Don't Knock Garageband - Michael

I know, I know, it's a free program that comes with every Mac. It's got gimmicky features, cartoony graphics, and tired samples. How could anyone take this program seriously? The big bands use Pro Tools, right? Shouldn't I be using that?

Here's the truth: Garageband is an amazing, underrated tool that everyone should use. Especially those on a small budget. I've been using it for years, and I've also been in several recording studios, have spoken with engineers and producers, and have learned tons about recording. Some of this stuff you won't read in guitar mags, and you'll only discover through experience. I'll share what I know:

1. Logic-al Mixing Engine

That's right. Logic, Mac's big bad recording software that costs like 500 bucks uses the exact same mixing engine as Garageband. This means that while GBand might not have the bells and whistles (some very much desired bells and whistles, I might add. Cross-fade and punching in, please?), it uses the same method of creating your final mixdown. So while your editing capabilities are limited, how the two programs combine tracks is identical.

2. Audio Unit (AU) Software

AUs are little add-on programs that work with your recording software. GBand comes with a bunch, hence why the drop down menu under the Details section of a track has things called, "AUBandpass" or "AUMatrixReverb" (awesome reverb, btw). You can actually buy more, and there are a bunch of free ones for download all over the net.  Like I said, the stock loops/instruments that come with GBand, except for a few, are pretty weak in the sauce department, but some of the synths are tangy as hell. Then get some JamPacks and expand your set. The orchestral pack is solid as hell, and the instruments therein beat the stock instruments every damn time. For example, "Steinway Orchestra Piano" literally rapes "Grand Piano On Stage." Really. Just rapes it all over the place.

One AU that will REALLY help you SAVE CASH when you're ready to go into a studio? MIDI drum software. The drum instruments that come with GBand are pretty lame and fake sounding, but Ben bought a software called Addictive Drums (and there are others) for about $250 bucks. It takes real drum samples that were recorded from real kits and lets you use a MIDI keyboard to recreate them. It has multiple kits, mic set ups, reverbs, EQs, and even humanizes the samples so it sounds natural. Think about it. The software costs a couple hundred bucks. You can set it to the exact tempo you need and record the drums exactly how you want it. Then, create an uncompressed file of every single drum mic (snare, tom 1, overhead, room, etc.) and save them. (I recommend taking off all effects too, let the producer do that, unless you're dead set sold on teh sound you created). Give all the files to your producer and let him mix and affect. You just saved yourself tons of money that you would've spent on studio time (MSRP $50/hr.) trying to record the drums in real time. Some studios even charge you to rent the kit and charge for the time it takes them to set up and mic the kit! Forget that. Do it yourself. Take your time. Save your money.
3. Tracking

As long as you save each track as its own uncompressed file, GBand is a HUGE money saver when it comes to tracking all synthetic instruments (including drums as mentioned above). I wouldn't recommend it for recording miked guitars or basses or vocals, because your producer at the studio is likely to have better mics and a better recording environment than you do. I personally don't think that line in guitars using GBand's amp simulators sound all that great, but if you have good hardware, you might be able to get an ok sound. But for synth stuff? Always perfect.

4. The Big Guys Use It

Ok, if you care about name recognition and celebrity endorsement, I've got some news for you. Tons of big names in the industry use it. In the recent documentary, It Might Get Loud, The Edge shows you his lair where he goes to create some of his awesome sounds. And wait, what's that glowing on his laptop's monitor as he does so? That's right, Garageband.

You hear about Tommy Lee's massive recording project, The Public Record? This is a project for his band, Methods of Mayhem, in which people are allowed to submit their own tracks for his album, or edit his, and if he likes the sound, he puts them on the album. And guess what? One of the types of files they allow you to download for editing/upload for content? GBAND.

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Now, are the big guys mixing and mastering down from Garageband? Eh, no. Highly unlikely. The editing features just aren't there. But so what? You're poor. And you can get away with having a decent sounding recording using only Garageband.

Proof? Go to YouTube and check out the channel, GaragebandandBeyond. That guy has made some really impressive sounds using only Garageband, and I'm thoroughly impressed.

But if you're like me, and have a touch of the purist in you, you'll want that in-studio time for things like guitars, bass, and vocals. Still, combining both Gband and studio time CAN get you a recording that sounds like it was 100% recorded in the studio. It's a freebie, and a goodie.