Is Using A Mac Microphone Obsolete In Garageband

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Is Using A Mac Microphone Obsolete In Garageband Average ratng: 8,9/10 4805 reviews

Aug 09, 2018 GarageBand is a music creation studio that is present on your Mac. If you are wondering how to use GarageBand on Mac, then read this thorough guide that will tell you all the details if you are using the application for the very first time.

Hey guys, I can't figure out how to use a new microphone with garageband. It plugs into the line-in part on my gf's MBP (the one next to the headphone port, right?), and i choose 'Line-In' from the sound preference pane. But it's still using the internal mic when recording on garageband. Wherever you are, iCloud makes it easy to work on a GarageBand song. You can add tracks to your GarageBand for Mac song using your iPhone or iPad when you’re on the road. Or when inspiration strikes, you can start sketching a new song idea on your iOS device, then import it to your Mac to take it even further.

The GetSongBPM song analyser calculates the beats per minute of any song. The simple drag and drop app could not be easier to use, and will measure the BPM from any audio file. It supports a wide range of file formats. Finding the songs with the best tempo. Feb 09, 2009  But not BPM. You will hardly notice them. I decided after 2 years of using this app that it was time to pay to remove the ads and leave this review. It's my small way of saying thanks to the developer. For a dollar, I have gotten so much value out of this great utility. If you make music, you need this app in your toolbox. Iphone MixMeister BPM Analyzer is a free program you can use to automatically detect the exact BPM (beats per minute) of any song. The tags in most digital music files provide no BPM information at all. BPM Analyzer is a small application that allows you to find out, as its name suggests, the number of beats per minute of a song. The program functions very simply: you only have to download the music file that you want to analyze it will have, in under a minute, a list of the results. Aug 30, 2012  Stop the bpm questioning Not so many musicians have a perfect feel for tempo. “We” as base players and drummers are the guides. This app is a must have and it closes out the complaints from singers and other not perfect timers.

GarageBandGuide Using GarageBand App4.5/5(33votes )

GarageBand is a music creation studio that is present on your Mac. If you are wondering how to use GarageBand on Mac, then read this thorough guide that will tell you all the details if you are using the application for the very first time. We’ll guide you on how to download GarageBand from the Apple Store, how to install it and how to get started with this digital audio workstation (DAW). We’ll make you familiar with GarageBand workspace and also highlight some of its eminent features.

This app is perfect for music professionals and is loaded with a plethora of innovative features to create the best music for different purposes. It is quite effortless to use and is one of the best apps from Apple.

What Should You Know Before Using GarageBand on Mac?

You must own an Apple device that is capable of running GarageBand. If you are using it on your iPad or iPhone, ensure that you have the latest OS installed on your device. If you are using the MacBook or Mac Desktop, you can use this application as well.

Downloading GarageBand on Mac

If you find GarageBand already installed on your Macbook /iPhone/iPad, you can skip this part.

If you are using your Macbook, open your web browser and in the search box type “download GarageBand” and hit the return key. You’ll see “GarageBand in Mac App Store –iTunes – Apple” displayed on your screen. Click on this result.

You can view the app in Mac App Store and purchase it. It is available for $4.99. You can click the “Buy App” option to make the purchase. Once the download is complete, you’ll see an option “Launch Application” if you are using Google Chrome.

If you are using GarageBand on your iPhone or iPad, you need to go to the App Store. Search “GarageBand” in it. Once the results appear, tap on it and purchase it in the same manner as mentioned above.

How to Select Project Type on GarageBand on Mac?

After you have successfully opened GarageBand, a screen appears in front of you which looks somewhat like this:

If you click on New Project, you get plenty of options

  1. Keyboard Collection
  2. Electronic
  3. Amp Collection
  4. Songwriter
  5. Voice
  6. Empty Project
  7. Ringtone
  8. Hip Hop

Depending on your goals, you can select the project type. Download dubstep sounds for garageband. For example, if you are a songwriter who wants to record himself while using an electronic or acoustic guitar then you may select the ‘Songwriter’ option. If you do not have anything in mind and want to build everything from scratch, then you can select ‘Empty Project’.

How to Select Track Type in GarageBand on Mac?

