I have a short post tonight: music creation online.

I come up against numerous problems in the classroom, one of which is the lack of access to programs like Garageband for some students.  It is great to be able to compose something on a classroom computer, but imagine you have sat down at a computer, opened Garageband for the first time (because you don’t have it at home) and before you get a chance to learn the software, get down your ideas and complete the task – the bell has rung!  What now?  I am sure you see it as a fun and worthwhile task but how do you get more ‘experience’ with it?

1. Buy a Mac (this could be expensive)
2. Come in at Recess and Lunch (and forget about talking to your friends)
3. Use an online tool, that simulates garageband like features, for free, at home! (Yes)

If you travel through some google searches there are quite a few tools listed that compose music in a Garageband type fashion.  These two however, have taken my fancy.

First is Jam Studio for a simple way to create backing tracks and get down your composition ideas quickly.  It is light on yoru computer and internet bandwidth plus, you can enter in chords and patterns.  There are also loops and guitar styles to choose from.  The sit has even posted videos of their users music.  It is well worth a look.

Secondly, there is a fantastic online music flash site called Audio Tool.  This one can be heavy on your bandwidth and computer, but its options for music creation are worth it.  There is a toolbar on the right for adding synths, effects and loops.  If you have the time (or the assignment) this site is a great Audio Tool to have in your bookmarks bar.

Click on the links or Pictures to visit the sites.
If you have any other sites please drop me a comment and I can add them to my list.

14 Comments

  1. This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like ‘Mixview’ that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune “Social” is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.

  2. Deathknight – thanks for the Zune link. I have not owned a Zune device for some time now and their website has evolved nicely. As for a network for music lovers it is a good site & software package. However, I was more interested in the creating of music online, like someone would in Garageband on an iMac. I still use itunes for organising my music, videos and purchases but if you don’t have an iPod or iPad, Zune do have some quality devices. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Thanks for the heads up.
    I updated my Safari and Firefox to see if this helped.
    Safari works fine using 4.0.1 as does Firefox 3.6.3.
    Try updating your flash plug-in from Adobe as the embedded ISSUU.com booklet may not be showing because of this.
    Visit my issuu.com library @ http://issuu.com/wrightstuffmusic and see if you can view the booklets there as well

  5. Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.

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