Software, I don't understand the software list. Options

[gipsiad]

Looking at the software on this site and others I don't understand the problems with shareware or freeware, I don't understand what a commercial free update is, if you where to download the demo and the commercial update would that then mean you would have a compete program? The only thing I do understand is demo.
But what I want to know is why there isn't much in the way of freeware or shareware for the MAC like there is for the PC.
At the end of the day some people use these programs to make money and that is there livelihood and for others like me who will never be good enough to be a professional it's just fun and a good pastime as a hobby.
But being in the latter section means that spending $1000 for logic pro is out of the question I would never be able to save up that amount of money and by the time I did the next version of the software would be out and 7 would be outdated form 8, if you understand my point is.
For people who are not in the music industry but want to maybe play with music software how a kid would play with computer games, the price is too much.
This is why I am looking for free or shareware, I don't agree nor do I want cracked software doesn’t do anyone any favours.
But why can't for all the people who just using the MAC and there setup for bedroom mix's be able to share software with each other and if so where can one find such a site?

[gdoubleyou]

For the commercial updates to work, you have to already own the full versions, as far as i know you cannot update a demo.

All newer Mac come loaded with Garage Band a multitrack audio/midi sequencer, it comes with the iLife suite $79 http://www.apple.com/ilife/

[Bloot]

hello gipsiad
I'll probably get shot down for my opinions on this site (waving a big white flag!!) - but I think you should also get a PC.
Just to explain, I have a G5 and Protools 7 , also Logic 7 and I couldn't be more pleased with the stuff - of cause every now and then I may have a catastrophic moment, but that's the nature of it... but my point is that not everyone works on macs, so I use a PC to wander round the Net and chat and send files and link with people - I've only once been on the net with the Mac (for protection of my files, real peace of mind and just in case!!)
Softwarewise which is your main concern, I think you have to live with the prevailing winds. The big boys hold the cards, and rule the kingdom... I think the pirate software is probably a mug's game in the long run as the companies wouldn't produce the goods without the financial returns. If you're happy to use older software, then the rules may be different - we're not quite at the 50 or 75 years public ownership conditions that apply to songs, but perhaps a long way in the future an early midi sequencer might still be useful for what it does, that is if you've still got a machine to run it. Also there are perfectly working programs on other OS's for which you only need to install an emulator. (I've actually still got an Atari from the year dot, and it's midi facilities are still better than PT7!)
The Mac OS certainly doesn't need any bouquets, but PC's have had a long history of open software and freeware, and although you might not prefer some of the methodology, you can get the job done.
Bottom line is your os/software preference but I say use what's available elsewhere as well.#
Now I'm off quickly before anyone starts shooting!!!!!!!!!
bloot

[Mr12AX7]

There are many free Mac programs that should satisfy the needs of a non-professional as well as shareware programs that allow you to reward a programmer for his time and energy. I have used Audacity in a professional setting for months while waiting for Bias to straighten out bugs in their premier sound editing program that I had purchased. It is extremely stable and lacks only a "slick" GUI treatment. In addition, I was able to download many Audacity compatible free plugins etc - more than I ever used.

Put your needs in a list and I'll bet you will have responders giving you links to what you may need.

[Mac Daddy]

Bloot... Yep, I agree most of what you had to say. You sound like a 'Seasoned Computer Musician'. When you mentioned you had a G5 and Protools 7, Logic 7 and Atari you got my attention. I would love to have Both Mac and PC. If I had the money I would, because with just the one system you limit yourself. However, the connections are my main concern. Does one need double the gear, i.e., Sound Cards, Interfaces, Monitors, Speakers and Software issues?

2 Machines are better than one. You mentioned Atari. Atari really changed music forever. When I first saw and heard the results it changed me forever. It changed my life. It would be many years before I could afford a 'Professional' Set-up. I don't recall seeing Atari on a Mac. I don't know if it is a: Fact. Anyone know?So, does one need 'Double Gear' to run 2 systems? Even with my limited knowledge the answer will be yes on most?

[L.A. Sound And M...]

