Apple Debuts GarageBand Music Production App with iLife '04
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GarageBand. Courtesy of Apple
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GarageBand Jam Pack. Courtesy of Apple
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January 6, 2004
Apple today announced iLife '04 at MacWorld San Francisco, the next generation of Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications. iLife '04 features new versions of iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD and introduces GarageBand, a new music application that turns a Mac into a musical instrument and recording studio for musicians and aspiring musicians alike. iLife '04 also features the recently-released iTunes 4.2, which includes the iTunes Music Store.
GarageBand turns the Mac into a complete recording studio, allowing both novice and seasoned musicians alike to easily play, record and create amazing music using a simple interface. Recorded performances, digital audio and looping tracks can easily be arranged and edited like building blocks to create a song. GarageBand comes with more than 50 software instruments that can be played and recorded with any USB or MIDI music keyboard. Over 1,000 pre-recorded audio loops can be combined to make complete songs or backing tracks. Vocals and live instruments such as guitars can be recorded digitally via microphone or analog input. All these tracks can be edited and mixed together with over 200 effects presets. With GarageBand's advanced modeling technology, guitar players have access to vintage amplifier sounds with six guitar amps, including clean jazz, arena rock and British invasion. GarageBand can also export completed songs to iTunes for burning to CD, encoding in MP3 or high quality AAC, transfer to iPod or for use in the other iLife applications.
Apple has also introduced Jam Pack, an add-on music content package for GarageBand. With triple the content, Jam Pack includes over 2,000 additional loops including many for hip-hop and electronica; over 100 additional software instruments, including a concert grand piano and 12 string guitars; over 100 additional effects presets; and 15 additional guitar amps, including surf, grunge, heavy blues and atmospheric.
Pricing & Availability
GarageBand will be available on January 16, as part of iLife '04, for a suggested retail price of $49 (US) through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. GarageBand will also be included with all new Macs. An iLife Up-To-Date upgrade package, which includes GarageBand, is available to all customers who purchase a new Mac on or after January 6 that does not include iLife '04. The iLife Up-To-Date package is available for a shipping and handling fee of $19.95 (US).
Jam Pack will also be available on January 16 for a suggested retail price of $99.
GarageBand and Jam Pack require Mac OS X v10.2.6 or later, QuickTime 6.4 or later, a Macintosh computer with PowerPC 600 MHz or faster G3, G4, or G5 processor, 256MB or more physical RAM and a 1024x768 or larger display. A G4 or G5 processor is required for GarageBand software instruments.
For more information, visit their web site at www.apple.com. |
