Launch your fully equipped, free, music studio right from your Mac. With GarageBand, you get full control to make music the way you're comfortable with. Having a guitar lets you plug in and use any amp of your choosing, or choose an instrument from the extensive library available. You choose your style and jam with the perfect drummer.
- Garageband Macbook Air
- Garage Band For The Macbook Pro
- Garageband For Mac Free
- How To Update Garageband On Mac
AMG plug the gaps in the factory library with all your most requested instruments. 'The ExpansionPack for GarageBand from the maestros at AMG plugs whatever. Mac users interested in Garageband for os x 10.6.8 generally download: GarageBand 10.3 Free GarageBand allows you to mix and create your own music tracks and podcasts. If you can't or won't buy a Mac and don't want to run Mac OSX in a virtual machine on your windows machine there is another option. Given the popularity of GarageBand and it's use as a musical notepad and entry level DAW, it comes as no surprise that other software developers have borrowed from that magic and incorporated some GagargeBand-ness into their own offerings, also long term, most of.
Control sound with Boom 3D
Since Macs are often known as computers for creative types, they are often praised for being especially good at helping you make music. Just look at what any DJs and production studios are using and you'll mainly see MacBooks and iMacs. So if you've just bought a Mac with a goal of creating the music you've always dreamed about — good choice! But now where do you start?
Naturally, there are lots of professional music-making and mastering apps, such as Logic Pro X and Ableton Live, but the learning curve to master them is so steep that most beginners will probably give up before making any significant progress.
Boost sound on Mac
Or fix any audio-related problems. It's all very easy to solve with Setapp, a desktop suite for an easier Mac life.
A better way is to start creating music gradually, covering all the foundations first before graduating into pro-level apps. That's why apps like GarageBand exist to help you bridge the gap.
What Is GarageBand For Mac?
GarageBand is a digital audio workstation, meaning it lets you record your own music with a possibility of using a library of GarageBand instruments, such as a GarageBand keyboard and a variety of other virtual keyboard pianos (even an online MIDI keyboard).
Alternatively, you can simply record your voice for a podcast or voiceover, and then edit it with all the necessary arrangement right within the app.
While GarageBand offers versatility and plenty of robust features, it has become really popular for (1) being pre-installed on every macOS and (2) being absolutely free to use. An iOS GarageBand piano keyboard app is also available in the App Store at no cost. Sounds fantastic! Let's begin with a simple GarageBand tutorial.
How to start a project in GarageBand
When you're convinced that it's not yet time to use any of the GarageBand alternatives, you're ready to start on your learning path. To begin, let's create your first project:
Open GarageBand from your Applications folder (or download from the App Store)
Let any sounds and add-ons download automatically if asked
In the 'Choose a Project' window, navigate to Project Templates
Select one of the templates that resembles what you have in mind the most
If you already know the tempo and key you want to play in, click Details to open additional options
Hit Choose when ready
Let's assume you've clicked the Keyboard Collection and get you all set up properly from there.
How to fine-tune your workspace
If you haven't set up a custom tempo in the menu and not sure how to slow down a track in GarageBand, don't worry — you can simply double-click the tempo in the middle of the top bar and enter the new value, or literally drag that number up or down. Similarly, if you're wondering how to change pitch in GarageBand, you can use the dropdown menu next to tempo.
Since we have lots of different keyboards enabled, let's get rid of the unneeded ones simply by clicking on them and hitting Delete. To add new instruments (or voice), click the plus (+) icon above the instruments, choose the tool you need, and then Create.
How to add Apple Loops
Another great reason to use GarageBand is its abundant library of Apple Loops that will quickly teach you how to sample in GarageBand — the essential skill for any music maker.
To use Apple Loops:
Select View ➙ Show Loop Browser from the menu bar
Filter the database by Instrument or Genre
Click on the loop to play in preview
When you like the tune, drag it over to your main instruments panel
To increase the loop's length, just drag it to the right over how many bars you need. If you need to know how to cut a track in GarageBand, a good way is to position the playhead bar at the place you'd like the track to split and then use the shortcut ⌘ + T. Mastering how to cut in GarageBand will open completely new avenues for your creative expression through advanced sampling. While on this topic, to start your instruments at different times and get that layered feel, just move the tracks to the right.
How to record on GarageBand with instruments
While loops can carry you quite far, and you can even compose whole tracks with them, the dream of every musician is to create something original that has never existed before.
