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A GarageBand for PC!?
- Thread starter fille1000
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I think its funny (rabid) PC users and programmers frequent a Mac (rumors no less) site to ask their questions to find equivalent programs.
If we (as Mac users) are so naive and uninformed, why ask us to find you replacement software? Could it be the sheer bloat of applications and their lack of quality... just maybe?
Oh, wait, it must be because you can make fun of us... but then can't do so with proper spelling or grammar (yet M$ made the spell-checker, text processors, water, mouse-clicking [double-clicking by patent
]) It must be that we have such sub-par software that you can lord it over... yet what is the past 3 years of Windows Movie Maker if not a massive game of catchup in which even Paul Thurott, the most zealous of Mac bashers behind John C. Dvorak [may he writhe in the ignorant flames he writes], gauges everything on Apple's iMovie (and all progeny of digital organizing, even in PC magazines, include a blurb detailing Apple's unique and near prescient entry into the field before it even took off)
But I'm just a sycophant, not a published Human Computer Interaction engineer and Mac software engineer... oh wait, I am, so obviously I can't be that ignorant, or they'd leave me in the editing room trash can (I mean recycling bin)
And for all the money whiners, I mean conscious, when you shop for a car do you walk and tell the dealer, "I want the cheapest car on the lot, it needs to haul a** and be the best and last 10 years" or do you go in, find what truly suits your needs, and pay for it? A computer is not only equipment, its an investment if you plan to use it. If not, quit grousing about the price and pony up for what you actually want instead of waiting for a coupon on another beige box that apparently doesn't measure up.
If we (as Mac users) are so naive and uninformed, why ask us to find you replacement software? Could it be the sheer bloat of applications and their lack of quality... just maybe?
Oh, wait, it must be because you can make fun of us... but then can't do so with proper spelling or grammar (yet M$ made the spell-checker, text processors, water, mouse-clicking [double-clicking by patent
]) It must be that we have such sub-par software that you can lord it over... yet what is the past 3 years of Windows Movie Maker if not a massive game of catchup in which even Paul Thurott, the most zealous of Mac bashers behind John C. Dvorak [may he writhe in the ignorant flames he writes], gauges everything on Apple's iMovie (and all progeny of digital organizing, even in PC magazines, include a blurb detailing Apple's unique and near prescient entry into the field before it even took off) But I'm just a sycophant, not a published Human Computer Interaction engineer and Mac software engineer... oh wait, I am, so obviously I can't be that ignorant, or they'd leave me in the editing room trash can (I mean recycling bin
)And for all the money whiners, I mean conscious, when you shop for a car do you walk and tell the dealer, "I want the cheapest car on the lot, it needs to haul a** and be the best and last 10 years" or do you go in, find what truly suits your needs, and pay for it? A computer is not only equipment, its an investment if you plan to use it. If not, quit grousing about the price and pony up for what you actually want instead of waiting for a coupon on another beige box that apparently doesn't measure up.
I have to agree with bornagain to an extent in my personal experience. All of my friends that are in creative fields such as music production, graphic design and video/DVD creation use a Mac. That is not to say that no one on PC is creative. It just tells me that most creative professionals I know prefer the Mac.
There are plenty of PC apps available to do what GB does and more. But none of them have the elegance and ease of use that GB does. That is what makes Apple great. They innovate and the others follow suit and never quite get it right.
There are plenty of PC apps available to do what GB does and more. But none of them have the elegance and ease of use that GB does. That is what makes Apple great. They innovate and the others follow suit and never quite get it right.
fille1000 said:
The eJay series is very popular (I've used a full version of Dance eJay 2+ from UK's PC Format magazine) and is loop based. Also Sony ACID and Codemaster's Music 2000 (I own the latter), MAGIX Music Maker.
Yes, I'd recommend it too and also I saw a Magix midi Studio software for about AUD$23.CmdrLaForge said:
You could try Pro Tools Free from Digidesign - no software instruments though...
Propellerhead's Reason is a very cool app - but no recording audio capabilities are offered.
I know many people have compared GarageBand to Acid (I have never used it tho. ) - so you may get something similar there - but i can guarantee that none of the available pc music apps will have that Apple magic - the GUI is pretty special they have done a fantastic job.
