Is there any software like Garage Band for your PC?

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  • Dirty F
    Too lazy to set a custom title
    • Jul 2001
    • 59204

    #1

    Is there any software like Garage Band for your PC?

    Something easy to use that has everything you need in 1 piece of software. Drums, keyboards, guitar you can plugin and it lets you use different effects and speakers. I don't want something that i need to spend 2 weeks on just figuring out how it works.
    Last edited by Dirty F; 03-25-2012, 05:10 PM.
  • candyflip
    Carpe Visio
    • Jul 2002
    • 43069

    #2
    Mixcraft or FL Studio, but the learning curve is much higher than you'd get with Garageband.

    Spend you some brain.
    Email Me

    Comment

    • Dirty F
      Too lazy to set a custom title
      • Jul 2001
      • 59204

      #3
      Will they let you plug in your guitar?
      And can i buy a keyboard and plug that in?

      Comment

      • CyberHustler
        Masterbaiter
        • Feb 2006
        • 28759

        #4
        I use http://www.image-line.com/documents/flstudio.html
        “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.”

        Comment

        • Helix
          Confirmed User
          • Feb 2002
          • 6021

          #5
          Jokosher

          Comment

          • Dirty F
            Too lazy to set a custom title
            • Jul 2001
            • 59204

            #6
            Originally posted by Helix
            Yeah that's more like Garage Band i guess. But i'm gonna try out fl studio as well.

            Comment

            • Helix
              Confirmed User
              • Feb 2002
              • 6021

              #7
              There is also LMMS for windows. A bit more like FL Studio

              Comment

              • Dirty F
                Too lazy to set a custom title
                • Jul 2001
                • 59204

                #8
                Originally posted by Helix
                There is also LMMS for windows. A bit more like FL Studio
                Cool, thanks.

                Comment

                • CyberHustler
                  Masterbaiter
                  • Feb 2006
                  • 28759

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Helix
                  There is also LMMS for windows. A bit more like FL Studio
                  Never seen that one, gonna check it out.
                  “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.”

                  Comment

                  • travs
                    Confirmed User
                    • Jul 2003
                    • 1631

                    #10
                    there are lots really. Cakewalk will do.

                    Comment

                    • tony286
                      lurker
                      • Aug 2002
                      • 57021

                      #11
                      Acid is as easy or as hard as you want.

                      Comment

                      • mynameisjim
                        Confirmed User
                        • Aug 2007
                        • 2985

                        #12
                        They all have demos. None will allow you to plug a guitar in. They will all need a preamp type interface.

                        Personally I use Ableton Live. They have a free version to check out but it's limited.
                        jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

                        Comment

                        • Mr Pheer
                          So Fucking Banned
                          • Dec 2002
                          • 22082

                          #13
                          Plug your guitar into Podfarm

                          Comment

                          • PornMD
                            Mainstream Businessman
                            • Jan 2007
                            • 9291

                            #14
                            Originally posted by candyflip
                            Mixcraft or FL Studio, but the learning curve is much higher than you'd get with Garageband.
                            The learning curve on ones like FL Studio have kept me from getting beyond old simplistic sequencers + SynthFont. I don't use instruments though so dunno if they're supposed to be more intuitive for people with studio experience or what.
                            Want to crush it in mainstream with Facebook ads? Hit me up.

                            Comment

                            • Dirty F
                              Too lazy to set a custom title
                              • Jul 2001
                              • 59204

                              #15
                              Originally posted by mynameisjim
                              They all have demos. None will allow you to plug a guitar in. They will all need a preamp type interface.

                              Personally I use Ableton Live. They have a free version to check out but it's limited.
                              Won't the iRig work?

                              Comment

                              • Dirty F
                                Too lazy to set a custom title
                                • Jul 2001
                                • 59204

                                #16
                                Originally posted by Mr Pheer
                                Plug your guitar into Podfarm
                                Interesting

                                Comment

                                • shake
                                  frc
                                  • Jul 2003
                                  • 4663

                                  #17
                                  Acid is great, and you can buy lots of pre-made loops to get things started.
                                  Crazy fast VPS for $10 a month. Try with $20 free credit

                                  Comment

                                  • mynameisjim
                                    Confirmed User
                                    • Aug 2007
                                    • 2985

                                    #18
                                    Originally posted by Dirty F
                                    Won't the iRig work?
                                    I've never used one, but that looks like for just screwing around, are you trying to get a decent sound?

