GarageBand^® For Dummies^®, 2nd Edition

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2020937264

ISBN 978-1-119-64541-2 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-64546-7 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-64542-9 (ebk)

GarageBand® For Dummies®

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Table of Contents

Cover

Introduction

About This Book
Not-So-Foolish Assumptions
Conventions Used in This Book
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Starting on a Good Note

Chapter 1: Introducing GarageBand for Macs and iDevices
1. What Is GarageBand?
2. What Can You Do with GarageBand?
3. What Can’t You Do with GarageBand?
4. Checking Your System Requirements
5. What Else Do You Need to Run GarageBand?
6. Recording with GarageBand: A Few Teasers
Chapter 2: Equipping and Setting Up Your Recording Space
1. Cobbling Together a Studio Without Breaking the Bank
2. Making the Most of Your Recording Space
3. Equipping Your Studio: Must-Have Gear versus Good-to-Have Gear
4. Choosing a Microphone
5. Finding the Right Speakers
6. Listening with Headphones Without Messing Up the Take
7. Adding a MIDI Keyboard to Your Setup
8. Unraveling the Cable and Connector Conundrum
9. Adding an Audio Interface to Your Setup
10. Perfecting Your Mic Setup
11. Boosting Your Hard Drive Space
12. Recording in Tune with a Tuning Device (for Guitarists)
Chapter 3: Introducing Multitrack Recording with GarageBand
1. Understanding the Role of Stereo in Multitrack Recording
2. Strolling through the Recording Process, Quickly
3. Cutting the Tracks (“No Blood on ’em, Mr. Dylan”)
4. Mix That Sucka
5. (Lord and) Mastering
6. Managing Song Files

Part 2: Making Music on a Mac

Chapter 4: Getting Started
1. General Pane
2. Audio/MIDI Pane
3. Metronome Pane
4. Loops Pane
5. My Info Pane
6. Advanced Pane
Chapter 5: Using Loops to Make Music
1. What Is a Loop, Anyway?
2. Finding the Right Loop with the Loop Browser
3. Setting a Loop’s Tempo
4. Adding Loops to Tracks
Chapter 6: Recording with MIDI and Software Instruments
1. What Is MIDI, Anyway?
2. Controlling Software Instruments with a MIDI Keyboard
3. Choosing Software Instruments
4. Recording Tracks with Software Instruments
5. Altering the Sound of Software Instruments
6. Drummer Tracks
7. Testing Your Changes
Chapter 7: Recording Vocals and Acoustic Instruments with a Mic
1. Getting Ready to Record
2. Multitrack Recording
3. Recording the Track
4. Improving the Sound of Recordings
Chapter 8: Recording Electric Guitars and Other Electronic Instruments
1. Overview from the Top: Direct or Live Recording
2. Direct Recording with GarageBand’s Virtual Amplifiers
3. Recording Live with an Amplifier and Microphones
4. Customizing the Sound of Your Guitar Tracks

Part 3: Postproduction: Finishing Songs on a Mac

Chapter 9: Editing and Polishing Tracks
1. “When Should I Edit Tracks?”
2. Editing Software Instrument versus Real Instrument Tracks
3. Fixing Flubs and Faux Pas
4. Rearranging Regions
5. Editing Software Instrument Tracks
6. Sweetening: Add New Material? Or Not?
Chapter 10: Mixing Tracks into Songs
1. What Is Mixing?
2. Creating a Level Playing Field
3. Panning Tracks Left or Right
4. The Effects of Adding Effects
5. Doubling Tracks
Chapter 11: Mastering Mastering
1. What, Exactly, Is Mastering?
2. Before You Master
3. The Master Track Is for Mastering Tracks
4. One More Thing Before You Call It “Done”

Part 4: Making Music with Your iDevice

Chapter 12: Getting Started
1. Global Settings
2. GarageBand Settings
3. The Control Bar
4. Sharing Projects with a Mac (and Vice Versa)
Chapter 13: Making Music with Live Loops
1. Loop Basics
2. Working with Loops
3. Working with Cells
4. Recording with the Loop Grid
Chapter 14: Laying Down Software Instrument Tracks
1. What Is MIDI, Anyway?
2. Controlling Software Instruments with a MIDI Keyboard
3. Working with Software Instruments
4. Working with Tracks
Chapter 15: Recording Vocals and Acoustic Instruments with a Mic
1. Getting Ready to Record
2. Multitrack Recording
3. Recording the Track
4. Improving the Sound of Recordings
Chapter 16: Recording Guitars and Basses without Mics or Amps
1. Overview from the Top: Direct or Live Recording
2. Direct Recording with GarageBand’s Virtual Amplifiers
3. Recording Live with an Amplifier and Microphones
4. Customizing the Sound of Your Guitar Tracks

