MultiTrack recording with Garageband 09 Tutorial

[macjones743]

Your base note matches the tone of my dehumidifier in my basement.

[justinXalex]

Sounds like minecraft in the back...

[stillme4you]

Great tutorial for the basics. Very helpful for a noob like me. :-) Thanks!

[abochristo]

i wanna start recording professionally on a macbook with garageband, untill now i used only pc with windows and cubase, so im entering a new world here, buy plz tell me, can a macbook work easy with 30-40 channel recording with plug-ins and effects? my plane is to replace my pc & cubase with mac and garageband, i do professional recording and i wanna know is it any good?

[murry537]

@abochristo You can use it for that. It supports VST format plugins and better-than-CD auto bit rates. But if you already use cubase, just stick with that. They have a version for mac.

[abochristo]

@murry537 cool man thanx, can a typical macbook pro handle 30-40 channels open in it?

[sstraya]

Hi. I would like to know how to record two instruments at the same time. Do you know how? I don't know how to select different channels. I have an interface with multi channels.

[carlitosortiz]

Well, what i wanted to find out is how to record multi input tracks. for instance, with an electric guitar and a drum machine.

[murry537]

@carlitosortiz you can have as many tracks at the same time as your computer has inputs for. You need to buy a piece of hardware that has alot of inputs and then connects to your mac. Google for mac audio interface.

[BillieJean900]

hello , plz help i have a keyboard and i want to play the isntruments and records drums from the keyboard to the garageband which midi cable i use? is it the midi out cable to usb ?

[murry537]

@BillieJean900 if you don't have a USB keyboard then you need to get a device to convert the midi cable to a USB table to plug into the mac.

[TheOskar96]

Very Good!!

[popitn2nd]

I really appreciate you making this kind of videos. I recently just got my macbook pro and i'm learning how to use the garage band. Thanks for this tutorial!

[767Pinky]

thank you so much :)

[TheRogueMonk]

how can i play many instruments at the same time instead of just one..cmd does not work

[murry537]

@TheRogueMonk I don't understand your question. When you press play all the tracks play unless you have them muted, or something.

[TheRogueMonk]

@murry537 lol i meant play in.. with midi ..

[murry537]

@TheRogueMonk Garageband can do multiple tracks and inputs at the same time so it's mostly limited by what you are using to send in the data. If your midi device only outputs the midi as one track then GB will only be able to see one track.

[TheRogueMonk]

@murry537 no .. on pc with applicatoins like ableton live you can hold in controll and choose multiple recordings

but on mac i dont know what the right keybinding is to activate multiple tracks at the same time for the recording .. i am almost sure.

do you think that ipad 2 garageband has all the instruments or can have all the intruments that these laptop and staitonary ones have?

[murry537]

@TheRogueMonk You just have to arm the tracks. There is a little red dot on each track next to the mute and solo buttons that lets you do that. In GB 11 you have to "enable multitrack recording" from the track menu first before that dot appears.

Garageband on iPad does not have all the same instruments or all the same loops.

[619REYLM]

Do soundcards (for mic's) work with this program?

And can I put a mp3 beat into the program and rap over it?

And the effects on the voice can I put that on afterwards and can I put it on so it's just for one line(<-- an example)

Thank you :)

[murry537]

@619REYLM yes, though it would not automatically take out existing vocals from an mp3 so it would need to be a beat without someone else already singing/rapping. then you just put your mic in a different track and you're good to go.

[619REYLM]

@murry537

Thank you

[THELITHIUMNATIC]

Hi! Murry537, is there a possible way that I can assign a key shortcut to a track; instead of using the up and down arrow. I mean am using different vocal effects on my sets, so using the up and down arrow takes me sometime. In other words, I do not want to use the up and down arrow or the mouse. Thanks!

[murry537]

@THELITHIUMNATIC No, but it does integrate with some 3rd party control boxes such as the M-Audio iControl.

[dakiss75]

sry, mean If I can do an Beat in the voice station and record coeval?

e.c. Music Maker Producer Edition. I do a Beat on a line an then I record my rap.

is it the same?

sry I know there are stupid questions, but at first I dont show the ensemble video.^^

[dakiss75]

Thanks, but I cant see the line-out

for the backings to the left and right side.

Where can I have to do that?

[dakiss75]

Can I voice an rap in a good quality with Garageband?

And do you know a good software to make tracks and mastering? (for iMac)

[murry537]

@dakiss75 It does higher than CD quality recording. And tracks and mastering is what Garageband is for.

[robelliwell]

how do you get all those presets for compression and equalization?

[JQmusical]

windows? whats that?

