Thankyou Apple! Question about lineout.

[Ashwin]

All,

The powerbook just arrived today and this is my first post using the powerbook. This being my first Mac (been using Microsoft OS's for a LOOONG time: since the age of TSR's on MSDOS sixteen eons ago), was a bit skeptical. Config is: 1.5Ghz, 512MB, 128MBVRAM, 5400RPM 80GB. From the time I opened the package up the smoothness of the entire system has just blown me away. Applications and everything about it just rocks.

I have used MIDI through windows systems with decent software (not top of the line though: Sonar) before. But seriously, after using my Yamaha keyboard with the powerbook in GarageBand all I can say is:

WHY did I wait SO LONG to purchase this?!

The sounds are just unbelievably great and the user experience with Garage Band is so much more easier. I'm amazed by the guitar effects (sound of fingers sliding over string and the bending effects) and ofcourse the grand piano: I hooked it up to my hifi audio system. I cant say this enough: But if you are into music production and using Winblows, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT think twice about buying a Mac. They're far superior to other PC systems I've seen and shipping GarageBand free with every Mac makes it all the more attractive. Ofcourse, you'd probably want to go for higher end software for professional music production.

Not sure if this is in the right forum (probably not), but I posted this then realized that it isnt. My powerbook doesnt come with a line out. The question I have to all you Mac veterans is: Dont lineout's give better sounds than a phoneout jack? Whats the difference?

Also, are free jam packs available for Garage Band? I could ofcourse google for the answer, but would like to see if anyone has preference of any particular packs over others. I'm mainly interested in getting more instruments (and not loops) for Garage Band.

Thanks,
(Converted to Apple Mac's and satisfied user) Ashwin.
---
Mac is the future of the desktop.

[MattG]

Congrats!!

I've often wondered why Apple doesn't provide a line-out, and I really wish they would. For plugging your computer into a stereo system or amplified speakers, it's really better. I've got a stereo system that has some old components in it, and for some reason, they can't handle the headphone-out. When I plug my Powerbook into the stereo via the headphone-out, I get this horrible buzzing noise.

Don't quote me on this because I'm no expert, but the main difference between the two is that the line-out provides ONLY signal, whereas a headphone-out provides both the signal as well as gain (volume). Let's say for example you're plugging the computer into a receiver. Technically, since the amplifier/receiver is going to be controlling the volume, you don't want the computer doing it as well--all you want the computer to be doing is sending out the audio signal for the receiver to process it. I would imagine that in certain cases, if you had the volume set too high (or maybe even too low?) on the computer, the signal being transferred to the amp could have some distortion in it, more so than the signal coming from a line-out would have.

Again, I'm no expert...but that's been my experience.

[stoid]

There are a few places where you can download free loops from the internet, but certainly nothing to the vast proportion that adding Apple's Jam Pack would add to the system. There is only one official Jam Pack from Apple, but chances are that more will come in the future. Good luck with the searches for Garage Band Loops, and congrats on the new Mac!