A GB review! [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

alset

Jan 16, 2004, 04:30 AM

Originally posted by gileschin
And his QuickTime audio samples of his songs ......... I thought they sounded pretty good!!

Ugh.... If nothing else makes me shell out for iLife, it'll be to get GB to determine whether the limitations were the software of the composer.

When I tested GB at MWSF I was impressed with most of the app, but the effects left much to be desired in terms of flexibility. This is another feature I can't wait to explore.

PS - I know a lot of people are already downloading iLife. I hope everyone who does will either buy it when it hits the shelves or break their leg. $50 is not more than you can afford to save for such a suite. Innovation comes at a cost (R&D). If you don't pay for software than you have no right to expect innovation.

Dan

nagromme

Jan 16, 2004, 04:39 AM

I'm sure processing loops is CPU-intensive. Each little recording must be mathematically re-processed to match the current key/pitch and tempo.

Normally, slowing down a sound makes the pitch lower, and speeding it up makes the pitch higher. But a loop app like this needs to set the pitch and tempo INDEPENDENTLY. That takes processor power to re-build the waveform on the fly at high quality.

Luckily, my 700 Mhz eMac showed no signs of choking on as many tracks and effects as I could throw at it in Soundtrack.

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 04:44 AM

A fair-to-middlin' job of reviewing, IMHO. He mostly talked about usability, and didn't talk much about a feature list. I wish he had known enough to outline the reasons why someone wouldn't be satisfied with GB, for instance.

The songs he created and posted are a good sample of what we'll be seeing all over the place in the weeks and months ahead: a lot of mediocre music and a lot of just plain awful music. I'm not complaining or trying to be elitist -- just pointing out the inevitable. Kinda like when Pagemaker and the laser printer first came out in '86; all of a sudden everybody was a DTP expert, and you saw the most awful stuff popping up everywhere. Now that GB brings recording/looping capability to the masses, everyone will be a composer/performer. Sort of.

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by alset
PS - I know a lot of people are already downloading iLife. I hope everyone who does will either buy it when it hits the shelves or break their leg. $50 is not more than you can afford to save for such a suite. Innovation comes at a cost (R&D). If you don't pay for software than you have no right to expect innovation.

My copy is already on the FedEx truck. Truly, if someone can't afford $50 for this sweet suite, they've got no business having a computer in the first place.

Since I don't see '04 updates on Apple's site, I'm assuming you're talking about illegal downloaders. If so, that ticks me off somethin' fierce. Leeches!

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by gileschin
And his QuickTime audio samples of his songs ......... I thought they sounded pretty good!!

Hmmmm. If those sounded good, well, you're going to be in hog heaven pretty soon. I predict we'll be hearing very similar-sounding "music" everywhere . . .

Whoops -- please ignore the card-carrying curmudgeon who wrote the above. Fact is, a lot of people will have a lot of fun with GB. :)

wordmunger

Jan 16, 2004, 05:48 AM

David Pogue has reviewed GarageBand for the New York Times--he loves it!

Here's the Google Link. (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/technology/circuits/15stat.html?ex=1074747600&en=d9f632fb35bfe764&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE)

mactarkus

Jan 16, 2004, 06:06 AM

I played with GarageBand at Macworld Expo and I believe it could get a new generation of Mac users hooked on music and Macs. It is yet another angle on the whole iTunes/Mac experience.

It reminded me of the fun I had as a kid playing with the Music Construction Kit for the trusty Apple //e. Suddenly practicing the piano had some purpose. Even if GarageBand isn't perfect, it serves as an excellent first-look entry into the world of making music with computers, just as iMovie has done for movie making with Macs.

$50 for the the software! Are they joking? I think MCS cost more than that back in 1985 and compared to what's available today, I was making cave drawings and pounding on a rock with a stick. Anyone complaining about having to pay for iLife needs to get a life.

ChrisH3677

Jan 16, 2004, 06:22 AM

His demo songs on one hand weren't technically anything special (his levels needed a lot of work!) and what he said about strings was very true, they did sound ordinary.

But on the other, it did demonstrate how easy it was and that if he spent another few hours on them... they had potential.

But he was honest too - he said the first was boring - and it was. The second was more interesting.

How long before we start hearing GarageBand muzak everywhere though? *cringe*.

I look fwd to GB, but I will leave it to the pro's to go public with their creations. :D

filipp

Jan 16, 2004, 07:15 AM

Is there a way to buy iLife online?
Like "download now" option.

Sabbath

Jan 16, 2004, 07:15 AM

This is really tempting me to buy the new iLife, I have no need for the programs other than GB as I dont have a digital camera or Superdrive and I use FCE for video. Additionally Im a failed guitar player but I still have my electric guitar so I could try again, even though I know Im useless.

This is just what Apple does, tempting me in when I dont need something! :rolleyes:Arggghhh heheh

BevvyB

Jan 16, 2004, 07:18 AM

Thought I'd pipe up on the subject seeing as I'm a Pro

Regarding loops taking up CPU power:

For those of you who DON'T know Steinberg's 'ReCycle' and anything about 'Groove Control' here is what happens. Loops are broken down into 'mini samples' or 'mini loops' and these are played via midi triggers. As the triggers are just telling the samples WHEN to play and the overall loops are chopped up into tiny pieces, any change of tempo is immediately translated into the way the loop sounds. So you can change tempo as much as you want, the samples are just triggered faster or slower.

I would imagine that Garageband does what many of us have been doing for ages in Logic Audio etc but 'hides' the modus operandi so it doesn't get complicated. I haven't yet played around with Garageband so I don't know if you can go in and 'edit' these triggers. Perhaps there are different levels of editing depending on your expertise.

Another thing about loops and sample instuments regarding CPU power:

On Logic Audio you can choose to have samples load into memory when you choose them OR play them from the hard drive (just as your own 'recording' would) By juggling how much you have 'streaming' from the disk and how much is played straight from memory is a factor on how much CPU power is being drained. It's a balance between the maximum amount of bandwidth AND the maximum CPU power. On Pro systems by this juggling you can get the most out of your current hardware.

Garageband does NOT takes loops and then in realtime do a 'timestretch' on each and every one. If if were to do that then not only would it sound silly and bad but also the computer would collapse - that kind of thing is EXTREMELY CPU intensive.

However, as in one loop there may be as many as 20 different segments that means that just to play one loop once the computer is accessing 20 different files. Do the maths. 10 loops? Your mac is accessing perhaps 200 different files per bar and playing them in sync.

The greatest draw on the computers CPU is actually the effects you may use, and also any soft synth which has to work out its output in real time. Streaming from disk is a relatively low CPU hit, so I would imagine you could play back quite a fair few tracks with no effects on which you had recorded yourself.

Reverb is the biggest single CPU drain.

Hope some of this helps.

Cheers

Bev

Sabenth

Jan 16, 2004, 07:32 AM

I am looking foward to this i really iam. Gives me a reall exscuse to buy a new Mac. As for audio and processing and g3 issues yep its dam right true. Try doing anything with mor than say 6 tracks and your going to be struggling its all based around the speed at which the procesor can work blah blah blah . Your gona want a new system anyways for all the great addons to iLife. its 79 dollars australian by the way so nothing to complain about for 50. Oh and Reason 2.5 has the same size loop libary and its over 300 dollars USD i belive. so nothing to complain about at all..

Whats with the vocals been on one chanel as well on the demos

tjwett

Jan 16, 2004, 07:34 AM

This guys tunes might be the worst piles I've ever heard. And those strings sound like total $H!t. This took him a few hours? Scary.

ChrisH3677

Jan 16, 2004, 07:41 AM

lol - if you've ever recorded anything, you know it takes many takes til you're happy. A few hours is nothing!

It's not scary - it's normal.

wilco

Jan 16, 2004, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by splashman

The songs he created and posted are a good sample of what we'll be seeing all over the place in the weeks and months ahead: a lot of mediocre music and a lot of just plain awful music.
______________________________

Hmmmm. If those sounded good, well, you're going to be in hog heaven pretty soon. I predict we'll be hearing very similar-sounding "music" everywhere . . .

Okay, we get it already. You've got more sophisticated music tastes than the "masses". How many times do you need to post it?