[IdahoAngler2]

Nice, I am an analogue junkie and just entering the DAW -I have studio one & gargeband but am unsure which one will be easier & have better support

[TonyBlaine22]

i hooked up my keyboard to my computer and when i record it makes that colored bar that follows the red line as it goes, but when i stop recording it dissappears. what do i do?

[J0ecK]

drop box is the bomb!

[SeanJordan15]

Good tutorial. Very informational. Right now I am recording with garageband using a usb interface. And for some reason the 1/4" input is mono, and on the left side, and the xlr jack is mono and on the right side. Any suggestions?

[benc9722]

thanks for the video, very helpful

i was wondering what kind of microphone are you using or what type you would reccomend?

thanks

[dennisonearth]

Very easy to understand. Well done!

Dennis

[bradass100]

Good job! Thanks.

[fuzzysnowgirl]

@murry537 is garageband good for editing your own vocally-made synths? and can you change the pitch you sing in or the octaves that you sing in (like, make your voice sound like bass)?

By the way, thanks for this video, it helped me alot!

[murry537]

@fuzzysnowgirl yes, yes, and you're welcome.

[Maxxlenoxx]

I have a question please. I use a USB mixer to record drums. But the problems is, even if I have several mics, it's still comes down to one track in GB. I can only tweak and EQ the different inputs (snare, kick, etc) on the mixer. In other words, any changes/improvements I make in GB apply to all the drums parts. So my question is, is that possible to have a device in which I can plug several mics and they will appear on different tracks in GB (so I'd have different EQ for each inputs)? Thx!

[murry537]

@Maxxlenoxx Yes. Are you editing the input source on the tracks inside of Garageband? If you have a USB mixer, you should already be able to do this.

[Maxxlenoxx]

@murry537 I'm not sure I understand your question Murry... I select the input source (USB mixer) in the preferences but then everything is "packed" together in the track I select to record in GB. If you need more informations, just let me know!

[funkeety]

i wanna record my acoustic guitar multitracks one at a time... i wanna record the real sound from mic, and also record the the output from the guitar's cable. can i do it one at a time?

[murry537]

@funkeety yes.

[funkeety]

@murry537 please explain a little bit for me how to do that murry, i really need to do that... thx..

[murry537]

@funkeety Um, you record one...then you make a new track...then record the next. And so forth.

[funkeety]

@murry537 i'm sorry murry, that wasn't what i really mean... i want to record 2 tracks with different input channel at ONE time... to make good quality of sound from semi acoustic guitar record, i have to make the record from 2 input. 1st from the mic, and 2nd is from the cable plugged in to my guitar to the line-in in my mac.. these two different inputs have to record me playing guitar at one time..can garageband do that?

[murry537]

@funkeety Yes. you just need two mics an audio interface with more than one input, such as a mixer. Then you make two tracks and set the input source for each track appropriately.

[funkeety]

@murry537 aaaah, so i still need audio interface like mixer, i thought i don't need that.. well, no problem, thx murry, that's so helping, really!! Anyway, do you have any recommended audio mixer? i don't need many channel, 4 channel mixer will be okay i think..

[murry537]

@funkeety The "Behringer Podcaststudio Firewire" kit works fine.

[podboq2]

Apple (key) = Command (cloverleaf symbol to either side of the spacebar, new aluminum Apple keyboard)

[Justs0MEGUY11]

i need help!

my vocals only go through one of my speakers..

and when i try to move the L and R nobs to the right it just lowers it..

im so lost lol

[murry537]

@Justs0MEGUY11 Set the track input source in Garageband to mono instead of stereo.

[Daphatmack]

I have a problem wit garageband i cant seem to record a track wit out having to go ta preference an reset mi output an input setting, just so i can get my head phones an mic to work, is dis a regular problem dats natural r do i have to change something on my computer to access it wit out having to go thur all dat trouble? Cuz im working wit a alesis io2 soundcard an it work perfectly but i have problems wit logic 2 an i have watch all da videos on setting up midi controls, Can i get a lil help?

[TheBritneySpears1]

What I need is like when you make a CD in iTunes, it has multiple tracks where you can skip some and skip another, but In garageband I can't create a project that has multiple sections that when I burn them to a CD, I can skip one section and go to the other. Can someone please help me? I need it very dearly, especially when making live albums. I can't save one project after another and put them together, because I need them to fit together like a live album. Thanks! :D

[murry537]

@TheBritneySpears1 That's not what Garageband is for. If you want to make a CD with more than one song track just export to iTunes and make a playlist then burn it.

