Garageband without MIDI cable?

I don't have a MIDI cable and I was wondering if it is possible to record something using the built in microphone and record into sound studio, then move the file into Garageband and manipulate it like a MIDI recording?

No: it's either an audio track or a midi track. There's no way in Garageband to convert audio > midi as far as I know.

But look into musical typing (Window > Musical typing). You can use your keyboard to type Midi notes.

But look into musical typing (Window > Musical typing). You can use your keyboard to type Midi notes.

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You mean that little keyboard you can play by clicking keys with the mouse? Is there any way to do that without it sounding really slow and fake?

Leonardo said:

You mean that little keyboard you can play by clicking keys with the mouse? Is there any way to do that without it sounding really slow and fake?

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when that little keyboard pops up, click the "A" key symbol.

The window will stretch out and allow you to press the keys on your keyboard (the computer keyboard). The blue area on the board at the top is the section (or I think octave) you are currently viewing, and you can move that around.

The different letters on your keyboard will correspond with what key you would hit on an actual keyboard.

I usually use this feature for making my own drum loops. If you really want to hook up your MIDI controller or MIDI capable keyboard, you can buy MIDI cables cheap at local electronic stores, Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc etc.

*note*
You can control note pitch, modulation, Tab key for sustain, control the octave and key velocity as well.

when that little keyboard pops up, click the "A" key symbol.

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I didn't see the "A" symbol, could you explain please?

It's the button with the red area over it.

My piano doesn't look like that, it just has the keys and little arrows to move between octaves. Maybe because I have an older version of Garageband?

Yeah, I just noticed in your Mac Specs. I'm running 10.5.7 (Leopard) and you're running 10.3.9 (Panther). Sorry about that! I think you're running GarageBand 3, or the version from iLife '06, so you're running an older version. GarageBand 3 still has the Musical Typing feature, though.

This article should shed some light for you.

Hope that article helped out a bit!

There is a link there that will show all of the keyboard shortcuts for GarageBand 3, too.

I'm afraid I only have Garageband v1.1.0 and it doesn't have that option.

Leonardo said:

I'm afraid I only have Garageband v1.1.0 and it doesn't have that option.

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GarageBand 1, from iLife '05. That version doesn't have Musical Typing so you're right. Sorry about that. What device are you wanting to hook up via MIDI?

A Yamaha 70 key, keyboard with over 400 different voices. *stands in front of it proudly*

Leonardo said:

A Yamaha 70 key, keyboard with over 400 different voices. *stands in front of it proudly*

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I have a Yamaha DGX-203

I don't think you have to worry so much, you can find cheap MIDI cables at any electronics store. I would guess if you found some that were pretty cheap it would run under $10 maybe? some good ones maybe $15+

Really? The only MIDI cables I have ever come into contact with have been in the $30 to $40 price bracket. A friend from work said that his son spent $60 for his.

I got a cable for $20 at Best Buy a while ago. I know I've seen some for less.

I think the "under $10" was a slight exaggeration... ;P

I could imagine a higher length cable and the brand to make the price higher. Monster makes some nice cables, but they are pretty expensive!

I've switched to the USB interface though, using a USB Type B to Type A cable.