                                    Recording live instruments is the only thing you need real studio equipment for anymore these days because it's still hard to a get a good recording of a live instrument or vocal. Everything else you can make sound professional at home with a computer, except the the live instruments and vocals.

                                    That iRig will not give you a professional sound or even close. If you are just laying down scratch tracks or goofing around, it will work fine as long as it's compatible with the software you choose. But if you want a sound that is similar to commercially produced stuff, you will need a quality pre amp to plug the guitar in or actually mic an amplifier, which is much harder but will produce a better sound. A lot of the "shredding" you hear in guitar playing is in the sound coming from an amplifier, you can't get that with a software amp model.
                                    jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

                                    Comment

                                    • Dirty F
                                      Too lazy to set a custom title
                                      • Jul 2001
                                      • 59204

                                      #19
                                      Originally posted by mynameisjim
                                      I've never used one, but that looks like for just screwing around, are you trying to get a decent sound?

                                      Recording live instruments is the only thing you need real studio equipment for anymore these days because it's still hard to a get a good recording of a live instrument or vocal. Everything else you can make sound professional at home with a computer, except the the live instruments and vocals.

                                      That iRig will not give you a professional sound or even close. If you are just laying down scratch tracks or goofing around, it will work fine as long as it's compatible with the software you choose. But if you want a sound that is similar to commercially produced stuff, you will need a quality pre amp to plug the guitar in or actually mic an amplifier, which is much harder but will produce a better sound. A lot of the "shredding" you hear in guitar playing is in the sound coming from an amplifier, you can't get that with a software amp model.
                                      I'm willing to buy a pre amp. What can you recommend?

                                      Comment

                                      • Dirty F
                                        Too lazy to set a custom title
                                        • Jul 2001
                                        • 59204

                                        #20
                                        Also what kind of soundcard do i need?
                                        I plug my guitar into rhe pre amp and the pre amp into the soundcard, correct? And a keyboard into the midi input of the soundcard?

                                        Comment

                                        • mynameisjim
                                          Confirmed User
                                          • Aug 2007
                                          • 2985

                                          #21
                                          Originally posted by Dirty F
                                          I'm willing to buy a pre amp. What can you recommend?
                                          Depends on your price range of course. The more money the better the sound but there is a law of diminishing returns, especially if your other equipment is not as good as the preamp.

                                          For an entry level preamp, I would say go with something like a Focusrite Scarlett. Pretty good sound, the drivers are solid under Windows and if you get one like the 8i6, you can use it to play live shows depending on what you are doing.

                                          http://www.focusrite.com/

                                          That's just my personal opinion though, I'm not saying it's the best since I have no idea what music you are making or anything like that. But that's a good place to start looking for a dedicated preamp that will allow guitars, bass, or vocals to be recorded.
                                          jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

                                          Comment

                                          • mynameisjim
                                            Confirmed User
                                            • Aug 2007
                                            • 2985

                                            #22
                                            Pre amp is usually USB. Keyboards are almost all usually USB as well.
                                            jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

                                            Comment

                                            • Dirty F
                                              Too lazy to set a custom title
                                              • Jul 2001
                                              • 59204

                                              #23
                                              Originally posted by mynameisjim
                                              Pre amp is usually USB. Keyboards are almost all usually USB as well.
                                              I see, but still i will need a decent soundcard right? Or am i thinking wrong?

                                              Comment

                                              • Dirty F
                                                Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                • Jul 2001
                                                • 59204

                                                #24
                                                Originally posted by mynameisjim
                                                Depends on your price range of course. The more money the better the sound but there is a law of diminishing returns, especially if your other equipment is not as good as the preamp.

                                                For an entry level preamp, I would say go with something like a Focusrite Scarlett. Pretty good sound, the drivers are solid under Windows and if you get one like the 8i6, you can use it to play live shows depending on what you are doing.

