Quick non-buyer review
Since I'm not getting GB until I get a new PowerBook in a few weeks, I decided to head over to the Apple Store in Palo Alto to try it out. I got a good hour-plus in, and I have to say that so far, with the small amount of time I've worked with it, I'm really impressed. The station I used had lots of instruments and loops, so I wasn't sure if this setup had Jam Pack. I called the store up later to verify, and the girl I spoke to seemed to think Jam Pack was not installed.
It's not so much that it's doing anything really new. The important thing here is that like the other iApps, Apple has kept a KISS philosophy in designing the interface for GB, and it makes it both inviting and intuitive. I've worked with more pro apps (I go all the way back to MasterTracks Pro on my Apple IIgs!), and the simplification of the interface definitely goes a long way towards shortening the required learning curve.
Loops and software instruments are within easy reach, though the details are hidden unless you choose to expose them. The G5 machine I used was hooked up to an Edirol MIDI controller/keyboard. There was no detectable keyboard latency. I first played with the instruments. I was looking for a Hammond B3, and I choose Classic Rock organ because it sounded closest. Maybe the Rock organ would be better. Then I put in some piano. The grand isn't bad. I like the electric pianos more. The software guitars are like most other software guitars - not very impressive, but what are you gonna do?
Didn't have much time to play around with the drum kits, so I went with loops. They're pretty good, but I didn't quite find the one I wanted among the Modern Rock and Vintage Rock loops. No matter, I used one that worked in a pinch, and when I buy this, I'll get to work the drum kits. There were tons of other percussion, which is a huge plus. The classifications are a nice try, but probably unnecessary.
I had an idea for a song that I came up with on Friday, and other than lyrics and a basic chord progression that I worked out from home, I had not recorded it. So I figured it'd be a good test. I was able to construct much of the song in about a half-hour, including drum fills and extra stuff, like "vinyl scratch". It had me floored.
The only thing missing was a true audio input device and a mic or line-in to plug in a guitar. If the audio works as I think it should, I probably would've had a decent demo finished within a couple hours, which would be a record for me. That's what excites me about GB. I'm no pro, believe me, but I like to think I have some ability. GB will allow me to break down the barrier somewhat between having an idea and realizing it. For me it will be a scratchpad, and soon I'll be able to tote around a a slick portable rig with a PowerBook, an M-Audio Duo, Oxygen8, a condensor mic, and a guitar if I want. It'll be one tough month before I get my PowerBook.