Once you have selected the ‘Empty Project’ in the ‘New project’, the next screen that appears in front of you is the ‘Track Type’ screen. We have 4 options to select from:

  • Drummer: Selecting this will play drums automatically with your song
  • Audio (Guitar/Bass): Record Bass or Guitar using GarageBand as an amplifier
  • Audio (Microphone): Record yourself via a microphone
  • Software Instrument: Play sounds that are present on your Mac

Overview of the GarageBand Screen

This is how a typical GarageBand Screen looks like if you have selected “Empty Project”.

Transport Controls

The Transport Controls are located at the upper-half of the screen and help us to navigate the music while we are recording and editing it. These transport controls have the usual meaning. Starting from left, they denote:

  1. Rewind
  2. Fast-Forward
  3. Stop
  4. Play
  5. Record

The LCD

Also located at the top of the screen right next to the Transport control is the LCD that gives information about the project that we are working on. Starting from left, they are:

Is Using A Mac Microphone Obsolete In Garageband
  1. Project/Time: We can toggle between analyzing our song as a measure or in terms of hours, minutes and seconds.
  2. Measures: This shows us the beats, bars, and ticks of the song in real-time.
  3. BPM: BPM stands for Beats Per Minutes. If the BPM is higher, it denotes that our song is playing fast. The default BPM in GarageBand is 120.
  4. Key: Change the musical key of your project with this button. The default key in GarageBand is C Major
  5. Time Signature: Change the time signature of your song with this button.

Cycle Tool, Tuner, Count-in, Click

Located on the right side of the LCD screen is a collection of four buttons in the order written above.

  1. Cycle Tool: If you want to repeat certain tracks, you can use this tool.
  2. Tuner: Tune instruments using this tool.
  3. Count-in: This option will provide you four clicks before it starts recording a track. This option comes in handy to give you a few seconds to prepare.
  4. Click: This option lets you toggle between hearing and not hearing a click while recording a track.

Master Volume Slider

This option is present on the top-right corner and it lets you adjust the volume of the song.

Conclusion

This was just a brief introduction on how to get started with GarageBand on Mac. You can get the specific details if you want for a particular section. GarageBand is a revolutionary app present on iOS that lets you create amazing music with minimal effort.

BestUSB Microphone for MaciMore2020

When it comes to USB microphones for your Mac the best option when it comes to versatility and convenience is the Blue Yeti. Not only can it record in four different modes, but it's 16bit/48kHz recording sample rate always comes out sounding loud and clear.

Best Overall: Blue Yeti

The four different recording modes are where the Blue Yeti really shines because there's practically nothing you can't record with the Blue Yeti if it's set on the right mode. I'm not the only one on the iMore team that loves the Blue Yeti, Rene Ritchie, star of Vector on YouTube has been using his for years, and he loves how easy the Blue Yeti is to use.

'Blue Yeti is still my pick for best USB microphone — not just for the Mac but for anyone starting out doing anything, including podcasts, audiobooks, live streams, videos, and more. It plugs right into your device, no audio interface needed, sounds great out of the box, and has a few simple options if you need to adjust for particular circumstances, like two people sharing one mic. Of course, it can't beat a high-end XLR mic and interface, but at a tenth or less the price, it sounds so good you'll probably think twice, hard, before considering those higher-end purchases. It's the mic I used for years, still, travel with today, and always recommend to anyone who asks.' — Rene Ritchie, 10-year podcast veteran and host of iMore show, MacBreak Weekly, and VECTOR

Its basic cardioid mode is fantastic for capturing a single voice or instrument in front of the mic, making it perfect for game streaming, video calls, or vocals.

The omnidirectional mode allows the Blue Yeti to pick up sounds from all around it, meaning you can put it in the middle of a table and have multiple people speaking, and it won't miss a single word. This mode is great for podcasting with multiple hosts and guests, or for capturing the noise around you.

Bidirectional mode allows the Blue Yeti to be an interview microphone with minimal setup. Just put the microphone between you and the other person speaking and never touch it again.

Lastly, stereo recording mode allows the Blue Yeti to use the left and right channels to record in stereo and give your recordings a more realistic soundstage when there is more than one sound source in front of the microphone.