                                                http://www.focusrite.com/

                                                That's just my personal opinion though, I'm not saying it's the best since I have no idea what music you are making or anything like that. But that's a good place to start looking for a dedicated preamp that will allow guitars, bass, or vocals to be recorded.
                                                And what do you think of this?

                                                http://line6.com/podstudioux2/

                                                I really like this as it has all these guitar effects.

                                                Comment

                                                • Dirty F
                                                  Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                  • Jul 2001
                                                  • 59204

                                                  #25
                                                  Originally posted by mynameisjim
                                                  Depends on your price range of course. The more money the better the sound but there is a law of diminishing returns, especially if your other equipment is not as good as the preamp.

                                                  For an entry level preamp, I would say go with something like a Focusrite Scarlett. Pretty good sound, the drivers are solid under Windows and if you get one like the 8i6, you can use it to play live shows depending on what you are doing.

                                                  http://www.focusrite.com/

                                                  That's just my personal opinion though, I'm not saying it's the best since I have no idea what music you are making or anything like that. But that's a good place to start looking for a dedicated preamp that will allow guitars, bass, or vocals to be recorded.
                                                  With the 8i6 i could play live with other people and record it straight away? I mean we all could plug in our guitars and bass and mic at the same time? Am i right? Sorry for the questions but i'm really new to this stuff.

                                                  Comment

                                                  • mynameisjim
                                                    Confirmed User
                                                    • Aug 2007
                                                    • 2985

                                                    #26
                                                    The Pods are nice, but the preamps aren't quite as good for recording. They do come with a lot of amp models, so if you are just getting started, those will come in handy. A preamp will not come with any guitar amps.

                                                    You can buy guitar software amps, such as Native Instruments Guitar Rig which is a VST that runs in your software. But that brings the price up as well.

                                                    I could see getting the Pod just to get going, then once you get an idea for what you want to do, you can move to a dedicated preamp.

                                                    With the 8i6, you have two separate preamps, so you can record two instruments or vocals directly.

                                                    Recording equipment is definitely one of those things where you always are on the verge of needing new equipment, or looking for better equipment. So don't blow too much money early on, since once you start recording, you start seeing what you really need and what is a sort of a waste.
                                                    jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

                                                    Comment

                                                    • Dirty F
                                                      Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                      • Jul 2001
                                                      • 59204

                                                      #27
                                                      Ok thanks.

                                                      The thing is i 90% of the time will record alone but as a know a lot of musicians i'm pretty sure we will be recording stuff with multiple people as well. And then i don't want to screw around with just 1 input. So i might have to get something more expensive right away i think.

                                                      Sorry to keep bugging you but i'm still confused about the soundcard part. With these preamps do i need a soundcard at all?

                                                      Comment

                                                      • Dirty F
                                                        Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                        • Jul 2001
                                                        • 59204

                                                        #28
                                                        Also i'm gonna buy a new computer system just for this, anything i need to keep in mind while buying one? Amount of RAM?

                                                        Comment

                                                        • Dirty F
                                                          Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                          • Jul 2001
                                                          • 59204

                                                          #29
                                                          Ok on my list:

                                                          New computer
                                                          27 inch screen
                                                          Headphones
                                                          Microphones
                                                          Pre amp
                                                          Speakers
                                                          Keyboard
                                                          Electronic drumkit

                                                          Already got the guitars and bass.
                                                          Am i missing something? Do i need a mixing panel? FLstudio already has a build in mixer, is there any reason why i would want to buy one and have it in front of me instead of on my screen?

                                                          Comment

                                                          • DamianJ
                                                            Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                            • Jul 2006
                                                            • 15808

                                                            #30
                                                            Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                            Also i'm gonna buy a new computer system just for this, anything i need to keep in mind while buying one? Amount of RAM?
                                                            A mac mini.

                                                            Comment

                                                            • Dirty F
                                                              Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                              • Jul 2001
                                                              • 59204

                                                              #31
                                                              Originally posted by DamianJ
                                                              A mac mini.
                                                              No Mac for me. I realize it works well with music software and hardware but so does a pc. I have no reason to switch to a mac.

