estreet
Joined: Mar 17, 2007
Posts: 839
United Kingdom
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 05:23 AM
I was flicking through e-bay last night and was amazed at how cheaply one can now buy a Mac that will run Garageband. The change to Intel processors has resulted in there being quite a glut of G4 Powermacs at really cheap prices. For example, you can pick up a G4 800 dual processor with DVD writer for around 200 GBP (400$ ish). Make no mistake, this is still a damn good machine (processor speeds are not directly comparable to PCs) and the G4s are still fully supported. I have several PC owning friends who, despite not generally seeing the errors of their ways (:)) still crave Garageband. Don't forget also that it costs peanuts to own a registered version as it's just a supplied part of iLife.
I used to use Sonar on the PC for many years and I still have a PC set up with it. I will readily admit that it is a more 'Professional' program when it comes to things like wave and score editing, and I do think it's great.
However, I cant say I've used it at all in the three years I've had a Mac with Garageband. What it can't do, I do without - and is more than made up for by the way this intuitive program doesn't distract you with technology. Actually, I think that's why I love it so much. You can leave the right-hand side of your brain pretty much switched off whilst you focus on the music.
Latest improvements in it have also addressed a lot of the 'I-wish-it-could-just-do-that' things you may miss from a more complex program. I'd advise anyone interested in recording to give it a try, especially at the price you can get a decent Mac for now. Also - so much less chance of losing your work through a virus haha! slaps own wrist
— http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns
Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.
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MightySurfLords
Joined: Jun 24, 2007
Posts: 384
Sparks,Nv.
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 10:57 AM
We have been using a MAC G5 and Garage Band for our new recordings. I too, really like to work with Garage Band, it is simple to use, and I am still finding functions that it does.
My only problem with Garage Band, is the overall sound quality. My recordings are not as loud as other recordings. And if I boost the main volumes up, then it becomes distorted, over processed.
I don't know, but I am hoping that when we send the master disc to the duplicators, that they can remaster the disc, and make it louder...???
— The Mighty Surf Lords- Sparks,Nv.
"Praise The Lords"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHTDYfy0xM8
www.myspace.com/themightysurflords
www.cdbaby.com/cd/mightysurflords
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 11:43 AM
Garageband is not a great program if you want to do anything more than a home demo. Protools, Sonar, Cakewalk, those are the programs you want. You can pirate them off the internet with little effort.
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19262
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 02:08 PM
I would also like to remind everyone to please pirate all the 'Verb recordings they can and to setup phony myspace accounts in their name.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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estreet
Joined: Mar 17, 2007
Posts: 839
United Kingdom
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 02:20 PM
JakeDobner
Garageband is not a great program if you want to do anything more than a home demo. Protools, Sonar, Cakewalk, those are the programs you want. You can pirate them off the internet with little effort.
I disagree. How much have you used it to make that comment? What limitations did you hit? Was it the latest version? And BTW, Sonar and Cakewalk are the same thing - they just changed the name after V 7.0 or so
I willingly admit Garageband is not the greatest thing for recording a band playing together - but then I don't think any home computer based recording system is. (Yes I know how prevalent Pro-tools is in studios, I just prefer the old way) However, I do believe it's capable of professional results. I've done a lot of work with Sonar, as I said in my posting, and I respect it highly - but I believe that GB has more innate musicality, and that the way it works encourages creativity.
— http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns
Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 02:26 PM
I've used it at school a couple times just messing around. I didn't find it to have enough options as far as equalization and level adjustment. I'm guessing it was an old version as it was back when I was a freshmen or sophomore.
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estreet
Joined: Mar 17, 2007
Posts: 839
United Kingdom
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 02:36 PM
JakeDobner
I've used it at school a couple times just messing around. I didn't find it to have enough options as far as equalization and level adjustment. I'm guessing it was an old version as it was back when I was a freshmen or sophomore.
These days it has many options for that as it it can use plugins - and comes with a fair selection of EQ ones.
Re: Surflords quality issue - Are you using a firewire/usb interface? There's a limit to what you can expect from the line in/out. I don't think I have problems with volume on recordings. Check out 'Nachos' in the demo section and see if you think it suffers from that. It does suffer from not being able to slow down the ending though - but the latest version has fixed that issue and it now allows tempo maps.
— http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns
Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.
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Bipo
Joined: Nov 02, 2007
Posts: 38
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Posted on Dec 31 2007 04:36 PM
For PC I've been impressed lately with REAPER. 3,1 MB installer, comes with bootload of effects, $50 for non commercial version and routing possibilities that put Cubase to shame. Not to mention it's simple and intuitive (no separate MIDI and audio tracks, just put all in one track and crossfade to your heart's pleasure). I really love it and I was on Audition and PTLE before. Plus at $50 there's no need to pirate anything whatsoever, even for a bilgesucker like me.
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MightySurfLords
Joined: Jun 24, 2007
Posts: 384
Sparks,Nv.
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Posted on Jan 01 2008 10:14 AM
I have pirated Cakewalk before, and tossed it, you can't get all the functions when it's pirated.
estreet, we do have the Firewire USB interface, the 8 channel one.
I have been noticing that some of our songs have a great volume level. So it is just my mixing technics.
Yesterday I could not spell studio engineer, and today I are one!
Today I am going to try and upload a tune from Garage Band into my Creative Media program, and see if I can raise the overall levels. If it works, I will let everyone know.
btw MSL fans, we have recorded the finial two songs of our 13 song album, ...and the tide rushes in...
We will be getting the artwork completed this week, do a finial mix down, and will get it off to the duplicators by mid January.
— The Mighty Surf Lords- Sparks,Nv.
"Praise The Lords"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHTDYfy0xM8
www.myspace.com/themightysurflords
www.cdbaby.com/cd/mightysurflords
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3793
North Atlantic
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Posted on Jan 01 2008 02:33 PM
Sorry
I would strongly recommend getting your disc mastered before you send it off to be duplicated. A good mastering engineer can really make the tracks jump out (EQ, and volume), and will sound closer to "professional" recordings (whatever that is nowadays). It really will make a world of difference, and is worth every $$$.
I bet there's someone in your area who does mastering.
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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MightySurfLords
Joined: Jun 24, 2007
Posts: 384
Sparks,Nv.
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Posted on Jan 01 2008 09:08 PM
Thanks Rev, I got a guy who's ready to re-master it this week, and he loves the band so much, he is doing it for free!
— The Mighty Surf Lords- Sparks,Nv.
"Praise The Lords"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHTDYfy0xM8
www.myspace.com/themightysurflords
www.cdbaby.com/cd/mightysurflords
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1566
Brighton UK
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Posted on Jan 02 2008 10:40 AM
Brian
I would also like to remind everyone to please pirate all the 'Verb recordings they can and to setup phony myspace accounts in their name.
Exactly what I was about to suggest!
— Los Fantasticos
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