[TheBritneySpears1]

@murry537 Oh Ok, Thanks!! I thought their might be a way to have more than one track like that :D Thanks! :D

[JBMChrista]

I guess, we have a misunderstanding> I choose mono inputs, but there are only 8 of them to activate for recording in garageband. The other 8 channels I have (and also to see in the input settings of garageband can be assigned for tracks, but I can activate for recording only 8 channels, not all the 16 ones. That's the problem...

[murry537]

@JBMChrista That list is built from what the device tells Garageband to do and you don't have any control over it from that side. Perhaps there is a setting on the board that can be changed or something. Otherwise, you're probably out of luck.

[JBMChrista]

Correct! I can see in the input settings all my 16 mono channels from the presonus and also combined as 8 stereo inputs and stuff more. But I want to record single (mono tracks) for kick, snare, HH, toms, OH, etc.. Maybe there is a way...changing the settings in the Audio MIDI settings, I'm using stream 2 with the SL board

[murry537]

@JBMChrista if you see what I'm talking about then I don't understand what the problem is. If you want one track to be mono just select a mono input source.

[JBMChrista]

You're right, but why is this so? I want to use 16 mono tracks, not 8 stereo tracks. My settings are> each track gets a signal from 1 mono channel from the presonus and there are at least 16 physically named channels, plus others. So, garageband is not able to record 16 tracks at once? I can't believe this. But thank you anyway for the quick reply!!

[murry537]

@JBMChrista It sounds to me like you don't have the "input source" set to the mono tracks in Garageband. With a board like that you should see a list of 16 mono inputs and a list of 8 stereo inputs, labeled like "mono 3", and "mono 4", ect, and "stereo 3/4" meaning the combining of mono inputs three and four to make a stereo track.

[JBMChrista]

First, I like garageband, but I'm a pretty new apple user. So my problem with multitrack recording here is, that all my 16 provided channels/tracks from my presonus studio live board (normally I'm using presonus studio one as a DAW..) are recognized by garageband (input), but by trying to record, it ends up, that only 8 channels are really recording, the other 8 ones are not to activate. What's the reason for this issue? Any idea? I guess, all my setting are right.

[murry537]

@JBMChrista I don't have a presonus board so I don't know, but since it cut the number in half I would guess it has something do with stereo/mono.

[xLowLightx]

i have a question, i run everything through my mix board to power my mics. but when i record multitracs i record from one on to the other should i only run in my mic or is there something im missing. if you can help that would be great.

[murry537]

@xLowLightx I don't understand what you're saying the problem is.

[xLowLightx]

@murry537 sorry i did figure it out. but my question is when recording tracks, you have more then one how to stop it from recording on to another, but i just took the return connection to my mac out. i use a mix board to power my mics and record all instruments. but great tutorials hope to see more.

[DameFairy]

Cool thanks for the tutorial! very useful, and friendly lol I'm not very good at this stuff, just trying to learn how to do it.

Thanks

[pugNdrum]

will my powerbook g4 have garageband coz i ordered it and it said it had it but will anything be differant to it ?

[murry537]

@pugNdrum A G4 won't run the version that I'm using in this vid, but my first two GB vids were recorded on a G4 Powerbook.

[mannyfan01]

Do you know if it's possible to record separate tracks at the same time, as I have a 10 input mixer, which I plug 6 mics into to record my drums, then I use RCA cables to attach my mixer to a behringer UCA222 USB interface which I plug into my macbook and use GarageBand to record, but I only know how to record all 6 mics as 1 track, when I'd rather record into 6 separate tracks. PLEASE HELP!

[murry537]

@mannyfan01 Yes it's very possible, but not the way you are describing. If it's all coming into rca that means the 10 inputs are getting mixed down into one track, or two if it's stereo. There's not way to pull those out again after that. You need a mixer that has a digital out, instead of an analog mixer going into a separate usb interface.

[mannyfan01]

@murry537 Thanks for replying so quickly, I understand what you are saying, and since there is another version of the Peavey PV10 mixer (my mixer) which is a USB version, and there is I believe a 14/30 day return/exchange thing at my local music store, would the PV10 mixer which goes straight to a computer through USB record on separate tracks?

[murry537]

@mannyfan01 I've not used that model, but I would think so, yes. If it has USB out, then you should be good to go. You might want to verify that before you buy it though.

[mannyfan01]

@murry537 Yes, I will definitely look into it and if it does, then I will probably do an exchange at my local store. Thanks for all your help, I'm glad at least one person on youtube actually replies to comments/questions on their videos/channels, especially as quickly as you did.

Thanks again, Abi.

