Software instruments are basically the music producer’s dream. Making Music With GarageBand’s Software Instruments Thanks to Apple Loops, you have hours of inspiration for new music ideas, or for creating music beds for your video content production. Hit L to loop the audio to the end of your project, or Option-drag the region to copy it over if you want more than one repeat. It will then appear on your timeline as an audio file, and you can manipulate it just like any other kind of audio track (you’ll learn about this soon). This can be a great way to spice up your song… for example, using one version for the chorus, and a different version in the bridge. You might find that certain loops have more than one version. You can narrow down the selection by choosing instrument and genre types, and picking some descriptors.Ĭlick a loop in the browser to audition it, and once you’ve found one you like, simply drag it into the timeline.

These are a selection of high quality audio loops that feature everything from drum beats to synth melodies to vocal chops. One of the quickest ways to get started learning how to work with GarageBand is by making use of the included library of Apple Loops. Learning To Use Apple Loops In GarageBand

Show/Hide Video Track – Shift + Command + O.

Though you can do virtually anything you need with a click of the mouse, it’s good for your workflow (and your mouse hand), to memorize a few shortcuts. Learn Your Keyboard Shortcuts in GarageBand

Notepad, Loop Browser, Media Browser – toggles between three views.

Timeline – recorded audio, Apple Loops and programmed parts display here.

Loop on/off – turn this on and GarageBand will continuously loop the selection.

Project time info – BPM, time signature.

Transport controls – play, pause, loop etc.

Library – browse the Library to select and experiment with different software instruments.

Track name – software instruments default to their instrument type, but you can change this.

Learning About The Key Controls in GarageBand The GarageBand GUI is pretty straightforward, and most of what you’ll need to access is on one screen: Let’s start with a Software Instrument track. Drummer – a special type of track that literally drums for you! Just set the parameters and let GarageBand do it’s magic.Audio (guitar) – for if you want to record guitars or bass direct (no amp), and use GarageBand’s virtual amp modelling and effects.Audio (mic) – this is for recording with a microphone, typically for vocals.You can use a MIDI keyboard to play this instrument, or simply use the keys on your Mac (more on that soon). Software Instrument – for writing music on virtual instruments like synths, piano, drum kits, mallets etc.There are 4 types of tracks in GarageBand: This is just about choosing your first one.

You can (and will) have many different tracks and types. Don’t worry, this doesn’t affect the way your session will operate. These can be a great way to get into making music quickly, and are awesome for learning your way around the software. GarageBand has some pretty cool templates to use which you can find under Project Templates. You’ll be greeted with a dialogue box that looks like this: Opening a new session and navigating GarageBandįirst thing’s first, click on the GarageBand icon to fire up the software.Here’s exactly what you’re going to learn: This GarageBand tutorial is going to give you the exact ten-step process to make your tracks sound amazing. This post was most recently updated on August 7th, 2023

Garagebandmac