The garage band came about in the 1960s, thanks mainly to affordable speakers systems, electric guitars and the rise of suburbia. For today's city dwellers or those with two SUVs in the garage there's still hope — welcome to the age of the home office band, courtesy M-Audio.

The company, which makes tools for digital musicians, has introduced the latest "make-music-now" product in its Session Keyboard Studio for the PC. This system features a full-size 49-note USB controller, music creation software and an audio interface for your PC. This software package has streamlined the music-creation process, offering 2 GB of prerecorded audio loops, along with realistic synthesized instruments including drums, guitars and pianos.

The best innovation, though, is making the KeyStudio affordable for struggling musicians and part-time composers — it costs just $99. Just a decade ago a similar package would have easily been $1,000 or more. But would-be Bach's and P Diddy's should take note that talent and innovation aren't included… at least not yet. — Peter Suciu