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Using Soundfonts with GarageBand

You can use Soundfonts in GarageBand. Soundfonts are a type of software instrument based on audio samples. A variety of commercial and free Soundfonts are available on the Internet and from other sources.

Before you can use a Soundfont, you must install it on your computer in the /Library/Audio/Sounds/Banks folder. Once installed, you can play and record Soundfonts in Software Instrument tracks.

To use a Soundfont in a Software Instrument track:

  1. Double-click the track's header (or select the track and choose Track > Show Track Info).
  2. Click the Details triangle to show the track generator and effect controls.
  3. Choose "DLSMusicDevice" from the Generator pop-up menu.
  4. Click the Edit (pencil) button for the generator to show the generator Preset window.
  5. Choose the Soundfont you want to use from the Sound Bank pop-up menu.
  6. When you are finished, close the Preset window and the Track Info pane.
  7. Play and record the Soundfont as you would any other Software Instrument.
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