Hi, I want to know about GarageBand. Is GarageBand suitable for making a nice recording. I usually make music with GarageBand 3.04. If yes, I've heard that GarageBand 08 is saled on the bundled software, iLife'08. I want to know what's the difference from the previous version. Is it good to make music with GarageBand ? If yes, I want to purchase iLife'08 to get GarageBand 08. I want to know ev'ryone opinions. I like GarageBand because it's simple and easy to use.

FSM2FK

since few have actually used Garageband 08 yet you may want to look here ....

http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/

looks pretty good... multi-take recording is a good new feature.

The new version of GB is well worth the upgrade. 4 plugins can now be applied to each track and there is opportunity to apply automation curves to all effects not just pan and volume as before. Multi take recording where you can choose or combine elements of the best takes is now possible.
GarageBand rocks!

FSM2FK,

I would agree with Jim. The newest version of GB has some wonderful new features.

• Magic GarageBand (if you've used any of the other iLife suite apps like iMovie or iDVD then you may be familiar with the 'magic' function). This allows you to create a jam experience with GB acting as the other members of your band. A great addition for practicing licks or solos over a vamp.

• Automation update. You can now not only automate volume and pan on a track, but also effect parameters as well. A big boost when you want that echo, reverb, amp simulation, etc. to affect only a part of the track instead of the entire take.

• MultiTake re-recording. This way instead of overwriting whatever your last take was or having to create a new track you can record as many takes as you want and then select the one that you like best.

• Arrangement option. Now you can slice your song up into sections, chorus, bridge, intro, outro, verse, etc. to be better able to manage your overall song structure.

• Visual EQ. This one is a nice to have, but for those who have been dealing with sliders on analog equiment and digital effects for a while, not a huge update. However, it is a much slicker interface.

• More effects per track. Nice touch, and you can drag the effects into a different order to see how one affects the other in the soundscape of your track.

The rest of the interface is about the same as the v3.04 of GB, so the learning curve should be minimal. Still digging through the effects list. For some reason I think there may be a couple of new ones listed there as well. And the Vocal JamPack has me very very curious. If I end up buying that I'll post back as to how effective/useful it is.

$80US isn't a bad price for GB, the fact that you get the other iLife Apps too makes it a pretty 'suite' deal.

It is a good package for making music, but, remember, one caveat is that it is not as powerful as other apps out there for making music. If you are doing this for 'scratch work', what we used to call our recording on cassette 4-tracks back in the day, then it is wonderful! If you are going to use it for demos, still a good choice. If you are wanting something to go into production with, you should step up to a more robust software like Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Logic (Express or Pro), etc. If you are looking for something just to get stuff on to disc, then Audacity can't be beat at the price ($0). But, obviously, I still enjoy using Garage Band when I need to get something done quickly and you can take GB songs and import them into Logic if you want to get serious with them in the long run.

peace

This post has been edited by deaconblue: Sun 12 Aug 2007, 17:21

I've just finished my latest project using the new GarageBand 08.
The new version is a lot slicker than the previous one and several annoying workrounds have been streamlined, The ability to add up to 4 plug-ins per track means a lot fewer tracks and therefore less cpu drain. You can now export your audio in 24 bit and there is a built in normalising function when you export to iTunes. With a few good plug- ins and access to quality loops I find GB a breeze to use and able to produce quality music.

So, I've been working with saxophonist Faith 'Dakini' Rhodes on a jazzy dance/House version of the Crusaders classic 'Streetlife'. Took a couple of samples of Randy Crawford and mashed up some beats to a piano file, then Faith played her hot magic on top.
Mastered it using Vintage Warmer and Ozone 3.
We think it sounds good, but what the hell do we know? So come on all you Sound Sculpters and Engineers, download this mp3 file and give it a listen. Any serious comments/critisicms most welcome.
Get it free here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/58972992/STREE...tNabob.mp3.html

message for jimdubpram regarding your music file.

I listened to it quite intensly and my opinion is :

- lots of bottom end
- sax could be more clear so it stands out more, maybe pan it different also
- the piano makes the song a little bit muddy in the beginning, later on this is much better, when it all comes together

- the song overall has a nice groove and feel to it !

Good work on Garageband...

Cheers
landa002, sound-engineer

Thanks for taking the time to listen.
I really appreciate your comments, from a proffesional pair of ears it is worth a lot.
Best
JIm