Editorial Review

iWork '06 features two powerful applications for creating everything from school newsletters to business presentations. With Pages 2, you can quickly create a wide variety of stunning documents. With Keynote 3, you can produce cinema-quality presentations, storyboards, and more. iWork '06 lets you express yourself with style.Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Create eyecatching three-dimensional charts, tables with calculations, freeform shapes and photo.
• Pages 2 includes mail merge, auto-correction, and new Page
• Keynote 3 features stunning new animation effects, a Light Table view, and tools to help you rehearse, present, and publish with ease.
• The powerful new features in iWork ‘06 make it easy to get just the look you want.
• Create beautiful documents and cinema-quality presentations in minutes with iWork ’06, including Pages 2 and Keynote 3.

Reviews (15)

iWork
Want To Make A Magazine, A Show That Shows Info, A Book?
Powerful and Easy
This software package makes desktop publishing and presentations a snap!I am continually amazed by the software available for the Mac.I don't understand how anyone can prefer a PC.This software package is the perfect example of simplicity and power.I threw together a family newsletter in about 20 minutes shortly after installing the software on my machine.All my relatives think I had the newsletter done professionally!iWork is simply amazing!

Great replacement for Microsoft Word, for most purposes
I was stunned when I started using Pages v2... because I'd been convinced that Apple would never get a word processor right. AppleWorks pretty much sucked (tedious interface, limited capabilities, never fully updated for Mac OS X). TextEdit is nothing more than a rough draft of an application.
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Features

• CD-ROM
• Pitch Tracking Line displays the pitch of your voice as you sing
• 20 lesson tutorial teaches you how to sing and use the Singing Coach
• Custom vocal tools adjust all songs to your specific vocal range
• Edit any song within the software or compose your own songs
• Graphic note display and sheet music views

Reviews (7)

Very Impressed!
I had seen this product advertised on T.V. and was skeptical at first but intrigued as well. A year later, I decided that it was time to get some voice training.I've loved music all my life and have been singing all through it. Since I'm learning guitar, I figured now would be the time to step it up a notch. Unfortunely, I can't afford proper lessons so I guessed that this would be the next best thing, I didn't even know if I was a soprano, baritone, or anything. Singing Coach arrived yesterday and I've been playing with it ever since. I learned that I'm a tenor! It took a while to get the microphone settings correct, My voice wouldn't register at first and I thought that the product was faulty. If this happens to anyone else, try checking the settings for your computer's microphone, that was my problem.I love the pitch tracking! It helped me so much! You can see if your pitch is wrong and you can adjust yourself while you sing! There are tons of exercises too.You can go by note, or by scale. The songs that come with are old traditional songs like Twinkle, twinkle little star, home on the range,etc. I was kind of bummed by this at first but they definitely help with the training. The only bad thing is the selection of downloadable songs on their website.I was able to find two but other than that nothing I would want to sing. But that's me, you can check out what songs they carry on the carryatune.com website. Also after you use up your free downloads it is 3.95 per song.That's sure to add up if you get bored easily like me. All in all, a good product for the absolute beginner. It does seem like an experienced singer wouldn't get much out of it, except maybe as a supplement between classes or something like that.

I like it
it was moderatly helpful.My friends say I'm singing a little better,and I havn't even finished the lessons!

Love it!
This is a really neat software program and its easy to use. I love that I can actually "see" how I am singing right there on the computer screen. It's nice to be able to look at my saved recording and see exactly where I was too high or too low. When I make the changes, my score improves. I think the animation is great (what can I say, it keeps me feeling young and fun). My daughter is using Singing Coach to practice for her school's talent show. We like it a lot. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Powerful piano learning toolset
• Interactive feedback when using MIDI-connected keyboard
• Over 300 step-by-step lessons with 70 video demonstrations
• Develop sight reading, ear training, finger technique and more
• Over 100 songs included

Reviews (7)

Great for learning to play simple songs
I am an adult trying to learn Piano.This program is great for learning simple songs and does have a very good feedback system.
Good instruction software, but has some minor bugs and doesn't fully replace a live teacher
I got this on request as a Christmas gift last year, along with an M-Audio KeyStation 61es keyboard. The combination of the two works really nicely on my PowerMac. I didn't really start going through the lessons until about a week ago due to shoulder surgery I had at the beginning of the year, but so far so good.
An affordable option for Mac OSX
I received my eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method today and it's not a bad program by any means, however I have two gripes with the software:
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Features

• Turn your computer into a lively dance arcade for hours of family fun with music worth listening to! Show your kill with the latest dance game and keep movin' to the hottest Christian hits featuring : ZOEgirl, tobyMac,Steven Curtis Chapman and more ! Plug in the pad and your dance arcade is ready to rock! With 35 Christian songs from well=known artists. Ideal for all players of all ages.