GB is as simple as you want it to be - it makes it fun to make music. My brother works with many top song writers who are using it. So it really does appeal to musicians at all levels - similar to Reason in that respect - but Reason will not do the whole picture - (if you just wanna throw loops together and work with midi then it may be all you need).
If you are SERIOUS about doing audio I would suggest biting the bullet and get a Mac.
Good Luck
Rich
Propellerhead's Reason is a very cool app - but no recording audio capabilities are offered.
I know many people have compared GarageBand to Acid (I have never used it tho. ) - so you may get something similar there - but i can guarantee that none of the available pc music apps will have that Apple magic - the GUI is pretty special they have done a fantastic job.
GB is as simple as you want it to be - it makes it fun to make music. My brother works with many top song writers who are using it. So it really does appeal to musicians at all levels - similar to Reason in that respect - but Reason will not do the whole picture - (if you just wanna throw loops together and work with midi then it may be all you need).
If you are SERIOUS about doing audio I would suggest biting the bullet and get a Mac.
Good Luck
Rich
Tracktion
Check out Tracktion. And forget Cakewalk. Tracktion is an $80 software package that can do a huge amount that many of the big expensive sequencers can. But that's not really it's selling point. Tracktion has a really easy, fluid, single-screen interface that is actually enjoyable to use (enjoyable is something that hasn't particularly been associated with the UI of the major sequencing softwares these days). If you get Tracktion, it is conceivable that it may fit perfectly into your niche, but just in case, there's a good full-featured demo available from the link above.
Really, I don't know why more people don't use this wonderful tool. It is frequently updated and there is a wonderful community at KvR, where the developers actually talk to their users about the features they'd like implemented.
Check out Tracktion. And forget Cakewalk. Tracktion is an $80 software package that can do a huge amount that many of the big expensive sequencers can. But that's not really it's selling point. Tracktion has a really easy, fluid, single-screen interface that is actually enjoyable to use (enjoyable is something that hasn't particularly been associated with the UI of the major sequencing softwares these days). If you get Tracktion, it is conceivable that it may fit perfectly into your niche, but just in case, there's a good full-featured demo available from the link above.
Really, I don't know why more people don't use this wonderful tool. It is frequently updated and there is a wonderful community at KvR, where the developers actually talk to their users about the features they'd like implemented.
Why should Apple produce an essentially free application that doesn't need a Macintosh? What would Apple get out of it? Sure, Apple does produce iTunes for Windows, but that is to sell iPods and the iTMS.danlipsy said:
The negligible cost of GarageBand is only really possible because it is a way to promote Macs. It would be silly to expect Apple to produce the same software for the same price to use on Windows machines -- there just isn't a business case for it.
Tulse said:
Maybe I don't completely understand the Mac Mentality. Yes, GarageBand should of course be cheaper for Mac users - no doubt! I'm not expecting Apple to shoot themselves in the foot (or apple core as the case might be).
However, if the program is as good as Mac users say it is, then why not sell it for PC for maybe 1.5-2x the price to PC users? I'm sure there would be quite a few interested. For those who say that Garageband requires a Mac's technology, I find that to be pretty bogus. My relatively old crappy PC could handle all the system requirements for a reasonable GarageBand-type program, and I've heard a number of GarageBand users only use cheap microphones and MIDI loops anyway.
Angelneo, I'm sorry, I can't figure out if you are sarcastic or serious. I'm really not sure about the hype Garageband has caused in the PC world, but I'm sure it would have some appeal.
Even the free Windows Sound Recorder is amazing!
Check out this link - (requires Flash, I think)Dan
P.S. It's kinda nice to know that when I search for GarageBand in Google, that this post came up near the top and people actually were reading my post.
danlipsy said:
Because it serves to make people buy Macs, which have a far greater margin than does the software. It's been said innumerable times, but I'll say it again -- from a financial perspective, Apple is primarily a hardware company, and the software that it produces is designed largely to sell the hardware. You may call that the "Mac Mentality", but it's actually good business.