To record using GarageBand instruments:
Select the GarageBand keyboard track
Go Window ➙ Show Musical Typing, or use the shortcut ⌘ + O to open the online MIDI keyboard
Hit the record icon and use the keys on your Mac keyboard to play your music
Click the record icon again to stop recording
While virtual keyboard pianos are quite limited compared to the real ones, you can record real instruments with GarageBand as well:
Click the plus (+) icon to start a new instrument track
Choose the option that allows you to connect a guitar or bass
Connect your instrument to GarageBand
Hit the record icon and play as usual for complete control
Press Record once again to stop
The combination of Apple Loops, GarageBand instruments, and your own bass or guitar could easily result in thousands of unique tracks and compositions. Possibilities are endless!
How to save and share your music
When your creation is ready, you naturally want to save it and share it with the world. To only save the GarageBand project itself and maybe work on it later, use the standard File ➙ Save As option.
To export your track into a complete song, go Share ➙ Export Song to Disk, where you'll be able to choose the format as well as the quality of your audio. Now you just need really good speakers to get all the complexity you've put into your song right.
How to get the best sound possible
What if you don't have the budget to splurge on expensive audio gear? How do you maximize your Mac's sound then? The answer is Boom 3D.
Boom 3D is a simple but mighty equalizer and volume booster for your Mac. With a simple slider, it lets you override your Mac's internal volume limits and really get the maximum out of your speakers.
In addition, Boom 3D is a precise equalizer that allows you to adjust all the frequencies to the kind of song being played, which works both for your music collection and your own tracks too. Just select the closest preset from the dropdown and fine-tune as you see fit.
How to graduate beyond GarageBand tutorials
While you're learning how to use GarageBand on Mac, it'll seem like it's never going to get boring. But with time you'll get too comfortable and even hit the ceiling in terms of being able to execute on your creative vision. At that point, you might start looking for GarageBand alternatives. Your next best step — n-Track Studio.
Music studio inside your Mac
Overcome GarageBand limitations with n-Track Studio. It's an app that helps you record music professionally using a Mac only.
n-Track Studio is a fully fledged music studio right in your Mac, while still in many ways as accessible as GarageBand. The professional mixer and sequencer allow you to DJ right within the app, and live input recorder makes it possible to record all the songs live during a concert or session. Finally, the app's own massive library of effects will considerably extend what you thought was possible in creating new sounds.
To sum up, finding out what is GarageBand really is an essential part of becoming a well-rounded musician. And using extra help provided by Boom 3D and n-Track Studio will only accelerate you in your goals.
Best of all, Boom 3D and n-Track Studio are available to you at no charge at all during the seven-day trial through Setapp, a platform with over 160 excellent Mac apps curated to significantly extend the possibilities of your Mac. With so many opportunities at your disposal, you have no option but to start creating music right away!
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
Read onGarageband Macbook Air
Sign Up
New in GarageBand 10.3.5
• This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes.
Previous versions
GarageBand 10.3.4
Garage Band For The Macbook Pro
- Smart Controls now work as expected on Mac computers that don't support Metal.
GarageBand 10.3.3
New Features/Enhancements
- The Loop Browser now allows you to filter by loop type.
Stability/Reliability
- GarageBand no longer quits unexpectedly when the Intro to Guitar lesson is opened a second time in the same Learn to Play session.
Editing
- The keys on the keyboard in the Piano Roll are now the expected size.
General
- Open System-based windows in GarageBand now immediately change between Light and Dark mode when the mode is changed in the System Settings.
- The input level meter now works in the Learn to Play setup window.
GarageBand 10.3.2
Performance
- GarageBand no longer hangs when opening the Sound Library, the Note Pad, the Loop Browser, or the Media Browser when the Smart Controls are open.
Sound Library
- When opening GarageBand on a Mac in which the sound library has been moved using Logic Pro X or MainStage, and the external drive containing the library is not connected, GarageBand now shows a dialog indicating the drive must be connected to access to sounds.
- It is now possible to reinstall the Sound Library in GarageBand after moving the library in Logic Pro X or MainStage, and then disconnecting the external drive that contains the library.
- Impulse Response files for Chinese and Japanese traditional instruments are now correctly found when a GarageBand for iOS project is opened on macOS.
Learn to Play
Garageband For Mac Free
- The Tuning Hint window now opens in Learn to Play lessons that feature non-standard tunings.
- Chords now display in the correct positions in the Chord Trainer.
- The Chord Trainer again provides visual feedback when correct and incorrect chords are played.
General
- GarageBand now supports drag and drop from Voice Memos.
- The Smart Controls Inspector now displays correctly in newly created projects.
- The LCD display now immediately updates to reflect undo or redo of key signature change.
