[Patentagosse]

Do you know Track Pak (Apple loops for GarageBand software)?  There was an announcement few months ago regarding this new product on Apple newsletter.

If I get it right, it's DVDs packed with 10-12 songs each (your choice:  Classic Rock, Modern Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop) that have all the individual instrument's tracks.  So, from what I understand, I can play my own drum part on Aerosmith's Walk This Way simply by muting the drum track.  Wouldn't it be great to feel like if you were rehearsing with one of your favorite band?  Better than jamming OVER their CD just because you don't have the pressure of keeping time right or missing the intro / fill somewhere.

I'm asking you because I don't know if I understand it right and if the whole recording is good.  Within 400 members, maybe someone else has tried it or heard 'bout it.

It's good for all instrument players (I'm also a bass player so I can mute bass track and jam the same way!)

Here's a link if you wanna know more:
http://www.halleonar...n=SoftwareVideo

Lemme know what you think.

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[AncientGas]

Quote

Do you know Track Pak (Apple loops for GarageBand software)?  There was an announcement few months ago regarding this new product on Apple newsletter.

If I get it right, it's DVDs packed with 10-12 songs each (your choice:  Classic Rock, Modern Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop) that have all the individual instrument's tracks.  So, from what I understand, I can play my own drum part on Aerosmith's Walk This Way simply by muting the drum track.  Wouldn't it be great to feel like if you were rehearsing with one of your favorite band?  Better than jamming OVER their CD just because you don't have the pressure of keeping time right or missing the intro / fill somewhere.

I'm asking you because I don't know if I understand it right and if the whole recording is good.  Within 400 members, maybe someone else has tried it or heard 'bout it.

It's good for all instrument players (I'm also a bass player so I can mute bass track and jam the same way!)

Here's a link if you wanna know more:
http://www.halleonar...n=SoftwareVideo

Lemme know what you think.

Hey Patentagosse :)

This idea crossed my mind.  Not so much the Trak Pak, but using GarageBand.  I'm a Macintosh user and I have GarageBand.

I can't move my computer over to where I can use GarageBand while drumming, but I was trying to encourage my son to practice his guitar using the same technique you're describing.  It would be much easier for him to sit in front of his Mac with his guitar than it would be for me to arrange playing my drums along with something from Trak Pak.

I really like the idea, and I'm glad you brought it up. I'll have to try to figure out some way to make that happen for drum practice. Anyone here who uses a Mac and also plays guitar, or saxophone, or any kind of hand percussion - or whatever - ought to strongly consider the idea.

The best thing, Patentagosse, and I'm sure you've already figured this out ... The band will absolutely LOVE everything you play together ;)  No complaints !!

Ancient

[Patentagosse]

As a graphic designer, I'm on Mac all day long (side-by-side with a PC I need for some sign designs software and run my large format printer). So basically, my computers are for business and, logically located in the office, not the studio. I was planning getting a laptop (Powerbook probably) but the purchase of my upcoming Orion:) sucks the xtra $2k:shock: I had saved for the "mobile" Mac so, back to start.:(

I know NOTHING 'bout GarageBand possibilities. Not a clue! I just read here n' there in Apple's newletters that it was a cool software for musicians, native for Mac and that TrackPak I mentioned was some kind of a "plug-in" or extension of GBand.

There's a new AppleStore in my neiborhood (45 min.) so probably the best thing would be to go there and ask 'bout it. I'll be like a kid at Toy R' US, surrounded by all these white devices, damn it will be hard to resist!:drool:

What's yout thoughts about GarageBand? What do you use it for?:scope:

[mzd]

GarageBand is primarily a music recording/production app. Not really pro studio level though.
Like iPhoto is to Photoshop; GarageBand is to Logic Pro.
But, GarageBand does give you multi-track recording (up to eight at once, provided you have the hardware to support it) and is free with any mac! It is great for "home studios" where you don't have the hardware capabilities of more than eight live tracks. You can also use programmed loops and such to create remixes or whatever you're into. Or record yourself on guitar, then drums, then bass and then vocals and have a one man band deal.
For free software, it is exceptional and very capable.

[Mikey]

I'm not very familiar with GarageBand, does it only work with a Mac?
I'm looking at getting a USB Audio interface, for recording, probably a Lexicon, that comes with Cubase LE recording software, but I wasn't sure if GarageBand was compatible with a PC? It sounds like a really cool program.

[mzd]

nope, mac only for garageband.
but cuebase LE is a comparable app.

[vester]

Hey....since we're on the topic of home recording I've got to plug some freeware I've been using. It's called "Kristal". I've been recording some tracks on my laptop and have been pretty impressed with this software. 16 track multi recording, pretty easy to use and even has an online forum to get help from other users and it's totally free.

www.kreatives.org/kristal

[Mikey]

What kind of audio interface are you using with your laptop?

[vester]

Quote

What kind of audio interface are you using with your laptop?

I'm just going staight into the microphone jack:shock: I'm using the stock soundcard. "Conexant" I think it's called. There is a bit of a latency issue so I have to sync the tracks up manually. But pretty good for a freebie:D

[Mikey]

[quote=vester]
[quote=Mikey]
What kind of audio interface are you using with your laptop?
[/quote]

Well I downloaded the Kristal software. It's a bit overwhelming at first, but like you said, there is a forum to get people started.
What I'm looking at doing is just recording me and my buddies jamming, in my basement, nothing too serious. We all have real jobs!
I'm looking at either the Lexicon Lambda, or Tascam US122 or 144 interface.
How do you think it would sound, connecting two mics to the interface? They both have Phantom Power, so condenser mics can be used.