First of all, I'm not paid by Apple. One of the things I've always told people is that while Apple computers are expensive, that ultimately you end up saving time and money by using Apple for music production because the software is so competitively priced and hardware support is generally excellent. Now, Apple has gone ahead and proven that point for me by releasing MainStage on the App Store. I believe this is seriously the deal of the century here: Apple MainStage 2 This is an incredibly amazing piece of software.
At some level, it's nothing more than a place where all your virtual instruments and effects reside, but in effect, it's so easy to use that it can replace multi-effects units entirely. You start the sucker up, and then you can instantly have a very user friendly interface to play and tweak your amp models. That's not all, it's also a full featured looper for all your creative needs and you can load up backing tracks onto its interface, straight from one awesome interface. And if that's not all, you can load up lyrics, play software instruments, control changes, all almost effortlessly. It's one of the few programs out there that lets you really think about how you can perform live with your software setup, not just record with it. And really, that's not all. And this is the most amazing part.
When you download MainStage, you get 20 gigs of loops and EXS24 samples, the same JamPacks that used to cost $50-120 a pop, ALL OF THEM FOR $29. There are some seriously amazing sounds available to you, from old school drum machines to vibey drum kits and symphony orchestra and vocal samples and the like. And these things can be used in any program, not just MainStage. Seriously, this is the most value-packed $29 you've ever spent, I promise you. Even if you never use MainStage, just getting the 20 gigs of loops and instruments will make your GarageBand experience that much better, too. Consider the fact that Apple computers already come with GarageBand. Spend $29 on top of any Apple computer and you have a seriously badass audio workstation already, with fully capable amp models, several cool synths, a pleasing Rhodes simulator, drum machine, effects, etc., and 20 gigs of samples and loops (both audio and MIDI). That's value, I tell you.
At some level, it's nothing more than a place where all your virtual instruments and effects reside, but in effect, it's so easy to use that it can replace multi-effects units entirely. You start the sucker up, and then you can instantly have a very user friendly interface to play and tweak your amp models. That's not all, it's also a full featured looper for all your creative needs and you can load up backing tracks onto its interface, straight from one awesome interface. And if that's not all, you can load up lyrics, play software instruments, control changes, all almost effortlessly. It's one of the few programs out there that lets you really think about how you can perform live with your software setup, not just record with it. And really, that's not all. And this is the most amazing part.
When you download MainStage, you get 20 gigs of loops and EXS24 samples, the same JamPacks that used to cost $50-120 a pop, ALL OF THEM FOR $29. There are some seriously amazing sounds available to you, from old school drum machines to vibey drum kits and symphony orchestra and vocal samples and the like. And these things can be used in any program, not just MainStage. Seriously, this is the most value-packed $29 you've ever spent, I promise you. Even if you never use MainStage, just getting the 20 gigs of loops and instruments will make your GarageBand experience that much better, too. Consider the fact that Apple computers already come with GarageBand. Spend $29 on top of any Apple computer and you have a seriously badass audio workstation already, with fully capable amp models, several cool synths, a pleasing Rhodes simulator, drum machine, effects, etc., and 20 gigs of samples and loops (both audio and MIDI). That's value, I tell you.
Electrics: Fender '73 Mustang RI, Epiphone Inspired by John Lennon Casino, Gibson 60s Tribute Les Paul Studio, Daisy Rock Retro-H Deluxe, Squier Hello Kitty Strat
Acoustics: Taylor 316CE-LTD, Seagull Entourage Rustic CW QIT Basses: Squier Badtz Maru Bronco Bass, Aria CSB-300, Fender Mustang Bass RI Amps: Vox TB18C1, Vox Pathfinder 210, Peavey Transtube Envoy, Ampeg Micro VR Stack.For performing musicians, MainStage gives you the power and flexibility of Logic Pro in an application optimized for live performance. Whether you are a keyboard player, guitarist, vocalist, drummer, or play another instrument, you can use MainStage in your live performance setup. |