Apple today launched Logic Pro X, a major new version of Logic Pro that includes hundreds of new features, new instruments and effects, and a free iPad companion app called Logic Remote that takes advantage of multi-touch to integrate with Logic Pro X.

The standout features of Logic Pro X are Drummer (a virtual session player that automatically plays along a song in a variety of styles), Flex Pitch (an editor for individual notes in a waveform to fix out-of-tune vocals or recorded audio), Track Stacks (organize multiple tracks into one), Smart Controls, and Arpeggiator.

Apple is detailing the new functionalities in a press release and will launch later today a webpage for Logic Pro X.

Logic Pro X provides a collection of new creative tools for songwriting and music production. Drummer delivers professionally produced, realistic drum tracks that respond to your direction and can perform millions of unique grooves in rock, alternative, songwriter and R&B genres. Drummer is powered by the performances and sounds of some of the industry’s top session players and recording engineers, including legendary mixer/producer Bob Clearmountain, who has worked with the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie. Designed to work with Drummer, the new Drum Kit Designer plug-in lets you build your own custom kit using a diverse collection of professionally recorded snare drums, toms, hi-hats and cymbals that you can mix, match and fine tune to get the right drum sound for your song.

Logic Remote, available for free on the App Store, allows users to record, mix, and even play Logic’s instruments directly on the iPad using multi-touch. Compatible with the iPad 2, iPad mini and later and requiring iOS 6 and Logic Pro X, Logic Remote can navigate inside Logic projects, control recordings remotely, act as a second screen for the Logic’s documentation (Smart Help) on the Mac, and also remotely trigger Logic Pro X key commands with customizable buttons. Users can mix Logic sessions from the iPad, or play instruments such as a piano keyboard, guitar fretboard, drum pads and drum kit, adding the Arpeggiator plugin to any instrument.

Logic Pro X is now available on the Mac App Store for $199.99. Logic Remote is free on the App Store, and Apple has also released MainStage 3, a live performance companion app for Logic Pro X, on the Mac App Store for $29.99.