
Recording a Software Instrument
Before you start recording, make sure your music keyboard is connected to your computer and is working. If you are using the onscreen music keyboard, choose Window > Keyboard to open it.
To record a Software Instrument:
- Select a Software Instrument track you want to record to, or create a new Software Instrument track.
- If you want to change the instrument or effects settings for the track before recording, click the Track Info button, then change them in the Track Info pane.
- Set the playhead to the point on the beat ruler where you want to start recording.
- Choose Control > Count In to have the metronome play a one-measure count-in before recording starts, or set the playhead a few beats before the point you want the recorded part to begin, to give yourself time to start playing.
- Click the Record button (the red circular button) to start recording.
- Play your music keyboard, or click the keys on the onscreen keyboard. You see the new region appear in the timeline as you record.
- When you are finished playing, click the Play button to stop recording.
Play a few notes and watch the MIDI status light in the time display, which should light with each note you play. You should hear the Software Instrument as you play.
For many Software Instruments, the sound of the instrument changes depending on how hard you press the keys on your music keyboard (if your keyboard supports velocity information). If your music keyboard has a pitch bend wheel, you can bend the notes as you play by moving the wheel. If your music keyboard has a modulation wheel, moving the wheel as you play will change the sound of some Software Instruments.
GarageBand includes a metronome, which plays a steady beat while you record to help you play in time. To learn about using the metronome, see Related Topics below.
Related Topics
