GARAGEBAND

Start Your Engines!

Audio Preferences

Open up the Mac OS X System Preferences

Sound

Choose the “sound”Preference.

Set the Output

Select the Output HeadingChoose internal speakers or external speakers orheadphones if attached

Set the Input

Select the internal microphone or

An external line-in mic or

An external USB mic

Set the Input Level

The slidebar volume control allows you to boost the microphone or turn it down.

You can return to adjust again later if needed.

Open GarageBand

Name Your Project

Tell GarageBand the title of your project or song.

The more descriptive your title, the more useful

Storage

The default storage for GarageBand is in your music folder.

You may save on your desktop, in your world, or on a jump drive

Set Your Speed Limit

The tempo determines the speed of your song’s Beat (bpm)

The higher the number the faster the song.

A Sign of the Time

•Time signature determines how each measure will be divided up•The first number describes the number of beats a measure will be divided into.•The second number describes what kind of note will last for an entire beat.•In 4/4 time the measure has 4 beats and the quarter note will last for an entire beat.

Key

The key signature describes where the tonal center of your song will be.If you are not sure, leave it in C

Setting GarageBand’s Preferences

• Select Audio/MIDI• Use pull down to

designate your desired audio output

• Audio Input lets you designate how you will be recoding audio.

•Select Audio/MIDI•Use pull down to designate your desired Audio Output.•Audio Input lets you designate how you will be recoding audio.

On the Right Track

•Each track has its ownInstrument sound settings•Each time we add a new voice to our song, we need to add a new track.•The musical data stored within the tracks is known as a region.

Regions

•Regions can be arranged, trimmed, split, and copied within the track.•Regions can be moved from one track to another as long as the two tracks are of similar instrument types

Make Tracks 3 Ways

Select the menu: Track > New Track

Option + Command + N

Select the + (Create a New Track) on the interface.

Instrument Tracks

Software Tracks

Software tracks are synthesized sounds generated by the computer

•Select the Software Instrument Track

•Choose the general instrument category

•Choose specific sound

Real Instrument Track

Real Instruments are audio recordings of actual, physical instruments.•Choose the Real Instrument option•Choose the type of “instrument”•Choose effect to be added

Mixer

Sound LevelMeter

ClippingIndicator

•For Real Instruments notice the sound level meter, it should be a strong green level

•Yellow & Red indicate that your sound input is too high and may cause distortion or clipping

•Red dots in the clipping indicator mean the input volume needs to be turned down.

Browse with Buttons

Click the loop browser on the interface to open the loop browser in the button view.

Loops

Shows the number of loops in the list of found matches

Audition Some Loops

Click on a title of a loop to start it playing.Notice that its length, key, and original tempo are shown.Clicking a second time will stop playing.

Add Loops to Timeline

Click and drag a selected loop into the timeline.A small green circle with a “+” sign will appear.A vertical line shows the exact point on the timeline where the loop will be placed.

Column View

A second search option is the column view.First column lets you decide genres, moods, instruments, favorites or allFurther selections allow further options.

Arranging & Extending Loops

Zoom slider allows you to zoom out to see all the Measures or to zoom in to see details within a measure

Position the cursor so that a curved arrow appears in the upper right corner of the loop. Click and drag right to extend the loop seamlessly.

Keyboard Basics

Skips & Leaps