Garage Band
Garage Band - Garage Band – v10.1
Garage Band is an application which has been included with new Macs for a year or so. Those with older Macs can purchase it from the App Store for A$7.99. Your sound library comprises a range of pre-recorded fragments of acoustic or electronic music, sound effects, etc which you can use in combination to record your original peace. Note that you will own the copyright to this piece. If you want to extend your library go to GarageBand – Sound Library – Download Available Sounds. There will also be extra sound libraries available for purchase if you get carried away by this program.
Note that v10.x is a major change from the previous, ie, v6.x and earlier. A notable omission is the Podcasting features.
Caveat
When it comes to music making my ignorance is relatively complete! My aim is merely to give you an understanding of some of the possibilities in the hope of wetting your appetite.
Compose your original tune
Original music – copyright
- GB – File – New – Keyboard Collection
- Click Loops–the middle option of the three buttons top right. This should then open a set of pre-recorded loops you can use at any time
- Note the Reset button. You will need to click on this to reset your options any time you want to add a new instrument
- You might want to start with the rhythm so click on Drums. You will then have a list of Beats and Drum sounds that you can audition. When you find one that sounds promising you can click and drag it onto the main panel. You can extend that block and/or add more until you have a basic drum track
- Click reset and then go to Bass. Again preview some sounds that may work with your drum track and drag them into the main panel.
- If for example you want to start your masterpiece with a solo bass intro you could then grab the drum tracks and move to the right by say four beats
- Thicken the plot by adding some guitar.
- Consider what else you may wish to add, E.g. Bagpipes with hundred voice choir, cock crowing or jet takeoff.
- Refine your masterpiece.
- Export to iTunes. Share – Song to iTunes (NB Name appropriately so you can find it later)
Recording a voice soundtrack
Script
Prepare a script - 20 ~ 30 seconds is enough to start with
Steps to record your voice
- Open go Garage Band (GB) and go to New Project - Voice
- Name project and save to a project folder
- Record and try different options. Eg, Legacy - Garage Band - Radio Male/Female Noisy
- Edit – prune mistakes – NB – if a slip up during record just keep going. Easy to cut out later. Double-clicking on the track should open and expanded version. To edit you will need to bring the crosshair below the centreline.
- Listen to track and try out different effects, eg, Echo, Reverb, Swamp-Throble Reciprocation, etc. NB if you can’t see the Controls panel check the View Menu
- Add background track if you wish – can also be done in iMovie
Resources
http://www.apple.com/support/garageband/hottips/shortcuts.html
http://thegaragebandguide.com/garageband-10-keyboard-shortcut-cheat-sheet NB – Can sign up and get a GarageBand Guide
Tutorial on recording a voice track in Garageband. See previous episodes on how to use the interface and how to setup an initial project. - Published on Aug 27, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS9H_nICFkc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La341AlL4to
Adam Cochran
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA6uhUQWZfvEkQdLT6QrXNODLzG0FrkDC