- The GarageBand window now remains visible after exiting full screen mode.
- It is now possible to position the end of song marker with greater precision.
GarageBand for macOS 10.3.1
- Resolves an issue where third-party Audio Units and the PlatinumVerb plug-in could not be accessed.
GarageBand for macOS 10.3
New features and enhancements
- Two new Drummers play roots- and jazz-influenced brush styles.
- Over 20 free downloadable Artist Lessons show you how to play hit songs on piano and guitar, taught by the artist who made them famous.
- Includes 1,000 new electronic and urban loops covering Reggaeton, Future Bass, and Chill Rap.
- Includes 400 animal, transportation, and voice sound effects. Learn how to download the new sounds.
- Play and record using traditional instruments from China mainland and Japan with the Guzheng, Koto, and Taiko drums.
- Add classic sounds to your song with 5 Vintage Mellotron patches.
- Updates compatibility with GarageBand for iOS.
Stability and reliability
- GarageBand no longer quits unexpectedly when loading certain patches created in Logic Pro X.
Editing
- MIDI Pan data can now be edited in GarageBand.
- The Help Tag for the Marquee tool now shows the total length of the current selection as well as its start and end positions.
- Step editing of automation is now possible in the Piano Roll editor by pressing Command-Option.
Accessibility
- VoiceOver now announces the type of track that is selected in the New Track dialog.
- VoiceOver now speaks the names of tracks when interacting with regions in the tracks area.
How To Update Garageband On Mac
Plug-ins
Select View ➙ Show Loop Browser from the menu bar
Filter the database by Instrument or Genre
Click on the loop to play in preview
When you like the tune, drag it over to your main instruments panel
To increase the loop's length, just drag it to the right over how many bars you need. If you need to know how to cut a track in GarageBand, a good way is to position the playhead bar at the place you'd like the track to split and then use the shortcut ⌘ + T. Mastering how to cut in GarageBand will open completely new avenues for your creative expression through advanced sampling. While on this topic, to start your instruments at different times and get that layered feel, just move the tracks to the right.
How to record on GarageBand with instruments
While loops can carry you quite far, and you can even compose whole tracks with them, the dream of every musician is to create something original that has never existed before.
To record using GarageBand instruments:
Select the GarageBand keyboard track
Go Window ➙ Show Musical Typing, or use the shortcut ⌘ + O to open the online MIDI keyboard
Hit the record icon and use the keys on your Mac keyboard to play your music
Click the record icon again to stop recording
While virtual keyboard pianos are quite limited compared to the real ones, you can record real instruments with GarageBand as well:
Click the plus (+) icon to start a new instrument track
Choose the option that allows you to connect a guitar or bass
Connect your instrument to GarageBand
Hit the record icon and play as usual for complete control
Press Record once again to stop
The combination of Apple Loops, GarageBand instruments, and your own bass or guitar could easily result in thousands of unique tracks and compositions. Possibilities are endless!
How to save and share your music
When your creation is ready, you naturally want to save it and share it with the world. To only save the GarageBand project itself and maybe work on it later, use the standard File ➙ Save As option.
To export your track into a complete song, go Share ➙ Export Song to Disk, where you'll be able to choose the format as well as the quality of your audio. Now you just need really good speakers to get all the complexity you've put into your song right.
How to get the best sound possible
What if you don't have the budget to splurge on expensive audio gear? How do you maximize your Mac's sound then? The answer is Boom 3D.
Boom 3D is a simple but mighty equalizer and volume booster for your Mac. With a simple slider, it lets you override your Mac's internal volume limits and really get the maximum out of your speakers.
In addition, Boom 3D is a precise equalizer that allows you to adjust all the frequencies to the kind of song being played, which works both for your music collection and your own tracks too. Just select the closest preset from the dropdown and fine-tune as you see fit.
How to graduate beyond GarageBand tutorials
While you're learning how to use GarageBand on Mac, it'll seem like it's never going to get boring. But with time you'll get too comfortable and even hit the ceiling in terms of being able to execute on your creative vision. At that point, you might start looking for GarageBand alternatives. Your next best step — n-Track Studio.
Music studio inside your Mac
Overcome GarageBand limitations with n-Track Studio. It's an app that helps you record music professionally using a Mac only.
n-Track Studio is a fully fledged music studio right in your Mac, while still in many ways as accessible as GarageBand. The professional mixer and sequencer allow you to DJ right within the app, and live input recorder makes it possible to record all the songs live during a concert or session. Finally, the app's own massive library of effects will considerably extend what you thought was possible in creating new sounds.