Ebay
duh!!! look on ebay. u can get a pretty good mac for a really good price and once u get one u will never go back! the best one to get is either an ibook or an eMac thats my opinoin. i have an ibook but it falls apart. i had like 5 parts replaced. but no matter how much i falls apart i will still stay wit the OS.
GET A MAC!
duh!!! look on ebay. u can get a pretty good mac for a really good price and once u get one u will never go back! the best one to get is either an ibook or an eMac thats my opinoin. i have an ibook but it falls apart. i had like 5 parts replaced. but no matter how much i falls apart i will still stay wit the OS.
GET A MAC!
MacJunky said:
Maybe that's not the best advertisement for buying a mac on eBay. I assume your intentions were great, but the delivery was amusingly bad.
Perhaps you should change your name to JunkyMac?
danlipsy said:It is quite humerous to watch some Mac users who are so religious about Macintosh. Some of us out there shouldn't need to get an Ilife or buy a Macintosh to enjoy a program like Garageband. It would be one thing if low-end Macs were in the $300 to $500 price range, but when you are saying that $800 (or thereabouts) is a deal I have to laugh.
If Apple doesn't appeal to PC users with Garageband, someone else will with something as useful. Given some time and study, I think I could maybe come up with something in the spirit of Garageband, with a few additional things that I as a keyboard player and programmer would like to add.
I wouldn't so quickly discount the millions of PC users and claim that they don't do anything creative. If you really believe that, I'll leave you worshipping at the shrine of Apple and I'll be laughing on my way to the bank.
Dan[/QOUTE]
I am not an avid Mac user, but I respect Apple. I have heard many good things about the company. Apples are much more secure than Windows computers. How much do you pay for virus protection, spyware protection, and repair bills each year?
But to help your cause I have searched the Internet far and wide for programs that I and other Windows users such as you can use in our quest for music creation software. Personally, I have tried only a few of them, such as "Acid" by Soundforge and am sure that at least a few of them are perfect for our use. Here is the list that I have compiled.
"Acid" by Soundforge
"Audacity"
"Adobe Audition" formally called "Cool Edit Pro"
"Cakewalk Kinetic"
"Cakewalk Home Studio 2004"
"Quartet X2 Music Studio"
"Traktion"
"Band-in-a-Box 12"
"Tabit"
"Fruityloops Studio"
"Ableton Live"
"Cubase SX2"
"Dance eJay"
"Codemaster's Music 2000"
"MAGIX Music Maker"
If you need free or low cost musical loops you can try one of these:
Bitshift Audio
Access Music
Google search for free loops
danlipsy said:
well, ignoring the fact that the creative world runs on macs...
you can get a low end mac for 300-500 dollars. things like crt imacs go for that (often cheaper) on ebay and still run OSX fine. a lot of creative professionals are still on blue and white g3s or worse. with enough ram, garageband would still be viable.
jtgotsjets said:
No - it wouldn't ! GarageBand runs like crap on a G3 system. I bought it and tried it on my iBook G3 900MHz. Its just tooo slow. Forget it.
Running the OS is a different story, but forget GarageBand
That's odd, my PC-using friend has created a ton of flyers and projects for clients without even getting close to a Mac. She actually did alot of her work freshmen year on a WinME computer. Yes, you heard me WinME.
Her creativity wasn't automatically lower just b/c she was on a PC. Things didn't change when she moved to XP--i mean, the random kernel errors of ME all but disappeared, but her skill in designing Photoshop content was hardly impacted by the OS.
The two Mac users I know on campus are hardly what I call creative. One is a frat boy, the other is...smelly and from what I remember from my conversation with him, he didn't bring up Photoshop or iLife even once. He stuck to the usual anti-XP/MS diction of course (the smelly one)... The frat boy just showed me iTunes...which is hilarious cuz i already have it.
Her creativity wasn't automatically lower just b/c she was on a PC. Things didn't change when she moved to XP--i mean, the random kernel errors of ME all but disappeared, but her skill in designing Photoshop content was hardly impacted by the OS.
