When comparing Logic Pro X vs MuseScore, the Slant community recommends MuseScore for most people. In the question“What is the best stand-alone or in-DAW scoring / notation software?” MuseScore is ranked 2nd while Logic Pro X is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose MuseScore is:
Contrary to most of its commercial counterparts, MuseScore is lightweight (less than 100MB) and can run acceptably on aging computers.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro High quality instruments and effects
Good range of high quality synths: analog, FM, wavetable, string modulation, sampler, organ, clarinet, epiano.
Pro UI designed for ease of use
The Logic Pro X DAW has made an effort to keep clutter out of the equation so producers can focus on the music.
Pro Free update from Logic
As of 1/21/2015, Apple has released an update that allows users to upgrade from Logic to Logic Pro X.
Pro Studio standard
If you take music production seriously then one day maybe you'll enter professional studio, where you will most likely find the Logic DAW along with Pro Tools.
Pro Easy to learn, makes writing easy, and keeps technical in the background
It is easy, intuitive, and easy-to-implement.
Pro Comes with 57gb content
The initial download of Logic Pro X gives users 2gb of samples, but the DAW automatically downloads 57gb of samples once the Logic Pro X DAW is installed.
Pro Cheaper than similar programs
This program costs US$200 and must be bought from the app store.
Pro Allows users to program their own tools
The Logic Pro X DAW lets users make their own effects using with javascript leveraging its Scripter API.
Pro Supports expressive MIDI - MPE
Works with new controllers like Seaboard Rise, Linnstrument, Continuum Board, etc.
Pro Many instruments
Different kinds of instruments all around.
Pro Full external MIDI support
Poly aftertouch, sysex and two modes of controlling external midi instruments.
Pro Free corresponding iPad app
In order to allow more control, the Logic Pro X DAW has added a free iPad app called Logic Remote.
Logic Remote is available in several different views, and is capable of MIDI input and parameter adjustment. It comes with a full library and browser. Navigation is easy as well via the navigation bar along the top of the screen.
Many interesting views are available, such as chord strips. This view allows users to play a series of preset chords that are already in the right key. Gestures are supported with this app, so loop speed and other properties can quickly be adjusted.
This app connects to Logic through WiFi, so the app and program should be running on the same network.
Pro Many plug-ins
Pro Uses minimum amount of CPU
The Logic Pro X DAW is optimized for CPU usage, which makes the DAW more stable.
Pro Virtual drummer
Allows to create high quality drum tracks even if you are not a drummer.
Pro Does a lot of work for you
Switch in to Alchemy on the synth and you get an intuitive template to adjust wavetables and eq visually, plus various modes and styles. Handy tool.
Pro Incorporating iOS devices, accessing Apps/Synths/Effects
A totally overlooked feature....
The Setup is as Easy as Pie.
Create an aggregate audio setup and midi device incorporating your iOS devices and wham bam....Instruments / Audio / FX all accessible within logic.,
An AU... An Audio I/O.. Brilliant.
Pro Professional mixing and mastering tools
Pro Regular Updates
Pro Great support
Pro Good community
Plenty of videos, tutorials and groups for tips and learning fast.
Pro Used by celebrities
This includes: Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (everything except guitars), John Powell - How to train your dragon, other works, and Tycho (until 2011 when he switched to Reaper to finish his album). Though , Still to this day uses Logic for composing.
Lets also not forget Boris Blank that in essence is Yello, and One of the pioneers of electronic based music.
Pro The best value for Mac users
I prefer mac than windows for music production. And because of this is really hard to beat the deal of logic. All its quality plugins and community make learn to use it very easy. I love the youtube channel Why logic pro rules is all there.
Pro With Pro Tools it's the DAW mainly used in professional studios
Pro Live loops
Originally an Ableton Live feature, Logic Pro allows you to record live loops and experiment with the best combinations, and drag your loops into the arrangement view to complete your work.
Pro Old but nice look
I think from all the old DAWs (Pro tools, Cubase, Digital performer etc) Logic is the one that looks better and well organized.