Rincewind42

Jan 16, 2004, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by filipp
Is there a way to buy iLife online?
Like "download now" option.

Afraid not, but if there were do you really think that you would want to sit through a 5+ GB download?

filipp

Jan 16, 2004, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by Rincewind42
Afraid not, but if there were do you really think that you would want to sit through a 5+ GB download?

w00t!?
What's taking all that space? Is it GB?

MrMacMan

Jan 16, 2004, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by filipp
Is there a way to buy iLife online?
Like "download now" option.

Its a couple Gigs of stuff.

No I don't think they are having an download now option.

Also iLife is just a compilation of programs you have/do not have already on your mac.

Squire

Jan 16, 2004, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by ChrisH3677
His demo songs on one hand weren't technically anything special (his levels needed a lot of work!) and what he said about strings was very true, they did sound ordinary.

But on the other, it did demonstrate how easy it was and that if he spent another few hours on them... they had potential.

I agree. I wouldn't rush out and buy an album full of stuff like that but I was impressed nonetheless. Course, I think a lot of top 40 stuff is crap, too. For a few hours on the software as a first time user, I might add, it was okay.

Squire

P.S. I wonder if he had the Jam Pack?

filipp

Jan 16, 2004, 08:04 AM

Another thought... Wonder if one gets iLife with an Xserve. It was said "free with every mac" so...

ChrisH3677

Jan 16, 2004, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by filipp
w00t!?
What's taking all that space? Is it GB?

if you check the specs, it says iLife 04 with the lot takes 4.3Gb. But if you leave off GB and iDVD, it only needs 250Mb or so of space.

My iDVD takes near 2Gb so GB must take the other 2Gb.

crawdad62

Jan 16, 2004, 08:22 AM

I was just reading through this thread since I've been jonesing for any info on Garageband when up the driveway comes the FedEx guy. So I got to go. Go install Garageband. Woot!

amnesiac1984

Jan 16, 2004, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by Sabenth
I am looking foward to this i really iam. Gives me a reall exscuse to buy a new Mac. As for audio and processing and g3 issues yep its dam right true. Try doing anything with mor than say 6 tracks and your going to be struggling its all based around the speed at which the procesor can work blah blah blah . Your gona want a new system anyways for all the great addons to iLife. its 79 dollars australian by the way so nothing to complain about for 50. Oh and Reason 2.5 has the same size loop libary and its over 300 dollars USD i belive. so nothing to complain about at all..

Whats with the vocals been on one chanel as well on the demos

True about reason being more expensive with same amont of loops, but any serious musician creates his own loops and reason is vastly superior in terms of what you can do.

A poster before was talking about loop triggers and how you can't edit these in GB, reason you can, and you also get a very advanced and completely customizeable sampler, and two highly editable synths.

edit: and another thing, I was very dissapointed with those string sounds on the samples. DO you think he just chose bad sounds or are they the best strings sound GB can do? My old yamaha keyboard I had when I was a kid sounded better than that, those were awful! I was pleaseantly suprised by the sounds used in the keynote, but these just suck.

SilentPanda

Jan 16, 2004, 08:47 AM

Might be a little late for some of you but... I know a lot of us are at work when FedEx stops by... when Panther made the rounds I just left a note taped to my front door that told the FedEx guy to leave the package at the door and I signed the note... when I came home Panther was at the front door and the note was gone... might save you some hassle if you trust your front door.

Granted most fedex places will let you picked up missed packages after 5pm but the closest fedex to me is 30min-45min away...

Foxer

Jan 16, 2004, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by SilentPanda
Might be a little late for some of you but... I know a lot of us are at work when FedEx stops by... when Panther made the rounds I just left a note taped to my front door that told the FedEx guy to leave the package at the door and I signed the note... when I came home Panther was at the front door and the note was gone... might save you some hassle if you trust your front door.

Yeah. I do this, too. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Sometimes they leave things without anyone there, sometimes they don't.

Example: Twenty dollar software from apple - they left with neighbor. 23-inch cinema display from apple - I had to go pick it up from FedEx. PowerMac from Apple (in regular retail box) - left on my front porch.

Well, my iLife is on a truck - hopefully it'll be there when I get home.

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 08:57 AM

Has anyone tried iPhoto on a non-G5 Mac yet? I have an 800 MHz G4 iMac & a 933 MHz iBook, both with around 2000 pictures, and I would like to know if it would be worth me buying this update (is the speed difference that good). I am going to buy, but I want to know because my mom might also purchase if iPhoto improvements are good enough. :D

Photorun

Jan 16, 2004, 08:58 AM

And people voted this negative on the main page because... because they're stupid? Seriously, WTF?

Now onto the other irksome thing, people, stop thinking this is a pro app, it's close, it's great, and it's $50, heck, $12.50 if you divide the iLife Suite. You pay for what you get and for $12.50 this is GREAT!!! It's not supposed to be Cakewalk or Reason so posters complaing about limited filters or maybe a lack of some high end feature need to get a major grip on reality.

brhmac

Jan 16, 2004, 08:58 AM

I wonder if GarageBand is also a marketing tactic to re-assert Macs into the classroom. Seems like a tremendous creative tool that elementary, middle and high schools could use for their students -- at no additional charge when they buy new computers.

Sure it's not the only reason for GarageBand, but including it with iLife promises to make the Mac an easier sale for educators/students/parents/grandparents...

SilentPanda

Jan 16, 2004, 09:11 AM

gabriel_knight

Jan 16, 2004, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by geerlingguy
Has anyone tried iPhoto on a non-G5 Mac yet? I have an 800 MHz G4 iMac & a 933 MHz iBook, both with around 2000 pictures, and I would like to know if it would be worth me buying this update (is the speed difference that good). I am going to buy, but I want to know because my mom might also purchase if iPhoto improvements are good enough. :D

My friend is using Powerbook 550Mhz with 512 MB ram. He told me even with 3,000 photos, iPhoto 4 keep RUNNING VERY FAST :D

scat999999

Jan 16, 2004, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by alset
Ugh.... If nothing else makes me shell out for iLife, it'll be to get GB to determine whether the limitations were the software of the composer.
Dan

PuterSaurus

Jan 16, 2004, 09:59 AM

FedEx man has arrived. Installing now! :D

Apple included the full retail box unlike what they did with Panther and only shipped the disc and inserts.

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 10:05 AM

After you finish playing with GB (perhaps in about three hours), then could you see if iPhoto's performance is what it's cracked up to be... ;)

Lancetx

Jan 16, 2004, 10:12 AM

The FedEx lady showed up with my iLife package a little before 8am...talk about early delivery! Too bad I can't check it out though till tonight after work. :(

ExoticFish

Jan 16, 2004, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by PuterSaurus
FedEx man has arrived. Installing now! :D

Apple included the full retail box unlike what they did with Panther and only shipped the disc and inserts.

??? everyone i know who had panther shipped (myself included) got the retail box. did you buy it from Apple or some random place??

PuterSaurus

Jan 16, 2004, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by ExoticFish
??? everyone i know who had panther shipped (myself included) got the retail box. did you buy it from Apple or some random place??

Direct from Apple. But I should clarify that it was a free copy b/c I had just bought my new AlBook 1.25 at the time.

ExoticFish

Jan 16, 2004, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by PuterSaurus
Direct from Apple. But I should clarify that it was a free copy b/c I had just bought my new AlBook 1.25 at the time.

oh, well i guess that makes a little more sense then. :D sucks though that they didn't give you the retail box.

lindmar

Jan 16, 2004, 10:43 AM

First Impressions,,

Lets go,,
let us know whats going on,, for those of us in Canada whos orders have been pushed back until the 21 :-(

Guitars plugged in?
Jamming!!
Fill us in

PuterSaurus

Jan 16, 2004, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by geerlingguy
After you finish playing with GB (perhaps in about three hours), then could you see if iPhoto's performance is what it's cracked up to be... ;)

Checked out iPhoto first. Very noticeable difference in speed on my machine (AlBook 1.25 512K). Scrolling is much faster! And resizing is instant.

They also darkened the font under the photo name.

Now on to GB.

