What's a good PC alternative to Garage Band?

[dansuz1]

My former German exchange student is in a band and I thought GarageBand might be a good gift for this Christmas.

But I don't think there is a PC version of GarageBand available, so does anyone have any suggestions for a good (but relatively cheap) equivalent to GarageBand available on PCs?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[kretzy]

The only thing I can think of is Dance e-jay and that is quite a few years old and it has no where near the same abilities as Garage Band.

 

[adk]

fruity loops perhaps, i'm not too familiar with it but its the same general concept.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Fruity Loops now called FL Studio
Sony Acid -- more loop based
Cakewalk Music Creator or Sonar Home Studio -- more track based
Mackie Tracktion 2 - more track based

 

[zathras]

I like N-Track Studio - not too expensive and a lot of bells and whistles:

http://www.ntrack.com/

 

[GWS]

Sony ACID (several versions)

Sony offers several options, at different price points. Suggest you read their product pages to see which best fits what your friend wants to accomplish.

Sony ACID XMC - $40USD
http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/showproduct.asp?pid=987

Sony ACID Music Studio - $70USD
http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/showproduct.asp?pid=971

Sony ACID Pro 5 - $300USD
http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/showproduct.asp?pid=928

All are loop-based, like Garage Band. I believe all also offer recording options (instrument, microphone, etc.). Sony also offers a large selection of loop libraries ( http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/loop_libraries/content.asp ).

They have what appears to be a nice user site, ACIDPlanet ( http://www.acidplanet.com/ ), where your friend can download free loops, listen to the creations by other users, participate in forum discussions, etc.

I've used an earlier version, ACID 3.0, back when it was owned by Sonic Foundry. I haven't used it in several years, but when I first played around with Garage Band, I remember thinking it was very much like ACID. I recall that it was pretty easy to get started with, but I only scratched the surface of its capabilities (much like with Garage Band). I'm not a musician (the only musical instrument I can play is the stereo), so I've only played around with ACID and Garage Band, and can offer no other commentary on them. But I suspect your musician friend will find one of the ACID offerings a fun and useful gift.


Edited to fix loop library link.

 

[CanadaRAM]

The question is whether you intend to c reate music by splicing loops that you purchase, or by creating tracks played by software Instruments in your computer (sequenced using a MIDI keyboard) or by recording analog sources (voice, guitar, sousaphone) into the computer and creating with that... or a combination of all three.

GarageBand does all three.
Each of the mentioned products is better at some areas than others. Acid is the king of looping. But not great for the other areas. Reason is excellent at software instruments and playing back loops, but has no facility of its own for recording in analog sources. The closest may be the FL Studio product, or upscale a bit, Cakewalk with Project5 -- both of these have good built in software instruments

 

[dansuz1]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I think his band would use the software for mainly recording vocals and their own instruments, though they might appreciate the other abilities as well.

I'm going to check out all of the links you provided tonight and order something so that it gets to him in time.

Thanks again for the input.

Dan

 

[dansuz1]

I just ordered the Cakewalk Music Creator 2. Seemed to have everything they need at a good price.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Dan

 

[IrishFury]

Hey all (first post here). Don't mean to necro an old thread but this comes up and doesn't seem to make sense to make a new thread about it.

I've been trying to find a good GarageBand alternative so I can avoid dual booting my MacBook. A lot of good choices out there it gets a bit confusing trying to figure out which one is for me.

I found this on Google: http://djtouchbeats.com/startproducing.html it suggests a few free ones but there's a paid one called DubTurbo as well does anyone know if it's any good?

 

[Destroysall]

Acoustica Mixcraft was almost made out to be a Garageband alternative for PC users. It works like a charm and really is an easy to use software app.

Hope that helps,
Destroysall

 

[calaverasgrande]

Cakewalk Sonar. They have different version at various price points, mostly the more expensive ones have more plugins. Does looping, softsynths, VSTs, editing, midi, multitrack audio.
Reaper-somewhat clunky interface, but it cheap to buy, free to use for non commercial purposes.
I think a better way to put this is "what is a PC alternative to Logic"
as Garageband is just dumbed down Logic.