Garage Band equivalent?

I've heard ACID and Fruity Loops mentioned a few times, though nothing is just like GB.

Time to get yourself a Mac?

why can't apple do the same

Because MS isn't a computer company.

Before entering the Garageband world I used ProTools Free. There is a Windows version for Windows 98, ME:

http://www.digidesign.com/ptfree/

Missing: Loops, Software instruments, au effects (There are effects included but they are not as neat as GB)

PT Free is nothing like Garageband but is fun for Real recording up to 8 tracks. I actually prefer the editing in PT Free to Garageband. Wish they could conglomerate the two.

Kurt

Cakewalk/Sonar products, in my estimation, offer the best equivalents. Some of them (even the lower end software items) offer both software instruments, ACID loop compatibility, and guitar/bass amp emulation. I say this based on experience with the company, and their products are pretty solid.

Personally, my recommendation would be buy a Mac Mini and join us. Having used both PCs and Macs for making music, I think you'll make more music with a Mac and less time fighting the computer.

Jump in...the water's fine 🙂

I think you'll make more music with a Mac and less time fighting the computer.

Amen to that.

In the early days of OSX I asked musicians in this forum how OSx was treating them. The replies were hardly enthusiastic. Now all the really cool software is using X and the results are fantastic. OSX's core audio is the cat's pajamas. Garageband gives tools that no PC program has matched, and for no cost.

Reminder: Garageband comes free with new macs. (As well as a host of other cool programs.)

Kurt

To get the equivalent of GarageBand on Windows, you will need to spend well over $500 in software. And there is no one program for Windows that can provide everything GarageBand does.

You'll need:
1) an audio recording and looping program with loop library such as Sony Acid
2) a MIDI sequencer such as Cakewalk or Steinberg Cubase
3) a multi-sample player with a large library of sample-based instruments, such as SampleTank, Kontakt, or Halion
4) several software synthesizer instruments (there are hundreds on the market).

And the resulting setup will not work as well as GarageBand.

Apple sells computers and software. Microsoft sells software only.

Apple gives GarageBand away for free with all new Macs (as well as iPhoto, iMovie, etc.). Apple doesn't make any money directly from the sale of the GarageBand software.

Apple created GarageBand because it helps sell Macintosh computers, which is what makes money for Apple.

This is why Apple has no inducement to make a GarageBand product for Windows. Such a product would defeat the purpose for which Apple created GarageBand in the first place.

Great post, Wheat!

If you get one from eBay having GarageBand is not guarantied, so ask if it has it installed, AND comes with the install disks. If it doesn't, you'll have to also buy iLife 5

why are the install disks necessary?

You could be purchasing an older machine that didn't come with iLife '05, in which case you would need to purchase it ($79)

do the laptops have any less input slots

PowerBooks and iMacs have a single Line-In. PowerMacs may have an Analogue as well as a digital audio in (I don't recall off hand), and iBooks & Mac Mini's have no lIne-Ins, they would require an external interface.

--HangTime [Will Compute for Food] B-)>

First of all, Garageband isn't designed for older machines. Although my 500mhz iMac can run OS X, Garageband would drive it to its knees...if it had any. If you get a used laptop it needs to at least be a G4 to run GB well. I am a little skeptical about the G3 specs listed on the Garageband page. GB is one power hungry app! From the page:

GarageBand 2 System Requirements
•Macintosh computer with a PowerPC G3 (600MHz or faster), G4, or G5 processor
•G4 or G5 required for GarageBand software instruments
256MB of physical RAM (512MB recommended)
•Mac OS X v10.3.4 or later
•Display with at least 1024 x 768 pixel resolution
•QuickTime 6.5.2 (included)
•DVD drive required to install GarageBand
•4.3GB of disk space required to install GarageBand, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD; or 250MB to install iTunes, iPhoto and iMovie only

iLife 05 can be bought separately for $79.00, if your used machine doesn't have it.

The sound in port is conspicuously missing on the iBook line. I was disappointed with this (from a cheapskate's point of view) but USB interfaces allow for much higher quality input. I bit the bullet and bought a $35.00 iMic adapter and a cheap mixer to go with it.

Until getting spoiled with Garageband, I had a lot of fun with ProTools Free. What Windows operating system does your computer have? If it is Windows 98 or ME then download PT FREE and record your stuff while you save up for your mighty mac.

The mac mini suggested above is a great alternative for the price conscious, especially since you already have a mouse, keyboard and monitor. The freeware Double Command lets you remap your PC keyboard keys.

Kurt

I've only been a Mac user since March. Prior to that I used FruityLoops, ACID, and N-Track for recording on my Windows machine. All three have their good and bad points. Depending on your budget and what type of instruments you are recording, N-Track can work well and it's only about $50. ACID is nice for recording and loops, etc.

However, I'm much happier with what I've been able to do with GB and now Logic Express.

But if you can't go Mac, all three of the above have free demos. I would say that the producer version of FL Studio is the closest I've gotten to GB or Logic Express.

Hope this helps.