Logic Pro X vs Cubase 12

Logic Pro X and Cubase 12 are popular DAWs that can help you make professional recordings and assist with other audio projects. They are both designed to achieve high-end recording and production tasks. 

Logic Pro X is better suited to creative musicians and producers, with a user-friendly interface and intuitive design. Cubase 12 is better suited for audio engineers who focus more on the technical aspect of production than the creative. 

I’m Donovan, a lifelong musician passionate about the home studio and other recording projects. I love to write, record, and produce as often as possible and have first-hand experience working with Logic and Cubase. 

This post will compare and contrast Logic Pro X versus Cubase 12. I’ll provide you with background information on both of these very capable DAWs to give you an understanding of which might best suit your needs and preferences in the studio. 

Let’s get to it.

Quick Comparison

	Logic Pro X	Cubase 12
Ease of Use	Pretty intuitive and easy-to-access interface. Complex features can take a while to master, but the basics are easy to explore.	Not as intuitive of an interface, but still relatively easy to figure out if you have experience with other DAWs.
Professional Use	Industry-standard option for creative musicians and producers. Capable of all aspects of audio production from recording to mastering.	Fully-capable audio production app that many engineers like to use. Not as common in professional studios, but it can create professional recordings.
Features/Functions	Many features and functions aid the audio production process on all levels. Packed with plugins and software instruments.	Expansive channel strip supports unlimited tracks and equipped with many other features to take advantage of in a recording setting.
Workflow	Many workflow considerations possible. Can customize project views and take advantage of key commands to speed the process.	Improved editing tools and MIDI remote integration allows for better workflow than previous versions. Many other workflow considerations in place.
Limitations	Only available on Mac. Only supports AU plugins.	Some display issues with smaller computer screens. Not many technical limitations.
Pricing	$199.99 one-time purchase	$579.99/$329.99/$99.99 versions available

Detailed Comparison

Here is a more in-depth look at Logic Pro X and Cubase 12 head-to-head to give you a thorough understanding of they compare to one another. 

1. Ease of Use

If you are considering using either Logic Pro X or Cubase 12, you should have at least a basic understanding of how to work within a high-level DAW. These are not beginner apps, and both have somewhat of a barrier to entry to use. 

That said, Logic Pro X is the easier of the two to figure out. Even though Logic is designed to be a professional-level DAW and comes with all the tools and features you need to create outstanding records, it’s still relatively easy to get the basics down without much experience. 

This easy-to-use and intuitive user interface make Logic Pro X a favorite choice for musicians and producers who don’t have the vast technical skills that a highly experienced audio engineer might have. 

Cubase 12 is not as easy to use, and it’s a great option for beginners or anyone with little experience using a DAW. It’s still possible to figure out how to use it without a ton of experience, but you’ll spend more time learning than you will be creating. 

That’s a definite downside if you just want to launch an app and start making music immediately. On the other hand, Cubase 12 isn’t designed for beginners and is very capable of higher-end tasks, making it a solid choice for those with experience. 

Logic Pro X is the choice if you want an easier-to-use option with all of the high-end functions you’d expect with an industry-standard DAW. Cubase 12 might be harder to master, but it’s still a great app all around. 

Winner: Logic Pro X

2. Professional Use

If you want to be a professional musician or producer, you need the tools at your disposal that will help you out. And both of these DAWs are designed to handle all sorts of professional-level audio production tasks. 

Logic Pro X is more commonly used in the music industry than Cubase 12. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better or more capable. It’s just more common because of the popularity and longstanding customer support and marketing from Apple. 

Logic is very capable from a professional standpoint, and it’s a preferred option for musicians and producers who want to focus on the creative side of things. An easy user interface and many software instruments help cater to this. 

And even though Logic is pretty easy to figure out, there are plenty of higher-end capabilities that allow you to handle any professional audio task you can imagine. It has a good blend of both worlds with that in mind. 

Cubase 12 is also super capable from a professional standpoint. It might not be as popular or widely used, but from a technical perspective, it holds up or even exceeds Logic in some regards. This makes it a good choice for audio engineers who like the technical aspect. 

