I have a few questions in regards to Moog instrument sounds for Apple’s Garageband. I’m really enjoying the program, but the AU instrument files are limited. I would love to have Moog sounds for my songs, but I don’t quite understand what I need to do. Is there a plugin that I can get to use midi Moog? I have heard about a program called Moog Modular, and I’m wondering if this would be too complicated for a newbie to use. As well, if I got Moog Modualr, is it compatible with Garageband and/or have plugins for it?
The software you are talking about is Moog Modular V by Arturia - www.arturia.com. This is a software emulation (or virtual synth as they tend to be called) of the '60s legend, as used by Wendy Carlos, etc. It is literally like having that machine in your computer, and sounds fantastic. Having checked out Garage Band, you can record your own parts from a keyboard or guitar, so I see no reason why the Moog Modular V (or MiniMoog V - this is also available) wouldn’t work, also. However, to get the best out of a virtual synth, you would wise to invest in a USB controller keyboard. There are many on the market and the Novation - www.novationmusic.com - range are good.
How do the Novation’s compare to other inexpensive midi controllers like Oxygen8? I am just starting to learn about samplers, Garageband and midi kybds. I also hear that a G5 is pretty well a req’t to run GB successfully. I have a G3 500 mz so would have to upgrade.
GarageBand will not send MIDI out to a device. It can record MIDI and play a software synth but there is no way to play MIDI out from GarageBand to an external device.
If this is something you need to be able to do then I’d suggest Logic Express.
In the 2 months since my last post on this thread I have bought a Source, EMU Orbit 3, EMU CLassic Keys and an EMY XK-6, already own a Kawai dp and Juno 106. I will be plugging these all into a UC-33e and then into my Vox Toenlab to the board. My new Apple arrived last week but ahve not had time to set it up and try Garageband with it.
Been an Apple owner for all my life and started messing around with digital recording “studios” when I first got my graphite ibook (G3 466) years ago. The best I pulled out of it was when Cubase came out for OS 9 …bad latency but finally let me throw away my stinkin four tracks. Now I have a new Powerbook (1.5GB) and still preach Cubase. The VST plugins, including Moog Minimoog V and Modular V are smooth and absolutely simple to set up. When I first played with GarageBand, it reminded me of a cheap Quicktime synth and Easybeat. Way too basic. Cubase is as simple as far as getting tracks down but at least gives the option of expansion and learning. Eg. iPhoto rules but it will never be Photoshop CS.