Music software - can PC/Mac users work together?

C

Caveat

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Hi

A friend has Garageband for home music recording (Mac based).

It isn't available for PC as far as I can see. Perhaps some posters know better?

Other than that, we would ideally like to consider using the same programme (whatever it may be) - me PC based, him Mac based - and edit/contribute to each others files - is this simply not possible?

I'd rather not simply have to buy a Mac purely for music recording.
 
Thanks

Maybe my specific query was unclear though - multi platform software is available alright but my understanding was that all this means is that the software can be used with a variety of operating systems - but does that also mean that my PC generated files can be opened/edited directly by his Mac or will the Mac have trouble interpreting files created by PC (or vice versa)?

Can problems like this occur in general between Mac/PC?
 
What sound file formats are you using? Most common sound file formats are platform independent.
 
ClubMan said:
What sound file formats are you using? Most common sound file formats are platform independent.
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Don't know yet ClubMan - I assume .wav files though.

Maybe I'll have a look at Boards too - thanks car.
 
Thanks Aircobra - makes sense - just didn't think it would be as straightforward as that.

I hear all sorts of horror stories re compatibility (especially when recording music) - thought sending info back and forth from Mac/PC might be pushing it.
 
Recording music might be as simple as recording a ring tone, or as complicated as mixing an album. So it might depend what specifically you are doing. But fundamantally the only issue is using compatible file formats between applications, regardless of platform.
 
ClubMan said:
Like...?
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I meant compatibility generally BTW - not specific to PC/Mac

Mainly, various plug-ins can cause problems. Some add-on external components for home recording set-up sometimes don't like each other. The latest version of ProTools (the daddy of home recording software) is reputedly having compatibility issues with the Mac - despite the fact that it was orginally written for the mac.

There seems to be a general feeling that using PC/Mac "for everything" when home recording (with real instruments) is not for the faint hearted.
 
Your now talking about something entirely different than when you started.

I'd say people who know what they are doing have few problems they can't overcome. New versions of software being buggy is par for the course. How many times do you draft a letter before you get it right?
 
aircobra19 said:
Your now talking about something entirely different than when you started.
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I know - just answering ClubMan's question.

I'd say people who know what they are doing have few problems they can't overcome. New versions of software being buggy is par for the course. How many times do you draft a letter before you get it right?
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Yes, I agree, but it can be more than just buggy software though.
 
Could be anything. Which is why you never buy version 1.0 of anything, including hardware, and you wait until you read the products support forums and it gets the thumbs up. If theres a problem you wait until they release a version without problems, or use something else.

Theres a ton of these audio programs. Not being smart but if you want specific information, ask a specific question. You'd probably be better browsing through a site that specialising in home recording and see what other people are using. Personally I just use a HiMD and what ever is on the PC or free like Audicity, CDWave. But I don't do much beyond simple editing.
 
aircobra19 said:
Not being smart but if you want specific information, ask a specific question.
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You have already answered my only real question.

Am aware of other issues/learning curves etc etc - I just didn't want to add to any problems by taking a route (Mac/PC file exchanging) which may prove to be unwise. But as you point out, this shouldn't be a concern.

Other issues I only mentioned because ClubMan asked.

BTW, I intend basically to record/create rock music, with vocals, using a combination of real instruments and MIDI - it looks like maybe boards is the place to discuss this though.

Thanks
 
Fair enough. That would beyond me tbh. The music/instruments over on boards forums is probably where you want to look. I never got futher than recording myself on quitar with a dodgy mic. Or recording a line in source etc. Never got into the whole MIDI at all.
 
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