To sum up, finding out what is GarageBand really is an essential part of becoming a well-rounded musician. And using extra help provided by Boom 3D and n-Track Studio will only accelerate you in your goals.
Best of all, Boom 3D and n-Track Studio are available to you at no charge at all during the seven-day trial through Setapp, a platform with over 160 excellent Mac apps curated to significantly extend the possibilities of your Mac. With so many opportunities at your disposal, you have no option but to start creating music right away!
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
Read onGarageband Macbook Air
Sign Up
New in GarageBand 10.3.5
• This update contains stability improvements and bug fixes.
Previous versions
GarageBand 10.3.4
Garage Band For The Macbook Pro
- Smart Controls now work as expected on Mac computers that don't support Metal.
GarageBand 10.3.3
New Features/Enhancements
- The Loop Browser now allows you to filter by loop type.
Stability/Reliability
- GarageBand no longer quits unexpectedly when the Intro to Guitar lesson is opened a second time in the same Learn to Play session.
Editing
- The keys on the keyboard in the Piano Roll are now the expected size.
General
- Open System-based windows in GarageBand now immediately change between Light and Dark mode when the mode is changed in the System Settings.
- The input level meter now works in the Learn to Play setup window.
GarageBand 10.3.2
Performance
- GarageBand no longer hangs when opening the Sound Library, the Note Pad, the Loop Browser, or the Media Browser when the Smart Controls are open.
Sound Library
- When opening GarageBand on a Mac in which the sound library has been moved using Logic Pro X or MainStage, and the external drive containing the library is not connected, GarageBand now shows a dialog indicating the drive must be connected to access to sounds.
- It is now possible to reinstall the Sound Library in GarageBand after moving the library in Logic Pro X or MainStage, and then disconnecting the external drive that contains the library.
- Impulse Response files for Chinese and Japanese traditional instruments are now correctly found when a GarageBand for iOS project is opened on macOS.
Learn to Play
Garageband For Mac Free
- The Tuning Hint window now opens in Learn to Play lessons that feature non-standard tunings.
- Chords now display in the correct positions in the Chord Trainer.
- The Chord Trainer again provides visual feedback when correct and incorrect chords are played.
General
- GarageBand now supports drag and drop from Voice Memos.
- The Smart Controls Inspector now displays correctly in newly created projects.
- The LCD display now immediately updates to reflect undo or redo of key signature change.
- The GarageBand window now remains visible after exiting full screen mode.
- It is now possible to position the end of song marker with greater precision.
GarageBand for macOS 10.3.1
- Resolves an issue where third-party Audio Units and the PlatinumVerb plug-in could not be accessed.
GarageBand for macOS 10.3
New features and enhancements
- Two new Drummers play roots- and jazz-influenced brush styles.
- Over 20 free downloadable Artist Lessons show you how to play hit songs on piano and guitar, taught by the artist who made them famous.
- Includes 1,000 new electronic and urban loops covering Reggaeton, Future Bass, and Chill Rap.
- Includes 400 animal, transportation, and voice sound effects. Learn how to download the new sounds.
- Play and record using traditional instruments from China mainland and Japan with the Guzheng, Koto, and Taiko drums.
- Add classic sounds to your song with 5 Vintage Mellotron patches.
- Updates compatibility with GarageBand for iOS.
Stability and reliability
- GarageBand no longer quits unexpectedly when loading certain patches created in Logic Pro X.
Editing
- MIDI Pan data can now be edited in GarageBand.
- The Help Tag for the Marquee tool now shows the total length of the current selection as well as its start and end positions.
- Step editing of automation is now possible in the Piano Roll editor by pressing Command-Option.
Accessibility
- VoiceOver now announces the type of track that is selected in the New Track dialog.
- VoiceOver now speaks the names of tracks when interacting with regions in the tracks area.
How To Update Garageband On Mac
Plug-ins
- The size of plug-in windows no longer sometimes changes unexpectedly when switching to presets that contain a different number of controls.
Flex
- Enabling 'Follow Tempo & Pitch' in the Region editor now also enables Flex in the Track Editor if it is not already active.
General
- GarageBand no longer unexpectedly sustains notes when using Musical Typing.
- Metronome volume and tone can be adjusted in the GarageBand Preferences.
- The GarageBand LCD again displays times down to milliseconds.
- Master Echo and Master Reverb bypass settings are now saved in GarageBand projects.
- Performing Undo after changing the key of a project now correctly returns Apple Loops to the original key.
- Software Instrument tracks now respond properly to MIDI input after Track Lock is disabled.
- It is now possible to record audio during playback.
