Apple has added several new instructional lessons to its Garage Band software for musicians. Users now have access to several titles from the Canadian rock band Rush, including the 1981 hits "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight" from the group's Moving Pictures album. Both artist lessons are provided by guitarist Alex Lifeson.
Apple today released the GarageBand 5.1 update, which it says addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and fixes a number of other minor issues along with an addressing an important security issue that allowed third-party to track usage of the app. According to the documentation, the specific issues addressed include the ability to add GarageBand track effects and Audio Units to a guitar track, improved support for Apogee audio interfaces, faster switching to full screen in Magic GarageBand, and improved access to audio monitoring settings. Apple says the update is recommended for all users of GarageBand ’09.
Apple has published updates for two of its main media playback utilities, iTunes and QuickTime. The most crucial is iTunes 8.2, which introduces support for the yet-to-be-released iPhone 3.0 firmware; the upgrade may signify an iPhone 3.0 debut on or around Apple's imminent WWDC event, scheduled to begin June 8th. Also addressed in the download are unspecified bugfixes and accessibility improvements.
In brief: A new iTunes visualizer, TRAKART has been released as a public alpha. The visualizer builds slideshows based on a song's lyrics, analyzing each track to extract keywords which it then uses to search Flickr. Images are then arranged into a slideshow which plays along with the song. Three guides have been released by Peachpit which teach users how to make better use of iLife '09, iWork '09 and GarageBand '09. The guides cover the basics of using each application, along with tips to create more professional products. Meanwhile, Ascender has released a new font style that is based on one of Goudy's original typefaces. The Friar Pro font is based on the original Friar typeface that was lost in a fire at Goudy's studio in 1939.
Apple has expanded the number of song lessons available at the GarageBand Lesson Store. Now available are videos for three more songs, including "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan, and Sting versions of "Fragile" and "Message in a Bottle." As with a number of other lessons sold through GarageBand, the original artists help to present the material.
In brief: We have posted the second part of our review of Steinberg Sequel, the Vue 3D Environment Competition 2008 has been announced, fmDataGuard has announced its "First Anniverary Sale," and there is a newly announced DEVONthink 2.0 upgrade grace period ... We have posted the second part of our review of Steinberg Sequel. The tool allows you to record using a MIDI controller or through an external microphone, which is very similar to GarageBand. We recorded live audio from a microphone and it worked well. The intuitive design worked as we thought it would. Cutting and arranging segments of recorded material is also similar to GarageBand. You can move segments freely or snap them to a metronomic grid.
MacNN has reviewed the Treadz for the 3G iPod nano, Sonnet repositioned the Fusion F2 with a new price, and two new eBooks to train users on Garageband. This extra-thick polished silicone case offers good corner protection and covers the basic nano form. Don't let the extra-thick marketing fool you though, it is only 1mm thicker than other cases I tested, which means it's 2mm thick instead of one. iFrogz is currently offering 40-percent off all products for its Memorial Day Sale.
British rock act Radiohead has taken a different approach with its latest single, the band has announced. Rather than commission a series of professional remixes for "Nude," any musician can now buy the song's underlying elements on iTunes (link), and remix them into a new track. Available "stems" include the voice, bass, guitar, drum, and string/FX layers; while shoppers have to buy before April 8th to get free GarageBand project files, the layers can be edited using many other programs, such as Logic.
Apple today issued an update to GarageBand, its personal music creation software for Mac users. The latest release improves overall stability, according to the company. The update also addresses issues with the automation of software instrument parameters, FireWire as well as USB based audio devices, and Magic GarageBand. Users can update to GarageBand 4.1.2 by choosing the Software Update feature under the Apple Menu in Mac OS X, or can manually download the latest release from Apple's updates page (19.1MB)
Apple today released an informational note about creating custom ringtones in GarageBand 4.1.1. "With GarageBand 4.1.1 you can export your original song, your original audio recordings, or use Apple Loops and iLife jingles to create a custom ringtone for your iPhone," the company says. Users need GarageBand 4.1.1, iTunes 7.5 or later, and an iPhone with firmware version 1.1.2 or later. The process involves setting up a cycle region that covers the desired area of a song to use in a GarageBand song, which must be 40 seconds or less in length.
Apple today issued security updates to its QuickTime 7.3.1 software (Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Windows) for Mac OS X 10.3.9 Panther, 10.4.9 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, and Windows Vista/XP SP2 that bolsters security. The Cupertino-based company also enhanced its GarageBand audio software. GarageBand 4.1.1 features better overall stability and fixes to issues with file export to iPhone. [updated]