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by PuterSaurus
Checked out iPhoto first. Very noticeable difference in speed on my machine (AlBook 1.25 512K). Scrolling is much faster! And resizing is instant.

They also darkened the font under the photo name.

Now on to GB.

Thanks! I think that from these few reviews, I'll be able to convince my mom to get the family pack so my dad, mom, and I all get the programs... What a deal! $79 for a 5-user license!!! :D :D :D

i_wolf

Jan 16, 2004, 11:14 AM

Are they shipping the software on multiple cd's ?? Or is it shipping on one DVD?
Just interested!
Also does iMovie still crash with G5 systems??

iomar

Jan 16, 2004, 11:19 AM

Wow, this is great! Good going Apple! Apple is in the right track. This will be the year of Apple. I can't wait to see bigger market shares soon.

Rick Friele

Jan 16, 2004, 11:20 AM

Rick Friele

Jan 16, 2004, 11:21 AM

Just waiting for the FedEx truck to show up :)

raptorhigh

Jan 16, 2004, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by Rick Friele
Just waiting for the FedEx truck to show up :)

Same here! I hope the fedex site is delayed, because mine is supposedly still a state away.

Foxer

Jan 16, 2004, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by ExoticFish
??? everyone i know who had panther shipped (myself included) got the retail box. did you buy it from Apple or some random place??

Yeah, those of us in the Up-to-Date program only got a plain brown envelope with the discs and manuals. That's the price we have to pay for not having to pay the price.

veedubdrew

Jan 16, 2004, 11:47 AM

Just got my iLife package at work. Paid the State & Local Government rate ($24.50) and got a full box and documentation! Usually gov't stuff comes in an envelope with no packaging, this was a nice surprise. My shipping was upgraded to overnight for free.

I only had a chance to play with iPhoto before the boss caught me goofing off! iPhoto is a LOT faster in just about everything it does. Resizing is smooth and quick. Scrolling through 1,000 photos is pleasant now (used to get a beachball before). The only thing that doesn't seem to have been sped up is using the right/left arrow keys to flip between pics. There was a bit of a lag in the old iPhoto and the new one still has it. Maybe they'll improve upon this in a 4.x.x update. I would like the pic to pop up instantly as I hit the right/left keys.

The slideshow rating thing is really cool and I particularly like the mosaic flip. Slideshow also comes up faster than it used to; I used to get an agonizing delay.

I'm very anxious to get home and try it on my iMac G4 which has close to 5,000 pics on it. Based on my 12" PowerBook's speed gains, I'm betting that there will be a substantial improvement.

-Drew

blueflame

Jan 16, 2004, 12:10 PM

if i buy panther now, will i get ilife for free?
thanks
andreas

ExoticFish

Jan 16, 2004, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by blueflame
if i buy panther now, will i get ilife for free?
thanks
andreas

unfortunately iLife doesn't come with Panther, it comes with a new Mac.

zac4mac

Jan 16, 2004, 12:26 PM

FedEx just delivered it and it's finishing the install now. Can't wait to play with garage band. May even dig my old guitar out of the closet... Perfect to get it at the beginning of a 4-day weekend. ooopps time to go play.

Z

xDANx

Jan 16, 2004, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by i_wolf
Are they shipping the software on multiple cd's ?? Or is it shipping on one DVD?
Just interested!
Also does iMovie still crash with G5 systems??

iLife = one DVD that has all five apps + one CD that has iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie.

PuterSaurus

Jan 16, 2004, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by i_wolf
Are they shipping the software on multiple cd's ?? Or is it shipping on one DVD?
Just interested!
Also does iMovie still crash with G5 systems??

One DVD with iTunes 4.2, iPhoto 4, iMovie 4, iDVD4 & GB
One CD without iDVD & GB. Just the other 3.

mxpiazza

Jan 16, 2004, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by geerlingguy
Has anyone tried iPhoto on a non-G5 Mac yet? I have an 800 MHz G4 iMac & a 933 MHz iBook, both with around 2000 pictures, and I would like to know if it would be worth me buying this update (is the speed difference that good). I am going to buy, but I want to know because my mom might also purchase if iPhoto improvements are good enough. :D
i have about 2200 images on my 1ghz 12" powerbook, and the new iphoto screams. worth the $29 edu cost of ilife alone, if you ask me.

mxpiazza

Jan 16, 2004, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by i_wolf
Are they shipping the software on multiple cd's ?? Or is it shipping on one DVD?
Just interested!
Also does iMovie still crash with G5 systems??
there are 2 discs included:

CD: iTunes 4.2, iMovie 4, iPhoto 4

DVD: iTunes 4.2, iMovie 4, iPhoto 4, iDVD 4, GarageBand
there ya go :)

Omad0n

Jan 16, 2004, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by wordmunger
David Pogue has reviewed GarageBand for the New York Times--he loves it!

Here's the Google Link. (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/technology/circuits/15stat.html?ex=1074747600&en=d9f632fb35bfe764&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE)

Thanks a lot for this review man! I think I too shall take the plunge for the software. How can it be beat for the $29 education discount?

bikertwin

Jan 16, 2004, 12:56 PM

I just picked up a Family Pack of iLife '04 at an Apple store, so they're shipping too now.

Rick Friele

Jan 16, 2004, 01:02 PM

Ok, got everything installed. Messed around with GarageBand some. What features can't I use in GarageBand on a 700Mhz G3 iBook?

thatguy_youknow

Jan 16, 2004, 01:03 PM

Any body notice that Apple has taken a page from Real's book by not openly showing that iTunes is still a free download on the iLife/iTunes product page. All there is is the "Buy Now" button. iLife/iTunes Page (http://www.apple.com/ilife/itunes/)

If you got to the iPod + iTunes age there is the download button (for iTunes only of course). iPod + iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes/)

Not that big of a deal, but still a bit shady.

mxpiazza

Jan 16, 2004, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by thatguy_youknow
Any body notice that Apple has taken a page from Real's book by not openly showing that iTunes is still a free download on the iLife/iTunes product page. All there is is the "Buy Now" button. iLife/iTunes Page (http://www.apple.com/ilife/itunes/)

If you got to the iPod + iTunes age there is the download button (for iTunes only of course). iPod + iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes/)

Not that big of a deal, but still a bit shady.
they're not trying to hide anything... as you said, go to the dedicated section of the site for iTunes, there is a download link. if you're in a subdirectory of the iLife section of the site, why would there be a 'download now' button, when you are browsing a part of iLife? iLife is not downloadable. this isn't like Real, which is just a shortened version of 'RealConfusing'. Apple isn't being shady, they are preventing confusion by not labeling ANY part of iLife '04 as downloadable.

i swear... people can never be happy.

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by wilco
Okay, we get it already. You've got more sophisticated music tastes than the "masses". How many times do you need to post it?

Easy, pardner. First, I admitted to being a curmudgeon. Second, I allowed as to how it will definitely be fun to play with. 3rd, I don't believe I have more sophisticated musical taste than anyone else. I merely pointed out the obvious -- GB will lead to a lot of mediocre music, which I'm sure you'll agree with.

I do apologize for posting a similar comment twice. After all, that never happens in these forums, right? ;)

Kirtus

Jan 16, 2004, 01:12 PM

Is anyone using iphoto library manager. And if you are do you know an easy way to recombine your photo librarys. I am really nervious and don't want to lose years of memories.

raptorhigh

Jan 16, 2004, 01:12 PM

Welp according to the FedEx lady, they don't know where my package is. It could simply be delayed due to weather, or lost for good. It's not that big of a deal, but of course it's on the day where I have NOTHING else to do.

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 01:13 PM

Just installed iLife '04 on my 600mhz G3 iBook.

I've got about 6,700 photos, and while the response isn't instant, it's a HUGE improvement. Definitely worth the $50 just for this improvement alone. The new transitions and the playlist feature are slick, too.

Next, I'll install on my dualie and check out GB. Woohoo!

Kingsnapped

Jan 16, 2004, 01:19 PM

Aakk... It's here but I don't have a way to get home from school.

Must..wait.. an hour!

mstecker

Jan 16, 2004, 01:20 PM

The Mercury News should put a warning on those audio files:

"Not Suitable For Any Living Thing".

