This article explains how to create simple instrumental tracks using GarageBand on your Mac.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Create a New File
Step 1. Open GarageBand
Click on the program icon, represented by a guitar. You'll find it in the Launchpad or Applications folder.
Step 2. Click on File
You'll see this entry in the upper left corner of the GarageBand window. Press it to open a drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click on New…
You will find this item in the menu you just opened.
Step 4. Click on Blank Project
This button is on the left side of the window.
Step 5. Edit the track properties
At the bottom of the window, you will see a list of options that indicate the overall style of your project (if not, click on the triangle Details in the lower left part of the window). You can change the following items:
- Speed - indicates the BPM of the song (beats per minute);
- Key - indicates the key of the song;
- Tempo - indicates the number of beats per measure;
- Input device - determines the method of acquiring the music track (for example a USB MIDI keyboard);
- Output Device - Determines which speakers your Mac will use to play music.
Step 6. Click Select
You will see this button at the bottom of the window.
Step 7. Select an audio type
In most cases, you will need to click on the green button Software tools, so you can add and edit sounds from the GarageBand library, as well as use your Mac keyboard like a piano.
- You can also select the guitar or piano option if you want to play using a real MIDI instrument to connect to the Mac.
- If you want to add drums to your track, click on the item Battery.
Step 8. Click Create
This button is located at the bottom of the window. Press it to create a new blank GarageBand project. You are now free to start composing your song.
Part 2 of 5: Setting up Garage Band
Step 1. Decide what kind of music you want to compose
Before you start creating music on GarageBand, you should have a rough idea of the instruments you would like to use and what the genre of the song is.
Step 2. Download the GarageBand Sound Library
When you start the program for the first time, many of the available sounds are not present. You can download them for free like this:
- Click on GarageBand in the upper left corner of the screen;
- Select Sound library;
- Click on Download all available sounds;
- Follow all on-screen instructions.
Step 3. If necessary, connect a MIDI keyboard to your computer
Usually, MIDI instruments are connected via USB, so you may need a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter for your Mac. If you don't have a MIDI keyboard, you can skip this step.
Skip this step if you don't have a MIDI keyboard
Step 4. Open the Musical Keyboard window
Click on the item Window, then click on Show musical keyboard in the drop-down menu that appears. This will open a list of keys that you can press to replicate those on a piano.
Step 5. Change the Music Keyboard settings
If necessary, you can change your music keyboard preferences as follows:
- Keyboard section - click on the selector at the top of the window and drag it to the right or left to change the part of the keyboard you will use;
- Pitch Bend - press the buttons + or -, indicated in the upper left part of the window, to increase or decrease this value;
- Octaves - press the keys + or -, indicated in the lower left part of the window, to increase or decrease this value;
- Speed - press the keys + or -, indicated in the lower right corner of the window, to increase or decrease this value.
Part 3 of 5: Creating Music
Step 1. Click on Track
This item is found in the menu at the top of the window. Select it to open a drop-down menu.
Step 2. Click on New Track…
You will see this option among the last ones in the menu you just opened.
Step 3. Click on Software Tools
It is located in the left part of the "New Track" window.
Step 4. Click Create
This option is at the bottom of the current window. Select it to add a new track to your GarageBand project.
Step 5. Select a tool
Inside the "Library" section, on the left side of the window, select a category of musical instruments, then click on the specific one you want to use for the new track.
If you prefer, you can change the track settings by clicking on the knob icon on the right side of the window. A menu will open with some items that you can configure
Step 6. Open the Musical Keyboard window
Click on Window, then click on Show musical keyboard. This way, you will have a point of reference when recording the song.
Step 7. Click on the "Register" button
You will see this red circle at the top of the window.
Step 8. Play the instrument
After hearing the 4 clicks of the metronome, you can start playing the instrument by pressing the keyboard keys that correspond to the notes to be played.
Step 9. Stop recording
To do this and save the track, click the "Record" button again.
Step 10. Create a loop with a recorded instrument
Click on the top right corner of a recorded track, then drag it to the right to extend it into a loop.
Step 11. Divide a track
If you want to split a track into two sections that you can move independently, drag the play slider to where you want to separate them, then press ⌘ Command + T.
Step 12. Add and record other tracks
Once you have added the main track of your song, you can add others with different instruments (for example a bass or a synthesizer).
Part 4 of 5: Adding a Loop
Step 1. Click on the "Loop" icon
This circle-shaped button is located in the upper right corner of the GarageBand window. Press it to open the loops window on the right side of the screen.
Step 2. Find the loop to use
Scroll through the list of available loops until you find an interesting one.
- You can sort the loops by instrument, genre or style by clicking on the tabs Instrument, Type or Style at the top of the loops window.
- The loops are also sorted by color: the blue ones are pre-recorded sounds, the green ones are clips that you can edit, the yellow ones are drum loops.
Step 3. Play a preview of the loop
Click on the loop of your choice to play it once. That way, you don't add it to the project.
Step 4. Add the loop to the project
If you like a loop enough to add it to your project, click on it, then drag it into the main project window.
Step 5. Rearrange the loops
Click on a loop and drag it left or right to position it before or after within the composition, or up or down to change its position in the GarageBand window.
Part 5 of 5: Publish the Song
Step 1. Click Share
You will see this item in the menu at the top of the screen. Select it to open a drop-down menu.
Step 2. Click Export to Disk…
This option is found in the menu Share. Select it to open a window.
Step 3. Change the audio file settings
In the Export window, you can change the following options:
- Name - type the name to be assigned to the file in this text field;
- Location - click on the "Where" field, then select a path for the file from the menu that opens;
- Format - click on the "Format" field, then select a format (for example MP3) from the menu;
- Quality - select the audio quality from this menu.
Step 4. Click Export
This button is located at the bottom of the window. Select it to start exporting the entire GarageBand project to a file.
Step 5. Play the file
Once you've finished exporting the file from GarageBand, you can double-click it to play it in iTunes.
You will find the file in the path you indicated in the "Where" field
Advice
- When you start GarageBand, your most recent project will open.
- GarageBand is also available as an app on iPhones and iPads running iOS 10 or later. However, the mobile version of the program offers far fewer features than the computer version.
