Garageband is useless...

[Torajima]

without the ability to export songs as midi files and/or raw aif files.

Yes, I know this app is geared to novices, but to what end? You can't actually compose with it, as anything you create with it can't be used outside of Garageband and iTunes.

At best, the app is a tutorial for working with digital music, but I think even novices are going to outgrow it's limitations rather quickly.

 

[C14ru5]

Where does it say that you can't export to AIFF?

I believe that, unless Garage Band has a specific preference setting for this, Garage Band would use the same export setting that iTunes uses as import setting. In other words, it should be no problem to export to AIFF. Even SoundTrack does such a thing, and SoundTrack is mainly a video app and not an audio app. If you are talking about multichannel mixdown: Just export two and two tracks at a time, muting the other tracks along the way.

 

[Torajima]

Originally posted by C14ru5
Where does it say that you can't export to MIDI or AIFF?

The initial reviews I've read have said no import or export to MIDI or AIFF.

It's a shame too, as I was hoping to use Garageband as a musical scratchpad and import the data into a Pro App for more extensive editing later.

 

[Torajima]

Correction

It does look like you can export an entire song (but not individual tracks) as an aif.

Unfortunately, this won't help me much... as a keyboard player, I deal almost exclusively with midi. I need to be able to import/export midi. It's pretty silly that Apple left this out...

 

[Mr. Anderson]

One thing to consider is that this is the first version of the software. It will evolve over time, especially with feedback from the users. I wouldn't go bashing something you haven't used yourself yet, just wait and see.

Also, food for thought - GarageBand is effectively an iApp. There's no reason not to believe that Apple would have in the works a Pro level version in the works or on the way soon. I'm a little optimistic here - it just seems that to go to all the work to make an App like GarageBand and give it limits or restriction to what you can do only indicates that a more expensive version, say StudioBand is waiting in the wings for all interested to purchase at a nice price.

D

 

[edesignuk]

Maybe, but this is a 1st gen app, there will probably be lots of bugs and things that have been left out which people will notice over time. Give it a chance, it's not even officially out yet (is it? 16th I thought?).

edit: damn u mr. anderson, u beat me to the whole 1st gen thing

 

[Mr. Anderson]

edesignuk - Jinx!

haha, damn funny when that happens

D

 

[Trekkie]

Yeah I know I always have said I need to export to MIDI.

Those are those little files that you used to play on your computer back in 1990 or so that made it sort of sound like a musical instrument and that you annoy people by having it play them when they load websites right?



Buy Soundtrack if you want something that makes AIFF files. Garageband is for the rest of us that want to dink around, make soundtracks for our home movies, make soundtracks for our iPhoto slide shows, and burn them to DVDs.

They're also for those of us that plan on using it to introduce their children to music since they've not bought a Piano yet.

Not to mention there are more things than garageband and iTunes that play AAC files.

 

[Moxiemike]

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
One thing to consider is that this is the first version of the software. It will evolve over time, especially with feedback from the users. I wouldn't go bashing something you haven't used yourself yet, just wait and see.

Also, food for thought - GarageBand is effectively an iApp. There's no reason not to believe that Apple would have in the works a Pro level version in the works or on the way soon. I'm a little optimistic here - it just seems that to go to all the work to make an App like GarageBand and give it limits or restriction to what you can do only indicates that a more expensive version, say StudioBand is waiting in the wings for all interested to purchase at a nice price.

D

Well, Apple sorta does have a prolevel dgital audio workspace called Logic. With the $230 logic big box, you can do EVERYTHING including exporting to pro-tools files for mixdown and what not.

If you don't like Garage Band, go out and buy Reason and Logic. Not that much cash for two TRUE pro apps!

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally posted by Moxiemike
Well, Apple sorta does have a prolevel dgital audio workspace called Logic.

Cool, didn't realize that Moxie - thanks.

Uh, pink eh? Figured you more for black...

D

 

[Moxiemike]

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
Cool, didn't realize that Moxie - thanks.

Uh, pink eh? Figured you more for black...

D

Yea. I'm actually more for white. I just couldn't resist a avatar of the iPod Mini that looks like it would cure your stomach ailment.

iPepto.... all the way

btw:

http://www.apple.com/software/pro/logic/

It's the shizz....

 

[OneDeadPixel]

Useless

I think calling Garageband useless is harsh. Maybe it's not useful to YOU but there are plenty of OTHER people who will get a lot of use out of it.

