Garage Band is it serious?

[Al Jonson]

I have been playing around with GB since I purchased my iMac over a week ago. I also use a professional software program (Cubase 5). I like GB's concept and it appears to be a lot of fun.

QUESTION: Is Garage Band a serious music software program and could it be considered a program for pro musicians? :)

[dreary]

i don't think so... i can usually tell when it's made in garageband and it sounds cheapie.

[dukebound85]

garage band will suffice for basic editing

[Al Jonson]

Thanks. On the subject of editing. I know a track can be muted, but what about a region (section) without having to mute the whole track? Can a region be muted separately?:cool:

[forcefieldkid]

It's as a serious as you want to make it I would guess. I used Pro Tools for years and just never opened Garage Band, when I finally did just to mess around I was surprised to see how much you could do with it, great for chopping and cutting loops I found. The basic layout and samples kind of reminded of me of eJay, but with far more features for doing it yourself, and when you think eJay on its own is already a pretty expensive package...

I wouldn't really recommend trying to set it up to record your full band, and the overall export of a song might be a bit 'Cheap sounding' as a previous poster put it, but for a small program its a great introduction into advanced sound editing and recording.

[Ibanez Strummer]

I wouldn't see it as a professional program especially compared to Apple's other music software 'Logic' which is much more functional. However, its an awesome way to get into music production and as with anything in that vein, if you can get good sounds from cheap/simple equipment then you will fly when you move up to software with more functionality! To some extent, its your skills that determine how far it can be pushed...

Jamie

[AdeFowler]

Thanks. On the subject of editing. I know a track can be muted, but what about a region (section) without having to mute the whole track? Can a region be muted separately?:cool:

Yes it can. Click the downward arrow:



Also check out the tutorials at:

http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#garageband-intro

[Dagless]

It's basic but very functional. Hell I've seen commercial games use free packages like SFXR and Modplug Tracker. I've used Garageband for my commercial projects too (all midi, no loops or anything) since I haven't learned how to use Logic yet.

Just don't use loops and try to customise the sound as much as you can.

[Al Jonson]

Thanks all for your input. I concur with all points. I, as stated earlier, have dealt with Cubase for over 25 years. True, the functionality is directed towards professionals. I am utterly impressed with Garage Band and what it does. As one of the members stated,its your skills that determine how far it can be pushed....

I see the potential of incorporating ideas of both mediums after all a wave is a wave. With some tuning up and having the right lyrics / arrangement and adding a line here and there who knows. From what I understand (since the time I posted this message) there are a few professional artist who have actually recorded songs using "GB".

Recently I heard a members song on "Youtube" although the quality of the vocal should have been enhanced with a better microphone the member had a decent voice and the song was arranged very well.:cool:

[Al Jonson]

Adefowler, thanks for answering the "Mute" question. :D

[jcportillo]

I was trying GB for two weeks... It's very limited. I work with Digital Performer.

[mannix87]

it's great for 'sketching'. a lot of pro musicians admit to using it as a recording studio on the go. but for serious production, its limitations become evident once you start mixing down your work. i'm not sure about GB 9, but I think GB tops out at (a mixdown aiff file) 24 bit /44khz audio.

[Communism]

my old band did our demos in GB and it turned out pretty good for being demos, but as far as professional software goes, I still stick with protools and reason.