I was so excited…then I felt ripped off…iLife ‘08

So here it is, less than 2 weeks since I got my Mac, and I look into the new annoucement of the shiny silver iMacs and see the new iLife and iWork ‘08 packages. With mild interest I look to see what is new and see a new Virtual 3d Stage in Garage Band. Here is what the web says:

Magic GarageBand.

Get the creative juices flowing. Bring the band together and let Magic GarageBand generate a new song. Create a virtual jam session or use the song project as a starting point to create your next hit.

Take the stage.

The roadies have set up. The band is on the virtual stage. Now pick your instrument and step into the empty spotlight. Playing along with the band is a perfect way to practice or create new songs.

THEN REALITY SET IN…

If you’ve talked to me or seen more of the Blog entries, you’ll know I’m working on a Virtual Rock & Pop space. Now I see the above and go WHOOOAAAA! People can make their music and have a virtual band play it in the new Garage Band - COOL! I’m sure with all the integration with iMovie/etc. and YouTube upload capabilities in iLife ‘08 you could make performances, record the audio/video and upload. This would be great for the Virtual Rock & Pop world!

So I rush out to my local Apple Store, and they have it in stock, I rush home and install it while I BBQ some steak - oh man is this going to be GOOD!! I get it running and go into the Magic GarageBand and…

3d stage - YES!

3d instruments - YES!!

Pick a music genre to start with - YES!!! (this is easy and I’m getting excited)

Pick the intruments and customize them (Sitar, Banjo, etc.) - YES!!!!

Play the auto-generated song - BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

It plays but NOTHING happens on the 3d stage. Lights don’t change, band members don’t appear, instruments don’t move. IT JUST SITS THERE AS A LAME 3D UI TO PICK CUSTOM INSTRUMENTS!

Depression sets in…

I guess this is why I need to keep working.