GarageBand For Dummies

by Bob LeVitus

Overview

Put together great-sounding audio tracks on Mac, iPhone, or iPad

GarageBand For Dummies gets you started with the popular audio software included with Apple devices. This simple app lets you do everything from building basic beats to creating multi-track recordings. You’ll learn how to build a song from the ground up in this beginner-friendly Dummies guide. Follow simple, step-by-step instructions that guide you through building percussion loops, adding melodies, and recording live vocals or other instruments. When your masterpiece is complete, this book shows you how to mix and master your tracks and get them ready to share with the world. You, GarageBand, and GarageBand For Dummies are about to make beautiful music together.

• Learn the GarageBand interface and set up recording sessions
• Set up your recording space to get the best quality audio from vocal and instrument sessions
• Add beats and loops or perform on built-in instruments
• Blend your tracks into a final mix

For easily creating recordings and demos using the free GarageBand app, this is the book you need.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781394204014
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	09/06/2023
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	255,846
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Bob LeVitus is a mostly retired technology writer and former tech columnist for The Houston Chronicle and The Mac Observer. He is the author or coauthor of over 90 books, including past editions of macOS^® For Dummies, iPhone^® For Dummies, and iPad^® For Dummies. Bob also has a background as a professional music producer.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1: Starting on a Good Note 5

Chapter 1: Introducing GarageBand for Macs and iDevices 7

Chapter 2: Equipping and Setting Up Your Recording Space 25

Chapter 3: Introducing Multitrack Recording with GarageBand 49

Part 2: Making Music on a Mac 77

Chapter 4: Getting Started 79

Chapter 5: Using Loops to Make Music 93

Chapter 6: Recording with MIDI and Software Instruments 113

Chapter 7: Recording Vocals and Acoustic Instruments with a Mic 139

Chapter 8: Recording Electric Guitars and Other Electronic Instruments 159

Part 3: Postproduction: Finishing Songs on a Mac 175

Chapter 9: Editing and Polishing Tracks 177

Chapter 10: Mixing Tracks into Songs 203

Chapter 11: Mastering Mastering 217

Part 4: Making Music with Your iDevice 229

Chapter 12: Getting Started 231

Chapter 13: Making Music with Live Loops 247

Chapter 14: Laying Down Software Instrument Tracks 263

Chapter 15: Recording Vocals and Acoustic Instruments with a Mic 279

Chapter 16: Recording Guitars and Basses 297

Part 5: Postproduction: Finishing Songs on an iDevice 313

Chapter 17: Editing and Polishing Tracks 315

Chapter 18: Mixing Tracks into Songs 333

Chapter 19: Mastering Mastering 347

Chapter 20: File Compression and Your Music 353

Part 6: The Part of Tens 365

Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Improve GarageBand’s Performance 367

Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Take Your Recordings to the Next Level 377

Chapter 23: Ten Useful Websites 385

Index 391