On January 28, 2025, Apple officially released Logic Pro 12. This update goes beyond a simple feature bump — it marks two significant turning points: the full integration of AI technology and the complete transition to Apple Silicon. What makes this release particularly noteworthy is Apple’s design philosophy: AI functions not as an “automation tool” but as a “creative co-pilot.” In this article, I’ll break down the core evolution of Logic Pro 12 from an engineer and creator’s perspective.
1. Chord ID: The AI That Reads Your Musical Intent
The most groundbreaking feature in Logic Pro 12 is Chord ID. It automatically analyzes chord progressions from recorded audio files — guitar, piano, or any instrument — and outputs the result as MIDI data.
How It Works Technically
Chord ID uses a machine learning model to perform the following steps:
- Frequency analysis — Decomposes the audio signal using FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) to analyze the harmonic structure
- Chord estimation — From the extracted frequency components, identifies the chord type (major, minor, 7th, and so on)
- Timeline tracking — Detects rhythm and chord change points, then places them on the timeline
Traditional chord analysis tools assumed clean, precise playing. Chord ID handles rough performances and noisy recordings as well — made possible by inference processing on Apple Silicon’s Neural Engine.
Practical Use Cases
- Creating a “rough sketch” when arranging a full track from a demo recording
- Rebuilding MIDI data retroactively from session recordings
- Learning and analyzing chord progressions
Chord ID is a prime example of AI designed to understand human intent rather than just follow instructions.
2. Session Player Evolves: Introducing Synth Player
Logic Pro 11 introduced Session Player, which provided AI-generated drum and bass loops. Logic Pro 12 adds Synth Player to the mix, extending AI-generated parts to cover synthesizer lines as well.
What Synth Player Offers
- 8 genre modes — Covers a wide range of styles including EDM, Lo-Fi, Ambient, and Retro
- Real-time generation — Generates phrases on the fly in response to chord progressions
- MIDI-editable — Generated phrases are output as standard MIDI regions for further editing
One standout aspect is the subtle timing variations and velocity nuances that mimic how a human player would perform. This is likely the result of training on real performance data using machine learning.
How Your Production Workflow Changes
In traditional DAWs, the workflow went: “Find a loop → Cut and paste → Adjust.” Synth Player enables a new approach: “Input chord progression → AI suggests options → Pick what fits.”
This is a meaningful shift — one that blurs the line between composition and arrangement.
3. Quick Swipe Comping Comes to Mac from iPad
Quick Swipe Comping was first introduced in Logic Pro for iPad, and has now made its way to the Mac version. It lets you perform comping — the process of selecting the best sections from multiple takes — with intuitive swipe gestures.
How to Use It on Mac
- Trackpad — Swipe with two fingers to select which take to use
- Magic Mouse — Switch between takes with swipe gestures
- Keyboard shortcuts — Traditional keyboard controls still work as before
Bringing the “satisfying feel” of iPad touch input to the Mac trackpad is genuinely well executed. The visual feedback — highlighting the currently selected take — makes the whole process noticeably more efficient.
What It Means from an Engineering Perspective
This feature is a successful example of cross-platform development. Rather than a straight port from iPad to Mac, Apple optimized the interaction specifically for the trackpad. That distinction matters.
4. ⚠️ Intel Mac Support Has Ended
Logic Pro 12 is exclusive to Apple Silicon (M1 and later) and cannot be installed on Intel Macs. This is a significant shift in Apple’s software strategy.
Who’s Affected
- Users still running Macs from 2020 or earlier
- Pro users who have kept Intel Macs due to plugin compatibility requirements
Why Apple Silicon Only
- Neural Engine dependency — Chord ID and Session Player rely on Neural Engine inference as a core requirement
- Performance optimization — Native execution without Rosetta 2 translation delivers real speed gains
- Focused development — Ending dual development for Intel allows Apple to concentrate fully on Apple Silicon
Apple has announced that Logic Pro 11 (the Intel-compatible version) will continue to receive support for the foreseeable future, but new features will be exclusive to Logic Pro 12 and later.
Users Who Should Consider Upgrading
- Anyone planning to use Logic Pro for the next three or more years
- Users who want to take advantage of AI features and Session Player
- Those looking to build a production environment on M4 Macs or newer hardware
Conclusion: Logic Pro 12 Expands Your Creative Mind
Logic Pro 12 isn’t just a “convenient feature update” — it’s a version that redefines the role of AI in music production.
Key takeaways:
- Chord ID — An AI that understands your intent from audio
- Synth Player — An AI that plays alongside you with human-like expression
- Quick Swipe Comping — Intuitive interaction brought over from iPad
- Apple Silicon exclusivity — A hardware-software integration strategy taken to its logical conclusion
Apple has positioned AI not as a tool for “efficiency through automation,” but as a partner that expands human creativity. Logic Pro 12 embodies that philosophy — and earns its place as a DAW for a new era.
A note for Intel Mac users: Logic Pro 12 requires Apple Silicon. If you’re on an Intel Mac, continue using Logic Pro 11.