LEVELING THE MUSIC BUSINESS PLAYING FIELD: STUDIO QUALITY POSSIBLE WITH GARAGEBAND

Sept. 26, 2004 – Pennsylvania-based musician Steve Sobek has released the first studio-quality CD of original songs recorded entirely using Apple’s GarageBand software, which is part of the $49 iLife suite of applications.

“Mood Swings” was recorded using an Apple Powerbook, a MIDI keyboard, a condenser microphone, a tube pre-amplifier, a hardware compressor and two guitars.

“GarageBand totally levels the playing field in the music business,” Sobek said. “I tried several other programs before it, and the ease of use just wasn’t there. This program is going to open up a whole new world of possibilities for undiscovered musicians, just as it has for me. No longer does the size of your pocketbook matter when it comes to recording a great album. ‘Mood Swings’ proves that.”

Sobek said “Mood Swings” also demonstrates that it’s possible for musicians to produce themselves on their own, without needing to shop for a label – which may not even give their music the listen it deserves.

The 11 songs on the album use GarageBand’s royalty free loops for percussion and for interesting phrases on several songs. However, 95 percent of the CD is performance-based folk rock culled from the library of hundreds of songs Sobek has written over the past decade.

“Mood Swings” is available for purchase at www.stevesobek.net for $14.99. Sample mp3s also are available for download, as well as more press materials. Sample CDs also are available on request by e-mailing frankenmac@mac.com.

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