Sorry dude, I think you got me confused with someone else. But **** happens. I am into Pro Tools big time and even went to Nashville and got all my certificates but man I tell you you never can find out everything about this stuff. I am a certified in all the Pro Tools stuff well all but 310 and 210p. I want to get into Avaid but $23.000 is a little much..lol I am thinking about opening a studio plus a music store. I don`t think I ever heard of anyone doing that before or if that had I bet they made a killing. I already have my business licences and have a store but I had some health issues and I think I will put it off for a while My store name is L.A.SOUND and MUSIC. So, what do you think? I got a good deal on the HD system so I think I will go for it. I will tell you if you need some info on Pro Tools OPPS. Go to Secrets Of The Pros and check out Ken Walden this dude knows his shit and one hell of a nice guy. There is a studios in town here in Knoxville I put in for so maybe I will hear something tomorrow. Wonder what Pro Tools Engineers make a year anyway? I have been on the road with some great bands and did well but I just built a house and think I will hang here for a while. I did hear George Lucus is hiering. Man, that would be a cool job. Anyway, if you hear anything about how to import plug-ins please let me know.

Gregory Michael

[Jim Hoyland]

As long as you have the correct drivers there's no reason why you should need 2 lots of gear to run PC / Mac. We run 8 Digi002 Rack based studios using G5's, but when students want to use their PC laptops (as long as they have firewire) we just load up the PC version and off they go.

Atari was ace and the midi timing is still pretty much unbeaten although since Core Audio and Midi Mac OS has been tightened up no end.

I'm just about to set up a bunch of iMac G5's with Boot Camp to run both Windows and Mac music software for a new course - am a bit worried about the current driver set not allowing audio routing etc but if it all works okay it should be pretty interesting n'est pas?

BTW, I use my home Mac for music, FCP and the internet. I know its the constant bleat of Mac users, but there are currently no viruses that target OSX.

[Bloot]

Hello Mac Daddy and Jim Hoyland

I certainly wasn't recommending doubling the jobs on different platforms - my Mac is purely for music creation in a studio environment - one PC is the for the family and the net, and another laptop I use is just for live work. The situation has just evolved through convenience. And the Atari, (2 of them!!) occasionally come out of the mothballs just for sentiment - I really need to start to get rid of some of this junk, but it's the attachment isn't it? Heck, I absolutely loved the Atari - and when you've just done 8 hours work without a save, and the five bombs come up.......(AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH)........that's where I learned my basic stuff!!!! I also learned to cope with mouse (tennis) elbow - anyone else had that?

I know you can do everything on one machine Mac Daddy, but through experience, I would'nt risk it anymore, hence the different machines - some of the prices are amazingly cheap to have the convenience of different platforms and even if you wanted to do a bit of music on both as I do sometimes, you don't have to kit them both out equally. "Enjoy!"

and good luck Jim with your boot camp - that really will be fun!

bloot

[Mac Daddy]

Great to see all the names being Posted again. mortalengines, jimdubpram and hahaworld to name a few. lepetitmartien are you alright? It is also great seeing so many new Members joining. lepetitmartien was usually the go to guy for solutions for many of the 'Problems' you are experiencing. Although I call myself Mac Daddy, I don't know "Diddly"... It was more to remember my User Name. Mac Forum... Duh, I have a Mac and I'm a dad... Not that I'm the Daddy of Macs...

I paid with money, long hours spent with my Music Retailer/Consultant/Technician , Transport, Flight Case, Trolly (for rolling) after the Computer is taken off the 'Folding Hand Truck'... The G5 Box is too big. Cost for Flight Case, Trolly and 'Hand Truck', 500 Euros, "Under the table money and Tips to jump to be first served, 1000 Euros... I lived at the Retailer for the first 6 months... I don't know 'Diddly' remember? "Did You Know" that the word: 'Tips' relating to the 'Service Industry' means: 'To Insure Prompt Service' Tips. It will work on any level, "usually" oh and Gasoline... 500 Euros

Then I discovered Mac Forum... So what I paid for is free in the Mac Forum... However,

I am still waiting for an answer regarding Virtual Guitarist Electric Edition? Hello!!! I Posted I had a Problem with VG and someone said: "Well, it works fine on my computer"... That is wonderful. Perhaps you can answer my question asked a week ago! Where are VG Files Located? Little Question...
"It works fine works fine on my computer"... Oh, that's lovely... HELP!!!! I can get it fixed but I just don't want to have to get dressed, pack up, gasoline, Tip... that's right boys and girls and the time.... Just answer my question dude or dudette, of course there is no such thing.....

Jimdubpram... regarding your collaboration question I will attempt to contact you 'now'!

[Mac Daddy]

A Fool For The Moment Wise Forevermore...

