GarageBand ’09 - Take Control of Recording with GarageBand ’09

Take Control of Recording with GarageBand ‘09

Learn how to record complete songs with drums, keyboards, bass, strings, even horns...even if all you have is a beat-up electric guitar!

This book explains how to use GarageBand '09 to create musical compositions with vocals, drums, guitars, MIDI keyboards, and even the kitchen sink! Seattle composer 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 out how to plan a recording session, and you'll learn real-world recording studio techniques, such as using a microphone effectively, getting the best sounds from your gear, applying effects like a pro, using the new Electric Guitar track and the new stompbox effects, recording multiple tracks at once, and fixing mistakes easily. Two example songs demonstrate many of the techniques discussed.

Read Me First
Introduction
Quick Start to Recording with GarageBand
Strategize Your Recording Session
Choose a Recording Method
Recording Software Instruments
Recording Real Instruments
Fix a Section
Understand GarageBand Effects
Learn GarageBand Tips and Tricks
Listen to the Sample Songs
Learn More
Appendix A: GarageBand MIDI Drum Sounds
Appendix B: Troubleshooting
Glossary
About This Book

Read Me First

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 '09 (part of Apple's iLife '09 suite), also known as GarageBand version 5. This book was written by Jeff Tolbert, edited by Jeff Carlson (with musical backup from 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. Instead, GarageBand makes recording much more affordable. Sure, it 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 get 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 '09, to learn fundamental aspects of the program, such as arranging songs and using loops.

Quick Start to Recording with GarageBand

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 a microphone) into your Mac; Electric Guitars also requires an external source and gives you access to GarageBand '09's new amp models and stompboxes. 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 a Software Instrument, a Real Instrument, or an Electric Guitar 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 Use a Real Instrument track and Use an Electric Guitar track.
Learn about microphone placement and how to best use a mic to record vocals, instruments, or anything else in Record with a microphone.

Rerecord a section:

Make a mistake? Have no fear. Check out Fix a Section to learn how to repair errors, including how to correct pitch and timing.

Understand effects:

Add cool effects to your song to make it shine. Read Understand GarageBand Effects to learn, for example, the difference between a compressor and a phaser.

Go backstage with GarageBand tips and tricks:

Learn GarageBand Tips and Tricks such as making a guitar sound like a bass, turning your tracks into loops, and more.

Check out the sample tunes:

I created two songs to highlight many of the techniques described in the book. Listen to the Sample Songs and read descriptions of how I made them.

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Book Info

iPad & Kindle

About the Author

Book Reviews

Reviews of Previous Editions

Author Interviews

Table of Contents

Read Me First

Introduction

Quick Start to Recording with GarageBand

Plan ahead:

Record Software Instruments:

Record Real Instruments:

Rerecord a section:

Understand effects:

Go backstage with GarageBand tips and tricks:

Check out the sample tunes:

What's New in Version 1.1

What's New in This Edition

I have an old version of GarageBand and don't want to update right now. Can I get a previous edition of this ebook?

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GarageBand ‘11 Update

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