Should I start with GarageBand or Logic Studio? And is 2 GB of RAM enough?
October 1, 2007 2:08 PM Subscribe
I'm new to making music on a computer. I'm buying a new MacBook once the new OS comes out (later this month). Should I learn with GarageBand, or get Logic Studio from the start?
I'm advised by a friend who knows these things that GarageBand is more than enough for me to start and to wait on Logic, but I want it now! Is there a logical reason for me to buy and learn with Logic? I'm committed to spending a lot of time to learn, and the $500 price tag won't break my bank. I don't want to be overwhelmed and discouraged, though -- that, and not the $$, is my main concern with starting with Logic Studio, and also why I'm not really considering Logic Express.
Also, am I right to think that I would only get GarageBand 3 on my new computer and I would have to buy iLife 08 to get the latest version? How long will it be before iLife 08 comes with new Macs? Would it be worth it for me to buy iLife 08 just for GarageBand 4? I'm considering that potential cost in comparing GarageBand and Logic Studio.
And I'm planning on getting a MacBook with 2 GB of RAM. If anyone thinks that might not be enough, I'd like to hear about it. I've looked at some forum discussions that say that it's not, but I'm hoping they're doing something that takes more RAM than I need and/or that they're wrong.
More about me: I'm someone who has a lot of partly-written songs, lots of lyrics and melodies, and am a kind-of competent keyboard player and a pretty good singer. I think I would mostly be using the keyboard as a controller for the instruments in the program and recording my vocals (and possibly some acoustic guitar). I have a demanding unrelated profession but music is my first love and I've decided to make it a (part-time) priority. My goal for now is to finish writing and record a bunch of songs at a shareable quality.
One last thing: Any tips on learning resources are welcome!
I'm advised by a friend who knows these things that GarageBand is more than enough for me to start and to wait on Logic, but I want it now! Is there a logical reason for me to buy and learn with Logic? I'm committed to spending a lot of time to learn, and the $500 price tag won't break my bank. I don't want to be overwhelmed and discouraged, though -- that, and not the $$, is my main concern with starting with Logic Studio, and also why I'm not really considering Logic Express.
Also, am I right to think that I would only get GarageBand 3 on my new computer and I would have to buy iLife 08 to get the latest version? How long will it be before iLife 08 comes with new Macs? Would it be worth it for me to buy iLife 08 just for GarageBand 4? I'm considering that potential cost in comparing GarageBand and Logic Studio.
And I'm planning on getting a MacBook with 2 GB of RAM. If anyone thinks that might not be enough, I'd like to hear about it. I've looked at some forum discussions that say that it's not, but I'm hoping they're doing something that takes more RAM than I need and/or that they're wrong.
More about me: I'm someone who has a lot of partly-written songs, lots of lyrics and melodies, and am a kind-of competent keyboard player and a pretty good singer. I think I would mostly be using the keyboard as a controller for the instruments in the program and recording my vocals (and possibly some acoustic guitar). I have a demanding unrelated profession but music is my first love and I've decided to make it a (part-time) priority. My goal for now is to finish writing and record a bunch of songs at a shareable quality.
One last thing: Any tips on learning resources are welcome!
There's no real point to learning Logic at this point if all you want to do is record and edit basic music compositions on your Mac. Garageband more than suffices. Using Logic would be like firing up a Space Shuttle just to fly to a neighboring state.
Bottom line, if you've never used a DAW before, and don't want to be overwhelmed, the don't use Logic. When you really need the power of Logic, you'll know it...at which point, graduate to the "grown-up" software.
But there aint nothin' wrong with Garageband at this point.
posted by melorama at 2:23 PM on October 1, 2007
Bottom line, if you've never used a DAW before, and don't want to be overwhelmed, the don't use Logic. When you really need the power of Logic, you'll know it...at which point, graduate to the "grown-up" software.
But there aint nothin' wrong with Garageband at this point.
posted by melorama at 2:23 PM on October 1, 2007
Definitely start with GarageBand... especially if you do get version 4 (24-bit recording! heck yeah!). It's very easy to use and provides a number of "training wheels"-like features which can give you the satisfaction of producing music right away, and enable you to keep learning as you go. Plus, once you're ready to make the leap (if ever), Logic will be far less overwhelming.