Part 5: Postproduction: Finishing Songs on an iDevice

Chapter 17: Editing and Polishing Tracks
1. “When Should I Edit Tracks?”
2. Editing Software Instrument versus Real Instrument Tracks
3. Arranging and Rearranging
4. Fixing Flubs and Faux Pas
5. Editing Software Instrument Tracks
6. Sweetening: Add New Material or Not?
Chapter 18: Mixing Tracks into Songs
1. What Is Mixing?
2. Creating a Level Playing Field
3. Panning Tracks Left or Right
4. The Effects of Adding Effects
5. Doubling Tracks
Chapter 19: Mastering Mastering
1. Before You Master
2. Exporting to a Mac for Mastering
3. Sharing Songs

Part 6: Everything Else You Might Need to Know

Chapter 20: Playing Live with GarageBand Amps and Effects
1. Playing at Home
2. General Tips for Guitarists and Bassists
3. Playing on Stage
Chapter 21: Jamming with Others over Wi-Fi
1. Becoming the Bandleader
2. Becoming a Member
3. Working with Jam Sessions
Chapter 22: File Compression and Your Music
1. Understanding Compression
2. Sharing Your Masterpiece
3. How Much Compression Can You Stand?
4. Distributing Your Music
Chapter 23: CD Recording, Reproduction, and Distribution
1. The Benefits of Burning CDs
2. Getting Ready to Burn Songs on CDs
3. Burning Songs to CDs
4. Distributing Your Music

Part 7: The Part of Tens

Chapter 24: Ten Ways to Improve GarageBand’s Performance
1. Starting with the Basics
2. Checking on FileVault
3. Paying Attention to CPU and RAM Usage
4. Checking Out Activity Monitor’s CPU and Memory Tabs
5. Recording: 16-bits versus 24-bits
6. Minimizing the GarageBand Window While Playing or Recording
7. Getting More RAM
8. Getting Faster Storage
9. Resetting MIDI Drivers
10. Turn Off Wi-Fi Before Recording or Performing
Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Take Your Recordings to the Next Level
1. Getting a Better Microphone
2. Making Sure Your Speakers Reproduce Sound Decently
3. Getting Better Headphones
4. Fine-Tuning Mic Placement
5. Improving Room Acoustics
6. Using Quality Cables
7. Adding an Audio Interface (and, Optionally, a Mixing Board)
8. Switch to More Powerful Software
Chapter 26: Ten Useful Websites
1. Learn Songs on Guitar or Bass
2. Mix Magazine
3. MusicRadar
4. Sweetwater Sound
5. Musician’s Friend
6. Monoprice
7. Apple GarageBand Discussion Board

Index

About the Author

Advertisement Page

Connect with Dummies

End User License Agreement

List of Illustrations

Chapter 1

FIGURE 1-1: GarageBand just minimized on the dock uses nearly 10 percent of the...
FIGURE 1-2: When GarageBand is playing in the background (with Activity Monitor...
FIGURE 1-3: GarageBand for Mac has a tiny onscreen keyboard (top) and musical t...
FIGURE 1-4: GarageBand for iDevices has Smart instruments including Smart piano...
FIGURE 1-5: GarageBand’s main (only) window with Quick Help.
FIGURE 1-6: The Choose a Project dialog offers six project templates.
FIGURE 1-7: A brand spankin’ new GarageBand project from the Amp Collection tem...
FIGURE 1-8: GarageBand for iDevices offers two ways to create music: live loops...
FIGURE 1-9: GarageBand for iOS’s Quick Help.
FIGURE 1-10: The Choose a Project screen.

