GarageBand FAQ: Keyboard Compatibility

Q. Are there any keyboards with serious GB issues? Any I should just stay way from?
[Related Entries : Interfaces , MIDIKeys , MIDI-Out , MIDI Controllers , Record From Headphone jack , Record Line-In , Record Using Audio Interface , Change SoundBanks in SF2s]

A. First, to clarify, keyboards generally don't have GarageBand issues, they have Mac issues. If a controller works on an Apple Macintosh it will work with GarageBand.

That said, fair or not, two brands of keyboards that I would suggest you stay away from are Casio and Yamaha. These two brands show up in the Apple GarageBand Support forums often as having compatibility issues. These companies also seem to have little interest in the Mac in general, so in my opinion it's better to reward companies that DO support the Mac anyway. Take a look at our list of Mac Compatible MIDI Controllers

If you already own a keyboard that is not Mac Compatible, but does have MIDI-Out besides any USB ports, you can get an inexpensive MIDI interface for around $40US. Take a look at the Interfaces page and click on "MIDI (Only) Interfaces" in the right-hand Side Bar.
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GarageBand from Apple Computer uses audio loops and MIDI loops in Apple Loops format. It can work with Audio Units plug-ins. Apple Macintosh Compatible FireWire and USB interfaces can be used to connect Audio and MIDI instruments to your Mac, and be recorded into GarageBand.

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