Logic Pro on desktop has been pretty much the only game in town where you could have a pro grade DAW as a (relatively low cost) one off purchase then expect updates that keep it pro grade over many years. I get the business model they’ve used here - it’s a loss leader to keep people buying Apple hardware.
However, looking at how successful subscription models have been for Apple elsewhere, I’m not at all surprised they’ve gone this way for the iPad versions of Logic and Final Cut. I expect they’ll go this way on desktop soon enough too if there’s not too strong a backlash to the model on iPad.
I don’t begrudge them it, funding software development is hard. $49/year is a good price point for an already established product that has the potential to be the heart of a mobile setup.
I love Logic Pro on the desktop. I’ve been trying to make Drambo work as the heart of my mobile music making setup and it’s not been straight forward. As much as I do love Drambo, I’m somewhat relieved at the prospect of finally being able to Logic Pro both mobile and desk bound.
Feeling pretty positive about this.