[Daracle]

I think I might be mistaken, but was there not going to be a synth that Apple was going to sell?
I want to pick up iLife and a synth....

If I am wrong....What did you guys pick up?
I would like somewhat of a low price....About $100 or so

[yoyoman]

get the v synth from roland its the best one u can get for its price. Or else u will shell out 4000 for a good one.

[Daracle]

I am having some problems finding a price....

Anyone offer a estimate?


Edit:

Found it on ebay.....over $2000 canadian?
Thats the lowest I can get?

[Miguel Danielson -osxguide.com]

Ummmm, actually I think you are mistaken about an Apple "synth." Apple is not making anything involving MIDI, however they are offering through the Apple store a couple of MIDI controllers to be used with GarageBand. With a MIDI controller and GarageBand you have in essence a "software synthesizer" that can compete with a mid-range hardware synthesizer. The difference is that with a hardware synthesizer, you can make sound regardless of whether you're hooked up to the computer, but with a mere MIDI controller you have no ability to make sounds without being hooked up to the computer (which makes the sound).

So....long story short: Apple sells two basic MIDI controllers for use with garageband (these were referenced when Apple released GarageBand and are undoubtedly what you're thinking of). The basic one is only $99 and the higher-end one with some more buttons and sliders you can use to control GarageBand is $199.

We have lots of info on these sorts of questions at a site I run, MacJams.com (http://www.macjams.com). We did an in-depth look at the $199 keyboard, the Edirol PCR-30, which you may find quite useful. The cheaper keyboard is quite difficult to find in stock these days, but we are tracking these issues on MacJams and will be posting when supply conditions improve.

Good luck!

[Spheric Harlot]

Wow.





Just a quick note on the MIDI Controller/Synth confusion:

The Synth in the most basic GarageBand setup is actually the computer itself. The controller keyboard just tells it what to play and when to play it. Via MIDI, you're just recording that information (like on printed sheet music) - not the actual sounds themselves (like on tape or hard disk). The fact that GarageBand (and most other music software) can do *both* tape recordings *and* sheet music, but that they are distinct things, sometimes confuses people at first.

Many controller keyboards come with built-in synths (and vice versa), but you just need a simple controller to start making music with GarageBand, as the instrument sounds themselves are generated by the software's "virtual" instruments (though, you can, of course, record as many "real" instruments as you like* via the audio input on your Mac).


*so long as you dislike more than 64

-s*

[Daracle]

Thanks so much for your Info guys

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Daracle:
Thanks so much for your Info guys

You go have fun, y'hear?

Rock the house some.

I wish I'd had GarageBand ten years ago.

-s*