Reviews (8)

Awesome!
This is so much fun for the whole family! It has wonderful music and is well done! They did a better job than Dance Dance Revolution!! I love my kids being able to dance to Christian music.It is great exercise, too, while you're having fun.

Dance Praise review
I purchased Dance Praise as abirthday gift for my grandaughter and she just loves it as did her older brother.My daughter is planning on getting her another CD for it for Christmas.

A Wonderful Way To Worship!
I really enjoy this game and find the lyrics to be much more uplifting than on the secular versions.My friends and I love to dance on this at sleepovers and other gatherings. I just wish amazon would sell the expansion packs! ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• CD/DVD burning software for faster burning and safer back-ups
• Easily rip, play, edit, organize, and burn digital music
• Copy CDs and DVDs with 1 click; drag-and-drop photo tools
• Create electronic albums or slide shows; design custom labels
• Make DVD movies with professional transitions and animated menus

Reviews (22)

So Much Variety
This product is so good. I love it! I can make my own MP3's, make disk copies and archive data files.
Most incompetent and frustrating piece of software ever created
First of all, this software performs like someones term project.Why havent these guys been sued yet?
Roxio CD & DVD Burning Software
I recently purchased the software above only to find it does not support my dvd drive(HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4482B (1.00)I have unsuccessfully tried to contact roxio support three times.No response.I did go through the long list of supported drives and also emailed my problem to Roxio.Needless to say, I am very disappointed and do not recommend the purchase of this software.
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Features

• CD-ROM

Reviews (19)

Exactly as promised
Given all the negative reviews, I had to chime in.This software did exactly what it said, and what I wanted it to do...which was to allow me to transfer my music both to and from my ipod.Nothing more, nothing less.Granted, I'm not a computer whiz, but I actually have a job and wasn't able to spend any more than 30 minutes (to no avail) fiddling with free downloads or shareware before the $19.95 for 'tune transfer' was imminently worth very penny.If you can find something better / cheaper, then get it.That has no bearing on the performance of this software, which is just fine.

Stupid
Hey Folks,
Just Doesn't Work For Me
I would class myself as a savvy PC and Mac person that has been using iPod and iTunes since the beginning.
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Editorial Review

iWork '06 features two powerful applications for creating everything from school newsletters to business presentations. With Pages 2, you can quickly create a wide variety of stunning documents. With Keynote 3, you can produce cinema-quality presentations, storyboards, and more. iWork '06 lets you express yourself with style.Read more

Features

• DVD-ROM
• Pages 2 includes mail merge, auto-correction, and new Page Thumbnails and Search views.
• Keynote 3 features stunning new animation effects, a Light Table view, and tools to help you rehearse, present, and publish with ease.
• Create eyecatching three-dimensional charts, tables with calculations, freeform shapes and photo masks, and more.
• The powerful new features in iWork ‘06 make it easy to get just the look you want.
• Create beautiful documents and cinema-quality presentations in minutes with iWork ’06, including Pages 2 and Keynote 3.

Reviews (4)

