From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V9 #35 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Sunday, March 14 2004 Volume 09 : Number 035 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Alloy: [semi-OT] GarageBand. [Paul Baily ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2004 19:32:11 +1000 From: Paul Baily Subject: Alloy: [semi-OT] GarageBand. Hi all, Finally got hold of a copy of Apple's iLife, which comprises of the latest versions of iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, and the app I really wanted to take a look at, GarageBand. If you've not heard of it before GarageBand is a MIDI and sample-savvy music editor/sample sequencer that lets musical muggles like yours truly dabble in the art of putting tracks together. GarageBand comes with bucket-loads of audio loops - and there are many more loops out there available for free or cheap (already added Vince Clarke's Lucky Bastard loop collection to my wishlist :-). The idea is you're presented with a window representing the arrangement of one or more tracks onto which you drag loops, arrange, mix, tune, clean, fry. Additionally, if you've a MIDI keyboard you can also use that to add tracks. The killer is two differences from any other bit of software that does this: 1. It's cheap! (~AU$80 for iLife when pro audio apps cost well into the hundreds!), 2. It's accessible; you can start coherently mixing without even looking at a manual, the interface almost begs you to just start playing to see what you can do. This is one really exciting piece of software since it puts some pretty powerful audio tools in reach of people at a price point where the 'ehh, I'm not sure I'd be any good at it' protest is largely overcome - just imagine the sheer number of next Moby/Fatboy Slim/Oakenfolds out there itching for a creative outlet like this! If you have a fairly current Mac, I'd strongly suggest taking a look at iLife. Sorry for gushing but I haven't seen an app this - er, well, exciting - in years! cheers, Paul. P.S. If you really want to hear the track I put together today, it's here for a wee while. WARNING: this was a quick & dirty effort done literally in the first 30 mins of playing with GarageBand and with very little musical talent. Helluva lot of fun to have a play though! Rest assured I have absolutely no plans to give up my day job! Be gentle. :-) ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V9 #35 **************************