                                                              Comment

                                                              • DamianJ
                                                                Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                • Jul 2006
                                                                • 15808

                                                                #32
                                                                Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                No Mac for me. I realize it works well with music software and hardware but so does a pc. I have no reason to switch to a mac.
                                                                Garageband
                                                                Logic

                                                                There's two reasons to switch right there.

                                                                I don't see a reason *not* to buy a mac if you want a dedicated box for music.

                                                                Aside from the fag mac hipsters annoying you.

                                                                :D

                                                                Comment

                                                                • Dirty F
                                                                  Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                  • Jul 2001
                                                                  • 59204

                                                                  #33
                                                                  Now i wouldn't mind using Logic...
                                                                  Fuck...

                                                                  Comment

                                                                  • Dirty F
                                                                    Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                    • Jul 2001
                                                                    • 59204

                                                                    #34
                                                                    Is Logic Pro good enough for a home studio?

                                                                    Comment

                                                                    • PiracyPitbull
                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                      • Jan 2011
                                                                      • 583

                                                                      #35
                                                                      check out gearslutz forum, lots of info.

                                                                      I found the Fastrackpro to be really good, Akai's apc is a great controller and comes with Ableton live which is really user friendly (way more than Sonar for example).
                                                                      http://www.piracypitbull.com

                                                                      Comment

                                                                      • DamianJ
                                                                        Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                        • Jul 2006
                                                                        • 15808

                                                                        #36
                                                                        Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                        Is Logic Pro good enough for a home studio?
                                                                        Logic Pro is what is used in many professional studios, so yes, more than good enough for home use.

                                                                        Comment

                                                                        • Dirty F
                                                                          Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                          • Jul 2001
                                                                          • 59204

                                                                          #37
                                                                          Originally posted by PiracyPitbull
                                                                          check out gearslutz forum, lots of info.

                                                                          I found the Fastrackpro to be really good, Akai's apc is a great controller and comes with Ableton live which is really user friendly (way more than Sonar for example).

                                                                          Comment

                                                                          • Dirty F
                                                                            Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                            • Jul 2001
                                                                            • 59204

                                                                            #38
                                                                            Originally posted by DamianJ
                                                                            Logic Pro is what is used in many professional studios, so yes, more than good enough for home use.
                                                                            Yeah i really looks good. I want to use it.
                                                                            The thing is i'll be spending twice as much on a Mac than on a PC just to use this software.

                                                                            Comment

                                                                            • DamianJ
                                                                              Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                              • Jul 2006
                                                                              • 15808

                                                                              #39
                                                                              Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                              Yeah i really looks good. I want to use it.
                                                                              The thing is i'll be spending twice as much on a Mac than on a PC just to use this software.
                                                                              really?

                                                                              500GB
                                                                              2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
                                                                              2GB memory
                                                                              500GB hard drive1
                                                                              Intel HD Graphics 3000
                                                                              OS X Lion

                                                                              600 bucks

                                                                              Seems the same as a comparable dell to me?

                                                                              Comment

                                                                              • Dirty F
                                                                                Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                • Jul 2001
                                                                                • 59204

                                                                                #40
                                                                                Originally posted by DamianJ
                                                                                really?

                                                                                500GB
                                                                                2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
                                                                                2GB memory
                                                                                500GB hard drive1
                                                                                Intel HD Graphics 3000
                                                                                OS X Lion

                                                                                600 bucks

                                                                                Seems the same as a comparable dell to me?
                                                                                Ya that seems decent but i bet that same system will cost way more here in Holland for some reason.
                                                                                And 2gb memory? Really? If i would buy a new pc for this i would buy no less than 16 gigs?

                                                                                Comment

                                                                                • Dirty F
                                                                                  Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                  • Jul 2001
                                                                                  • 59204

                                                                                  #41
                                                                                  Also do normal lcd screens work on a Mac or am i forced to buy one of those $999 27 inch Mac screens?

                                                                                  Comment

                                                                                  • DamianJ
                                                                                    Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                    • Jul 2006
                                                                                    • 15808

                                                                                    #42
                                                                                    Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                                    Also do normal lcd screens work on a Mac or am i forced to buy one of those $999 27 inch Mac screens?
                                                                                    Any screen works, and I can't see you really needing more than 4 gig of ram unless you plan to have a gazillion VST instruments running at once. But you can go up to 8 if you want. Crucial.com is your friend.

