At the end of the article, we’ve included the organ file for you to use, but if you’d rather do it yourself, here are the steps.

Start by picking an existing organ (I’ll use the Classic Rock Organ for this). Next, go to the generator section and click the little pencil next to “Manual” (next to “Tonewheel Organ”). Change the rotary speaker to “Tremolo” and drag the sliders to the positions shown below.

After this, go down to the effects section and click the box to the left of “Compressor.” Now drag the corresponding slider about 2/3 to the right. At the bottom of the effects section, there is the echo and reverb section. If you used the Classic Rock Organ as your template, leave these alone.

With this done, it’s time to add Overdrive and Tremolo. Go to “None” and hold the mouse button down. Several GarageBand effects will pop up. Go down to “Overdrive,” click the pencil at the far right, and drag the sliders as shown below.

For tremolo, go to “Chorus,” and follow the menu down to “Tremolo.” Click the pencil at the far right and drag the sliders as shown below.

All you have left now is the equalizer. Click the pencil to the right of “Remove Guitar Dullness,” and drag the sliders according to the image below.

Go down to “Save Instrument,” and name the organ whatever suits you. It will now appear with all the other organs, and can be easily accessed.

If you’re curious as to what the organ actually sounds like, I have put together a version of “Take Me out to the Ballgame” that will give you a general idea (the audio quality has been reduced for space, so the organ actually sounds better than on the example). Enjoy!

If you’d rather have it done for you, download the zip file and install it yourself. First go to ~/Library/Application Support/GarageBand/Instrument Library/Track Settings/Software/ and create a new folder labeled “Organs.” Then, simply drag the .cst file there, and the Baseball Organ will be ready the next time you open GarageBand.

Download GarageBand Instrument File: “Baseball Organ”

Althoguh the Brain Bag costs $140, it is extremely well-made and spacious. The first thing we noticed was the high-quality construction, followed by the size. The volume is rated at 2200 cubic inches. This is just slightly smaller in capacity than Axio’s Hybrid reinforced backpack, but you can carry almost everything one might require in a day, as well as a few pets in this bag.

Brain Bag (Front)

Brain Bag (Back)

Inner Compartment

Snake Charmer

Laptop Keyboard Cover

It contains not one, but two main compartments as well as four external pockets. Each main compartment can hold a laptop, several books, or accessories such as the Freudian Slip. A pair of removable clips allows you to lock in Tom Bihn’s laptop sleeves (the Monolith or the Brain Cell). You can also put a Mac mini in the Brain Bag, using Tom Bihn’s eM², but it will not lock in using the clips.

The two side pockets contain pen/pencil holders, and the top pocket has a snaphook for keys. Right in the middle of the backside are two lash straps that securely hold an umbrella or raincoat. On the left side is a mesh cover, which is perfect for quick-access storage (bottles or small documents fit nicely in this).

As far as protection is concerned, the Brain Bag is very durable. The backpack is made from 1000 denier Cordura. The back is made of Dri-Lex Aero-Spacer mesh and has 3/8″, closed-cell foam for padding and breathability. For water resistance, the pack has a urethane coated interior and an exterior treated with a water-repellent finish. For maximum protection against the elements, it is recommended you use Nikwax.

Alone, the Brain Bag weighs three pounds. Although initially not as heavy as Axio’s Hybrid, but if you add in some books and a laptop, the bag could get pretty heavy. Tom Bihn compensates for this by making the shoulder straps curved with extra padding, as well as a tough sternum and waist strap. However, if you would rather avoid the extra weight completely, a smaller bag might be a better choice for you.

The Brain Bag comes in a variety of colors; you can choose from Sapphire, Olive, Crimson, Steel, Solid Black, or Plum.

To complement the Brain Bag, Tom Bihn sells the Snake Charmer, for an extra $20. This handy little case contains two mesh compartments that neatly store cables, toiletries, or other small items. It’s made of the same material as the backpack, and fits perfectly in either of the larger compartments.

