I have been using computers for a long time now. I grew up around them in an era when “computer” meant a large bit of machinery in a raised-floor specially air-conditioned room. Back then, a “printer” was this gizmo almost as big as a compact car. In retrospect, people working in the computer room should probably have been wearing ear protection.
Because I have been using computers a long time, I have also used a lot of software, and it is my considered opinion that a lot of it is less than perfect. Don’t get me started on the flaws of Quicken, which I mostly use because there is no better solution. I gave you my opinion about Microsoft Office some time back. All email clients are fine if all you do is read and send nice, normal, plaintext emails, but they are all horrible, kludgy messes if your needs are any more complicated than that. The things that were supposed to make the more powerful modern email client simpler to use have instead made our computers — particularly those running windows — more vulnerable to malicious code and plain old fashioned user stupidity.
Browsers are even worse. At this very moment I have five web browsers installed on my computer. I am running two of them right now. In any given month I usually encounter at least one web site that only works properly with certain browsers; thus I need all five browsers. This is aside from web designer friends asking me to test their sites from outside their local network. Part of the problem with browsers is, in fact, web designers who put as many bells and whistles into a site as possible. Ad designers are also to blame, as they are continually trying to find ways to make web ads stand out. Here’s a thought for the fellow who invented that ad I saw a couple weeks ago that floated across my active window while I was trying to read the article, may your car break down in the middle lane of the freeway during rush hour.
Even icons stink. Two of those 5 browsers have the globe as part of their icon. I often run 3 or 4 programs at the same time with globe icons. Enough! Part of the point of an icon is so the end user can tell programs apart at a glance, without having to read the program name. When several programs use similar icons, that is no longer possible. Developers: please declare a moratorium on globe icons in your products.
And this brings me back to the reason it’s been a week since you have heard from me. No, I have not been at Apple’s WWDC. Nor do I necessarily agree with the Apple strategy of stomping on small developers in quest of the “insanely great.”
But, let me tell you, I recently started using GarageBand, and I love it. It is without a doubt the best cheap sequencer I have ever encountered.
This application has it’s limitations. This tool probably serves the needs of 90% of musicians with computers quite adequately. It is not MIDI, which means no General MIDI specification output, no SMPTE, and no export to scoring programs. It does not appear to support tempo and meter changes in the middle of a song. There are also a couple of little flaws which look like they can easily be changed in the upgrade cycle: for example, tempo is controlled by a slider, with no ability to directly enter a numerical metronome marking; adding a new track makes the new track active, but not automatically “solo,” or audible; I feel certain there are other minor annoyances I have not yet encountered.
However, the program does support a variety of time signatures, including 5/4 and 12/8. All “12” keys are available, although no distinction is made between major, minor, or modes. This actually makes things very flexible. Hit a wrong note? Just drag the note to the correct pitch in the Track Editor window! Hit it too hard, or too soft? Edit the velocity (numerically. Go figure). Individual lines can be brought into beat down to the 32nd note automatically. And if you just plain hit it at the wrong time, drag it to the right place.
But the loop browser is the pure genius of this program. This almost completely circumvents the hassle of figuring out how to enter a great drum line using a keyboard. Anybody can point and click their way to serious personal grooves, both rhythmic and harmonic, and add personal touches by attaching a keyboard, guitar, or microphone. Yes, that’s right, you can record real instruments and voices using GarageBand and the appropriate accessories. Put that in your MIDI pipe and smoke it. It won’t be Abbey Road, but what do you want from a program that comes free with a new computer?
If the virtual musical instruments and preloaded loops that come with the program aren’t enough for you, a cottage industry has cropped up that produces after-market materials for your purchase. Not only are loops and instruments available for several musical genres, there are opportunities to share your music and listen to what others can do. Keep in mind, GarageBand users range from rank amateurs to pro musicians who want to sell you an album.
Speaking of selling an album, GarageBand tracks are easily exported to iTunes, where they can be easily burned to an audio CD and shared with anyone.
Now if you don’t mind, the keyboard beckons.
It just occurred to me: did you know I’ve been at this over a year now?