A Mac only application known as Garageband (part of iLife) has a useful feature known as ‘Musical Typing’ which lets users use their keyboard to play keys on instruments such as the piano. Each piano key would correspond to a certain keyboard key.
Garageband Musical Typing Feature for Mac OS X
But what about Windows users? There are a few flash apps online that allow for musical typing but are there any standalone apps? After a while of searching, I’ve only came across one. GBlite, otherwise known as Garageband Lite.
GBlite allows Windows users to have musical typing
According to the developer, this application was designed to replicate only the musical typing portion of Garageband, which was the part that he could not find a Windows alternative to.
This application was created using a program called ‘The Games Factory‘ and due to the limitations of it, beware of the enormous installation size of GBlite. The download of the main setup file is 115 MB with a final installation weighing in at 632 MB.
I had no problem using the application to play some keys. Simply press the keyboard key corresponding to the note on the keyboard. For example, to play the lowest possible ‘D’ note, type the ‘S’ key.
To play a low 'D', type 'S'.
Currently as of Version 1.1, there are 14 instruments with a promise of at least one new one with every major release (1.x). To change instruments, type Z (-) and Y (+) or click on the ‘Instruments’ button to see a list of all Instruments.
GBlite Instruments Selector
An interesting feature is ‘Session Restore’. When I restarted the application, it started up with the same instrument I closed it with rather resetting it to the default Piano.
According to the developer, the loops may randomly glitch, therefore, he provided ‘Safe Mode’ which does not include the ability to play chords. The Safe Mode is about the same size as the regular mode, therefore doubling the size of the final installation.
A second version of the download is available (known as ‘Standard’), which does not include Safe Mode, therefore reducing the download size in half.
The overall interface looks like a screenshot of Musical Typing in Garageband along with an oversized logo on the top and copyright information on the bottom. It should be noted that the instrument in the logo changes according to the active instrument selected.
GBlite does not provide nearly as many features as the musical typing in Garageband and lacks features such octaves, but nevertheless is a great alternative for Windows users.
GBlite 1.1 Rating:
Performance: 4
Features: 3
Ease of Use: 4
Value for Money: 5
Appearance: 2
Final Rating: 3.7
Have you always wanted to have a musical typing application on Windows? What do you think of GBlite? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
