- Introduction
- Don't wait for the 'right' time to record your ideas; use GarageBand for iOS on your mobile device ASAP
- Use Tap Tempo and the Metronome to set the pace for your song
- Use the Record Enable buttons to record a scratch/tracking vocal and guitar or keyboard simultaneously
- Use the Editors or Guitar Tuner to show which notes you've already played
- Add grooving keyboard, bass, strings, or guitar tracks with Smart Touch Instruments
- Instantly fix timing issues with Groove Tracks
Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
Like this article? We recommend
Instantly fix timing issues with Groove Tracks
So you’ve recorded tracks for your song, and it’s really starting to come together. However, some of the tracks you recorded—particularly the live performances you played yourself—aren’t in perfect time with the rest of the song. No problem. As long as you have at least one track that is in perfect time, you can use groove matching to fix the others.
Groove matching is as cool as its name, but it’s only available in GarageBand for Mac. Open your song in GarageBand for Mac. If your project includes a Drummer track, I strongly suggest using it as your Groove Track. If not, use your existing drum or percussion track—assuming that it keeps good time.
At the top of the screen, choose Track > Track Header > Show Groove Track. Hold the pointer over the left edge of your drum track. Click the star on the left edge of the track header to make that track the “star” from which the meter, pacing, and feel (groove) will be applied to other tracks (see Figure 19).
){kind=link}
Once you set the “star” track, matching groove checkboxes appear in front of all the other tracks (see Figure 20). Click the checkboxes for any of the tracks with timing issues. Then play the project and listen to its improved timing!
){kind=link}
How is this possible? The powerful Flex Time analysis used to make groove-matching possible came from Logic Pro, Apple’s professional music recording software. As for GarageBand users, all the complicated work is done for you.
Figure 19
Figure 20
I hope that the tools and tricks in this article will help you to move forward to recording your music. Record your ideas. Record often. Keep building on your songs. If you’re one of those “song dreamers,” the first step to becoming a real songwriter is recording your songs.
Mary Plummer has been a professional writer, composer, and motion picture editor for over 20 years. She is co-owner of InVision Digital and Media Arts, located in Orlando, Florida. Mary has authored over a dozen books related to music creation and film and television production, including Apple Pro Training Series: Soundtrack; Apple Pro Training Series: Soundtrack Pro; Apple Pro Training Series: Getting Started with Final Cut Studio; and Apple Pro Training Series: GarageBand.