GarageBand 1 | Getting Started (Patreon)

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Hi Everyone,

In this lesson I start very slow with GarageBand and general recording software concepts. Creating a basic track, recording audio from your computer microphone without causing feedback, getting a basic sense of buttons, shortcuts, looping and trimming audio, monitoring yourself while recording.

In future lessons, I'll be showing you how to use an audio interface and midi controller (and what those things are) as well as how to use a microphone and plug your guitar into your audio interface to use software amps and other plugins.

Check out the attached PDFs for a list of GarageBand buttons, layout, shortcuts, and more. We'll add more shortcuts and labels as the lessons continue but for now, just get to know the basics covered in this lesson!

Direct your questions, creations, confusions, screenshot troubleshooting questions, and whatnot to the community forum.

Next lessons in this series:

GarageBand 2 | Software Instruments 

GarageBand 3 | Audio Interface & Setting Gain

GarageBand 4 | Recording Process & Basic Mixing

GarageBand 5 | Adding Effects and Final Mixing

If you're interested in continuing the series, I recommend purchasing:

• Either a PreSonus Audiobox iOne OR Scarlett Solo - there are cheaper options, but I don't have experience with them. There are called "Audio Interfaces."

• A MIDI controller (this AKAI, OR this Korg are nice options, this one is cheaper but I don't have any experience with it)

• A microphone (This Shure is a standard, but there are cheaper options)

• An XLR Cable (any 10 or 15 foot would be fine)

• A Mic stand (if you don't want to hold the mic, or if you want to mic a guitar or amplifier)

If you know you'll never want to record with a microphone, you can get an audio interface that is just for electric guitar and electric bass, like this iRig or this cheaper Behringer.

Check out the Lesson Archive for more Songwriting lessons