• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

GarageBand equivalent for Windows PC

C

CanadaBass

Feb 16, 2002
94
2
Waterloo, Canada
#1
Hello! I am going to start online bass lessons with a new teacher on Thursday. He highly recommended using GarageBand in conjunction with the following recording gear:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-scarlett-2i2-studio-3rd-gen-recording-bundle

I have a Windows PC and was wondering if there was a GarageBand equivalent that anyone would recommend that would be compatible with the gear shown above? Thank you!
 
#5
You might want to check this out... GarageBand for PC

For my band practices I have a portable recorder, just upgraded my Tascam DR-05 after 10+ years of use to a Tascam DR-40x. I use Audacity to clean up and edit those recordings to send out to my bandmates. Audacity is really lightweight and easy to use without a lot of the overhead of most DAWs. It's also a good way to become familiar with DAW concepts and recording. It doesn't have the built in instruments and loops that GB probably has (I'm not familiar with GB). But if you have to make drum loops or mix in backing tracks it will support that. Might as well take a look at both, lots of YouTubes out there with both tutorials and configuration tips. USB interfaces are getting better, but I haven't seen any that PnP yet.

Cheers and enjoy...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DirtDog, TomB, WestyBassBob and 1 other person
#8
funkinbottom said:
I also recommend Reaper. Inexpensive ($60) user friendly and free updates. The actual program takes very little space on your hard drive.
And again super easy.
Click to expand...
Ah yes. Storage is a major issue. I discovered that even recording just a couple of songs quickly filled up my laptop. Personally I recommend an external hard
Drive as they are cheap and reliable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: funkinbottom and CanadaBass
#11
tothemax said:
You might want to check this out... GarageBand for PC

For my band practices I have a portable recorder, just upgraded my Tascam DR-05 after 10+ years of use to a Tascam DR-40x. I use Audacity to clean up and edit those recordings to send out to my bandmates. Audacity is really lightweight and easy to use without a lot of the overhead of most DAWs. It's also a good way to become familiar with DAW concepts and recording. It doesn't have the built in instruments and loops that GB probably has (I'm not familiar with GB). But if you have to make drum loops or mix in backing tracks it will support that. Might as well take a look at both, lots of YouTubes out there with both tutorials and configuration tips. USB interfaces are getting better, but I haven't seen any that PnP yet.

Cheers and enjoy...
Click to expand...
this is going to require some computer nerdiness as it requires a VM that emulates MacOS, and a copy of at least MacOS Big Sur. Once it is actually running there are reports that the virtual instruments and loops do not work well, if at all ... and general reports are that it's pretty kludgy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CanadaBass and WestyBassBob
#13
Yes, in looking at the website it is not a simple app to install it seems to require a VM. Way too much effort when there are plenty of WIN DAW options out there. I'm a fan of Audacity for entry level users, the latest version supports plugins (I'm able to access quite a few of my DAW plugins from Audacity). Not sure if it supports direct installs of plugins.

OP, good luck with your venture

1723303425089.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: CanadaBass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back