Chapter 2

FIGURE 2-1: Cardioid patterns come in three flavors: cardioid (left), super car...
FIGURE 2-2: The omni-directional pattern picks up sounds from every direction.
FIGURE 2-3: The figure-8 pattern is perfect for recording two instruments or vo...
FIGURE 2-4: What’s in the box: Audioengine A2+.
FIGURE 2-5: Earbuds like these Apple EarPods are headphones that fit almost ent...
FIGURE 2-6: M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 (top) or Keystation Mini 32 MK3 (bottom) ...
FIGURE 2-7: A ¼-inch mono plug (top) and a ¼-inch stereo plug (bottom).
FIGURE 2-8: Male (left) and female (right) XLR connectors.
FIGURE 2-9: Consumer audio and video equipment often uses cables with RCA jacks...
FIGURE 2-10: Boom (left) and straight (right) mic stands.
FIGURE 2-11: My Blue Compass boom arm, which is permanently attached to my desk...

Chapter 3

FIGURE 3-1: In the simplest of terms, this is how multitrack recording works.
FIGURE 3-2: You see this dialog when you launch GarageBand on your Mac.
FIGURE 3-3: Specify the type of track to start with.
FIGURE 3-4: GarageBand’s main window after choosing an Audio (guitar/bass) trac...
FIGURE 3-5: Create a new song using live loops (left) or tracks (right).
FIGURE 3-6: GarageBand’s transport controls on the Mac work like the controls o...
FIGURE 3-7: GarageBand offers fewer transport controls on iDevices, but they st...
FIGURE 3-8: Track settings for the Male RnB Vocals track (Mac).
FIGURE 3-9: Track settings for the Grand Piano track (iOS).
FIGURE 3-10: A quiet passage on the Mac (top) and iOS (bottom), with the track’...
FIGURE 3-11: A loud passage on the Mac (top) and iOS (bottom) with the level di...
FIGURE 3-12: The level faders for Mac (left) and iOS (right).
FIGURE 3-13: The track volume control tells this track, “Fade-in, play a few se...
FIGURE 3-14: A Mac track panned hard left (top), dead center (middle), and hard...
FIGURE 3-15: An iOS track panned hard left (top), dead center (middle), and har...
FIGURE 3-16: The Master Track is always at the bottom of the track list.

Chapter 4

FIGURE 4-1: The General Preferences pane.
FIGURE 4-2: Use the cycle area to continuously replay a part of your project.
FIGURE 4-3: The Audio/MIDI Preferences pane.
FIGURE 4-4: You’ll see a warning like this if you disconnect an output (or inpu...
FIGURE 4-5: The Metronome Preferences pane.
FIGURE 4-6: The Loops Preferences pane.
FIGURE 4-7: Click the loop browser icon and then click Instrument (shown here),...
FIGURE 4-8: The My Info Preferences pane.
FIGURE 4-9: I’ll send this finished version of “Brown 2 Blue” to the Music app ...
FIGURE 4-10: The Advanced Preferences pane.

Chapter 5

FIGURE 5-1: The loop browser in button view.
FIGURE 5-2: The loop browser in column view.
FIGURE 5-3: Click the dividing line and drag downward to reveal more instrument...
FIGURE 5-4: The loop browser button view, with only the Beats category selected...
FIGURE 5-5: In this image, I’ve narrowed the selection to only loops that are i...
FIGURE 5-6: It won’t make you an honorary Beastie Boy, but this scratch might h...
FIGURE 5-7: Click the loop types icon to limit your search results by the type ...
FIGURE 5-8: Drag the loop file from the Finder (the gray desktop below the Gara...
FIGURE 5-9: Click the tempo indicator and drag up or down to change the project...
FIGURE 5-10: Drop a loop into a blank spot on the workspace and GarageBand crea...
FIGURE 5-11: Drag a blue (audio) loop onto a green (software instrument) track ...
FIGURE 5-12: The loop pointer (top), extend pointer (middle), and move pointer ...

