GarageBand Icon

Recording over a specific part of a project

You can record a Real or Software Instrument over a specific part of a project by turning on the “cycle region” in the timeline. Before you start recording, you define the part of the project you want to record over by setting the cycle region in the area below the beat ruler. As you record, the playhead returns to the start point of the cycle region each time it reaches the end of the region.

Recording with the cycle region works differently for Real Instruments than for Software Instruments:

Cycle region

To record using a cycle region:

  1. Click the Cycle button (the button with the curved arrows) in the transport controls to turn on the cycle region. A yellow ruler appears under the beat ruler showing the cycle region.
  2. The first time you turn on the cycle region, it extends from the first to the fifth measure. If you move the cycle region, it appears in its new position the next time you turn it on.

  3. Drag the cycle region to the position in the timeline where you want your recording to begin and end. You can also drag in an empty part of the cycle region ruler to set the cycle region to a new position.
  4. Select the track you want to record in.
  5. Click the Record button (the red circular button) to start recording.
  6. Play your instrument. As you record, the playhead moves from the start to the end of the cycle region, then repeats from the start point. The new region appears in the timeline.
  7. When you are finished, click the Play button to stop recording.
  8. When you are finished using the cycle region, click the Cycle button to turn it off. You can also drag the cycle region up to turn it off.
Feedback IconWas this page helpful? Send feedback.