[dwemmy]

Is there a way to use "measures" in odd time signatures? like 5/4, 11/8, and so on?

[murry537]

@dwemmy There is a pre-defined list that you can pick from. They are as follows: 2/2, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 7/4, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 12/8.

[wellstonnigga]

wat?

[murry537]

@wellstonnigga You can't do that with garageband. you have to use something else.

[wellstonnigga]

how do u sample the volcal off a song were u can't here the beat no more just the volcals

[murry537]

@wellstonnigga With something else besides Garageband.

[murry537]

That's quite a compliment! Thanks.

[pixxark]

Hey,

can you either make a tutorial or tell me how to update garageband?

cheers.

[murry537]

Small updates like bugfixes and stuff will be done through the normal Mac Software Update. If you want to upgrade to a whole new version you just need to buy it and run the install CD.

[garyfalzone]

Murry, first, thanks for this tutorial. This was nice of you and very informative. maybe you can help me on something I have trying to be able to figure out for months now.

What i want to do is in 3 parts. I want an MP3 playing (an MP3 of my favorite band), while playing my guitar, and, video taping myself playing. I've seen hundreds of people do this on youtube, but, I cant figure out how to do it. I have both an iMac, and a Windows PC with a 4 channel powered audio mixer. can you please help?

[murry537]

That's pretty simple. Just drag and drop the mp3 into a track in Garageband, then arm a second track to record your mic, and hit record. Then just use something like iMove to combine the video file with the Garageband recording.

[garyfalzone]

Wo. First, thanks for the quick reply. You're the best. The part that i get lost, is, when you say "use something like iMove to combine the video file with the Garageband recording"

I dont need detailed instructions, but, how does one do that? Once again, your help is very appreciated.

[murry537]

I meant "iMovie". You just need a video editor program to take the garageband audio and put it with the video from the camera. Pretty much any video editor app will do that, iMovie included.

[garyfalzone]

And syncing the two together usually isn't very difficult? or, once you import, will it sync automatically?

[murry537]

No, not hard unless your camera is crappy. I usually just line up the sound at the beginning of the movie then check the end to make sure it's still in line.

[garyfalzone]

Thank you once again. I am going to try this as soon as I get home. I have been looking for this answer for months now. You've helped me a lot. :)

[will2388]

I have a question. Say theoretically you had four people singing what you recorded in this video all at the same time (like in a live music setting), How would you record each one of them with their own track? Instead of recording them all on one j/ track.

[murry537]

You need an audio interface that supports four or more tracks. For example a 4 channel Firewire mixer or something like that. Put a mic in each of the four channels in the mixer, then in the Garageband track settings specify which of the channels to capture.

[will2388]

thank you

[wellstonnigga]

i want to ask ppl how do u sample stuff off other songs on garageband

[murry537]

you just import it and edit it. For example, if it's a song you have in iTunes, just drag and drop it in, then in GB just cut out the part you want.

[wellstonnigga]

but how u stop the beat on it cuz i just want the volcal

[BeZzElL4]

Hei 1 more question.! What about if i have my own instrumental, and than i pass it to garageband and i record on it, it will sound good??? Or i have to make a beat in garageband???

[murry537]

Yes, you can import and use any sound file that iTunes or Quicktime can play, which is most of them. If you have a file already, just drag and drop it into the time line and it will take care of the rest.

[BeZzElL4]

hey man do u know if i can use SAMSON C01U?? its a mic.!! cuz i want it sound better.!!

[murry537]

You can use any standard mic that you want as long as you have the right interface for it. In the case of USB mics it will work with no problem as long as the mic is actually implementing the standard USB protocol. The only time you should run into problems with that is cheap knock-offs from china or something. Name brands like Samson won't be a problem.

Besides, the Samson C01U owners manual clearly states Mac compatibility so you should be all set.

[dimebagstaleypla10]

i love using this for my guitar its so simple

[ZZebidee]

This type of tutorial is very welcome. Thank you for posting it. You're a natural teacher.

[murry537]

Thanks!

[coldeyemally]

You are a brilliant teacher. This 10 minute video has taught me more about garageband than a whole two hour applestore lecture. Please make more.

[erosar10]

@MATINK97 MacBooks start at $1000 and just think for that much you're beating out any PC out there!

[JustOchi]

That was simple, fun, and yeah I learned something - Do's are cool. lol Thanks

[Chaos33176]

i thank you sooooooooooo...much. Major way to break me into this program.

Its the little things to someone, that arent little to others

[thatnylesguy]

You make a mean barbershop quartet! lol

[baseballownz123]

HAHA man thats really cool, you helped me alot, thanks.