                                                                                    Comment

                                                                                    • Dirty F
                                                                                      Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                      • Jul 2001
                                                                                      • 59204

                                                                                      #43
                                                                                      Originally posted by DamianJ
                                                                                      Any screen works, and I can't see you really needing more than 4 gig of ram unless you plan to have a gazillion VST instruments running at once. But you can go up to 8 if you want. Crucial.com is your friend.
                                                                                      I live in Holland. I won't be ordering through American sites.

                                                                                      So a Mac mini with 4 gigs of ram will be plenty to run Logic Pro? Are you sure of that?
                                                                                      4 gigs really doesn't sound like a lot to me but maybe it's different in Mac terms.

                                                                                      Comment

                                                                                      • DamianJ
                                                                                        Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                        • Jul 2006
                                                                                        • 15808

                                                                                        #44
                                                                                        Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                                        I live in Holland. I won't be ordering through American sites.

                                                                                        So a Mac mini with 4 gigs of ram will be plenty to run Logic Pro? Are you sure of that?
                                                                                        4 gigs really doesn't sound like a lot to me but maybe it's different in Mac terms.
                                                                                        I run Logic with two gig just fine.

                                                                                        My friend is a producer and he uses a mini with 4

                                                                                        Also, crucial are awesome and even will sell to you http://www.crucial.com/eu/internatio...try=NEDERLANDS



                                                                                        Enjoy

                                                                                        and if you want guitar toys, I play for hours with this http://www.apple.com/logicpro/plugin...for-guitarists although guitar rig is also good.
                                                                                        Last edited by DamianJ; 03-26-2012, 03:12 AM.

                                                                                        Comment

                                                                                        • Dirty F
                                                                                          Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                          • Jul 2001
                                                                                          • 59204

                                                                                          #45
                                                                                          Cool...well looks like i will be going Mac then. Never thought that would happen. Thanks for all the info. It really helped me.

                                                                                          Comment

                                                                                          • Paul
                                                                                            Confirmed User
                                                                                            • Nov 2002
                                                                                            • 2637

                                                                                            #46
                                                                                            Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                                            Yeah i really looks good. I want to use it.
                                                                                            The thing is i'll be spending twice as much on a Mac than on a PC just to use this software.
                                                                                            Then buy a PC, install Parallels or Virtual Box and install OS X Lion and Garage Band.

                                                                                            Get the best of both worlds!

                                                                                            Comment

                                                                                            • Dirty F
                                                                                              Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                              • Jul 2001
                                                                                              • 59204

                                                                                              #47
                                                                                              Originally posted by Paul
                                                                                              Then buy a PC, install Parallels or Virtual Box and install OS X Lion and Garage Band.

                                                                                              Get the best of both worlds!
                                                                                              Nah, i think it's retarded when people do that. Like people buying a mac and then use all kinds of software to run pc apps. That's just dumb.

                                                                                              Comment

                                                                                              • Paul
                                                                                                Confirmed User
                                                                                                • Nov 2002
                                                                                                • 2637

                                                                                                #48
                                                                                                Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                                                Cool...well looks like i will be going Mac then. Never thought that would happen. Thanks for all the info. It really helped me.
                                                                                                But for the record I'd go with a Mac too, always nice to be able to run windows programs too though so a virtualized setup is always a nice addition

                                                                                                Comment

                                                                                                • DamianJ
                                                                                                  Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                                  • Jul 2006
                                                                                                  • 15808

                                                                                                  #49
                                                                                                  Originally posted by Dirty F
                                                                                                  Cool...well looks like i will be going Mac then. Never thought that would happen. Thanks for all the info. It really helped me.
                                                                                                  You have any more questions or thoughts, feel free to just email me. Always happy to help.

                                                                                                  Comment

                                                                                                  • Dirty F
                                                                                                    Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                                    • Jul 2001
                                                                                                    • 59204

                                                                                                    #50
                                                                                                    Originally posted by DamianJ
                                                                                                    You have any more questions or thoughts, feel free to just email me. Always happy to help.
                                                                                                    Thanks!

                                                                                                    ...

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