Also on the accessory front, Tom Bihn offers the Laptop Keyboard Cover for $6. Made of “Ultrasuede”, a synthetic suede, it protects from oils and dirt that transfer from the keys, leaving marks on the screen. It will cover almost any recent iBook or PowerBook keyboard, and the actual dimensions are 10″ x 4 1/2″. It’s available in four colors (Graphite, Cobalt, Kiwi and Wild-Caught Salmon). Although similar products already exist on the market, it’s nice to have one that matches your computer luggage, and is quite inexpensive.

The only downside is that you probably will still spend $45-$50 on top of the price of the Brain Bag for one of Tom Bihn’s laptop sleeve to complete the package. You could always use another sleeve, but you will not have the advantage of the latching clips. Add in other accessories and you’re over the $200 mark. We really would have like to see a packaged deal from Tom Bihn (knock $10-$20 off a Monolith/Brain Cell with another bag), as this would improve the value.

Overall, the Brain Bag was a very impressive piece of luggage. Despite its large size, it didn’t feel bulky or uncomfortable in the least bit. The best part, besides the reliability and high-quality construction is that it gives you the abilities to mix and match what accessories you want for the inner comparments, making it a truly personalized product. Although the price might steer some away, you do get what you pay for.

The Monolith costs $45, but is well worth the price. Containing 8mm thick padding reinforced by 4mm of corrugated plastic, the Monolith provides all the protection needed in a laptop case. A sturdy zipper adorns the top of the case. Underneath this zipper is more padding, so the laptop is protected on all sides. Altogether, the laptop should be protected from all but the most major abuse.

Monolith

Monolith + iBook + TerraGrip

The Monolith comes in four different sizes to hold a variety of laptops. And because of the vertical format, even the larger sizes will still fit in most backpacks. The Monolith works especially well with Tom Bihn’s very own Smart Alec and Brain Bag, as it has two loops in the back for attachment to these bags.

Obviously, the Monolith is not meant for horizontal use. If you are looking for something that works with a messenger bag or briefcase and still provides protection, the similarly-priced Brain Cell is a better choice.

If you decide not to put the Monolith in a backpack, you can carry it using the provided handles or purchase a shoulder strap for it. Just like for the Brain Cell, three different straps are available; the Simple for $10, the TerraGrip for $18, and the Absolute for $25. Also, the Monolith comes in five cool colors: Solid Black, Crimson, Steel, Deep Blue, and Wasabi.

We tried the Monolith with an iBook G4, both by itself and in a backpack. The iBook was held in tightly, and the soft padding prevented it from being scratched or damaged. This sleeve also made a good alternative to the stock sleeve in Axio’s Hybrid pack.

Overall, we were highly impressed by the Monolith. Its versatility and durability make it a must buy for anyone needing a good, simple laptop case.

Feel and Use

The iSkin ProTouch XT fits quite well over the Apple Keyboard. Compared to the original ProTouch (when used with the Pro Keyboard), the ProTouch XT has a tighter fit (on the current keyboards). Characters and other markings on the keys are still visible. The cover has a nice grippy, textured surface, providing the user with a feeling of comfort while typing. In addition, keystrokes are much quieter.

Cleaning

Although the silicone material attracts lint and dust, the ProTouch XT can be cleaned easily. Cleaning is easy – it is as simple as removing it from the keyboard, washing it in a mild solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water, and air drying it. It stays in place by being molded to each key – no adhesives are used.

Obviously, this keyboard protector will not work with the Pro Keyboards, as the function key layout is different. Owners of these should look at the original ProTouch.

Our only gripe is that when the keys on the bottom row (control, option, command, space, arrow keys, etc) are pressed hard (during gaming or the like), the ProTouch XT has a nasty habit of wedging between the key and the edge of the keyboard. In casual use and typing this should not be a problem, but it is worth noting.

Although it may seem pricey at around $30, it is a lot less than a new keyboard, and in the ease of cleaning your keyboard makes it worth the price. Think of it as insurance for your keyboard.