Never call computers
anthropomorphic. They hate that.
TOPIC: MAKING MUSIC
ON YOUR MAC
Discussions and demos of several
applications (both new and old) related to making music on Mac computers:
iTunes
- play CD music on your mac. Get additonal track info about a loaded
CD by clicking iTunes Menu > Advanced > Get CD Track Names. Also
tracks can be imported into iTunes Library for compiling your own unique
play mix or burn list.
Listen
to internet radio from any of the hundreds of sites included in iTunes. Plug
in a RocketFM (or similar device) to broadcast your Mac music to
any FM radio in your home. Check eBay for RocketFM (selling @$15-20).
Audacity -
free application to record live instrument or voice with a single click.
Export recording as MP3 to reduce size and make it playable on your
iPod. See example.
QuickTime
Pro - use this version ($29) to record streaming audio from sites
such as YouTube. This requires a 2nd computer. Play internet stream
on 1st Mac which is connected to 2nd mac via stereo miniplug (sound
out to sound in). Open QuickTime Pro on 2nd mac to New Audio Recording,
adjust input levels, then record.
Melody
Assistant - shareware ($20) that allows original musical composition,
as well as a printable score your finished work.
Rock
Rap 'n' Roll - software sampler from the 1990's which still works
great in OSX Classic. Build your own high quality music tracks. Output
to 2nd mac to record a QuickTime file for cross platform use.
Garage
Band - record live instruments or voice, as well as using samplers
of high quality sound contained in the program. Create a New
Project, then add a new Track. Under Window, select either Keyboard
or Musical Typing Choose from sample
loops (click the 'eye' symbol). Drag the preferred loops
into your project. Then give it a listen.
Modular
Guitar Chord - build your own diagrams for any guitar chord by
copying, arranging and pasting these basic parts in TextEdit.
COOL SOFTWARE
Caffeine -
freeware to keep your mac awake during long recordings or downloads
Paintbrush -
free paint application (2.7mb) - for Leopard or Tiger
SheepSaver -
is a PowerPC Emulator that allows you to run OSX Classic Apps on Snow
Leopard in Intel macs. Read a good article about it on Tidbits.
IN THE NEWS
CD/DVD
- Jerry gave us an update from a past
presentation about choosing the best CD/DVD according to color
- color is no longer a true indicator of archival quality. Also DVD+R
is better than DVD-R. A report on recent improvements by Taiyo Yuden
can be read here.
(Jerry said this article is easy to understand. We'll take his word
for it.)
National
Do Not Call Registry - stop unwanted telemarketing calls by registering
for free. (Note: companies with whom you do business, charities,
political organizations, and telephone surveyors are exempt.)
iTunes
- play CD music on your mac. Get additonal track info about a loaded
CD by clicking iTunes Menu > Advanced > Get CD Track Names. Also
tracks can be imported into iTunes Library for compiling your own unique
play mix or burn list.
Listen
to internet radio from any of the hundreds of sites included in iTunes. 
CD/DVD
- Jerry gave us an update from a