(apologies to Mr. Show).

Man, those are bad. Especially all of that jesus stuff tacked onto the end of "The Rock".

jeffy.dee-lux

Jan 16, 2004, 01:25 PM

My life is largely centered around playing music, and i really wanna play with garage band. however, my computer does not meet the minimum requirements for the software; i have a 500mHz imac with no dvd reading capabilities whatsoever. i was wondering if anyone thinks it possible to put the GB application minus all the loop and instrument files onto a single cd. all i wanna do is record myself, probably using a max of about 6 tracks, so i'm hoping the processor thing won't be too much of an issue either.
failing this, i would like one of you mac guys to go and buy a new g5 when they get speed bumped and trade your old g5 for my imac.
come on! it's blue dalmation...

mxpiazza

Jan 16, 2004, 01:26 PM

i consider myself a musician, i am eclectic, and i think i have a
pretty good ear. i just ask everyone to keep in mind that like artwork, music is a creative and expressive art form that has different meanings to different people. one person's trash is another treasure -- let's not make a hobby out of trashing other people's work just because we think it 'sucks' or we don't like it. maybe some of the stuff that's out already isn't indicitave of what can be done with the garageband software, but people, it came out this morning! we wouldn't come on the forums and bash other people's religion or skin color or taste in food just because we don't like it or don't agree with it, so lets not make bashing people's hard work a thing of continuing occurance and acceptance, no matter what one may think of the work in question.

mstecker

Jan 16, 2004, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by mxpiazza
...we wouldn't come on the forums and bash other people's religion or skin color or taste in food, so lets not make bashing people's hard work a thing of continuing occurance and acceptance, no matter what one may think of the work in question

This is a classic example of the logic of "False Analogy". The previous poster suggests that we "wouldn't" come into this forum to bash "people's religion or skin color" (which is likely to be a largely true statement), but then suggests that we wouldn't "bash" people's "taste in food", as if this were somehow deduced from the former, and that the logical extrapolation of this "deduction" is that we shouldn't "bash" people's taste in music.

I have no problem in (again, the word "bash" is loaded) being critical of someone else's taste in food, or their taste in music, or of particular foods, or of particular songs. These are totally different than the "race and religion" categories which the poster tries to lump together in his false anology.

I would take no offense to someone bashing my taste in music or my taste in food. In fact, I'd expect that the majority of the population would have serious issues with my taste in music. My wife openly dislikes my taste in music. She does not think I'm a bad person.

In the instant case, I suggested that the songs produced by the reviewer are terrible. It goes without saying that this is my opinion, and others may disagree.

Does it upset you when Roger Ebert pans a lousy movie? Do you feel that's inappropriate? Is his criticism of a poor film a personal attack on the people that made it? Is he suggesting that they're bad people?

I stand by my assessment. Garageband may be a great product. I'm dying to get home and start playing with the copy that arrived on my doorstep today. When I do, I'll submit a link to the mp3s back here. If you don't like them, I welcome your opinion.

Moreover, aside from my opinion, I would suggest that an objective poll would find very few people who disagree with my opinion on these particular mp3s. This statement is pure speculation, and you're free to disagree with it. My personal opionion is, however, fact - and is therefore indisputable.

mxpiazza

Jan 16, 2004, 01:54 PM

i was making a general comment that i thought would be for the good of the forum, i didn't call you out nor intend on starting any sort of back and forth with you. everyone is entitled to their own opinions, you're absolutely right, there is just a time, place and way to say things, and some people don't understand that in general. sometimes words hurt. person a may not be as talented as person b, but it dosen't mean their drive, will or intentions are inferior.

i meant to diffuse a potentially harmful situation, not start a new one. get your last word in if you so please, but i was just trying to help, and wasn't trying to offend anyone, and certainly didn't call you out.

classic009

Jan 16, 2004, 02:16 PM

so i just installed iLife. :) everything is great.... but.... garageband crashed upon "initializing"

does anyone elese experience this? Im runing a Dual 2 G5 with OS10.3.2.

whats the deal...

Jamvan

Jan 16, 2004, 02:26 PM

Am I the only one who can not access the Mercury News website? Everytime I try the link (even attempting direct and through a google search) I can't access the server. I find it hard to believe that there are that many people interested in GarageBand that it would take the site down?

jettredmont

Jan 16, 2004, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by filipp
Is there a way to buy iLife online?
Like "download now" option.

Ummm, no.

iLife 2004 comes on a DVD, and makes good use of the space (lots of loops, all the iDVD goodness ...)

You won't be downloading 4GB of data from Apple's web site any time soon!

njthree

Jan 16, 2004, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by geerlingguy
After you finish playing with GB (perhaps in about three hours), then could you see if iPhoto's performance is what it's cracked up to be... ;)

I've only got +/- 2,000 photo's but IPhoto-4 is alot faster than the orig. version. GB is a hoot, too!

jettredmont

Jan 16, 2004, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by Foxer
Yeah. I do this, too. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Sometimes they leave things without anyone there, sometimes they don't.

Example: Twenty dollar software from apple - they left with neighbor. 23-inch cinema display from apple - I had to go pick it up from FedEx. PowerMac from Apple (in regular retail box) - left on my front porch.

Well, my iLife is on a truck - hopefully it'll be there when I get home.

For the record: Anything "of value" (>$100 was the estimate I got, but I got the feeling there is no "official" value limit, just an off-the-cuff guesstimate) is not allowed to be left on your doorstep, no matter if you have a written/signed note, a standing FedEx order to leave everything in a certain place, or whatever. They are also not supposed to leave such boxes with neighbors. While the "value" of a box may be hard to determine, if it says "Computer" on it anywhere, or weighs more than 50lbs, or is ungainly to handle, it will generally be placed in the "of value" pile.

Also, note that Fed Ex has "regular delivery" and "home delivery". The difference is that "home delivery" is T-Sat while "regular" is M-F. They often have different sorting/distribution stations, and often one or the other will not allow you to pick up your package in your area. This is mostly a concern around the holidays, when FedEx gets a little "free" with which packages go to which distribution centers, based on the overall load of those distribution centers. This particular fact caused my G5 to take almost a week to get across town (it was at the home delivery station at 3:00AM the day after Apple shipped it; they "lost" it for three frantic days before finally getting it back on a home delivery truck and delivered ... had we not been home we wouldn't have been able to pick it up from the distribution center as the home delivery center here has no customer pickup facilities ... all of which caused us to swear off of FedEx whenever possible).

agentmouthwash

Jan 16, 2004, 03:01 PM

I don't mean to post links and this isn't spam.

My friend and I both use macs. We've been using macs for over 10 years.
We run this site at http://dorchestra.com/

The whole idea is to make music and share it with eachother.

We will post your link next to your song and we will also ad your song to our streaming radio station. We make no money doing this..
Since we use Soundtrack and now Garageband we want to get more mac users to join out site. it's free! Just write a song and mail it to us.
http://dorchestra.com/
thanks and sorry for this unrelated post.. lol I usually post things that relate to the article.

ChrisH3677

Jan 16, 2004, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by mstecker
...Especially all of that jesus stuff tacked onto the end of "The Rock".

Actually "all that Jesus Stuff" was right throughout the song. If his levels were better it would have been clearer.

And although I try to be Christian, I did find it offensive that he'd take that opportunity to preach. We were there to hear how GB sounded, not be preached to.

Bob Knob

Jan 16, 2004, 03:47 PM

By mistake I stuck in the iLife 04 CDrom rather than the DVD, but since the computer I was installing it on doesn't have a SuperDrive and I wasn't going to put GarageBand on this one anyway I decided to continue with the instalation (everything I was installing was on the CD). However after it ran its checks it said I could not install because I have a DVD drive, why should that stop me from using the CD... Steve is gonna be pissed if all the CDs are crap, looks like some one will get fired today at Apple

Specs:
TI PowerBook 500 with DVD/CD drive (read only)

thatguy_youknow

Jan 16, 2004, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by mxpiazza
they're not trying to hide anything... as you said, go to the dedicated section of the site for iTunes, there is a download link. if you're in a subdirectory of the iLife section of the site, why would there be a 'download now' button, when you are browsing a part of iLife? iLife is not downloadable. this isn't like Real, which is just a shortened version of 'RealConfusing'. Apple isn't being shady, they are preventing confusion by not labeling ANY part of iLife '04 as downloadable.

i swear... people can never be happy.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I was just saying that for people who don't understand or know that iTunes is still free it could be confusing. I personally picked up my copy and am just waiting to get home from school to install it.