[kingdomgrill]

I appreciate the the info dude , helped a lot thanks

[matthewfrancis24]

Great video!

Thanx

[NicholasJosephMurphy]

hey man, Great tutorial. I have one problem while recording though. Whenever I record multitrack like this, whenever i hit record it will record whatever else is on the other tracks, even if im only using headphones. do you know how to correct this?

[murry537]

if you're wearing headphones it shouldn't come over. is the sound coming through your headphones and into the mic?

[loco22ocol]

great tutorial dude, thanks

[bubblizz94]

when u select the voice thing it doesnt come up ...its just like all black :s

[murry537]

Im not sure what you mean.

[xflamingpenguinx]

sweet. Thanks! Was wondering how god this program was, it's amazing! You really got that to sound good there at the end. This'll help me write songs a lot.

[gamer05692]

Song lyrics: "DOO DOO!"

[errorboy6090]

I remember for garageband 09, you need Mac 10.5

[AyyxJayy]

Hey it sounds relay nice.

Me n my friend r recordin music...

Shud we do this to it to even if it rap?

[murry537]

Just do whatever sounds good! I don't really produce any rap vocals so I'm not sure what techniques are common there. Except for the T-Pain effect which is just pitch correction, which you can definitely do in Garageband.

[cobainfan12]

Very nice!!!

[lxLilBrianxl]

that was nice

[dudeman47cool]

hey man i accidentally forgot to take off the metronome when i recorded my guitar notes

do you know how to take off the metronome or make the notes sound clearer?

[murry537]

Without looking at it, it's hard to guess, but if the metronome sound is mixed right into the audio of the guitar then there's no way you are getting it out. That's one of the reasons I ALWAYS turn that off. If i need a click track i make one myself with a software instrument.

[scottexpo]

You can also use the apple remote. This comes in very handy because I play the guitar and it's much easier to start, stop, rewind and record this way. The "menu" button is record and the others are as they seem.

[murry537]

Thanks dude, you just taught me something!

[djnito21]

Since you can multi track record with garage band is it possible to connect my mixer to it so i can record my mixtapes.

[murry537]

Yes. The microphone I'm using to record this video is plugged in through my mixer. If it's an analog mixer you just need some kind of digital audio interface to convert the signal for your mac. There's plenty of mac compatible USB and Firewire devices for that.

[murry537]

Awesome! I can't wait to hear what you come up with!

[JDtagster]

thanks, this has helped :)

[chessdude67]

Thank you! Very good lesson.

I'm going to try it now, LOL

I can't sing! :-)

[kodama327]

Any clue how to do reverb for audacity? I've been trying to use these plugins and they're all confusing...

[murry537]

If I knew anything about audacity, I'd be making audacity tutorials.

[kodama327]

Makes sense, though the question was just as much to anyone who happens to read it.

[TeamFusionRC]

how do you get the presets in the beginning, sorry but i am new to macs and i want to record my guitar through the mic, but i have no vocal pre sets and i cant find it...

[murry537]

It automatically comes up when you make a new file. If you're not seeing it then you probably have an older version.

[kenniegurl]

great tutorials. very helpful..

[HannahhGoesRawr]

thanks man. I've been using a PC and wanted to try out garage band on my grandma's mac and was COMPLETELY clueless haha so this really helped.

[thereisabetterway]

This was helpful, as your previous tutorials were. Thanks for sharing the joy. God bless you.

[LeWoVoc]

Good tutorial.

Kind of unrelated, but have you tried Snow Leopard yet?

[murry537]

Well, it's not out yet...so, no.

[LeWoVoc]

Ahh, I got my hands on a beta copy... Thought you may have done the same.

[boonkilla]

I dont have a mac :( I use Audacity for Windows, but thanks to your video i now know how to use some effects, cause all i did was basically record and not change a thing, lol, so thanks :) Im a bair too!

[murry537]

Bair's of the world unite!

[matrix86]

HAHA! From now on, I am no longer a baritone...I am a bair...RAWR!

I too have a bad habit of not standing up when I record. Which is why more than half my multitrack recordings end up being deleted. I have maybe 3 or 4 good ones and 17 or so others I will probably be delete tomorrow, lol.

I wish Audacity's reverb wasn't so crappy (this makes me jealous of Garage Band...but i'm a Microsoft guy so it aint gonna happen, lol). But i've learned how to mess with the echo to make a decent reverb.

[murry537]

Yeah, a good reverb is hard to find.

[Jrrath]

Very nice, just the video audio was really, really quiet.

[murry537]

Yeah, that's thanks to the video capture app that I used. Hard to boost it without major background noise.