Cubase 12 can easily be used as the brains of your home or professional studio and provide you with everything you need to stay on top of things. It’s a professional-caliber app designed for audio professionals. 

Winner: Tie

3. Features/Functions

There are many different features and functions to mention in Logic Pro X and Cubase 12. As highly capable and professional-level DAWs, they have everything you need to capture audio and edit it until you reach perfection. 

Logic Pro X comes packed with a wide range of features that allow you to start recording and editing music straight away. I really like the different project views available because it makes it very easy to navigate the app during the entire process. 

You can also use many software instruments to make music right out of the box without needing external equipment to get rolling. That’s ideal if you are new to the game or don’t have all the gear you want for an entire studio yet. 

Cubase 12 also comes packed with features that audio engineers of all kinds will love. The app supports an unlimited amount of tracks, so you can create huge projects without worrying if you are going to tap out resources. 

Cubase also has a wide array of hardware resources for you to take advantage of. You can pair special Cubase controllers with the app to streamline your process and expand your possibilities. 

The two DAWs hold up pretty similar to one another regarding features and functions. Cubase 12 might have the advantage from a strictly technical perspective, but Logic Pro X has more creative tools that are useful. 

Winner: Tie

4. Workflow

When it comes to workflow, you always want to choose a DAW that will help you achieve your ideal efficiency level without being overly complicated. And customized options are always beneficial with that in mind. 

Logic Pro X has a ton of workflow considerations in play, allowing you to customize your plan of attack relating to any audio project you get into. The ease of use and intuitive interface it has speed up the process from the start. 

I’m a big fan of all the shortcuts and key commands built into Logic. Once you get the hang of these, you can become highly efficient whether you are cutting tracks or editing and mixing. And you can even customize these shortcuts if you want to. 

Cubase 12 also has many workflow considerations in play. The editing tool in the recent version of the app is very much improved, which allows you to work efficiently and effectively even when dealing with super complex projects. 

The compatibility with interfaces and controllers is another area where Cubase stands out in terms of workflow. If you pair the app with a controller designed explicitly for it, you will reap immediate benefits with your workflow. 

Workflow is a personal thing, and every musician and producer out there likes to tweak things differently. These two DAWs offer a huge amount of flexibility with that in mind, and both are recommended if workflow needs are paramount. 

Winner: Tie

5. Limitations

Whenever you hit a snag in the recording or production process, it can limit your creativity while also affecting the entire project. That’s why it’s good to understand a DAW’s potential limitations before you start using it. 

The significant limitation of Logic Pro X is that it’s only available on Mac. There is no Windows version of the app, and it won’t work with any other systems. There also isn’t a mobile version of Logic currently, which is kind of a drag. 

Logic Pro X also is only compatible with AU plugins, so you can’t use any VST options. This limits your third-party plugin options, even though there are still plenty of AU options to explore. 

Cubase doesn’t have all that many limitations from a technical perspective, which is one of the main reasons many engineers like using it. It does have a larger learning curve, which can be a limitation if you don’t have much experience. 

Some users have mentioned issues with using Cubase 12 on smaller computer displays. They are running into problems with seeing their entire project appear. This can limit workflow because you’ll need to scroll down more to see everything. 

Winner: Cubase 12

6. Pricing

Getting a high-level audio production app typically means you’ll also pay a high price. But it’s a necessary expense if you want to start a studio or just record at home. 

Logic Pro X is one of the most affordable professional-level DAWs around and is available for a one-time purchase of $199.99. This gives you access to lifetime updates to the app and allows for use on multiple Macs if you own them. 

Cubase 12 is quite a bit more expensive, especially if you get the full version. Cubase Pro costs $579.99. But there are also other versions of the app available for $329.99 and $99.99, you just don’t get as many features. 

Winner: Logic Pro X

Final Verdict

If you are looking for a pro-level DAW that gives you all the tools and features needed to create great-sounding music, both Logic Pro X and Cubase 12 make a great choice. These will have you covered from the first note to the final product. 

Logic Pro X is easier to use overall and affords a little more flexibility on the creative side of things. Cubase 12 is somewhat more complex and can give audio engineers increased technical capabilities. 

Have you used Logic Pro X and Cubase 12? Which do you like better and why? Let me know in the comments below.