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by mxpiazza
i have about 2200 images on my 1ghz 12" powerbook, and the new iphoto screams. worth the $29 edu cost of ilife alone, if you ask me.

Just returned from the Apple Store (West County - Des Peres STL)... Installing from the DVD now... :cool:

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by Bob Knob
By mistake I stuck in the iLife 04 CDrom rather than the DVD, but since the computer I was installing it on doesn't have a SuperDrive and I wasn't going to put GarageBand on this one anyway I decided to continue with the instalation (everything I was installing was on the CD). However after it ran its checks it said I could not install because I have a DVD drive, why should that stop me from using the CD... Steve is gonna be pissed if all the CDs are crap, looks like some one will get fired today at Apple

Specs:
TI PowerBook 500 with DVD/CD drive (read only)

Yeah, but the DVD works fine... You can pick and choose what installers you want to run from the DVD. What the CD is saying is: "You have DVD capability, so please use the DVD." Don't ask me why Apple chose to do it this way... :rolleyes:

Anyway, on my iBook 933, the DVD works fine (even without me having a SuperDrive, btw), so it should work for your PowerBook - when the installer comes up, you can choose to only install what programs you want.

ExoticFish

Jan 16, 2004, 04:02 PM

after installing iLife and messing around with GarageBand for a few minutes i am a wee bit upset that it only imports aiff and mp3 files. i guess the crap load of samples i have in wav format will need to be converted. anyone know of a batch audio converter? i suppose i could just write a perl app using sox but if anyone knows of something already available?

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by ChrisH3677
Actually "all that Jesus Stuff" was right throughout the song. If his levels were better it would have been clearer.

And although I try to be Christian, I did find it offensive that he'd take that opportunity to preach. We were there to hear how GB sounded, not be preached to.

Give me a break! If he wants to sing about what's important to him, that's his prerogative, and it's your prerogative to turn it off if you don't like it. Personally, I find it offensive that people feel free to use their songs to promote sex out of marriage, illicit drugs, and a myriad of other destructive behaviors. But I'm not going to cry foul and tell them they have no right to do so -- I'll just turn it off, walk away, etc. Saying you don't like what you're hearing is all fine and good. When you start telling someone they have no right to speak, you're crossing the line.

It's amazing to me that freedom of speech seems to apply to everyone except Christians.

And if you're going to complain I'm off topic, I'm not the one who brought it up . . .

robotrenegade

Jan 16, 2004, 04:09 PM

Installing...

PuterSaurus

Jan 16, 2004, 04:10 PM

A few hours later....I'm impressed! GB is gonna be a hit.

Just another reason to confirm that my switch over 18 mths ago was the right decision.

Bob Knob

Jan 16, 2004, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by geerlingguy
snip - Anyway, on my iBook 933, the DVD works fine (even without me having a SuperDrive, btw), so it should work for your PowerBook - when the installer comes up, you can choose to only install what programs you want.

That's what I wound up doing, no big deal really, it just seems so odd that you can't use the CD version if you have a DVD drive. A little overkill programing on the installer I guess.

robotrenegade

Jan 16, 2004, 04:25 PM

Been playing with for 4 hours now and HOLY ***** GB KICKS A**!!!! AND IPHOTO HALLS A**. Worth every penny, Iphoto is mmm.

ExoticFish

Jan 16, 2004, 04:30 PM

yeah i was just playing with iPhoto and it is a heck of a lot faster. way to go Apple you rock!

jelloshotsrule

Jan 16, 2004, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by ExoticFish
yeah i was just playing with iPhoto and it is a heck of a lot faster. way to go Apple you rock!

in all fairness, it's about damn time

i'm looking forward to picking up ilife tomorrow at an apple store. has anyone gone to a retail store and been told they had sold out?? just don't want to get hosed is all.

thanks

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by ExoticFish
after installing iLife and messing around with GarageBand for a few minutes i am a wee bit upset that it only imports aiff and mp3 files. i guess the crap load of samples i have in wav format will need to be converted. anyone know of a batch audio converter? i suppose i could just write a perl app using sox but if anyone knows of something already available?

Actually, you can just use iTunes to do this batch conversion!

Make a new playlist for the WAV files, copy all of them into the playlist, then make sure that all the check boxes are checked by the filenames. Open "Preferences", click on the "Importing" tab, then choose the AIFF converter. Click OK. Now, Click on the "Advanced" menu, then select "Convert selection to AIFF".

Awesome, huh? :)

boros

Jan 16, 2004, 04:44 PM

robotrenegade

Jan 16, 2004, 04:58 PM

This product is so good, I just have to tell you all again. I got mine at compusa.

ExoticFish

Jan 16, 2004, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by geerlingguy
Actually, you can just use iTunes to do this batch conversion!

Make a new playlist for the WAV files, copy all of them into the playlist, then make sure that all the check boxes are checked by the filenames. Open "Preferences", click on the "Importing" tab, then choose the AIFF converter. Click OK. Now, Click on the "Advanced" menu, then select "Convert selection to AIFF".

Awesome, huh? :)

that is awesome! much easier than my solution ;) thanks for the tip!

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by boros
Anybody know of a good batch converter for OSX?

Like I said above: use iTunes.

Also, I've played around with iPhoto - HOLY COW! (I don't cuss ;) ) - This is revved up!

Old startup time - 10-15 secs
New startup time - 5-8 secs

Old quit time - 15-20 secs
New quit time - 2-5 secs

Old scroll time - FOREVER
New scroll time - like I'm using Safari

Old Rotate time - about 5 secs
New Rotate time - ~.25 secs

Everything is much improved. I would pay the $30 JUST for iPhoto!!! Plus, I get GB and updates for the other apps. I am one happy camper! :D

geerlingguy

Jan 16, 2004, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by ExoticFish
that is awesome! much easier than my solution ;) thanks for the tip!

Happy to help! Just more proof that the Apple iApps are well-integrated...

Nik_Doof

Jan 16, 2004, 05:36 PM

Shipping today....*waits*

rdowns

Jan 16, 2004, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by Nik_Doof
Shipping today....*waits*

Ah, the old iBeachBall of life.

thatguy_youknow

Jan 16, 2004, 06:35 PM

GarageBand runs like poop on my iBook 700. Oh well, iPhoto and iMovie was worth the price.

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by thatguy_youknow
GarageBand runs like poop on my iBook 700. Oh well, iPhoto and iMovie was worth the price.

Yeah, I didn't even bother to try it on my iBook 600. The price of progress, I guess.

Having fun with it on my dual G4, though. As Sheryl Crow said, it seems to be a great musical sketchpad. Definitely easier to crank a quickie out in GB than in a combination of SoundTrack and Logic. Doesn't make sense to do serious work in GB, but that's not what it's intended for, so I have only positive things to say about it.

At $50 for the suite, Apple's basically giving it away. I hope they know what they're doing . . .

jer2665

Jan 16, 2004, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by Rick Friele
Ok, got everything installed. Messed around with GarageBand some. What features can't I use in GarageBand on a 700Mhz G3 iBook?

i just went to the apple store. you can play with loops and hook up guitars but you cant use midi keyboards and stuff like that. kinda frustrating...

craigiest

Jan 16, 2004, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by jer2665
i just went to the apple store. you can play with loops and hook up guitars but you cant use midi keyboards and stuff like that. kinda frustrating...

At the store in Columbus, they had GB installed on some machines, but hadn't yet installed it on the machines that had the keyboards. They said they wouldn't have any of the M-Audio 49e keyboards to sell for a week anyway, and I found out about the huge edu discount on iLife (and Panther) so I've ordered online. The online store said 4-6 weeks wait on the keyboard! So I guess I'll be heading back to the store for the hardware.

