Apple Training Series : GarageBand 2 (Apple Training)

Now that you can record eight simultaneous tracks with it, GarageBand 2 really does turn your Mac into a full-featured recording studio. To start taking advantage of it immediately, you (and your band-mates) need this Apple-certified guide from composer and master trainer Mary Plummer (who's also an Apple Certified Trainer). Through 20 hours of step-by-step lessons coupled with ample visual aids and loads of real-world tips, this book/DVD combo offers a complete, self-paced course in all aspects of GarageBand 2. You'll learn everything from mastering the interface and basic recording techniques to the secrets of arranging songs, editing and mixing tracks, adding effects, and distributing your GarageBand files. This thoroughly updated guide includes extensive coverage of all the new features of GarageBand 2, including multitrack recording, built-in real-time music notation, and smart recording features.

User review
Excruciatingly slow
The writing is clear and easy to understand. If you work through the book, as others have mentioned, you will gain proficiency with the software.

But I'm surprised no one has mentioned that this book moves incredibly slowly. This book is written for people who are relatively new to comptuers. But if you have some computer proficiency, the step-by-step exercises are consistently repetitious and mind-numbing.

User review
A good, clear introduction and overview
I actually read this book cover to cover. I'll admit I didn't do the exercises supplied, but instead applied what I was reading to my own projects,,.

It's very well thought out, written and laid out, with good, clear, colorful screen shots. The writing is good, clear, humorous but not cutesy,,.

This is a great book to purchase to start out with GarageBand 2 or to deepen a beginner's knowledge. I am keeping it by the computer for handy reference.

I would recommend it wholeheartedly.

User review
Nice style, poor support
The book is well written and has an approach and style that lends itself to learning GarageBand easily. It is just unfortunate that there are errors in it (things it tells you to do which do not work), and there is no web support and no way to report errata to the author or publisher - actually quite surprising these days. So it would rate higher if it were correct or had a way to provide feedback, but as it is I am left wondering if the OReilly book would have been a wiser purchase simply because they support their books.

User review
Very good guide
I've been spending most of the last two weekends learning all I can about GarageBand. Out of the three books I'm using, I like this one the best. Mary Plummer includes very useful tutorials that are a collection of techniques you can apply to any GB song. With the CD included with the book, you can easily copy the tutorials onto your computer and work at your pace. I especially appreciate the techniques she shares, e.g. doubling a track with mixed instruments, creating a turnaround with drum tracks, working with volume and pan, and even customizing the loops browser. And for you real instrument players, she covers how to get your music into GB and what to do with it once it's there. For serious GB users, this book is a must.

User review
The Official Book, What More Can You Say
This is the official training course for Garage Band 2, Apple's music arrangement software. This book is a detailed guide to recording, arranging, and mixing music using Garage Band, instrument recordings, and the library of more than 1,000 royalty-free Apple Loops that is included with the software. This book is more than a basic tour of the application. It provides you with practical techniques that will be frequently used to add professional-quality music and sound effects to a project.

This book is based on hands on training. It starts with how to install the software, and how to install the files included on the CD-ROM that comes with the book. The CD also includes a chapter on moving up to one of Apple's true professional grade music applications, Logic Pro 7 or Logic Express 7. There's enough information for you to judge if the more powerful application is worth the money for your needs.