- On-Screen Keyboards
- External Instruments
- Choosing a GB Instrument
- Recording Options
- Recording a Track
Track Effects
We already saw track effects briefly when creating a new Real or Software Instrument track, but let's take a closer look. I'll be using a Real Instrument Track in these examples, but the process is identical for Software Instrument Tracks.
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First, open the track information for the track that you'd like to manipulate. To do this, you can double-click on the main track box (with the instrument in it), or highlight the track and click on the Track Info button in the lower-left corner of the window (see left). |
This will bring up the window that appeared when we first created a track for recording. Click on "Details" at the bottom of the window to display the effects options (if they do not already appear).
You can use GarageBand's pre-made instruments to add effects to your tracks, or you can create your own. In the window below, I've selected a pre-made bass, the Filter Bass. The lower half of the window shows the effects that have been pre-selected for this instrument. You can tweak the effects on a pre-made instrument to perfect the sound for your track.
You can also tailor track effects to your liking without worrying about pre-made instruments. When you first open the Track Information window, the effects will more than likely be unselected or, perhaps, only use Echo and Reverb. Simply go through and select the effects and levels that you'd like to use. Experiment with different sounds to get the perfect match for your song. In the example below, I've selected my own effects rather than using a pre-made instrument.
Hint : You can play your track while you're in the Track Info window! So, you can adjust your effects and playback your track without having to constantly re-open the Track Info window. The track buttons, like mute and solo, also work while this window is open. |
If you'd like to save your effects for use later, click on Save Instrument at the bottom of the window.
For more advanced information about some of the audio effects available in GarageBand, take a look at MacJams.com's GarageBand Tutorial: Built-in Audio Unit Effects.
Watch the video
Track Effects
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