Chapter 6

FIGURE 6-1: This 49-key M-Audio MIDI keyboard is inexpensive and perfectly adeq...
FIGURE 6-2: The library with the String Ensemble instrument selected.
FIGURE 6-3: The solo and mute icons enabled (left) and disabled (right).
FIGURE 6-4: Smart controls for the Aurora Bell instrument with the Arpeggiator ...
FIGURE 6-5: Smart controls for the String Ensemble (top), Baroque Organ (middle...
FIGURE 6-6: You can choose from a variety of patches for the EQ on your softwar...
FIGURE 6-7: You can create manual settings on your equalizer by clicking the ei...
FIGURE 6-8: Band 5 is enabled and configured to slightly boost all except the h...
FIGURE 6-9: A patch can have up to four plug-ins enabled.
FIGURE 6-10: Choose a new plug-in for this slot from the menu or choose No Plug...
FIGURE 6-11: Settings for the compressor plug-in with the Pop Piano preset sele...
FIGURE 6-12: If you save your perfect preset, you can then reuse it on other tr...
FIGURE 6-13: The Steinway Grand Piano instrument has three plug-ins enabled by ...
FIGURE 6-14: A handful of the dozens of plug-ins you have available.
FIGURE 6-15: I added the distortion II effect with the Biting Distortion Heavy ...
FIGURE 6-16: Use these options to create your drummer track.

Chapter 7

FIGURE 7-1: Crystal Arpeggios to Memphis Clean (and the presets above and below...
FIGURE 7-2: The range of good and bad levels.
FIGURE 7-3: Korg nanoPAD2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Pads sends touch-sensitive MIDI in...
FIGURE 7-4: Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit looks and feels like drums, but it’s re...
FIGURE 7-5: Changing the level (riding the fader) with the track volume control...
FIGURE 7-6: With the Antares Auto-tune plug-in, even I sound “pitchy” and sing ...

Chapter 8

FIGURE 8-1: Choose the input your guitar is plugged into (Scarlett Solo USB her...
FIGURE 8-2: Scarlett Solo USB (front and back) is an audio interface and preamp...
FIGURE 8-3: The top picture is too cool, the two middle pictures are in the jus...
FIGURE 8-4: This acoustic guitar can be recorded as though it were an electric ...
FIGURE 8-5: Choose one of these seven subcategories and then choose a preset to...
FIGURE 8-6: Smart controls and plug-ins for the Burnin’ Tweed (top), Clean Stud...
FIGURE 8-7: AmpliTube offers dozens of realistic amp models, plus stomp boxes a...

Chapter 9

FIGURE 9-1: Click the cycle icon to turn on the cycle area.
FIGURE 9-2: Preferences General tab with both Software Instrument Recordings po...
FIGURE 9-3: The Edit menu tells you what you’re about to undo or redo.
FIGURE 9-4: Six regions split at the playhead before (top) and after deleting t...
FIGURE 9-5: I played the wrong chord, but the rubber band cheat removes it from...
FIGURE 9-6: Click + to add arrangement markers; click a marker’s name to change...
FIGURE 9-7: Press Option before you click and drag an arrangement marker to cre...
FIGURE 9-8: Click the corner of the second tempo point (top) and drag it to cre...
FIGURE 9-9: Use the resizer cursor to click the dividing line, and then drag up...
FIGURE 9-10: To edit a traditional score instead of dashes, click the Score but...
FIGURE 9-11: Editing the software instrument track at three zoom levels: least ...

Chapter 10

FIGURE 10-1: A fine-tuned mix, with the acoustic and electric guitar part level...
FIGURE 10-2: Drums (SoCal Kyle) and vocals (Bright Vocal) are panned dead cente...
FIGURE 10-3: Display the Smart controls and click the Track and Controls button...
FIGURE 10-4: Click the EQ button in the Smart controls toolbar to add or adjust...
FIGURE 10-5: Slide the doubled track (Big Brute Blues) to the right a tiny amou...

Chapter 11

FIGURE 11-1: The master track offers 11 presets by default.
FIGURE 11-2: Don’t overlook the Settings menu’s EQ Tools category.
FIGURE 11-3: Click the Output button in the Smart controls toolbar to adjust th...
FIGURE 11-4: Click a plug-in’s name to open its settings window.
FIGURE 11-5: The master track volume control with its default fade-out control ...
FIGURE 11-6: The master track volume control customized with a fade-in, a sligh...

Chapter 12

FIGURE 12-1: GarageBand’s global settings are found in the Settings app.
FIGURE 12-2: GarageBand’s Settings menu.
FIGURE 12-3: Metronome and count-in settings.
FIGURE 12-4: Set the tempo numerically or by tapping with your finger.
FIGURE 12-5: Any key signature you like, major or minor.
FIGURE 12-6: This is how you assign a chord (Fm) to the Smart Guitar’s rightmos...
FIGURE 12-7: The result of tapping the semi-hidden Help item in the Settings me...
FIGURE 12-8: Swipe left or right (top), or press and hold down the browser icon...
FIGURE 12-9: Tap the info icon to see coaching tips, shown here for tracks view...
FIGURE 12-10: This is what you see if you try to open a Mac GarageBand file on ...

