How To Use Garageband On Mac To Mix Songs

Using Garageband is a simple, straightforward process that can result in a fully mixed song in a matter of minutes. Start Garageband by clicking on the electric guitar icon in the taskbar. Add a new track by clicking the 'plus' icon toward the bottom-left of the screen.

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GarageBand is a music creation studio that is present on your Mac. If you are wondering how to use GarageBand on Mac, then read this thorough guide that will tell you all the details if you are using the application for the very first time. We’ll guide you on how to download GarageBand from the Apple Store, how to install it and how to get started with this digital audio workstation (DAW). We’ll make you familiar with GarageBand workspace and also highlight some of its eminent features.

This app is perfect for music professionals and is loaded with a plethora of innovative features to create the best music for different purposes. It is quite effortless to use and is one of the best apps from Apple.

What Should You Know Before Using GarageBand on Mac?

You must own an Apple device that is capable of running GarageBand. If you are using it on your iPad or iPhone, ensure that you have the latest OS installed on your device. If you are using the MacBook or Mac Desktop, you can use this application as well.

Downloading GarageBand on Mac

If you find GarageBand already installed on your Macbook /iPhone/iPad, you can skip this part.

If you are using your Macbook, open your web browser and in the search box type “download GarageBand” and hit the return key. You’ll see “GarageBand in Mac App Store –iTunes – Apple” displayed on your screen. Click on this result.

You can view the app in Mac App Store and purchase it. It is available for $4.99. You can click the “Buy App” option to make the purchase. Once the download is complete, you’ll see an option “Launch Application” if you are using Google Chrome.

If you are using GarageBand on your iPhone or iPad, you need to go to the App Store. Search “GarageBand” in it. Once the results appear, tap on it and purchase it in the same manner as mentioned above.

How to Select Project Type on GarageBand on Mac?

After you have successfully opened GarageBand, a screen appears in front of you which looks somewhat like this:

If you click on New Project, you get plenty of options

Keyboard Collection
Electronic
Amp Collection
Songwriter
Voice
Empty Project
Ringtone
Hip Hop

Depending on your goals, you can select the project type. For example, if you are a songwriter who wants to record himself while using an electronic or acoustic guitar then you may select the ‘Songwriter’ option. If you do not have anything in mind and want to build everything from scratch, then you can select ‘Empty Project’.

How to Select Track Type in GarageBand on Mac?

Once you have selected the ‘Empty Project’ in the ‘New project’, the next screen that appears in front of you is the ‘Track Type’ screen. We have 4 options to select from:

Drummer: Selecting this will play drums automatically with your song
Audio (Guitar/Bass): Record Bass or Guitar using GarageBand as an amplifier
Audio (Microphone): Record yourself via a microphone
Software Instrument: Play sounds that are present on your Mac

Overview of the GarageBand Screen

This is how a typical GarageBand Screen looks like if you have selected “Empty Project”.

Transport Controls

The Transport Controls are located at the upper-half of the screen and help us to navigate the music while we are recording and editing it. These transport controls have the usual meaning. Starting from left, they denote:

Rewind
Fast-Forward
Stop
Play
Record

The LCD

Also located at the top of the screen right next to the Transport control is the LCD that gives information about the project that we are working on. Starting from left, they are:

Project/Time: We can toggle between analyzing our song as a measure or in terms of hours, minutes and seconds.
Measures: This shows us the beats, bars, and ticks of the song in real-time.
BPM: BPM stands for Beats Per Minutes. If the BPM is higher, it denotes that our song is playing fast. The default BPM in GarageBand is 120.
Key: Change the musical key of your project with this button. The default key in GarageBand is C Major
Time Signature: Change the time signature of your song with this button.

Cycle Tool, Tuner, Count-in, Click

Located on the right side of the LCD screen is a collection of four buttons in the order written above.

Cycle Tool: If you want to repeat certain tracks, you can use this tool.
Tuner: Tune instruments using this tool.
Count-in: This option will provide you four clicks before it starts recording a track. This option comes in handy to give you a few seconds to prepare.
Click: This option lets you toggle between hearing and not hearing a click while recording a track.

Master Volume Slider

This option is present on the top-right corner and it lets you adjust the volume of the song.

Conclusion

This was just a brief introduction on how to get started with GarageBand on Mac. You can get the specific details if you want for a particular section. GarageBand is a revolutionary app present on iOS that lets you create amazing music with minimal effort.

Learn what’s new in GarageBand for iOS

Get free sound packs from the Sound Library, build grooves with the Beat Sequencer, share and store songs and audio files with the Files app, and more.