The two Mac users I know on campus are hardly what I call creative. One is a frat boy, the other is...smelly and from what I remember from my conversation with him, he didn't bring up Photoshop or iLife even once. He stuck to the usual anti-XP/MS diction of course (the smelly one)... The frat boy just showed me iTunes...which is hilarious cuz i already have it.
Mav451 said:
Of course you can do creative work on a PC. This discussion is like all the discussions about cameras. But what in the end counts is what comes out of your work. Like some people always prefer Nikons where others prefer Canons. But in reality some of the greatest shots are done on old unknown ones.
Same here, if you are creative, it doesn't matter wether you use a PC or Mac.
Cheers
"I have a mac and a bigger penis than you..."
- no, wait
"I have a pc and a bigger penis than you..."
/guys with small penises. And brains.
- no, wait
"I have a pc and a bigger penis than you..."
/guys with small penises. And brains.
I've used Adobe Audition a bit. It's expensive, and not nearly (IMO) as good as GarageBand, but it'll do.
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=92&platform=Windows
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=92&platform=Windows
Many options
1. Steinberg Cubase makes an entry level with VST instruments Cubase SE for 199.00 you can get the SE without VST Instruments for 99.00. I own this program and love it. I have never had to upgrade anything.
Alternatively, there is Audacity. Which is Freeware. Works on Mac, Linux, Windows and Unix. Can play all formats and also read and write across all formats.
heres a link....
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
1. Steinberg Cubase makes an entry level with VST instruments Cubase SE for 199.00 you can get the SE without VST Instruments for 99.00. I own this program and love it. I have never had to upgrade anything.
Alternatively, there is Audacity. Which is Freeware. Works on Mac, Linux, Windows and Unix. Can play all formats and also read and write across all formats.
heres a link....
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
PC+Mac=Male+female
I've recently had the exact same experience myself. My GF bought a Mac book with OS X this summer and it came with GB and I really liked it fast. I came here looking for a PC version too. I think I found what I was looking for.
Personally I think comparing Mac to PC is kind of like comparing a male to a female. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. The Mac has lots of really cool programs that really are much better than programs I've found on a PC, like GB. However, I really like downloading torrents and on the Mac, it's not something that is not as available as far as torrent clients The only torrent client I could find for a Mac was not free. I also noticed MSN messenger was not available for Mac but that's not much of a loss. Perhaps it's my lack of knowledge with Mac and there's other ways. For now, I feel that PC and Mac are equal, except for maybe the price.
I am still new to Mac and honestly used to think they were not for me. I've heard about how are great Macs are for people who were doing creative design. I've also had many friends with Macs fill me in with the details about how some features with their messengers are not available.
I can really relate with you on the price. My GF paid $2000 for hers and getting one of my own is just a bit out of my price range. So I'll continue to play with the GF's Mac and check out some of these other programs posted for the PC.
BTW, if any of you reading this and is an avid Mac user and think they could direct me to a site for a novice Mac user like myself just trying to figure out how to navigate, please feel free to e-mail me a link, thanks.
I've recently had the exact same experience myself. My GF bought a Mac book with OS X this summer and it came with GB and I really liked it fast. I came here looking for a PC version too. I think I found what I was looking for.
Personally I think comparing Mac to PC is kind of like comparing a male to a female. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. The Mac has lots of really cool programs that really are much better than programs I've found on a PC, like GB. However, I really like downloading torrents and on the Mac, it's not something that is not as available as far as torrent clients The only torrent client I could find for a Mac was not free. I also noticed MSN messenger was not available for Mac but that's not much of a loss. Perhaps it's my lack of knowledge with Mac and there's other ways. For now, I feel that PC and Mac are equal, except for maybe the price.
I am still new to Mac and honestly used to think they were not for me. I've heard about how are great Macs are for people who were doing creative design. I've also had many friends with Macs fill me in with the details about how some features with their messengers are not available.
I can really relate with you on the price. My GF paid $2000 for hers and getting one of my own is just a bit out of my price range. So I'll continue to play with the GF's Mac and check out some of these other programs posted for the PC.
BTW, if any of you reading this and is an avid Mac user and think they could direct me to a site for a novice Mac user like myself just trying to figure out how to navigate, please feel free to e-mail me a link, thanks.