Pro Garageband little bro
For ideas and working remotely, you can use garageband on your Iphone or iPad and then send that information to logic to give it the professional end.
Pro Lightweight
Contrary to most of its commercial counterparts, MuseScore is lightweight (less than 100MB) and can run acceptably on aging computers.
Pro Free and open source
The pricing means you can dump it on any computer you like, without having to empty your wallet for a license. It also means you have a chance to use this program as a starting point for your own engraving software program, if you are also a programmer.
Pro MusicXML import and export ensures a degree of compatibility with other programs
If you are submitting files to a publisher, MusicXML format can be read by the big engraving programs: Sibelius, Finale, MuseScore, etc. Often there are some display issues that will need to be tweaked when using MusicXML between different programs, but publishers will spend a lot of time tweaking the file anyhow.
Pro Easy inscription
The newest version of MuseScore added collision detection for elements - so unless you're importing something really wonky, you shouldn't have text and notes overlapping or hitting each other. You can save your favorite spacing and size preferences to a file and have MuseScore automatically load it when you start a new project, or load it manually from the file.
Pro Polished GUI
Looks on par with Apple software. Better than almost all FOSS software.
Pro Automatic part generation
MuseScore can automatically generate scores for individual parts which 'link' to the main score - you can change things on the score and see that change appear in the relevant part, and vice versa.
Pro Great sheet sharing web page
So you composed a new score! Now what? Well, you can start by putting it on the muse score sheet music sharing web page where others will be able to enjoy it and comment on it. Or maybe you're just looking for a score from an old video game: in that case, you should probably search the page for it, and download one of the many available formats (pdf, muse score format, mp3, xml, etc).
Pro Bugs quickly fixed
The fact that Musescore is open source and relies on a huge community of volunteers, combined with a strraightforward issue tracker ensure the rapid development of musescore.
Pro Easy to add new sounds
If you're not happy with the default sounds (a good, but aging set from Roland), you can import any .sf2 and .sf3 soundfonts and easily use them. You can even have multiple soundfonts running simultaneously.
Pro Decent tutorial
Walks your through all the features.
Pro Available on Mobile
Android and iOS.
Pro Ultimate Guitar Merger gives hope for professional improvements
With Ultimate Guitar merger, hopefully, needed improvements will be done in a timely fashion and a lot fewer workarounds.
Cons
Con Only compatible with Mac
No Windows or Linux versions are available.
Con It is next to impossible to organize your mixer channels
There are lots of work arounds, but a straight rearrange the mixing channel would be appreciated.
Con Poor audio editor
Audio editor is a lot less intuitive and accessible than other DAWs.
Con No support for 32-bit plugins without 3rd Party Plugin 32 Lives
Con Unusable with lots of plugins: stutters and clicks
Con Lags or crashes often
This happens usually when there is a lot going on in the track.
Con Rarely updated
Since Apple purchased this software, the updates are rare and none. The latest update was less than great and has forced users to look elsewhere, especially the Pro community.
Con Not open source
Con Very buggy
Con Too big
The app is too big!
Con No real-time transcription tool
If you are looking to play your MIDI keyboard and have the computer attempt to transcribe and print out your latest masterwork as you play, MuseScore is not the tool for you. It does, however, have a "semi-realtime" note input mode, which is kind of the same thing as a transcription tool.
Con Cannot copy and paste time signature changes
Copying a section of music with multiple time changes not possible. Muse developers talk of this as an enhancement rather than a basic need.
Con Cymbal rolls sound bad
There is no easy way to add good-sounding cymbal rolls.
Con Bad sounds
Although its ok for basic composing, the default sounds can sound inferior to other more polished sounds. In fact, it will remind you of old mario games with midi music; because that is pretty much what it is.
Con Bad support for microtonal music
Although Musescore does offer in addition to the Western 𝄫/♭/♮/♯/𝄪 accidentals also nonstandard ones, but they are essentially just glyphs; MuseScore does not know how to resolve them or use them in key signatures, let alone offer proper tuning of the playback pitches. (Playback pitch can be set manually in cents, but this is very cumbersome and error-prone.)