I second everything melorama said. In other words.
posted by myrrh at 2:29 PM on October 1, 2007
I second everything melorama said. In other words.
posted by myrrh at 2:29 PM on October 1, 2007
iLife comes with new Macs.
GarageBand has been a bit dumbed down from the previous version, but it's still good to start out on.
A MacBook with 2GB of Ram should be fine, but extra RAM bought from Apple is pretty expensive. Supposedly, if anything on your system fails and you have 3rd party RAM, then Applecare won't cover it. But what stops you from switching the RAM out before you bring it in? Crucial RAM seems to be the favorite, by the way.
Isn't it strange that MacBooks are usually updated in May and November? That's interesting. Hmm.
posted by idiotfactory at 2:40 PM on October 1, 2007
GarageBand has been a bit dumbed down from the previous version, but it's still good to start out on.
A MacBook with 2GB of Ram should be fine, but extra RAM bought from Apple is pretty expensive. Supposedly, if anything on your system fails and you have 3rd party RAM, then Applecare won't cover it. But what stops you from switching the RAM out before you bring it in? Crucial RAM seems to be the favorite, by the way.
Isn't it strange that MacBooks are usually updated in May and November? That's interesting. Hmm.
posted by idiotfactory at 2:40 PM on October 1, 2007
stick with GarageBand for now - it'll work pretty well for what you want - and, if you want to spend extra, get a Jam Pack or two or a good audio interface (the M-Audio FastTrack USB is $100). the Jam Packs will give you more software instruments and the audio interface will make it easier to record with instruments (the FastTrack, for instance, has a guitar input and an XLR for your mic), and some of the nicer ones have MIDI on them too. you'll get the newest iLife in the box (so, '08 right now) and OS X (so, Tiger now and Leopard when it comes out). 2GB RAM should be sufficient - I run GarageBand doing simple stuff with a MIDI controller on a Mac mini with 1GB, and it works fine. the MacBooks can unofficially be bumped up to 3GB, but you have to get the RAM from somewhere else. if you go that route, keep the Apple memory in case it does need to go in for service (as Apple doesn't warrant anything besides what the computer comes with - so they may need your original RAM in there if you get it from somewhere else). doing that shouldn't void your warranty, though (unless you've got a Mini), they just won't fix it if it turns out to be bad 3rd-party RAM.
posted by mrg at 3:15 PM on October 1, 2007
posted by mrg at 3:15 PM on October 1, 2007
Try the demo of Ableton Live. It's not just for live performance, and it's more flexible than Garageband, allowing you to import plug-in instruments and effects, many of which are freely available on the internet. It's cheaper than Logic as well. Give the demo a try: http://www.ableton.com
posted by Ted Maul at 4:23 PM on October 1, 2007
posted by Ted Maul at 4:23 PM on October 1, 2007
Ok, I am going to go ahead and disagree with most of you guys.
Learning a new piece of software well enough for it to become integrated into your workflow without hindering your creativity is a challenge, and a long process.
Logic is more complicated than garageband, but for it's basic functions, it's not that difficult. I'd MUCH rather just start learning the software you want to stick with from the get-go. Why learn new software two times?
If you are serious about it and want to drop the cash, by all means, get logic. No reason to drown yourself in redundancy.
That being said, I second Ted Maul's comment. Definitely give ableton a shot. It has an awesome workflow, a low learning curve, and would probably do everything you need (and more), as well as being the perfect tool for playing live, which would be rather difficult with Logic.
posted by Espoo2 at 4:38 PM on October 1, 2007
Learning a new piece of software well enough for it to become integrated into your workflow without hindering your creativity is a challenge, and a long process.
Logic is more complicated than garageband, but for it's basic functions, it's not that difficult. I'd MUCH rather just start learning the software you want to stick with from the get-go. Why learn new software two times?
If you are serious about it and want to drop the cash, by all means, get logic. No reason to drown yourself in redundancy.