Chapter 13

FIGURE 13-1: Live loops templates (Rock is shown here) are prepopulated with lo...
FIGURE 13-2: The loops browser with the Apple Loops tab selected.
FIGURE 13-3: Filter your loops by instruments (left), genres (middle), or descr...
FIGURE 13-4: Tap a loop (Bebop Fill) to listen to it; tap it again to stop.
FIGURE 13-5: Tap a cell twice (slowly) and its Edit menu appears.
FIGURE 13-6: The settings overlay for the Razor Rock Rhythm Guitar (real instru...
FIGURE 13-7: Tap the FX icon to see remix FX.

Chapter 14

FIGURE 14-1: The Lightning-to-USB camera adapter lets you use many USB devices ...
FIGURE 14-2: This 49-key M-Audio MIDI keyboard is inexpensive and perfectly ade...
FIGURE 14-3: Tap a chord or string or swipe a strip to play your Smart guitar.
FIGURE 14-4: Choose from five different guitar variations.
FIGURE 14-5: The tracks view lets you work on tracks you’ve recorded.
FIGURE 14-6: Swipe any instrument icon to the right to reveal the track headers...
FIGURE 14-7: Drag a loop onto the wrong kind of track and you’ll see a message ...
FIGURE 14-8: Tap once to select the region, and then tap again to reveal its av...
FIGURE 14-9: Drag the split marker to exactly where you want the split, then dr...
FIGURE 14-10: The dashes represent the notes in this region.
FIGURE 14-11: The settings overlay for a software instrument track.

Chapter 15

FIGURE 15-1: The HENKUR USB Camera Adapter with Charging Port worked with all f...
FIGURE 15-2: Turn on monitoring to avoid feedback and hear yourself play.
FIGURE 15-3: The audio recorder’s Fun tab (left) and Studio tab (right).
FIGURE 15-4: Choose the appropriate category and preset for the track.
FIGURE 15-5: The range of good and bad levels.
FIGURE 15-6: The Compressor’s five sliders help you fine-tune its settings to p...
FIGURE 15-7: Korg nanoPAD2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Pads sends touch-sensitive MIDI i...
FIGURE 15-8: Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit looks and feels like drums, but it’s r...
FIGURE 15-9: Changing the level (riding the fader) with the track volume contro...

Chapter 16

FIGURE 16-1: IK Multimedia’s iRig HD 2 lets you connect a guitar and headphones...
FIGURE 16-2: Fine-tune your guitar sound using the onscreen amp.
FIGURE 16-3: Tap a category (Crunchy) and a preset (Bell Bottom Rock).
FIGURE 16-4: Scarlett Solo USB (front and back) is an audio interface and pream...
FIGURE 16-5: The top picture is too cool, the two middle pictures are in the ju...
FIGURE 16-6: In tune (left) and out of tune (right).
FIGURE 16-7: This acoustic guitar can be recorded as though it were an electric...
FIGURE 16-8: The Vintage Drive effect (left) and choosing a second stomp box ef...
FIGURE 16-9: Controls for the Brit Pop (top), Sunshine Drive (middle), and Mode...
FIGURE 16-10: Presets you’ve modified and saved appear in the Custom category.
FIGURE 16-11: AmpliTube for iPad offers dozens of realistic amp models, plus st...

Chapter 17

FIGURE 17-1: The takes menu with take #8 selected.
FIGURE 17-2: Press and hold down on the undo icon to see what you can undo or r...
FIGURE 17-3: Drag the split marker downward to split the region.
FIGURE 17-4: Part of my vocal was too loud, so I used the automation curve to m...
FIGURE 17-5: Tap the + or - to increase or decrease the pitch by octaves or sem...
FIGURE 17-6: Editing the software instrument region zoomed out (top) and zoomed...
FIGURE 17-7: The slider in the editor (left) and in tracks view (right).

