I guess this announcement is what it takes for me to even think about Logic and visit the forum - no offense meant, it's just that my life interests have changed and I'm not making music (or even spending much time) with a computer these days.
But when I get back into it.... which will probably be in a few years everything will have changed again. I'm just happy that my Metric Halo ULN-2 basically works well as a standalone preamp, converter and clock, and with it's Toslink, spidf, and WC connectors, I feel my investment is protected. Make note of this, y'all.
Enough about me, what about Logic X? My opinion is that the eye candy sells software and it's not going away, but if you know anything about product development cycles, a lot of these decisions were probably made while Apple was heading in the skeumorphic UI direction. Now things have changed. I personally loved the "old" Waves plug ins with the simple grey interface, mostly sliders instead of "knobs" and direct numeric input of most parameters. The visual amp sims and stompboxes? Close your eyes and toggle the bypass switch and they sound like distortion/high boost/phaser, whatever... I'd rather have a consistent interface and more power to the CPU being used for sound, not visual. That said, those images $ell software.
If I was working with Logic today, I'd consider an upgrade after a few bugfix releases and some hesitation because I am very happy and stable on 10.6.8 for the following reasons:
ipad Remote - if it works, of course.
Alternatives - I've needed snapshots since it was removed from Logic 6. Huge part of my workflow that I had to work around with Save As and bounces. This may be it, but it may be the same as Save a Copy, which saves your current work under a name you give it, but keeps the current doc open. Like Save As and then opening the one you Saved As to keep working. Anyone have input on that?
Drummer I've actually been thinking about something like this after 20+ years of programming drums from early drum machines (808) to Logic. I want a songwriter accompanist drummer and was researching Drumcore and others, so this would be worth the $200.00 to me.
I think that Apple did a good job of adding a variety of features that will attract both new and existing users, pro, prosumer, and beginners to go for this at 200 bucks. There will probably some promise that will attract you to switch. I know that I left my very comfortable and skilled workflow in Logic 7 because I wanted flex and in the end, I don't use flex much.