GarageBand

From LIS 460 Summer 2007

1 What is GarageBand?
2 Disadvantages to GarageBand
3 Uses in a school library
4 Questions
5 References and more information

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What is GarageBand?

GarageBand is an Apple program that allows users to create music or podcasts. Program features include

a library of music, jingles, and sound effects. You can purchase JamPacks, which contain additional music loops and instrument sounds
click-and-drag interactions with iPhoto library and other Apple applications
built-in speech enhancer and automatic volume control (so you always hear your voice over the music)
ability to record from iChat
easy connection to iTunes
easy interface with iWeb for one-click publishing.

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Disadvantages to GarageBand

It only works with Macs.
You have to buy the whole iLife suite to get it (which is necessary since it works so closely with other Apple programs). The iLife suite includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, and iWeb.

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Uses in a school library

Obviously, this software could be useful for anyone making podcasts. Many schools have Macs, so kids, teachers, and administrators are familiar with the ways Macs work. Using this seems like it would be easier than using a podcasting program and a pod server--Apple has nicely integrated just about everything you need. I have not used this software, but one of the things that most interests me is that it includes music for your project, so you don't have to worry about copyright issues. That was one of the hardest parts of creating my podcast.

There are also opportunities for using this program during music lessons or concerts. By hooking up a microphone to a computer running GarageBand, students could record practice sessions or concerts. Students could listen to their practice sessions and analyze mistakes. Concerts could be posted as podcasts for the enjoyment of the school, parents, and the wider online community.

The software might also be useful for learning music theory. Students could actually manipulate the notes and create projects that meet certain criteria that they're learning about in class (for example, it must be in a major/minor key with a specific time signature and contain x number of half-notes and whole notes).

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Questions

Q: It says you can record virtual instruments. Can you record real instruments other than guitars?

A: Yes. From Wikipedia: "The other type of track is called a "Real Instrument" track. This is where the recording process of GarageBand comes in. Using a microphone or plugging the instrument directly in (or through an audio interface/mixer), you can record an instrument being played or a voice-over. You can apply several effects to the recorded mesh such as "Glam" if you wanted an electrical guitar sound or "Deeper Vocals" if you wanted a voice to sound lower. Real instrument tracks could be seen as universal since imported music or recorded sound are displayed as real instrument tracks. It is even capable of putting software track loops into real instrument tracks."

Q: How many computers can share JamPacks?

A: I only saw the single version. I imagine you could get licenses for more... but I don't know.

Q: Are these loops like audio ClipArt? Are we going to start hearing the same ones over and over?

A: There are 1000 that come with the program initially, and you can buy additional packs. I don't know what kind of quality they are, what kind of variety they have, or how many you'd really want to use. However, Wikipedia's GarageBand entry does have a list of "Notable users" that documents artists and songs where you might have heard GarageBand loops.

Q: How big are these files? I know iMovie files are huge. Will GarageBand files be a problem to store?

A: This discussion board says that you can save them as mp3 files, which are smaller than the GarageBand files. Otherwise I can't find any information. It would be worth considering the school tech setup before jumping into this.

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