Logic Pro was recently released on iPad. Alongside its benefits, Logic Pro for iPad offers a free downloadable 8-bit pack. I’ve produced several tracks using this program, and I must admit: I didn’t expect it to be such an excellent tool. In this article, I’ll explain how I produce 8-bit music in Logic Pro for iPad and why it’s currently my favorite tool.
Why Logic Pro for iPad?
Logic Pro X for Mac is a digital audio workstation (DAW) used by many big names. I learned to use it at the conservatory, and since 2023, I’ve been creating game music with Logic. My old iPad was nearing the end of its life, so I decided to buy a new one—a hefty investment but absolutely worth it. During my research into which model to get, I noticed Apple claimed the chip used in the new iPad was the same as the one in a Mac. I jokingly thought, "A Mac chip? Could I run Logic on my iPad too?" Out of curiosity, I looked it up, and coincidentally, Logic Pro for iPad had just launched that week. I tried the one-month trial and got so excited that I signed up for a yearly subscription.
So, why am I so enthusiastic? At the time, I had a problem: I could only produce music on my Mac, which was at my parents’ house. I was living all over the place, rarely at home to work on music. I desperately needed a remote solution. Logic Pro for iPad provides that. It lets you produce music wherever you are. Editing is super easy thanks to the iPad-optimized interface. If you want to connect a microphone, mixer, or keyboard, that’s simple too. Logic Pro for iPad also offers various free plugins to enhance your production quality. The interface was built from scratch specifically for tablets, and it shows. Additionally, Logic Pro for iPad includes plenty of tutorials to help you learn the program and create music.
Of course, there are downsides. The fact that Logic Pro for iPad only exports AIFF or M4A files is a major drawback for me. Especially in the gaming industry, this is inconvenient. MP3 is the standard in many fields, including the indie game industry. Now, I have to convert my tracks to MP3 via a website or another tool. It would be so much easier if, like in Logic Pro X on my Mac, I could export my tracks as MP3.
Unfortunately, it’s currently not possible to make Logic Pro X and Logic Pro for iPad work together seamlessly. If you start a track on the go and want to finish it on your Mac, you’ll need to export everything as M4A or AIFF and then import it into a Mac project. Since the iPad and Mac use different plugins, you can’t work on the same track simultaneously across both devices.
Many plugins I use for Logic Pro X aren’t available on iPad, such as YMCK’s Magical 8bit Plug, which I use for my 8-bit music.
Advantages:
- The interface is highly intuitive and specifically designed for iPad.
- You can work on tracks anywhere or easily start a new project.
- It’s beginner-friendly and offers tutorials to get you started.
Disadvantages:
- Music can only be exported as AIFF or M4A.
- Logic Pro X and Logic Pro for iPad don’t integrate well.
8-bit pack made by Apple themselves
Among Logic’s free packs for iPad, there’s an 8-bit pack. Initially, I had to search a bit since it’s more advanced than YMCK’s plugin, which I used previously. I aim to stay as close to the original 8-bit sound as possible. After some testing, I found ways to locate the square and triangle frequencies similar to those in YMCK’s plugin. However, I really miss the noise generator. There are some drum kits with fun sounds, but I haven’t yet found a way to manipulate the noise within the pack. Most sounds in the pack are 8-bit-inspired, but to create authentic 8-bit, you really need to know what you’re doing.
Triangle and Square frequencies
8-bit is a format used in old games. Since these games were only a few kilobytes in size, the music couldn’t take up much space. Original 8-bit music consisted of just three types of frequencies: triangle frequencies, square frequencies, and noise—nothing more. On iPad, there’s no specific generator for this, but there’s another function that lets you at least use and manipulate triangle and square frequencies.
8-bit Legends offers a wide range of sounds. With the plugin, you can adjust sounds to match what you’re looking for. In this article, I’ll focus on the sounds I use as the foundation.
To create triangle frequencies, I use “A Simpler Time.” This sound resembles a triangle frequency by default and is easy to tweak to your needs.
For square frequencies, I use 8-bit Grit. It’s not perfect, and you’ll need to search carefully for the classic square frequency, but in my opinion, it’s the closest match in the entire pack.
What I made with Logic Pro for iPad
Here’s “AI Malware,” a track I wrote using Logic Pro for iPad. I used the following sounds:
- 8-bit Grit
- A Simpler Time
- An empty drum kit with:
- Crash: Modern Chiptune
- Hi-Hat 2: Console Operator
- Kick 2: Old School 8-bit
- Ride: Popping Bits
- Rim: Old School 8-bit
- Tom High: Console Operator
Download this song for free
AI Malware is one of nine songs I bundled in my free album 8-bit Space Music. You can download and use this music for free for your game or project.
Conclusion
Logic Pro for iPad is incredibly beginner-friendly and offers a solid DAW for iPad, making it perfect for use on the go. There are many free packs available to elevate your music to the next level. However, there are some limitations. Exporting tracks as MP3 would be much more convenient. Additionally, you can’t add external plugins, limiting its capabilities compared to Logic Pro X. Logic Pro X and Logic Pro for iPad also don’t integrate well. Overall, it’s a great tool for beginners and a worthwhile upgrade from GarageBand. Did you know there’s a free GarageBand pack available? Perfect for those looking to take the next step. I’m a fan and hope its features will continue to expand!
About me
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kyra van Meijl, a singer and composer specializing in retro 2D platform puzzle games.I was born in 1998 in the province of Brabant in the Netherlands. From a young age... Read more
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