A move in the right direction
I'm a big fan of iWork and have always looked for new office apps that out-perform Microsoft's apps which have become so feature-rich that functionality has become akward.I love Pages and the formatting features it provides.I do more layout work than word processing so I'm real happy with the way Pages works for me.Keynote is nice too.I don't believe in lots of slide transitions and builds when making a presentation so a lot of the flash and panash that PowerPoint tries to interject is useless to me.You have lots of capability with Keynote but its clean, simple interface and robust formatting and import capabilities really works for me.
iWork 06 is Powerful but Limited
Apple's iWork software presents two applications:Pages and Keynote which is Apple's answer to Microsoft's Publisher and Power Point.As someone who has used both, I can honestly say that iWork blows Publisher and Power Point clean out of the water.Keynote has some added features such as 3D graphs and the capaibility to add numbers in charts (like a very limited spread sheet) added in this version.You can make truly professional looking mind blowing presentations with Keynote that will make any presentation look like a multimedia jewel.Pages allows you to do desktop publishing and print media with the finesse and end results of professional looking print catalogs and brochures.Both applications are well designed and, just like all of the iLife apps, feature the classic Apple interface whereby all of your media content is available and intermeshed into the work flow.Thereis not really any new earth shattering features in 06 from the 05 version, but mainly just tweaks and enhancements.
Good, but still not perfect
Well its definetly improved version since the last one, but they still have a lot of things to do.The biggest problem is Pages.If text has specific symbols, like Greek letters and u try to export your file to doc, forget it.u'll have the same problem as 10 yrs ago, either funky symbols or underline dashes.Keynote is much better.But if u r a scientist and not a sales man, both packages still have a lot of room for improvement.However, I'm still happy with this purchase, because it's Apple soft and looks much nicer than any MS software will get in the future. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Over 100 lessons from a Guitar Institute of Technology graduate
• Hosted by radio personality Steve Rock of KISW’s “Metal Shop”
• Techniques include movable power chords, hammer-ons, distorted riffs & more
• Equipment tips include using distortion, whammy bar, feedback, wah pedal & more
• Over 90 songs & riffs to learn

Reviews (5)

My son loves it!!
I picked this up for my twelve year old son.He is a beginner and has been glued to his electric guitar and eMedia Rock Guitar Method for the last two weeks.The program is a great starter, just in case the kids don't stick with it. It's better than $45 bucks an hour once a week, for now, at least.
It is ok
I found this product to just be ok.I wish for a e=media that i could use to slow down songs that I have not just what is on their program.All in all it is an ok program though.

eMedia Rock Guitar Method Review
I thought this was a great product.It's like having your own guitar instructor, but even better.You only have to pay once and you get hours of instructions you can use for as long as you want.Also, you can use it any time you want without having to make a trip.I'm pleased with my purchase.You will be too. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• 20-lesson singing tutorial with real-time pitch recognition technology
• Automatically adjusts songs to specific vocal range; sheet music view
• Edit songs or compose new songs with compose mode
• Learn to sing with proper breathing and posture - then measure performance
• Includes 12 practice songs, with 4 free downloads

Features

• CD-ROM
• More than 50 software instrument presets you can use to perform rhythm and backing tracks with a keyboard in a variety of styles
• Build unique tracks with loops for rock, blues, metal, jazz, and country songs
• Choose from new, fully playable acoustic (including an “unplugged” acoustic bass guitar) and electric basses covering some of the most popular studio tones,
• Play a variety of new software drum kits, covering everything from jazz brushes to classic 1970s studio sound to heavy metal
• Using your keyboard, you can strum, pick and perform more than 10 playable guitars and other stringed instruments, including a bluegrass banjo, an blues acoustic guitar, a dobro, and three new electric guitars, with harmonics and power chords

Reviews (1)

Not good, pathetic
Well the price reflects the quality of these loops. You will be getting the big bunch of primitive, annoying loops. Compared one to one with loops I'm getting from any major loops producer, Big Fish for an example, these are laughable, like beginner drummer's exercises. Yes, there're many of them, but they ended up been deleted from my drives completely to give a way to the real stuff. These may be Ok, if you make some 20 seconds intro for Final-Cut's movie, but as for music these are totally worthless. I'm not a drummer but even I can do better with pads. Go to web sites of any major loop producing companies and listen to the loops they produce and compare. I think it is better idea to buy five great bits for a song rather than load the drive with this bundle of garbage. ... Read more

Features

• Use of this product in only for registered students in a full-time accredited music education program.