Also, I know for a fact that Apple is working on a Pro Audio App. Think of Garageband as "iMovie for making and recording music". The "Final Cut for making and recording music" is on its way and that's probably what you're looking for... unless you're just another "Forum Bitch" that likes to complain about everything.

 

[Moxiemike]

Re: Useless

Originally posted by OneDeadPixel
I think calling Garageband useless is harsh. Maybe it's not useful to YOU but there are plenty of OTHER people who will get a lot of use out of it.

Also, I know for a fact that Apple is working on a Pro Audio App. Think of Garageband as "iMovie for making and recording music". The "Final Cut for making and recording music" is on its way and that's probably what you're looking for... unless you're just another "Forum Bitch" that likes to complain about everything.

I know for a fact you're wrong about apple working on a pro-audio app—unless you're talking about Logic.

Audio people are more resistent to change than deisgners. The only way Apple can barge in on that niché is how they did it—by buying Logic.

 

[OneDeadPixel]

Re: Re: Useless

Originally posted by Moxiemike
I know for a fact you're wrong about apple working on a pro-audio app—unless you're talking about Logic.

Audio people are more resistent to change than deisgners. The only way Apple can barge in on that niché is how they did it—by buying Logic.

Maybe it's based on Logic, but I didn't ask. I was told that it will blow away Pro Tools and cost under $1000.

 

[tjwett]

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
One thing to consider is that this is the first version of the software. It will evolve over time, especially with feedback from the users. I wouldn't go bashing something you haven't used yourself yet, just wait and see.

Also, food for thought - GarageBand is effectively an iApp. There's no reason not to believe that Apple would have in the works a Pro level version in the works or on the way soon. I'm a little optimistic here - it just seems that to go to all the work to make an App like GarageBand and give it limits or restriction to what you can do only indicates that a more expensive version, say StudioBand is waiting in the wings for all interested to purchase at a nice price.

D

Pro version of GarageBand?!?!? Have you all gone mad? Why can't anyone grasp the concept that LOGIC is the next step up form GarageBand. Apple borrowed a little functionality and technology from Logic and put together GarageBand with it. It is a toy for playing with at home. It is not for doing real work with. That is, unless you plan to release an album of AAC quality tunes that are built around a bunch of bundled loops and synth presets.

 

[Ensoniq]

I've seen this posted on a lot of other sites...the fact that GarageBand can't do <insert feature here> that it means it "sucks".

I'm a musician who has been playing keyboards for over 25 years now. I am not a pro, I play simply for my own enjoyment. But I do write music, having composed my first song at age 7.

But as into my Mac as I am, I have actually NEVER used my keyboards with a computer before. It always seemed like the software was more complicated than needed, so I settled for my synth's built-in sequencer and drums and kept it simple. Nothing I'd ever seen really got me "worked up".

After seeing GarageBand, I'm dying to get it and hook up my synth to the Mac. Maybe there is better software with more features available already, but nothing that ever got my atttention. GarageBand got me EXCITED...and these forums prove that I am not alone. And for $49, it's going to be a big hit with musicians of all skill levels.

Some of what GarageBand 1.0 is missing will be added to 2.0 ... other features will remain missing on purpose so Apple doesn't kill SoundTrack and Logic sales. That is how it's always been for the iApps with ProApp counterparts.

iMovie and Final Cut Express aren't "useless" just because Final Cut 4 has more features. The same applies to the GarageBand/SoundTrack/Logic trio. Choose the software that works best for you, and so will the rest of us.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Originally posted by Ensoniq
I've seen this posted on a lot of other sites...the fact that GarageBand can't do <insert feature here> that it means it "sucks".

I'm a musician who has been playing keyboards for over 25 years now. I am not a pro, I play simply for my own enjoyment. But I do write music, having composed my first song at age 7.

But as into my Mac as I am, I have actually NEVER used my keyboards with a computer before. It always seemed like the software was more complicated than needed, so I settled for my synth's built-in sequencer and drums and kept it simple. Nothing I'd ever seen really got me "worked up".

After seeing GarageBand, I'm dying to get it and hook up my synth to the Mac. Maybe there is better software with more features available already, but nothing that ever got my atttention. GarageBand got me EXCITED...and these forums prove that I am not alone. And for $49, it's going to be a big hit with musicians of all skill levels.

