Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro get major updates on iPad

Final Cut Pro 2 on a new iPad Pro

Announced alongside the launch of the new iPad Pro, Apple's two main pro creator apps have been updated with new features to take advantage of the faster M4 processor. Final Cut Pro 2 in particular uses the capabilities of that processor to add live multi camera work on the iPad Pro.

"Live Multicam enables filmmakers to connect and preview up to four cameras all at once, all in one place," said Will Hui, Apple Product Manager, Creative Apps. "Creators can remotely direct each video angle and dial in exposure, white balance, focus, and more."

The footage continues to be recorded on the individual devices, which can now be multiple iPhones or iPads. It requires the devices to be running a new, free, Apple app called Final Cut Camera.

This app relays live camera footage to the iPad, where a director can adjust aspects of each remote device. So from one spot, the iPad user can adjust white balance, or even focus.

"New external project support now offers creators the flexibility of editing projects directly off a drive, leveraging the fast Thunderbolt connection of iPad Pro," continued Hui, "and finishing is incredible with M4, with support for up to four times more streams of ProRes RAW than M1."

This ability to work on projects on storage that's external to the iPad presumably allows both for larger files, and for an easier way to simply move the storage device over to a Mac. However, Apple does not appear to have added the much-wanted ability to move a Final Cut Pro project back and forth between the Mac and the iPad at will.

For Logic Pro 2 audio editing, Apple has added AI features that improve on the app's existing drummer feature.

"Now, drummer is getting some new bandmates in a feature we call Session Players," said Hui. "We're introducing an all-new bass and keyboard player and like drummer they're built using AI. Simple controls that you dial in the perfect performance. "

Logic Pro 2 also now has a remixing feature called Sten Splitter, where a single, finished music track can be dragged into the app and automatically split out into components. Logic Pro 2 can isolate the vocal, drum, base and other musical instruments into separate tracks for further editing.

Final Cut Camera will be a free download that Apple says will be available from "later this spring." Similarly, what's called in full Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 will launch later in the spring.

Logic Pro for iPad 2 will be released on May 13, 2024.

Both apps require iPadOS 17.4 or later. Each remains a subscription that costs the same as before, at $49/year or $4.99/month.