Reviews (1)

Student Edition
Its obviously not as powerful as the full version, but you can get alot accomplished with it. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Entry-level music notation software with faster note entry
• Create, play back, and print publisher-quality sheet music up to 24 staves
• Easily print, e-mail, or save; post score on Internet; export MIDI files
• Smart expressions make tempo markings easy; QuickStart video tips
• Human playback and SmartMusic sound font; Mac OS X native

Reviews (4)

Powerful but Difficult to Learn
This application is capable of producing sheet music of publishable quality and playing it back, including named chords, but can be frustratingly difficult to learn. Little about it seems intuitive or works the way one would think: many of the operations require you to remember special keyboard-mouse combinations or perform unusual actions such as double-clicking and holding down the mouse button on the second click or selecting the same menu option twice. Unfortunately there is no searchable online help - only a PDF user manual with a table of contents and a 'How Do I' section. The manual does contain links to other sections but there is no index and no way to return to the table of contents easily. There is a searchable Windows help file included but it does not appear to contain much information. Having said that, once you have learned the basics and familiarized yourself with its many quirks, the program is quite powerful. It also allows you to create templates for particular instrument configurations and start from a template when beginning a new piece. I have not tried the scanning, MIDI or microphone-entry features. You should know that you must register the software with the vendor online or by phone within 30 days of installing it, and that the registration process requires you to furnish personal information about yourself such as your name and email or mailing address. In addition, the numeric key which is returned to you at the time of registration works only on the computer on which you installed the software. According to the manual, if you change any of the hardware on your computer the software may no longer work and you will have to repeat the registration process.
Not nearly as good as the (much cheaper) competition.Avoid!
I saw this software in a Mac store and based upon the features listed on the box, I bought it. The limitations for this version of the software are extreme:you can't make your own chord diagrams, you can't score more than a few instruments and play it back (there's apparently a limit of MIDI channels allowed) - getting around both of these problems require the most expensive version of the product --- and the "upgrade" cost is $400! The manuals aren't particularly helpful, either.
final print music
easy to start using and easier progressions to higher levels of use ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Find first and second violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and a concert harp, as well
• Include flutes, oboes, lovely French horns, trumpets, trombones, and tubas, among others
• Play a wide selection of percussive elements: bass, snare and field drum; cymbals, gong, and bells; the woodblock and still others
• Find new keyboard instruments

Features

• CD-ROM
• Play 40 rare and exotic instruments from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, India, Europe, the United Kingdom, South and Central America, Cuba, and Jamaica
• Play specialized drum kits that incorporate the most distinctive, interesting percussion from Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe
• Features a variety of wind instruments that have developed a unique character throughout various regions of the world
• Try your hand at the Indian Sitar, the Japanese Koto, the Persian Santoor, The Russian Balailaka, some Spanish Flamenco guitar, and more

Reviews (1)

The best of the Jam Packs
I've bought three of the packs before and I just bought this one. At first I wasn't sure what it could really do for my sound, but it is absolutely amazing. The African choir will shock you, it sounds so good. The new instrument sounds will give your music a broader, more worldly sound. It's worth the buy even if you just want to pay around with it. It's the best one that I've bought yet. ... Read more

Features

• Comprehensive software for ear training and aural tests
• Interactive tuition makes ear training easy and fun; suitable for all levels
• Hundreds of graded exercises; provides instant feedback
• Option to play or sing answers using MIDI keyboard or microphone
• Records student results for monitoring progress over time

Features

• CD-ROM
• Choose from over 2000 prerecorded loops covering different styles and tempos
• Play your choice of beat kits from over 20 distinct genres, including hip-hop, R&B, electroclash, house, trance, downtempo, and 2-step
• Incorporate authentic vintage beats from Roland drum machines, as well as actual sounds from the TR-78, TR-606, TR-808, and TR-909
• Explore and experiment with an assortment of playable synth instruments, as well as basses, pads, filters, and sweeps

Features

• CD-ROM
• Record and edit music from nearly any instrument or MIDI source
• Create royalty-free soundtracks for videos
• Make custom mixes and mashups of your favorite songs
• ACID Music Studio software includes more than 1,700 studio-quality loops in almost every music genre to get you started.

Reviews (2)

its a basic
70.00 us for a program that has midi support and virtual voices. it's a starting program its good but it isn't supported by a lot of other people. There need to be more third party modules before it can really be embraced as a serious tool.