Some of what GarageBand 1.0 is missing will be added to 2.0 ... other features will remain missing on purpose so Apple doesn't kill SoundTrack and Logic sales. That is how it's always been for the iApps with ProApp counterparts.

iMovie and Final Cut Express aren't "useless" just because Final Cut 4 has more features. The same applies to the GarageBand/SoundTrack/Logic trio. Choose the software that works best for you, and so will the rest of us.

Even so I am playing guitar and cannot more agree. For me GB really looks like the App I have been waiting for. I really cannot understand why there is so much complaing about a great App at a even much greater price. If you need more then get it ! Buy Logic Audio 6 ! Or Digital Performer or whatever suits your needs
Cheers

 

[tjwett]

Originally posted by Ensoniq
...

i really have no response to your post, just that your name is Ensoniq. are you a fan of the old Ensoniq keyboards and samplers? not a day goes by that i don't miss my trusty ASR-10, EPS, and ASR X Pro. that was one of the best companies of the era. shame e-mu bought them and destroyed them.

 

[Torajima]

Originally posted by Ensoniq

iMovie and Final Cut Express aren't "useless" just because Final Cut 4 has more features. The same applies to the GarageBand/SoundTrack/Logic trio. Choose the software that works best for you, and so will the rest of us.

The iMovie and FCE comparison simply doesn't hold water. I can start a project in iMovie and finish it in Final Cut Express or any other "Pro" video app.

But once you've created something in Garageband, that's it. You're done. Because, unlike iMovie, YOU CAN NOT EXPORT GARAGEBAND PROJECTS TO OTHER APPLICATIONS.

The ability to import and export midi and audio tracks is a rather stupid omission, even for an application aimed at "novices".

 

[Wonder Boy]

Originally posted by Ensoniq
Choose the software that works best for you, and so will the rest of us.

or own only g3's and be forced to use the only one that works!

 

[rueyeet]

Originally posted by tjwett
[GarageBand] is a toy for playing with at home. It is not for doing real work with. That is, unless you plan to release an album of AAC quality tunes that are built around a bunch of bundled loops and synth presets.

Well, why not? I've heard more than one electronic-based band that sounds pretty much like that's all they're doing. I've really begun to suspect that a lot of supposedly "pro" level audio creation these days relies more on software proficiency than musical talent, anyway.

from the Melodic Alchemy of Trent Reznor at apple.com
I made Pretty Hate Machine using a Mac Plus, an Emax keyboard and a Mini Moog.

If Trent could kick off Nine Inch Nails with so little kit, what may a truly talented person be able to do even with something relatively limited as GarageBand? So it's not really pro-level, it DOES bring some degree of music creation tools within the reach of the ordinary user....and to me, pro vs bogus should be defined by results, not equipment.

If a rank amateur can put something together that sounds even halfway professional with something like GarageBand, then how "pro" are the pros?

But it all remains to be seen...what with the app not actually, y'know, being OUT yet and stuff.

 

[jfg@forum]

Re: Useless

Originally posted by OneDeadPixel
I think calling Garageband useless is harsh. Maybe it's not useful to YOU but there are plenty of OTHER people who will get a lot of use out of it.

Garageband's simplicity is also its strength. That is why is would be perfect for testing ideas for a composition. But it is useless for this without the midi export to take the "song" to the next level with Logic.

I am not asking Apple to turn GB into a pro app; just let me use a pro app with it.

 

[Torajima]

Re: Re: Useless

Originally posted by jfg@forum

Originally posted by OneDeadPixel

Garageband's simplicity is also its strength. That is why is would be perfect for testing ideas for a composition. But it is useless for this without the midi export to take the "song" to the next level with Logic.

I am not asking Apple to turn GB into a pro app; just let me use a pro app with it.

Exactly! That's all I'm saying.

I think a lot of musicians would like to use it as a musical scratchpad, and export it to a more professional app when needed.

I wonder... will Garageband be scriptable? Maybe someone can write a script that exports the midi data...

 

[coolsoldier]

OK, I've heard that GB files work in iTunes... if this is the case, wouldn't iTunes "Convert to AIFF..." feature take care of this?

Edit: Also, iMovie can import (and thus with a little work convert) anything you can have in your iTunes library.

 

[jfg@forum]

Talk Apple's language - money

Perhaps we need to talk Apple's language - money. Give us a GarageBand that can export to Logic and you will sell more versions of Logic.