Ben Dobyns

Jan 16, 2004, 08:42 PM

I would review GB, but the installer just killed my hard drive. Completely. So I not only can't play with what looks like a really fun program, but I can't use my computer.

Now, I can understand compatibility issues with older machines, but we're talking a 933 mhz G4.

Oh, well. At least I can call Apple support for free, right? Right?

Oh.

Never mind.

mxpiazza

Jan 16, 2004, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by jelloshotsrule
in all fairness, it's about damn time

i'm looking forward to picking up ilife tomorrow at an apple store. has anyone gone to a retail store and been told they had sold out?? just don't want to get hosed is all.

thanks

yeah, i was just at the apple store at easton town center, and there were tons and tons of copies, i don't think you'll have a problem.

balconycollapse

Jan 16, 2004, 09:28 PM

Well i went and picked up my copy at CompUSA. Mostly for Garage Band but i think the rest of the iLife upgrade is well worth it. Those tricky sales people only had the "Family Pack" on display so i had to ask a bit but the single users were in a cart as they had just got them in the store hours earlier. Installation was a breeze. I bought a Griffin iMic for 35 bucks also at CompUSA a while back to transfer LPs into the computer. Turns out it works perfectly with Garage Band. I was a little concerned as I had tested the iMic with pro audio app Digital Performer before and a demo of the audio app Tracktion to no avail. So if you don't feel like going broke get one of those monster cables or i suggest an iMic if you have a machine with no audio input. As my input i already have an old 8 track digital recorder so i just route everything (guitars vocals) through that into the computer. A little background on myself, i have been recording for 10+ years right now using tape decks, to 4 track, to digital, and now computers. I consider myself extremely adept at making my way around the major pro audio apps and have invested alot of cash on plugins and virtual instruments from companies like Native Instruments and Steinberg. However i have always been put off by the lack of cohesion with which everything works together. Yet with hours of engineering a setup i have been able to alot with computer music and would never go back. But all the unnecessary manual reading...It's over. Garage Band is absolutely fantastic. The built in instruments are excellent and the samples allow me to load up a hot drum beat without having to use Recycle first. The program isn't bulky like so many pro audio apps and quite processor friendly. I am using factory 256 RAM on a flat panel iMac. It craps out occasionally with too many soft synths but if you are just recording actual tracks with a drum beat as a backer its great. I suspect a 150 dollar investment in ram would remedy all of the overload. AU instruments appear to load fine which is one of the main things i was worried about not being supported. For some reason i couldn't tweak parameters and this appears to be a glitch but i'm patient. Apple has included a nice little keyboard so you can input notes in this fashion and it even has velocity control by hitting higher or lower on a specific key. I haven't tested it with my midi keyboard quite yet but presume there will be no problem. The piano roll lets you get down to the midi and edit it. Overall this app has made my day and will certainly make my weekend a blast. Bravo Apple! This is going to sell alot of macs.

splashman

Jan 16, 2004, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by balconycollapse
Overall this app has made my day and will certainly make my weekend a blast. Bravo Apple! This is going to sell alot of macs.

Great! Good to hear from someone who knows what they're doing!

When I first saw Sheryl Crow plugging GB as being useful for her, I thought "Yeah, right. I wonder how much Apple paid for her to say that." But the more I think about it, it's not all that far-fetched. Even pros need to be able to play around sometimes, without involving a crew and a million-dollar studio. And your comments reinforce that. As you said, bravo Apple!

balconycollapse

Jan 16, 2004, 10:23 PM

Yeah i agree, i was worried that it was just an endorsement. I think people are really underestimating this app. Consider this is a digital 64 track studio for the computer with alot of intuitive features. Any musician amatuer or pro has a use for that! People have been doing alot more with less (4 track for Sgt. Pepper). I still stand by my feeling that this could have recorded any album pre 1980, and possibly alot of modern ones if you have the right plugins. If you want to sound like Aphex Twin you'll still probably need a higher version like Logic. I think this is going to generate a big buzz now that its in the public hands.

jelloshotsrule

Jan 16, 2004, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by mxpiazza
yeah, i was just at the apple store at easton town center, and there were tons and tons of copies, i don't think you'll have a problem.

sweet, thanks a lot. feeling reassured now

wilco

Jan 16, 2004, 10:55 PM

[i]Personally, I find it offensive that people feel free to use their songs to promote sex out of marriage, illicit drugs, and a myriad of other destructive behaviors. [/B]

You must have the world's smallest music collection. How many CDs has Amy Grant put out?:eek:

uberman42

Jan 16, 2004, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by splashman
Great! Good to hear from someone who knows what they're doing!

When I first saw Sheryl Crow plugging GB as being useful for her, I thought "Yeah, right. I wonder how much Apple paid for her to say that." But the more I think about it, it's not all that far-fetched. Even pros need to be able to play around sometimes, without involving a crew and a million-dollar studio. And your comments reinforce that. As you said, bravo Apple!

Some of my musician friends say the app would be useful in idea creation. something to try ideas before making a huge commitment. i think apple scored with this app...i cannot wait to lock myself in the garage all weekend and try this out.:)

mariner77

Jan 16, 2004, 11:29 PM

When do you know Apple hit a home run? When you'd rather be making music instead of watching p0rn. Just kidding! ;)

jacobslateralus

Jan 16, 2004, 11:50 PM

does anyone have any idea how on earth garageband manages to get such small file sizes for the projects you save? I just recorded a song that is about a minute long and the exported aif file is 11.4 MB, but the garageband project file is only 3.1 MB. At first I thought it was just saving the tracks somewhere else and I couldn't find them, but I sent the 3.1 MB file to a friend of mine over ichat and it opened and played fine on his computer and was still only 3.1 MB! how in the world can this be possible? garageband couldn't possibly be converting the audio as it imports could it? I mean, sure it could be a lower bit rate aif, but it doesn't sound like it. This is really freaking me out.

curtisbray

Jan 17, 2004, 12:28 AM

Originally posted by mxpiazza
yeah, i was just at the apple store at easton town center, and there were tons and tons of copies, i don't think you'll have a problem.

Just came back from the Sacramento Apple store. I got the last copy on the shelf! The guy behind me was about 15 seconds too late :(

There were a few copies of the family pack left, but the Apple employee said all the single user copies flew out of the store. That was about 7pm when they sold out.

Just finished installing - off to play now!

uberman42

Jan 17, 2004, 12:29 AM

gelbin

Jan 17, 2004, 12:49 AM

here is from someone who does music more than they do journalism...

it is pretty good...

http://homepage.mac.com/thomas_hudson/.cv/thomas_hudson/Public/My%20Song.mp3-binhex.hqx

Rod Rod

Jan 17, 2004, 01:35 AM

Originally posted by craigiest
The online store said 4-6 weeks wait on the keyboard! So I guess I'll be heading back to the store for the hardware.

macmall has the same keyboard for $20 less than the apple store.

Engagebot

Jan 17, 2004, 02:24 AM

anyone else wondering why theres no chromatic tuner in garageband? if kids are supposed to use this to practice, we need not teach such bad habits...

oh yeah, and what about just hearing the metronome when you're not recording? helps for setting up to start recording the first track of a song.

splashman

Jan 17, 2004, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by Engagebot
anyone else wondering why theres no chromatic tuner in garageband? if kids are supposed to use this to practice, we need not teach such bad habits...

Yeah, I noticed that. I'll bet it'll be in v2.0. On the other hand, tuners are pretty cheap these days . . .

oh yeah, and what about just hearing the metronome when you're not recording? helps for setting up to start recording the first track of a song.

If you mean a count-in, it's there (toggle in Control menu). If you mean an endless metronome for practicing to, it's pretty dang easy to just drop in a simple drum loop. If you mean metronome during playback, it's in Preferences:General.

Or am I misunderstanding?

bensisko

Jan 17, 2004, 02:51 AM

Originally posted by PuterSaurus
Direct from Apple. But I should clarify that it was a free copy b/c I had just bought my new AlBook 1.25 at the time.

If I'm not mistaken (and I could be), I believe this is because your copy is technically not for resale (i.e. you treat it same as the copy of the OS you got with your computer).

