Apple Logic Pro 12 and Mainstage 4.0 arrive on January 28th with new features - January 13, 2026

Apple is set to release Logic Pro 12 and Mainstage 4.0 on January 28, coinciding with the launch of the new Apple Creator Studio service.

Apple today announced a new subscription service, Apple Creator Studio, which bundles all pro apps for macOS and iPadOS, including Logic Pro, starting at $12,99 per month.

A closer look reveals that Apple is updating all its apps to new versions, including Logic Pro 12, Logic Pro for iPad 3.0, MainStage 4.0, Final Cut Pro 13, and Pixelmator Pro 4.0. The updates for Logic Pro and Mainstage are particularly noteworthy.



Apple Logic Pro 12 and Mainstage 4.0
First, on which systems will the new version run? According to Apple, Logic Pro 12 requires macOS 15.6 or later and a Mac with Apple Silicon.

The key point is that Apple Silicon is required. Intel isn’t mentioned, meaning support for Intel systems could be completely cut off, which would be unfortunate. Up until now, there has been support for Intel systems, but not all features, such as the recent AI capabilities.

Logic Pro for iPad requires iPadOS 26 or later and an iPad with Apple’s A12 Bionic chip or later. Some features also require an Apple A17 Pro chip or later.

The information available so far does not indicate whether Apple Logic Pro 12 will be a free update. If not, this would mark the first time it will be a paid product since Logic Pro X in 2013.

One thing is certain: version 12 will be the first available as part of a subscription, specifically the Apple Creator Studio, priced at $ 12.99 per month or $129 per year.



Logic Pro 12 One-Time Purchase Vs Subscription: A Difference?
Questions arose about the Creator Studio, specifically the difference between the one-time purchase and the subscription version. Apple says no, they are the same.

Logic Pro and MainStage have all the same features whether they are subscription or one-time-purchase versions. However, a subscription to Apple Creator Studio bundles Apple’s powerful creative apps for one low monthly payment.

It includes Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for Mac and iPad, along with Motion, Compressor, and Pixelmator Pro. You’ll also receive premium versions of Keynote, Pages, Numbers, and Freeform with new AI capabilities and a wide range of high‑quality content.

The only difference is the Logic Pro icon design. Here, a distinction is drawn between the one-time purchase and subscription versions. According to Apple, the Apple Creator Studio apps have unique icons.


Logic Pro 12 New Features
Logic Pro 12 will be released on January 28th and will include several new features. Some of these are already known. Whether there will be more new features is currently unknown.

Synth Player is a new AI Session Player that delivers electronic music performances with a diverse range of chordal and synth bass parts. This new engine is developed in-house using Apple’s own team of expert sound designers.

As with every AI Session Player, creators can direct Synth Player using intuitive controls for complexity and intensity, while additional parameters unlock advanced performance capabilities.

Synth Player can also access third-party Audio Units plug-ins or control an external hardware synthesizer.

Then, it also includes a new Chord ID feature that serves as your personal music-theory expert, turning any audio or MIDI recording into a ready-to-use chord progression.



It can analyze complex harmonic content from nearly any recording to automatically populate the chord track in Logic Pro.

And since the chord track drives the performances of any AI Session Player, users can quickly audition different players, styles, and genres, allowing them creative freedom to experiment and dial in their favorite vibe.

According to Apple, it will also ship with a new sound library with hundreds of royalty-free loops, samples, instrument patches, drum sounds, and more.

Logic Pro for iPad will also include a new quick swipe comping feature from the macOS version.

It also includes new Music Understanding features with natural language search in the sound browser to help users describe a loop or find similar loops. All this without tags, guesses, or filters.



Mainstage 4
Alongside the upcoming Logic Pro 12 update, Apple will also release a major update to Mainstage, a tool that lets you bring your virtual instruments to the stage.

Apple hasn’t provided any details on new features or improvements for Mainstage 4 in its press release at this time, aside from noting that it will also be part of Creator Studio. We’ll have to wait for more information until January 28th for that.

First Impression
At first glance, the new Logic Pro 12 update seems very AI-focused. I hope they’ll show more new features on release day to make it feel like a true 12.0 update, not like a renamed 11.3.

Apple Logic Pro 12 and Mainstage 4.0 will be available on January 28th for $ 199.99 and $ 29.99, respectively. Free or paid updates TBA. LP 12 and Mainstage will also be available as part of the new Apple Creator Studio for $ 12.99/month or $129/year.

More information here: Apple

Source: https://synthanatomy.com/2026/01/apple-logic-pro-12.html