The Easy Way To Record Your Music - Garageband 4.1.1
Garageband
I love to use Garageband. It’s now up to version 4.1.1. It’s a shame that PC users have to miss out on this great bit of software as Garageband is only made for the Mac.
For the Beginner
Garageband is one of the easiest applications to use for the beginner venturing on their first steps in home recording. However Garageband (now 4.1.1) is capable of producing a very polished and professional result. Once you’ve mastered the basics you will find that you will get those moments of inspiration recorded quickly.
For the Professional
For the seasoned musician and home recordist Garageband is a great notepad. You can get some great sounds recorded with little fuss and then add the final touches to your song at a later date either in Garageband, Logic Express or in Logic, Apple’s flagship music application.
For Starters
When first using Garageband a great way to get to know the program is to use the included Apple loops. This will teach you all the basics of the arrange page and also how to add effects such as reverberation and compression.
Apple Loops
There are two types of Apple Loops. Midi Loops and Audio Loops. Midi Loops are Green and Audio Loops are Blue. By going to the Loop browser you can audition loops of a wide variety instruments and styles. These loops will then play at the tempo of the arrangement. This way you get a good idea as to whether a particular loop will fit your song. Also you are given the chance of selecting loops that are in the major, the minor, or suitable for both keys. You can soon build up a professional sounding arrangement.
Finishing Off
You can finish off your track by recording on a Real Instrument track and lay down some vocals or guitar. Alternatively you can record a Software Instrument using the great samples provided which cover a wide selection of instruments. You can then adjust a number of useful effects. There are loads of great presets here which makes the process painless but you can tweak manually if you want. You can have a finished arrangement knocked out in an evening and then master your song using the master effects track. To finish export your finished creation to iTunes and burn it to a CD.
Flexibility of loops
In Garageband music contained in Apple’s midi loops can be altered freely in the notation and midi editors. However audio loops are a little less flexible, but can be cut, copied and pasted. Their pitch can be altered and effects can be added to them for variation. So it is possible to radically alter the supplied loops and make them more your own.
New In Garageband 4 (part of the iLife 08 suite of programs and free with all new Macs)
Now in version 4 there is support for 24bit recording plus automation of effects and visual EQ. A new Arrangement track has been added (to help move sections of your song around more easily) plus multi take recording. These are very useful additions to Garageband 4. It’s too early to tell yet whether the inclusion of Magic Garageband will be useful. Magic Garageband is capable of composing a song on its own in a number of different styles with only a few choices being made by the user. However its inclusion will probably inspire beginners on their first steps in home recording.
Garageband 4.1.1 part of Apple’s iLife Suite 08 (include iWeb, iMovie, iDVD, and iPhoto) A bargain at $70 (Amazon) or approx £55
Cool Music Hot Garageband 4.1.1