So... 2GB fo GB eh? Guess I'll have to invest in that External HD.

balconycollapse

Jan 17, 2004, 04:28 AM

I made my first garage band creation if your interested. I love this program!

http://www.garagebandcreations.com/auditorium/showphoto.php?photo=61&password=&sort=1&cat=507&page=1

Poff

Jan 17, 2004, 07:13 AM

Originally posted by jacobslateralus
does anyone have any idea how on earth garageband manages to get such small file sizes for the projects you save? I just recorded a song that is about a minute long and the exported aif file is 11.4 MB, but the garageband project file is only 3.1 MB. At first I thought it was just saving the tracks somewhere else and I couldn't find them, but I sent the 3.1 MB file to a friend of mine over ichat and it opened and played fine on his computer and was still only 3.1 MB! how in the world can this be possible? garageband couldn't possibly be converting the audio as it imports could it? I mean, sure it could be a lower bit rate aif, but it doesn't sound like it. This is really freaking me out.

I guess you´re using soft-synths (stores as midi-files) and the loops may also just be stored as information as to what loops should be used, and where they should be.

Poff

Jan 17, 2004, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by gelbin
here is from someone who does music more than they do journalism...

it is pretty good...

http://homepage.mac.com/thomas_hudson/.cv/thomas_hudson/Public/My%20Song.mp3-binhex.hqx

hehe.. did anyone say "stuck in the 80s?" :-) I like it, though..

njthree

Jan 17, 2004, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by gelbin
here is from someone who does music more than they do journalism...

it is pretty good...

http://homepage.mac.com/thomas_hudson/.cv/thomas_hudson/Public/My%20Song.mp3-binhex.hqx

That's great!! Too bad there isn't a way (or is there?) for us novices to bring your creation into GB to see the tracks ....

amnesiac1984

Jan 17, 2004, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by splashman
Personally, I find it offensive that people feel free to use their songs to promote sex out of marriage, illicit drugs, and a myriad of other destructive behavior

personally I find it offensive that you call my lifestyle choices destructive :p

It seems the flood of people's GB creations has already started. Time to check some out.

amnesiac1984

Jan 17, 2004, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by Poff
I guess you´re using soft-synths (stores as midi-files) and the loops may also just be stored as information as to what loops should be used, and where they should be.

I guess you didn't read the post. :p He'd recorded 11.4 mb of aif live recording in there and it still only came to 3.1mb, anyone have any ideas on how this works?

Engagebot

Jan 17, 2004, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by amnesiac1984
I guess you didn't read the post. :p He'd recorded 11.4 mb of aif live recording in there and it still only came to 3.1mb, anyone have any ideas on how this works?

same as how you can record 30GB of video in iMovie, but the clips you record only show up as a meg or 2 in finder. bring those captured QT files to windows and they show up as the mega-GB filesizes. (yes, dont say anything, i didnt get a superdrive cause i already have 7 PC DVD burners for work)

i've only used a mac for about a year, but i'd sure like to know why finder doesnt give accurate measures of filesizes...

lindmar

Jan 17, 2004, 12:39 PM

Check this one.... recorded guitar, bass and vocals...
pretty good found it on garagebandcreations.com

http://www.garagebandcreations.com/auditorium/data/501/180riverflow.mp3

also some great guitar on this... wonder if he used an iMic!
http://www.garagebandcreations.com/auditorium/data/501/1643am_Jam.mp3

amnesiac1984

Jan 17, 2004, 01:27 PM

Originally posted by Engagebot
same as how you can record 30GB of video in iMovie, but the clips you record only show up as a meg or 2 in finder. bring those captured QT files to windows and they show up as the mega-GB filesizes. (yes, dont say anything, i didnt get a superdrive cause i already have 7 PC DVD burners for work)

i've only used a mac for about a year, but i'd sure like to know why finder doesnt give accurate measures of filesizes...

As far as I can tell it does, but I guess not for iMovie or GB files. Are you sure they are actually the movie files and not some links to the files being stored elsewhere? That is really odd, whats going on? I don't really use iMovie for more that some pics and some mpg stuff as I don't have a DV camcorder just a digicam with motion jpeg mode.

Poff

Jan 17, 2004, 05:37 PM

CaptainScarlet

Jan 17, 2004, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by balconycollapse
I am using factory 256 RAM on a flat panel iMac. It craps out occasionally with too many soft synths but if you are just recording actual tracks with a drum beat as a backer its great. I suspect a 150 dollar investment in ram would remedy all of the overload.

Nope!!

I'm not sure what your cpu is, but with my 450 mHz G4 and 1.5 Gb's of ram, GarageBand dies even with the Demo-songs....Bummer......

I'm glad I ordered an Encore 1.4!!!!!

Good luck!!!

Otherwise this program rocks!!!

CS...out

_

Engagebot

Jan 17, 2004, 08:48 PM

well i've been laying down my first GB song today, and i have to say, this isnt going to as useful as i thought.

im using 3 recorded guitars tracks, 2 tracks to record bass, and one vocal track, and GB is giving all kind of errors.

for starters, it locks down and tells me my 'disk is too slow', then another that i've run out of space on my disk, and then one where it just locks down and the audio drivers fail, causing me to shut down GB, then quit and restart my USB interface. i thought the software instruments are the ones that are so tough on the processor. My pc can do at least this much no problem. 64 tracks looks entirely too optimistic right now...

i'm sorry for all you G3 people too. its safe to say if you're got a G3 ibook or something, you're gonna be dissappointed.

i've got a 1Ghz Powerbook with 768MB of RAM and 40gigs free space.

Engagebot

Jan 17, 2004, 08:52 PM

oh yeah, and that software keyboard lags so bad when other audio tracks are playing, its not even funny. i cant even get 1 snare hit on each downbeat. the snare may not even hit until a beat or 1 1/2 beats later...

i was going to buy a USB keyboard, but if it lags anything like the software keyboard, i'll just be wasting my money.

Squire

Jan 17, 2004, 09:06 PM

Oh, man. That sucks. I was hoping you'd say you had a 350 MHz iMac or something. Well your machine is better than mine (1 GHz iMac, 256 MB RAM). I guess I'll be disappointed.

Squire

jacobslateralus

Jan 17, 2004, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by Poff
The exported aif file was 11.4 mb. jacobslateralus we need your input on this one to get what you meant right.

sorry it took me so long to respond to this. i've been so busy recording that I just now got a chance to check out the responses to my question.

so here's the deal: I was only using live recordings (no loops or software instruments) and I am 100% positive that the garageband project file is not just refrencing files hidden somewhere else on my hard drive because if the fact that I sent only the project file to my friend over ichat and the song played fine on his computer. i can only guess the the finder is giving the correct files sizes due to the speedy ichat transfer time.

the only thing I can possibly think of that might cause this is that maybe I used copy and paste a lot more than I thought I did. it stills seems like a rather large difference in file sizes even if this is true.

jacobslateralus

Jan 17, 2004, 09:35 PM

on a side note: I've got a rev. a 12" powerbook (867 mhz) with 640 mgs of ram and i've had no problems what-so-ever with GB hanging up or lagging. last night, in fact, I was surfing the web, downloading a 34 meg file, and running ichat and quicktime, all while a friend of mine was playing a midi keyboard through GB ( on top of 3 or 4 tracks of recorded audio) and changing sounds every 30 seconds or so. still no problems. I did defrag my hard drive 2 days ago. maybe that might help some of you with slow drive messages.

raptorhigh

Jan 17, 2004, 09:46 PM

I did defrag my hard drive 2 days ago. maybe that might help some of you with slow drive messages.

I have always been told that with OS X, you don't ever need to defrag. It is supposed to do that automatically. I wonder if anyone with a notebook has tried recording with a firewire drive. That would probably help a lot.

Engagebot

Jan 17, 2004, 10:13 PM

well defrag would make some sense, but this powerbook is only a few weeks old. havent uninstalled/deleted anything more significant than some word and acrobat documents on this machine yet.

