This document will explain how to use Garageband to create a simple voice recording. If you have questions after reading these instructions, please ask for help from the student consultant at the lab helpdesk.

If this is your first time working with recording in Garageband, you may want to read the complete step-by-step instructions. Click on the links to see screenshots of the menus and dialog boxes.

If you already feel comfortable with the software or the recording process, read our streamlined version!

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Getting set up

• Log into a Macintosh computer and open Garageband. It is located in the Applications folder on the Macintosh HD. To get there, double-click the Macintosh HD icon on your desktop and then double-click the Applications folder. Scroll down to the Garageband icon and double-click it to open the program.
• You may see a pop-up window that says Garageband '08. If so, click the "Create New Music Project" button. If not, from the File menu at the top of the screen, choose "New," then click the "Create New Music Project" button.
• You will get another pop-up window that asks you where you want to save your project. Title your project, choose a save location and click Create. The default location is a folder called Garageband that is located in your home directory/Music folder, but you can save your project anywhere you'd like in your home directory, on Temporary_Storage, or on a external flash disk or hard drive. You do not need to change any of the tempo, time, or key settings.
• Now the main Garageband window will appear with one track, a Grand Piano.
• From the Track menu at the top of the screen, choose "New Track".
• In the pop-up box, choose "Real Instrument Track". A new track labeled "No Effects" will appear beneath the Piano track.
• If you haven't done so already, plug in your microphone. You may see a pop-up window asking if you want to use this device. Click Yes.

Testing your settings

• In the bottom right-hand corner of the Garageband window, you will see your input source and a recording level volume slider. Set this to the halfway point for now.
• Click on the Record button at the bottom of the Garageband window and speak a few words into your microphone. You should see the audio waveform recording of your voice. When you are finished, hit your spacebar to stop recording.
• Hit the rewind button , or drag the playhead back to the beginning of your recording. Now hit the play button and listen to what you have recorded. If it's too quiet, increase your recording level. If it's too loud or your voice sounds distorted, lower your recording level or back away from your microphone.
• To delete and re-record, simply click on the waveform to select it and hit the delete key (above the return key).

Recording your track

• When you are satisfied with your volume settings, you are ready to record your track. Speak slowly and clearly as you record. Make sure you listen to your track before you save it to make sure it's what you want.
• If you need to crop sounds off the beginning or end of your recording, move your mouse to the bottom corner of the end of the track you want to crop. The icon will change to a bracket. You can then click and drag towards the middle of the clip to crop.
• If you want to change the visual scale of your recording, so you can see more or less of it in the Garageband window, use the scale slider in the bottom left corner to adjust your view.

Saving and exporting your track

• When you have finished recording, save your Garageband project by clicking "Save" from the File menu. This will save your track in a format that you can edit again later.
• To export your recording as an AIFF or an MP3 file, click "Export Song to Disk" from the Share menu.
• You will see a pop-up window with some settings options.
  • To save as an AIFF, uncheck the "Compress" box and click Export.
  • To save an an MP3, choose MP3 Encoder from the "Compress Using" menu and click Export.
• You will now see a Save dialog box. Choose where you want to save your finished track and click Save. You're all done!

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Streamlined instructions for the advanced user

• Open Garageband from the Applications folder and create and save a new project.
• Plug in your microphone and click Yes when Garageband asks if you want to use the new device.
• Record a sample track to check your recording level and adjust it as needed.
• Record and edit your track.
• When finished, choose Export to Disk from the Share menu. Select AAC or MP3, or uncheck the "Compress" box to save as an AIFF.
• If you wish to preserve the original recording, save the Garageband project as well.

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If you experience a software issue that is not reflected on this page, please report it to the consultant at the helpdesk.