Great software
At school, my son enjoys the benefit of some sophisticated Acid Pro software that we can't afford to buy for home use. But this Acid Music Studio 6.0 is the next best thing--albeit costing more than $300 less.
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Features

• CD-ROM
• Create, play, and experience music using only your mouse and imagination
• Innovative software by world-renowned composer Morton Subotnick
• Endless possibilities to draw original compositions on your screen
• Cool games teach rhythm, melody, pitch, musical instruments, and more
• Choose from 16 instruments; compose with 23 tools

Reviews (2)

interesting, but didn't hold their attention
My two boys (8 and 6 years old) both really loved this program when we first installed it and couldn't get enough of it.The interface is easy to use and the screen is bright and colorful.The problem was that it just didn't hold their interest.After a few days of playing around with it, they got bored.You can only create very simple compositions and the novelty factor quickly wore off.It's not a bad buy for the money (the "real" composer software is much more expensive), but it just didn't have the long term "playability" of what I would consider a good software program.

An old favorite remains the best of its kind!
As a third grade teacher, I had this product in my classroom for years, until one day it inevitably got lost.I have been looking for a new copy for a while, and was glad to find it available on Amazon.It is, in my opinion, the best program of its type.The concept is very easy, children paint in a KID PIX type of format onto a white board, and that painting is then translated into music.If you draw at the top of the screen you will have a high note, at the bottom a low note.The longer you draw the same pitch horizontally the longer the note will be held.The simplicity makes it accessible to kids as young as kindergarten, but there's lots of features that make it riveting for older kids and adults as well.You have a wide variety of instrument to "draw" your music with, and there are lots of options that allow kids to experience their compositions in different ways.Hear your opus backwards or learn what it sounds like if it were flipped upside down.This is a program that people of all ages will enjoy (it was one of everyone's favorites on parent night).Sometimes simpler really is superior, and this program is a perfect example. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Learn musical concepts and develop important listening skills
• Hear musical differences in endings, repetitions, and variations
• Challenging, fun-filled games adjust to skill-level of user
• Parent/teacher management tool tracks a child's progress
• Easy to use; integrated audio offers guidance where needed

Reviews (2)

Approval stamp from Piano Teacher!
I teach piano lessons to a variety of ages.I use this game to supplement the instruction and all of my students love to play this game! (With the exception of one or two teenagers that think they are too cool.)It is entertaining for my younger students.The images and music hold their attention and they have grown in their ability to hear and reproduce music.Yet it is still challenging for my adult students.I even enjoy to sit down and play it for a while.Another benefit is that it allows me to track each student's progress individually by saving the games under each student's name.

More fun than piano lessons...
Want to teach your kids to enjoy listening to music, especially classical? Then try this program. Easy-to-use interface, wonderful tunes, great exposure to classical music in these sad rap-and-brittney times. Not for the faint of heart, however. Despite its simple interface, kids used to story lines and immersive environments will find this more like a standardized test than fun software, at least on first blush. However, if you are willing to sit down with them and help out, then the game becomes lots of fun. I liked the way it adjusts itself to the capabilities of the player. At the higher levels the game is quite challenging, even for adults. When my kids sit down to play, the music that comes forth is a great alternative to the mind-numbing drivel that normally accompanies video games. I actually enjoy listening to them play. If you have a decent set of speakers, then it sounds really nice. I wish I had this to play with when I was taking first grade piano lessons... ... Read more

Features

• Complete piano instruction system from the convenience of your PC
• 6 sections with 150+ interactive lessons; covers range of keyboarding skills
• Intuitive and fun learning environment; real-time feedback; record songs
• Navigate to any section from Piano Room; print sheet music; progress reports
• USB MIDI interface connects electronic keyboard to desktop or laptop PC

Reviews (2)

Works fine under Mac and Windows after Firmware Upgrade
This review is about the USB Midi connector that it comes with.At first it didn't work with my Yamama PSR-350 keyboard.Signals from the keyboard were not received by the computer.But I downloaded a firmware upgrade from the Turtle Beach website, and then everything worked fine.I haven't tried the software yet.

Good, but was painful setup process
I wanted a usb midi cable, since my new machine doesn't have a game port and I had been using a gameport midi cable to connect my sythesizer to my computer.This piano kit seemed to fit the bill. And, I liked that for about the cost of a cable I get the piano instruction software for my son basically included.
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