That being said, I second Ted Maul's comment. Definitely give ableton a shot. It has an awesome workflow, a low learning curve, and would probably do everything you need (and more), as well as being the perfect tool for playing live, which would be rather difficult with Logic.
posted by Espoo2 at 4:38 PM on October 1, 2007
I cannot overstate how good Ableton Live is.
posted by apetpsychic at 4:46 PM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by apetpsychic at 4:46 PM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]
I also think it wouldn't be bad to jump right into logic (or some other program of its complexity). I tried garage band after learning ableton live and was pretty underwhelmed, though that won't be the direction you are coming from.
Ted Maul: It's cheaper than Logic as well.
Though I also recommend live (it is what I use), it's worth pointing out that this is no longer true with the advent of logic 8. And it's especially not true if you want to buy ableton operator or sampler. These cost extra, whereas logic comes with builtin synths and a sampler. I think live would be much easier to jump right into than logic, and I like its workflow a lot, but (like many other DAWs right now) the price drop of logic 8 has changed the equation for many people. Also, logic express 8 is even cheaper, and is a much better deal than logic express 7 (less limits, more plugins included).
OP: And I'm planning on getting a MacBook with 2 GB of RAM. If anyone thinks that might not be enough, I'd like to hear about it. I've looked at some forum discussions that say that it's not, but I'm hoping they're doing something that takes more RAM than I need and/or that they're wrong.
Whoever thinks 2GB is not enough is either confused or is doing really really complex things which you will not be doing any time soon.
posted by advil at 5:24 PM on October 1, 2007
Ted Maul: It's cheaper than Logic as well.
Though I also recommend live (it is what I use), it's worth pointing out that this is no longer true with the advent of logic 8. And it's especially not true if you want to buy ableton operator or sampler. These cost extra, whereas logic comes with builtin synths and a sampler. I think live would be much easier to jump right into than logic, and I like its workflow a lot, but (like many other DAWs right now) the price drop of logic 8 has changed the equation for many people. Also, logic express 8 is even cheaper, and is a much better deal than logic express 7 (less limits, more plugins included).
OP: And I'm planning on getting a MacBook with 2 GB of RAM. If anyone thinks that might not be enough, I'd like to hear about it. I've looked at some forum discussions that say that it's not, but I'm hoping they're doing something that takes more RAM than I need and/or that they're wrong.
Whoever thinks 2GB is not enough is either confused or is doing really really complex things which you will not be doing any time soon.
posted by advil at 5:24 PM on October 1, 2007
Ableton Live is what I use as well. It's great in that it has a "grid" type workflow.. You can work on each section, individually. It's great for songwriting. I would highly recommend it.
posted by wflanagan at 7:53 PM on October 1, 2007
posted by wflanagan at 7:53 PM on October 1, 2007
If you can afford it, and can put in the time to learn it, get Logic. It'll have a steeper learning curve than gargaband, but it'd be worth it in the long run.
posted by robotot at 8:27 PM on October 1, 2007
posted by robotot at 8:27 PM on October 1, 2007
Get Logic Studio, and spend a little more on tutorial videos like these. Those are free samples, BTW, so you can see how good their Logic tutorials are.
For $500, you get everything you could want to make music, including all the Jam Packs previously released. If you find Logic just too intimidating, wind back down and spend a week with Garage Band and go back to Logic. You'll be happy you did.
posted by ScarletPumpernickel at 11:14 PM on October 1, 2007
For $500, you get everything you could want to make music, including all the Jam Packs previously released. If you find Logic just too intimidating, wind back down and spend a week with Garage Band and go back to Logic. You'll be happy you did.
posted by ScarletPumpernickel at 11:14 PM on October 1, 2007
GarageBand. It's great for getting ideas going really easily. I wish I'd had it 10 years ago.
Good suggestion re: Ableton & Jam Packs.
posted by i_cola at 5:42 AM on October 2, 2007
Good suggestion re: Ableton & Jam Packs.
posted by i_cola at 5:42 AM on October 2, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by JakeWalker at 2:12 PM on October 1, 2007