apart from the steps. The screen-shots are well done and can be read easily. If you are willing to put in the time to work through the book you will have a functional understanding of Logic and be able to make full use of voluminous documentation that comes with Logic Studio to go further on various topics at your leisure. The Logic documentation is very good but most people are need a warm-up like this in order to be able to get the most out of their $500 software investment.

Think of this book as the fundamental text, or perhaps what should have been in the Studio Documentation instead of the lean "Getting Started" book that was included. Its purpose is to ensure you get a solid foundation on which to build and it does that in a very methodical way. Some people, especially creative folks, may have problems sitting through such a structured process but based on the number of "help me do -blank-" posts I see every day on Logic and Musician's message boards I think most people need this book.