Never thought to check my Mac Forum New Messages... lepetitmartien is alive and well! Deacon Blue too... Deacon is on the verge of something major... Can I borrow some money when you're rich and famous? Best wishes Deacon. lepetitmartien did not have much to say, but I am happy he is alive and well... Would you believe I had the audacity, not the Software, to ask the 'Great One' how was his Precious (Computer). As if I would even begin to understand his Technical answers. Actually, when lepetitmartien explains I do understand... He was the reason I became addicted to Mac Forum. He had 'Good Stuff''. Now he's gone... Just like a good 'Connection' and I'm left 'Strung Out'. Just a lot of Problems I read and I can't tell if any are being solved.

It used to be: "Thanks for your advice. I did what you said and... it worked.... Perfect... Thank you wise and great one" and lepetitmartien would simply say in a gentle voice: "Grasshopper, go, create, share this wisdom and never steal Software. Peace be with you." And all was well in the Forum. Then The great One had a problem... None of the students could help... For we knew little, plus, he had fixed all our problems, even before we had them, aha! Then, lepetitmartien was gone. There was silence... one or two Post some days... Was it over? Had we 'Burned Out' 'Our' shinning star?

What about 'The Other' 'Smart Guys', yes there are several, however, I don't want to say or miss any names. No, I'm not one of them, I'm the the guy who found Mac Forum "after" I spent money getting what is 'Free' in the Mac Forum. lepetitmartien would even correct or give a second opinion to the advice given by others. The Great One would say: "You might also want to try this"...

lepetitmartien be's da man! "That's the: 411". Trivia. 411 used to be the number dialed in the New York area to get 'Names, Addresses and Telephone Information'. They used to say: "Infromation" It became slang in the late 60's-70's at least that is when I started hearing or remembering it. Damn, I'm old!

lepetitmartien return with your light, air and wisdom... It's so bad in here "I" tried to help someone! Deacon Blue came to the Rescue of a Member... If the Member followed my 'Destructions' (Instuctions/Destructions) They would have run into serious problems or wasted time... It was a 'Desktop Rebuild' issue... I feel stupid each time I think I had the nerve to answer a question!

So, come back. No, I'm not in love with the guy. Maybe I am? Stranger things have happened. Just what I need... several women I can't handle, no money and discovering I'm in love with a guy on the Internet! I have never met him personally, but, I'd pretty much bet: No. His mind... Yes, his beautiful mind, oh, yeah that, Icon thingy...

I'm waiting a week already for someone to answer a stupid question about Virtual Guitarist! Lucky I'm not using it.. I only wanted to finally, after owning it for several years and leaving the VST Domain in the process, to fire it up. I can't make it work, I have heard it does, I saw it work when my Techie Installed it... Steinberg will only say... On the phone, direct contact as I'm in Hamburg. "We don't support it"...

I have the fxpansion VST-AU Adapter but when I go to Open it VG cannot find the Files. I don't know why, because: "I can!!!" See, you could have answered my question in a milisecond. I'm just going to Uprgade. Anyone using VST? It is a Great Piece of Software. I have both Versions. Virtual Guitarist and Electric Edition. I will Go to Classifieds... 50% Off. Plus Shipping! Everything legal and like new. Original everything.... 'Cause dats how I rolls, ya know?!

I'm warning you lepetitmartien retun or I'll continue writing more of this crap!!!

PS: hahaworld. Thanks for Replying. I totally understand your thinking regarding your purchase. I was wishing I had the dough to to what you did... Buy a G5 Quad. Horrible what has happened to you. I am so pissed off I am thinking of writing Steve Jobs on your behalf... I would tell him, until he replaces your G5 Quad 100% I will not Upgrade and advise others not to do so... Only if you approved of me doing this. Hey, it's too easy to write a short serious letter after this long bull crap communique.

PSS: I just can't stop. Bloot. You said you do all music on a Mac... That was what rang true. It makes no sense to purchase a PC, besides, my 'Squeeze' "Old School" for something affectionate, one would hug and squeeze it, and do to it many wonderful I digress has a PC, but, she does not use it anymore, beacuse I gave her my original PowerBook 864. Because I believed that the 17" PowerBook would solve my problems. This was great as I am away from my last Country of Residence, Australia and I did not want to lug a Desktop around... I now use my 17 for E-mails. ... Calling it a PowerBook, knowing it had no "real" Power... Hence, the G5. Maybe I should write Jobs about that lame 17" PowerBook. Put my iFoot in his iAss.