Apple announces Final Cut Pro 11 and an update to Logic Pro

Apple last night unveiled Final Cut Pro 11, a major update to its video editing software which brings several new features using artificial intelligence. We thus find the automatic subtitling functionality which we had a glimpse of during the presentation of the Mac mini M4. The other big new features are magnetic masks which make it possible to isolate people and objects without the need for a green background or rotoscoping, and thus to apply modifications to these elements alone. The software now supports spatial videos from Apple Vision Pro or iPhone 15 Pro and later, as well as multiple other small developments.

A magnetic mask

Here are the release notes provided by Apple:

• Unleash your creativity with revolutionary AI-worn magnetic masks, and isolate people, objects and shapes in any sequence, without requiring a green screen or lengthy rotoscoping task.
• Use the “Transcribe to Subtitles” feature to automatically create subtitles from audio spoken in the timeline using a powerful AI-based language model that ensures speed and accuracy. (Requires a Mac with an Apple chip and macOS Sequoia or later).
• Import and edit spatial video clips from Apple Vision Pro or iPhone 15 Pro or later. Add titles, color corrections and effects. Share exciting space projects that can be viewed on Apple Vision Pro. (Requires a Mac with an Apple chip).
• Reduce clutter in the browser by automatically hiding original clips when creating sync or multicam clips.
• Use vertical zoom to adjust the height of clips in the timeline.
• Speed ​​up your creative process with the new “Picture in Picture” and “Highlight” effects.
• Create stunning visual reveals using new modular transitions.
• Be more efficient with new keyboard shortcuts for common tasks in the browser and timeline.
• Install third-party media extensions to support playing and editing more video formats. (Requires macOS Sequoia or later).

Apple took the opportunity to update Final Cut Pro on iPad, which goes to version 2.1 and gains other features, either which allow it to catch up with the Mac version, or which are specific to it such as the possibility of draw on video or integrate haptic feedback with Apple Pencil Pro when editing projects.

• Automatically enhance the color, color balance, contrast, and brightness of videos and still images using the new “Enhance Light and Color” effect powered by machine learning.
• Add live drawing animations to your videos with new watercolor, pencil, fountain pen, and single line inks.
• Highlight visuals with new Reframe effects, add video overlays with modular transitions, and polish your content with even more color grading and trailer presets.
• Edit high frame rate data based on the timeline for 90, 100 and 120 fps settings.
• Experience tactile feedback as you edit and navigate your projects with Apple Pencil Pro.
• Increase the effectiveness of new keyboard shortcuts for common tasks in the browser and timeline.
• Dynamically adjust the size and position of the viewer in Picture-in-Picture mode.

Final Cut Camera 1.1 is also out, with the main new feature being support for Log videos.

• Preview your Log video in SDR or HDR without losing the vibrancy of the original scene by enabling LUT for Apple Log LUT when recording. (Requires iPhone 15 Pro or later.)
• Record in Log and HEVC for increased flexibility and dynamic range, as well as lower file sizes. (Requires iPhone 15 Pro or later.)
• Compose your video precisely using the level with tilt and roll indicators or pointers for shots from above.
Record high-quality 4K video at up to 120fps with an iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Apple has finally launched Logic Pro 11.1 with a new module called Quantec Room Simulator which allows you to precisely simulate the acoustic reverberations of a room. Other small developments are also there.

Here are the official release notes:

Quantec Room Simulator
• Access Quantec's only authentic hardware recreation in module form, featuring the original schematics, algorithms and code of its founder and inventor, Wolfgang Buchleitner.
• Add the legendary sound of Quantec QRS and Quantec Yardstick hardware reverbs, which deliver the most acoustically accurate space simulation ever created.
• Select the vintage Quantec QRS model to add realistic acoustic space to your music while maintaining its sonic character.
• Choose the Quantec Yardstick model based on enhanced space simulation algorithms for more accurate modeling of acoustic spaces with increased clarity and detail.

Search for modules
• Search and add modules directly from the module menu.
• Use the “Find and Add Plug-in” keyboard shortcut to quickly find and add plug-ins without having to click on a channel strip insert.
• Easily search by category, company name, or even part of the module name.

Improvements
• Drag channel strips to organize the layout of your mixer.
• Send your mix directly to Voice Memos on iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.
• Click a module slot without releasing the Command key to quickly remove modules.
• Quickly set input, output, side input source, or bus routings using the menu search.
• Use keyboard shortcuts to move selection rectangles in all directions and speed up editing.

Sound library
• Download the new Modular Melodies sound pack and discover hundreds of loops crafted from patch-compatible hardware synths, as well as a collection of carefully crafted Alchemy synth patches.

These updates are free for those with a Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro license. Final Cut Pro 11 for Mac otherwise costs €349.99 on the App Store, while the iPad version takes the form of a subscription at €4.99 per month or €49 per year after a free download from the App Store. Final Cut Camera is otherwise free on the App Store. Finally, Logic Pro for Mac costs €229.99 on the App Store, while the iPad version costs €4.99 per month or €49 per year after a free download from the App Store.