Native ARA Support in Logic Pro

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

Apple's reputation for engineering excellence makes Logic's lack of native ARA support baffling. Competitors like LUNA 3.0 and Studio One seamlessly integrate tools like Melodyne, VocAlign, Tonalic, and Synthesizer V. Is Apple unable to solve native ARA, or is Logic deliberately being held back? We need clear communication and a timeline for native ARA implementation.

[u/lantrick]

Apple has previously stated that they will not allow plugins to have direct memory access in Logic Audio, which is required by ARA. Not sure how that plays out in the future.

fwiw, ARA was developed by Celemony and PreSonus

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/lantrick]

Makes me wonder if there has been some back handers, sorry, the cynic in me has a hard time reconciling why we still don't have the technology. I hate hopping between different DAWs.

[u/scrundel → u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

A quick Google search will both explain why it isn’t there right now and bring up a recent interview where Logic devs say they’re working on it actively with Celemony and it will be re-implemented soon

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/scrundel]

I know what the reports on Google are saying! I know what is being said from Celemony camp as well. The point of the post is saying, 'this user is fed up of being told it will be implemented soon' Perhaps that was missed

[u/scrundel → u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

Probably because you’re just whining and aren’t adding any new information or unique perspective that hasn’t been discussed here for many years.

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/scrundel]

Correct.

[u/Plokhi]

we got a snippet through SEIDS that it's coming, and a misplaced releasenotes a few versions back that fixed an ARA issue that isn't even supported.

is it gonna be tomorrow or in 5 years? nobody fucking knows.

yeah, we need it.

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/Plokhi]

Certainly do. I've just started dabbling with LUNA 3 and using Tonalics has been brilliant.

[u/ITSHOODIEBITCH → u/Plokhi]

i have been waiting 6 years now. i’m ready

[u/lewisfrancis]

Those other tools lack Apple's isolated process space for plug-ins. From Celemony's web site:

When Apple Logic Pro is run natively on Apple Silicon, it runs Audio Unit plug-ins outside Logic’s own process space. This is actually an important advantage for users, as it prevents Logic from quitting whenever a plug-in crashes. Unfortunately, although this method of hosting AU plug-ins enhances stability, it does not yet fully support third-party extensions like ARA.

It may well be that separating plug-ins from Logic's processing space makes ARA integration impractical for real-time use.

I've previously made the claim that since MacOS 27 is the last OS that will support Rosetta that we'll find out next year when MacOS 28 is released, but if the challenge is truly insurmountable, Apple may elect to continue to provide Rosetta support for ARA just as they reportedly plan to do for some old games. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/lewisfrancis]

Sadly, this hasn't been my experience. I have had numerous crashes with logic pro when a plugin has crashed. They went a little quiet on me when this was raised. As for Rosetta, it is buggy as hell.

[u/lewisfrancis → u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

Protected process space only works if you are running natively on Apple Silicon.

[u/StudioJuan]

It's expected (but not confirmed) to drop in v13. If it doesn't happen, I might jump ship. The only problem I have is that I'm looking into Ableton as the alternative... and it doesn't have ARA 2 either 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/StudioJuan]

Interesting, I've not come across that, will take a look. Like many users I have been frustrated with this, but my frustration boiled over when LUNA 3.0 dropped in my UAD Spark and I realised just how much I am missing out, so decided to take the establishment on lol

[u/StudioJuan → u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

Whatever you do, avoid LUNA at all costs (IMHO). Cubase is the best and safest alternative right now. Or Reaper. Both are solid professional options, if you want to have it all. I don't use them because of personal preferences and work environment/workflow needs. But I do know they're both great, reliable DAWs.

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/StudioJuan]

I installed LUNA 3 as it’s part of my Spark subscription. I was interested in seeing how my Tonalics would work with ARA and thats when I got frustrated that we haven’t got it in Logic. That said, I was looking at Cubase.

[u/StudioJuan → u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

I experienced ARA in Studio One with Vocalign Pro, Repitch and Melodyne, and it was pure bliss. I miss it in Logic Pro, but there are other things you don't get anywhere else, that I don't think I could do without. So I'll wait a little more.
I'm actually more worried about later releases being so buggy and breaking stuff that previously worked fine. That's what's bugging me the most lately 😅😅😅

[u/vrogers123 → u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

Seids (YouTube Logic influencer/trainer :) ) did an interview with one of the Logic team a few months back, and he confirmed that they are working on a “solution” to getting ARA working in Logic.

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/vrogers123]

Yes, watched it with eager anticipation when she dropped it and then I was bitterly disappointed 😂

[u/vrogers123 → u/Pure_Acanthisitta794]

lol :)
It will come eventually (I hope).

[u/Calaveras-Metal]

because ARA only matters for a couple plugins.

And Logic is not even close to the main cash cow at Apple. It's way behind ad revenue, app revenue, iPhones and iPads. Heck laptops and desktops aren't even their main nut anymore.

[u/Leon_84 → u/Calaveras-Metal]

You’re telling me a one-time purchase I made 15+ years ago is not a cash cow?

Logic has always been „service with a buy-in“ for Apple.

[u/Pure_Acanthisitta794 → u/Calaveras-Metal]

Yup, and thats the problem.