In the Garage

January 9, 2004

While much of the Mac web is filled with disappointment about Apple's announcement at MacWorld earlier this week, I am thrilled, because Apple released something that I've been looking for, at a lower price than expected: a simple music recording and composition program, Garage Band. For $49, the program combines multi-track audio recording with amp modeling, virtual instruments and loops and happens to include new versions of iDVD and iPhoto. While I have yet to use Garage Band, there is nothing else like it on the market, especially not at this price point. No, it's not a professional application by any stretch of the imagination, but that's why Apple offers Logic (and is rumored to be releasing a "Pro Tools killer" as soon as NAMM). As a tool for creating simple recordings and developing ideas, I look forward to playing with Garage Band. Now, I just need to get a USB MIDI interface...