Chapter 18

FIGURE 18-1: A fine-tuned mix, with the acoustic and electric guitar part level...
FIGURE 18-2: Pan settings for a song might look like this.
FIGURE 18-3: Track settings for the Acoustic Guitar track.
FIGURE 18-4: Four of this drummer track’s six plug-in slots are open.
FIGURE 18-5: Tap Visual EQ to tweak a track's equalization.
FIGURE 18-6: Visual EQ on (left) and off (right).
FIGURE 18-7: Use the secret double-zoom gesture to disable snap-to-grid.

Chapter 19

FIGURE 19-1: Choose the audio quality you desire and edit the song info if you ...
FIGURE 19-2: Scroll down to add a cover image to your song (if you care to).
FIGURE 19-3: Note the file sizes for the same song shared with different qualit...

Chapter 20

FIGURE 20-1: My GarageBand practice setup.
FIGURE 20-2: My GarageBand setup for the first set at the 2006 Macworld All-Sta...
FIGURE 20-3: MainStage’s full-screen performance interface.
FIGURE 20-4: MainStage’s editing interface.

Chapter 21

FIGURE 21-1: My iPad Pro is the bandleader and created this jam session.
FIGURE 21-2: My iPhone X (member) joining my iPad Pro (bandleader) jam session.
FIGURE 21-3: Sharing my eight-track song with iOS.
FIGURE 21-4: The shared eight-track song becomes a one-track song when shared t...

Chapter 22

FIGURE 22-1: Insert an audio CD, and your Mac sees AIFF files.
FIGURE 22-2: Compare the file size of the same song saved in four different fil...
FIGURE 22-3: The Share to Music dialog lets you edit your song info before shar...
FIGURE 22-4: GarageBand’s Save sheet lets you choose a file format and quality ...
FIGURE 22-5: My compression testing playlist with the file format and bit rate ...

Chapter 23

FIGURE 23-1: The cycle area is enabled and covering the first two-thirds of thi...
FIGURE 23-2: The Share to Music dialog ready to share my song to the Music app.
FIGURE 23-3: Drag songs from your library to the playlist if necessary.
FIGURE 23-4: Configure the burn settings and then click Burn.
FIGURE 23-5: You can print a jewel case insert like this from the Music app (or...

Chapter 24

FIGURE 24-1: No! I hate when it says that!
FIGURE 24-2: GarageBand is consuming roughly 44 percent of my CPU’s cycles.
FIGURE 24-3: Do the math: 16.00GB minus 8.78GB equals 7.22GB. (7.22GB available...

Chapter 25

FIGURE 25-1: It is cheaply made but does what it’s supposed to and takes up lit...
FIGURE 25-2: If you don’t look closely it’s hard to tell GarageBand (top) and L...
FIGURE 25-3: With prices from $299 ($99 for students) to $2,599, there’s a vers...

Chapter 26

FIGURE 26-1: The tablature for a guitar riff.
FIGURE 26-2: The Wasted Time MIDI file opened in GarageBand.

Introduction

If you want to make music with GarageBand, you’ve made the right choice twice — once by choosing GarageBand, which is the easiest way to create your own music on a Mac or iDevice — and again by choosing this book to help you along. Before you know it, you’ll be topping the charts and basking in fame, glory, and fortune.

Well, it's possible. By the time you finish this book, you’ll possess the knowledge to do so, although I’m afraid it’s up to you to provide the talent.

Don’t worry. Just sit back, relax, and get ready to have a rockin’ good time. That’s right. This may be a computer book, but we're going to have a good time together. What a concept!

Whether you’re new to music making or a grizzled studio veteran, I guarantee that learning to make music with GarageBand For Dummies is going to be fun and easy. Hey, it wouldn’t say “Learning Made Easy” on the cover if it weren’t true.

About This Book

Of course, GarageBand For Dummies, 2nd Edition is going to show you everything you need to get the most out of Apple’s amazing GarageBand, which is a complete recording studio and much more.

But I hope to give you much more than that. Here’s a quick look at just some of what you can do:

Discover how to use GarageBand’s numerous (and very cool) features on the Mac and iDevices.
Get the lowdown on the equipment you will definitely need, the gear you don’t need but may want, and the gear that you don’t need — plus all the details on setting up and connecting everything.
Find details about creating great-sounding songs all by your lonesome and then distributing them to your friends (or enemies) and (gasp) perhaps even selling them.
Be gently introduced to many professional audio recording and engineering techniques that will impress your friends with slick, professional-sounding recordings.