Engagebot

Jan 17, 2004, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by raptorhigh
I wonder if anyone with a notebook has tried recording with a firewire drive. That would probably help a lot.

well i have a USB2.0 hard drive. i know these laptop drives are 5400rpm, but what kind of transfer speeds to they really do with the bus system as it is? is a USB2.0 or firewire drive gonna have any more juice?

i know this USB2 drive is pretty fast, as in i capture 3 hours of DV straight to it for work each weak, but its still not as fast as my PC's internal drives.

i'll try it and see. i'll let you guys know. i was REALLY wanting GB to be awesome. and if it isnt, i'm gonna catch so much crap from all my friends who got tired of me talking about it all last week.

ExoticFish

Jan 17, 2004, 10:58 PM

well, using GB for a day i have got to say that Apple has some work to do with improving the speed of this app. although i have not recieved any error messages (which is good) the program is still just really slow. but i see a lot of promise. so far every 1.0 release that Apple puts out seems to be way too slow until the updates start rolling in. i suspect that with future updates we'll see significant speed increases. i mean just look what they did for iPhoto! i'm not as impressed with GB as i thought i would be but maybe that will change once they speed it up a little and i get a midi interface so i can hook up my synth.

br0wnbuffer

Jan 17, 2004, 11:29 PM

Since I'm not getting GB until I get a new PowerBook in a few weeks, I decided to head over to the Apple Store in Palo Alto to try it out. I got a good hour-plus in, and I have to say that so far, with the small amount of time I've worked with it, I'm really impressed. The station I used had lots of instruments and loops, so I wasn't sure if this setup had Jam Pack. I called the store up later to verify, and the girl I spoke to seemed to think Jam Pack was not installed.

It's not so much that it's doing anything really new. The important thing here is that like the other iApps, Apple has kept a KISS philosophy in designing the interface for GB, and it makes it both inviting and intuitive. I've worked with more pro apps (I go all the way back to MasterTracks Pro on my Apple IIgs!), and the simplification of the interface definitely goes a long way towards shortening the required learning curve.

Loops and software instruments are within easy reach, though the details are hidden unless you choose to expose them. The G5 machine I used was hooked up to an Edirol MIDI controller/keyboard. There was no detectable keyboard latency. I first played with the instruments. I was looking for a Hammond B3, and I choose Classic Rock organ because it sounded closest. Maybe the Rock organ would be better. Then I put in some piano. The grand isn't bad. I like the electric pianos more. The software guitars are like most other software guitars - not very impressive, but what are you gonna do?

Didn't have much time to play around with the drum kits, so I went with loops. They're pretty good, but I didn't quite find the one I wanted among the Modern Rock and Vintage Rock loops. No matter, I used one that worked in a pinch, and when I buy this, I'll get to work the drum kits. There were tons of other percussion, which is a huge plus. The classifications are a nice try, but probably unnecessary.

I had an idea for a song that I came up with on Friday, and other than lyrics and a basic chord progression that I worked out from home, I had not recorded it. So I figured it'd be a good test. I was able to construct much of the song in about a half-hour, including drum fills and extra stuff, like "vinyl scratch". It had me floored.

The only thing missing was a true audio input device and a mic or line-in to plug in a guitar. If the audio works as I think it should, I probably would've had a decent demo finished within a couple hours, which would be a record for me. That's what excites me about GB. I'm no pro, believe me, but I like to think I have some ability. GB will allow me to break down the barrier somewhat between having an idea and realizing it. For me it will be a scratchpad, and soon I'll be able to tote around a a slick portable rig with a PowerBook, an M-Audio Duo, Oxygen8, a condensor mic, and a guitar if I want. It'll be one tough month before I get my PowerBook.

Squire

Jan 18, 2004, 12:17 AM

I was in the market for a notebook computer but based on what I've been reading regarding GarageBand, the thought of getting a G5 has popped into my head. Thanks, br0wnbuffer, for the in-depth reporting.

Squire

splashman

Jan 18, 2004, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by Squire
I was in the market for a notebook computer but based on what I've been reading regarding GarageBand, the thought of getting a G5 has popped into my head. Thanks, br0wnbuffer, for the in-depth reporting.

Squire

There are pros and cons no matter which way you go. Having the ability to "take it with you" is a huge asset. But performance in cutting-edge apps is definitely a problem with laptops. The need for power efficiency dictates much slower hard drives, a slower bus, slower RAM -- slower everything, pretty much. For those primarily using mainstream business apps, even an iBook is plenty fast. But then there's the rest of us . . .

I resolved the quandary by getting both, but it's an expensive solution.

Engagebot

Jan 19, 2004, 12:44 PM

well i've been recording on my USB2.0 hard drive, and it seems i've had no more problems. (yeah!)

I know i was saying how much garageband sucked on my powerbook, but i've messed with it enough to clear up a lot of my problems, and it actually works great now.

A couple of other hints to make Garageband work great on a powerbook:

1. In your Energy Saver window make sure your processer speed is set to 'Highest' instead of 'Automatic' when you're plugged in. I assumed that 'Automatic' meant highest when plugged in, and reduced when on battery, but i guess thats not the case.

2. If you have 'disk too slow' or 'disk full' errors, try recording on an external drive. I dont think anybody else got this but me, but whatever. (just for reference, I have a 5400 RPM 60GB drive in this machine. if you're ona desktop of any kind, you shouldnt have this problem in the first place)

3. In the garageband preferences, i had set the buffer size for G3 or slower systems, thinking it would help aleviate my problems. well, i had more problems on the low setting than i do with the G4/G5 setting.

4. If garageband is running, do not let your computer go to sleep. When it wakes up, it doesnt re-init the audio drivers correctly, and that seems to cause my problems too. If GB is running and I close the lid, I'll have problems. (I have the m-audio USB interface, so i'm just speaking from experience with that)

ExoticFish

Jan 19, 2004, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by Engagebot

A couple of other hints to make Garageband work great on a powerbook:

1. In your Energy Saver window make sure your processer speed is set to 'Highest' instead of 'Automatic' when you're plugged in. I assumed that 'Automatic' meant highest when plugged in, and reduced when on battery, but i guess thats not the case.

i ran some tests with XBench with the 'Automatic' VS 'Highest' settings and the 'Highest' setting outperformed the Automatic setting every time in the CPU benchmark so make sure that you ahve your settings correct!

cnladd

Jan 19, 2004, 03:35 PM

I have an older machine and have been trying to figure out if iLife is worth the price.

I'm on a 350MHz Blue & White (G3) with 512MB of RAM and a plain old CD-ROM drive. I know, I know... dark ages for an OS X user. Used to have an iBook 600, but the motherboard wigged out 6 months ago. My B&W was just to get me off a PC and back onto a Mac... but, on to the question.

From what I've been reading, I won't be able to use any of the programs except for iPhoto. While I love the older iPhoto in theory, I can't stand to use the thing. The organization of photos wasn't very intuitive to me (well, I got it, but just didn't like it,) and it was horribly slow (even on my iBook 600.)

Since I already use Photoshop CS for editing the photos (runs great, even on 350MHz!) I wouldnt really find much use for the minor tweaking abilities within iPhoto. With all that in mind, would iPhoto, all by itself, worth the $50 price of iLife?

splashman

Jan 19, 2004, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by cnladd
With all that in mind, would iPhoto, all by itself, worth the $50 price of iLife?

Hmmm. Well, if you love iPhoto, and you use it a lot, I'd say it probably would be worth it. '04 is a lot faster, and it's got some slick new features.

But if you're not actually married to iPhoto, and you'd rather do something else with $50, maybe check out iPhotoBuddy (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/mac/20052)

I don't use it myself, but I've got a friend who loves it, and it's free. There's probably other options, too.

johnfitz

Jan 19, 2004, 07:55 PM

I've actually had fun playing with Garage band. I've mixed a couple of songs; just guitar and vocals using a Russian condenser mike. It's great for me as i can send a rough (but much nicer than ever before) copy to my producer who then has a workable piece to start with. I just updated to pro tools 6.2 so I could use my mbox with garage band, but now when I go to my pro tools folder a blackened screen falls down and tells me to restart my computer by holding down the power button. I never saw it before in my two plus years with this ibook 600. Does pro tools mean what it says about needing a g4? I was using the mbox as an interface, but couldn't use the headphones in the mbox jack, though they worked fine plugged in to my ibook. Any thoughts from those who can ascertain these things?