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Take Control of Recording with GarageBand ‘08
Learn how to record complete songs with drums, keyboards, bass, strings, even horns...even if all you have is an old, beat up, electric guitar!
This book explains how to use GarageBand '08 to create musical compositions with vocals, drums, guitars, MIDI keyboards, and even the kitchen sink! Seattle musician Jeff Tolbert shares his GarageBand know-how and years of recording experience to help you get the most out of your existing gear or purchase new equipment that fits your budget and style. You'll find real-world recording studio techniques, learn how to use a microphone effectively, and discover how to apply effects like a pro. Clear steps and practical advice help you plan a recording session, record multiple tracks at once, and fix mistakes easily. Two example songs demonstrate many of the techniques discussed.
More Info
Contents & Intro
What's New
FAQ
Blog
Bonus! Linked-in audio lets you listen to examples while you read about them and an eight-page glossary covers many recording-related terms. Remember us when you're famous!
Questions you'll find answers to include:
How do I best record a vocalist?
How do I use the new multi-take recording option?
How do I use the new Visual EQ effect?
How can I change an effect over time in a track?
What should I know about punching in on a Real Instrument track?
Book Info
122 pages
Version 1.0
Published 22-May-08
1.2 MB download
ISBN: 1933671327
Free sample with Table of Contents, Introduction, Quick Start, and section starts.
About the Author
Jeff Tolbert is a composer and musician living in Seattle. He is currently writing music for advertising and video games in the comfort of his home studio. He plays bass for several Seattle acts, as well as guitar, piano, ukulele, trombone, and various percussion instruments and household objects. He wishes he had an extra $200,000 so he could buy all the gear on his wish list.
This book teaches you how to record real and software instruments, how to work creatively, and how to turn your recordings into a great-sounding piece of music in GarageBand '08 (part of Apple's iLife '08 suite), also known as GarageBand version 4. This book was written by Jeff Tolbert, edited by Jeff Carlson and Geoff Duncan, and published by TidBITS Publishing Inc..
Introduction
GarageBand has changed the way Mac users create music. Many of us thought we'd need to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to make decent recordings on our computers. Instead, GarageBand makes recording much more affordable. Sure, GarageBand doesn't include some features of higher-end programs, but what it does for the money is simply amazing.
Songwriters can make great-sounding demos to play for their bands or prospective record labels. Proud parents can record their children for friends and relatives. Those of us who never fulfilled our rock-and-roll fantasies in our youth have another chance.
GarageBand's recording process is easy and intuitive. Even if you have no experience in a recording studio, this book will have you working like a pro in no time. Whether you're recording using a MIDI keyboard, an electric guitar, or with a vocalist using a microphone, you don't need a lot of fancy equipment to get great-sounding tracks. I show you bucketloads of tricks you can use to get the best sound possible out of your equipment. Even inexpensive keyboards, microphones, preamps, and guitars will give you wonderful results.
One thing to keep in mind: GarageBand isn't meant to compete with top-of-the-line recording software such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro. The truly demanding user will discover its limitations. GarageBand can't control audio as well as its high-end brethren, it gulps down processor cycles like they were candy corn, and you can't apply effects to groups of tracks at once, among other things. But for the typical songwriter, home recording artist, or weekend rock-and-roller, GarageBand has more than enough mojo to get your ideas out of your head and into the real world.
I assume that you're somewhat familiar with GarageBand. If you've played around in GarageBand a little already, you'll probably feel right at home with this book. If not, I suggest that you read my other book, Take Control of Making Music with GarageBand '08, to learn fundamental aspects of the program, such as arranging songs and using loops.
Quick Start to Recording with GarageBand '08
p>GarageBand offers a variety of ways to record music. Software Instruments use sounds generated by your Mac, using prerecorded samples or models of different instrument types; Real Instruments require you to plug an external sound source (such as an electric guitar or microphone) into your Mac. To use this Quick Start section, choose the heading that describes your situation or your interests. Then, follow its suggestions.
Plan ahead:
Choose the best way to structure your recording time in Strategize Your Recording Session.
Decide whether to use Software Instruments or Real Instruments in Choose a Recording Method.
Record Software Instruments:
Do you have the equipment you need? Learn about MIDI Gear and find out what's required for using Software Instruments.
Review Set Up Your MIDI Keyboard for information and troubleshooting on getting connected.
Check out Record Your Tracks to get your ideas into the computer.
Tweak your parts so they're just right in Edit the Performance.
Record Real Instruments:
Learn about microphones and electric guitars, and find the best (and cheapest) way to get a signal from your guitar or microphone into your Mac in Consider Your Equipment.
Set Up Your Input Device to get yourself connected and ready to record.
Get a killer sound out of your guitar or bass, eliminate hum, and record a great performance; read Record an Electric Instrument.
Learn about microphone placement and how to best use a mic to record vocals, instruments, or anything else in Record with a Microphone.
p>I updated this book to cover new features in Apple's latest upgrade to the program, GarageBand 4, as follows:
I added a tip on monitoring with feedback protection in Set up your track.
Multi-take recording is new to GarageBand 4. I show you several ways to use it in Record multiple takes. I also added a tip, Punching in on a Real Instrument Track.
GarageBand 4 has a few revamped effects. I describe how they work in Compressors and Equalizers.
I added a tip, Keep Mud Out of Your Mix, on using Bass Reduction.
GarageBand 4 has a new effects automation feature, and in Automate Effects I show you how to use it.
Combine Two GarageBand Projects in One Song has a new note, Turn On Audio Preview, about a preference that needs to be on for the technique to work.
I made small edits here and there to reflect new names or functions for certain GarageBand features and deleted some items that are no longer relevant.
Finally, I updated many of the screenshots to reflect GarageBand's new interface.
Note: You'll see under GarageBand > About GarageBand that this program is called GarageBand '08 in general, and that the latest version number (as of this writing) is 4.1.2. For the sake of brevity, I refer to it as GarageBand 4 when I'm talking about this version and call it simply GarageBand the rest of the time.
Is there a newer edition that covers GarageBand '09?
If you're still using GarageBand 1 or 2, buy one of the above-mentioned ebooks about GarageBand 3, and then look on page 2 of the ebook for download instructions for a free copy of the earlier edition that you need.
Ask a Question
Feel free to ask us if you have a question about this book!
Send Us Your Comments!
How could we not publish such kind words? If you'd like to send us your comments (good or bad, though we hope they're all good), just click the Feedback link on the cover of your copy of the ebook. Be sure to let us know if we can publish your comment. Thanks!
Update Plans
We do not plan to update this edition to expand its coverage of GarageBand '08. However, a later edition is available.
Author Jeff Tolbert talks about GarageBand '09 in MacVoices podcast #967 with host Chuck Joiner. You can tune in and find out what Jeff has to say about guitar amps, Magic GarageBand, in-GarageBand artist lessons, and more.