GarageBand For Dummies, 2nd Edition is chock-full of useful information, plus tips and techniques for making good multitrack recordings. If you follow my simple instructions, you’ll gain the skills you need to produce great-sounding recordings that are sure to impress your family and friends, not to mention musicians, singers, songwriters, and producers.

Not-So-Foolish Assumptions

Although I know what happens when you make assumptions, I’ve made a few anyway. The biggest is that you, gentle reader, know nothing about making multitrack recordings or using GarageBand.

I also assume that you know what a Mac, an iPad, and an iPhone are, you know how to turn them on and use them, and you know they have a copy of GarageBand installed. I assume also that you want to understand GarageBand without digesting an incomprehensible technical manual (which, by the way, doesn’t exist anyway) and, finally, that you made the right choice by selecting this particular book.

One more thing: I assume you can read. If you can’t, please ignore this paragraph.

Conventions Used in This Book

To get the most out of this book, you need to know how I do things and why. Following are a few conventions I use in this book to make your life easier:

When I want you to open an item in a menu, I write something like “Choose File ⇒ Open,” which means, “Click the File menu and choose the Open command.”
Stuff that you’re supposed to type appears in bold type, like this.
Sometimes an entire sentence is in bold, as you’ll see when I present a numbered list of steps. In those cases, I unbold what you’re supposed to type, like this.
When I refer to the Mac’s menu, I’m referring to the menu in the upper-left corner of the macOS menu bar that looks like an apple (called the Apple menu).
For Mac keyboard shortcuts, I write something like “press ⌘ +A,” which means to hold down the ⌘ key (the one with the little pretzel or symbol or both on it) and then press the letter A on your keyboard. If you see something like “press ⌘ +Shift+A,” that means to hold down the ⌘ and Shift keys while pressing the A key.

Icons Used in This Book

You’ll see little round pictures (icons) off to the left side of the text throughout this book. Consider these icons as miniature road signs, telling you a little something extra about the topic at hand. Here’s what the different icons look like and what they all mean.

Look for Tip icons to find the juiciest morsels: shortcuts, tips, and undocumented secrets about GarageBand. Try them all; impress your friends!

When you see this icon, it means this particular morsel is something I think you should memorize (or at least write on your shirt cuff).

This icon signifies something that’s not required reading. It could be about pro audio, programming, or progressive rock, but whatever it is, it’s not required for you to master GarageBand. (On the other hand, it must be interesting or informative, or I wouldn’t have wasted your time with it.)

Read these notes very, very carefully. Did I say ver-y? Warning icons flag important information. The author and publisher won’t be responsible if your Mac explodes or spews flaming parts because you ignored a Warning icon. Just kidding. Macs don’t explode or spew (with the exception of a few choice PowerBook 5300s, which can’t run GarageBand anyway). But I got your attention, didn’t I? It’s a good idea to read the Warning icons carefully.

Beyond the Book

In addition to what you’re reading right now, this book also comes with a free access-anywhere Cheat Sheet that provides a handy list of useful keyboard shortcuts as well as instructions for silencing mistakes. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and type GarageBand For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the search box.

I’ve also created a downloadable GarageBand tutorial with a completed GarageBand project, the finished master track, and a PDF explaining how and why I did what I did in the project, which you can download at www.workingsmarterformacusers.com/blog/garageband.

Where to Go from Here

Go to a comfortable spot (preferably not far from a Mac or iDevice) and read the book.

I didn’t write this book for myself. I wrote it for you and would love to hear how it worked for you. So please drop me a line or register your comments through the Online Registration Form, which you can find by clicking the Customer Care link (under Contact Us) at www.dummies.com.

Did this book work for you? What did you like? What didn’t you like? What questions were unanswered? Did you want to know more about something? Did you want to find out less about something? Tell me!

You can send email to me at GarageBandForDummies@boblevitus.com. I appreciate your feedback, and I try to respond to all reasonably polite email within a few days.

So, what are you waiting for? Go enjoy the book!

Part 1

Starting on a Good Note

IN THIS PART …

Become familiar with the software and get a high-level overview of digital multitrack recording (which is what GarageBand does).

Determine your recording studio needs and wants (and budget), and then get down to the nuts and bolts of speakers, cables, audio interfaces, and other devices that you can use to achieve better sound.

Explore the process of multitrack recording and the way multitrack recordings are created in GarageBand.