Pros:

  • Headphone jack for live monitoring
  • Manually gain adjustment
  • Four record modes
  • Great price

Best Overall

Blue Yeti

Most features for the best price

With four recording modes, plug-and-play functionality, and live monitoring, the Blue Yeti offers the most versatile experience for the best price.

Source: Rode

The Rode Podcaster is a fantastic microphone for anyone that wants to record their voice. Whether you're making Skype calls, podcasting, or recording yourself streaming, the Rode Podcaster has a tight cardioid pattern that rejects sound from the rear or too far away, making sure you have a clear recording with no unwanted noise coming from all around you.

The Rode Podcaster is a very simple, but elegant USB microphone that iMore managing editor Lory Gil has been using with great success for years.

'I use the Rode Podcaster bundle. It's easy to set up, sounds great, and the boom stand mounts to my desktop so I can swivel it into range when I need it. The Rode is specially designed for voice, so it has warm tones with even bass, and the cardioid pattern isolates my voice, so there isn't too much background noise being picked up.'* — Lory Gil, Managing Editor of iMore

Pros:

  • Comes with stand
  • Some with shock mount
  • Excellent sound isolation

Excellent Sound Isolation

Rode Podcaster

Boom arm and shock mount included

The Rode Podcaster is a solid choice for anyone who wants to ensure that background noise is no issue when recording.

Source: Blue

Blue's newest USB microphone takes a lot of what people love about the Blue Yeti and shrinks it down (both in size and price) into a pretty compelling product. Both its cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns support sample rates up to 24-bit at 48Khz, and it's included stand keeps it stable while recording so you don't get any noise from the microphone moving around.

Cons:

  • No manual gain control
  • Only two recording patterns

Smaller Yeti

Blue Yeti Nano

A compact microphone that still offers a lot.

Both the cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns support sample rates up to 24-bit at 48Khz, which is slightly better than its larger version.

Great for Singer/Songwriters: Audio-Technica AT2020 USB

Functioning much like a traditional XLR microphone, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB is ideal for the singer/songwriter in you who loves to record digitally. Being a cardioid microphone, the AT2020 USB performs best when recording sound from a single source located in front of the microphone. What makes the AT2020 USB so great for musicians is its ability to easily fit into shock mounts and mic booms, allowing you to position the microphone perfectly in your space.

Is Using A Mac Microphone Obsolete In Garageband Free

Pros:

  • Shock mount compatible
  • Live monitoring with the headphone jack
  • Plug-and-play

Great for Singer/Songwriters

Audio-Technica AT2020USB

Perfect for instruments and vocals

The 16bit/48kHz recording sample rate and ability to fit in most shock mounts and mic stands makes it perfect for recording all sorts of instruments and vocals.

Source: Samson

Although the Meteor is only meant to capture a single sound source, it does record all of its audio at a 16 bit, 48kHz sample rate, which means you're getting great sounding audio every time you sit in front of it. It's lightweight and quite compact, allowing you to transport the Meteor anywhere you need to go, so you never have to worry about sounding bad when you're on the road.

Pros:

  • Super compact and portable
  • Plug-and-play
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Poor sound isolation
  • Only one recording pattern

Budget Option

Samson Meteor

Using

Perfectly portable to take anywhere

It's small and easy to carry around, meaning you can always bring it anywhere with your MacBook, and its price can't be beaten.

Bottom line

Much like Rene has said, the Blue Yeti is the best all-around microphone for most Mac users. It's four recording modes offer an incredible amount of versatility, meaning regardless of what you're trying to record, you should be able to get a high-quality recording.

I have personally used my Blue Yeti to record podcasts with multiple guests, record guitar and vocals on a musical track, and every day for multiple Skype and Google Hangouts over the past couple of years, and I have never been disappointed.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Apple Mac Microphone

Luke Filipowicz is an iMore staff writer who has been using microphones to record podcasts and even his band on his Mac.

Lory Gil is the Managing Editor of iMore and knows her way around a microphone, as she records multiple podcasts every week.

Rene Ritchie is the foremost authority on all things Apple and has insider knowledge about the goings-on at the biggest tech company in the world. He uses microphones with his Mac every day to record videos, interviews, podcasts, and much more!

Mac Microphone Review

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