GarageBand is a free audio manufacturing app included with macOS and iOS. It’s user-friendly and delivers pro-level outcomes adequate for many podcasters.
As a result of this software was created for music manufacturing, there are a couple of workarounds it is best to know earlier than you employ it for spoken phrase.
This step-by-step information breaks down every thing it’s good to know to supply high quality podcast episodes utilizing GarageBand!
Notice: This tutorial is for the Macbook and iMac variations of GarageBand. This course of works when you use GarageBand in your iPhone or iPad, however the cell app has fewer capabilities.
Step #1. Arrange a template
If you open GarageBand iOS, you’ll have the choice to create a brand new GarageBand venture. Select Empty Venture to create a customized template.
Subsequent, the software will immediate you so as to add your first observe from three differing kinds.
Select the observe with a picture of a microphone. Then, choose the enter your mic is linked to and click on Create. Your observe will seem within the workspace within the higher proper subsequent to Garageband’s Library part.
You possibly can confirm and, if vital, edit your microphone enter settings below the Recording Settings tab on the backside.
Click on the + icon on the high left when you’re recording with a number of microphones. Repeat these steps to create new tracks for every channel.
Be certain to assign inputs in Recording Settings for every observe you create.
You may additionally need to embody tracks for any music or sound results you commonly use. Add an audio microphone observe for every impact and set the enter to None.
Double-click the observe title to rename it and right-click on the blue waveform to vary the observe icon.
The Transport part shows musical data like beats-per-minute, time signature, and so forth.
Select Time from the transport dropdown menu to simplify the show. Then, click on on the metronome and count-in options to the proper of the show to show them off. Go to File > Save As to avoid wasting your recording.
Step #2. Document your episode
If you open your template, put it aside as a brand new venture, so you do not unintentionally change any settings.
Should you’re recording a solo podcast, you’ll choose Singletrack recording. Should you’re recording with cohosts or visitors, select Multitrack recording.
Singletrack recording
With Singletrack recording, all it’s good to do is hit the crimson file button.
Earlier than you file, examine your mic settings and file a take a look at to examine your ranges. Regulate the enter acquire in your audio interface to compensate wherever it’s too loud or comfortable. Your ranges ought to keep under the yellow or crimson territory.
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording enables you to file every individual on their very own observe. Recording on separate tracks makes it simpler to edit every individual’s audio in put up.
Click on the + image within the high left nook so as to add an extra observe.
Choose Microphone Monitor once more and select the suitable enter for every mic (enter 2, 3, and so forth.). Then, click on Create.
It is a good suggestion to rename every observe by the speaker to keep away from confusion.
By default, GarageBand solely data one observe at a time. To allow multitrack recording, go to the menu bar and select Monitor > Configure Monitor Header.
You too can right-click on any observe and select Configure Monitor Header (keyboard shortcut: Possibility + T). Tick the field subsequent to Document Allow to toggle it on within the dialog that opens. This can add the record-enable button to every observe.
If you’re prepared to begin, toggle on the record-enable button on every observe you need to file.
The tracks will flash after they’re armed. To disarm a observe, click on the Document-Allow button once more. Armed tracks will file concurrently while you press the file button.
Professional tip: Should you can’t arm a number of tracks, double-check your recording settings for every one and be sure to have separate inputs. GarageBand won’t file the identical enter to a number of tracks.
Step #3. Edit your episode
You solely must know a couple of options in GarageBand to edit your podcast. Let’s evaluate an important ones.
Loop Pointer
The Loop Pointer software shortens an audio clip by dragging it from the sting. To disclose beforehand trimmed audio, drag the sting again out.
The pointer software seems while you hover your cursor over the decrease proper fringe of an audio area. Use this software to trim any clip to the suitable size.
Cut up areas at Playhead
Keyboard shortcut: Command + T
Menu: Edit > Cut up Areas at Playhead
The Cut up Areas at Playhead software enables you to break up a clip into separate clip areas that you may transfer and edit individually.
This is useful if you wish to delete a couple of seconds from the center of your observe. Simply isolate the areas, trim the clip, and transfer the sections collectively to shut the hole.
Automation
Keyboard shortcut: A
Menu: Combine > Present Automation
Utilizing the Cut up at Playhead software can lead to clips that cease abruptly.
GarageBand would not have a Fade software like many different DAWs, so you may want to make use of Automation to create quantity modifications and easy transitions.
You possibly can choose every observe’s drop-down menu to automate its personal parameters.
With automation seen, click on wherever on a area within the workspace to create an automation node.
When a vibrant yellow line seems, you’ll be able to add further nodes. Drag a node down or as much as alter the quantity stage at that particular level within the observe.
Enhancing music in GarageBand
GarageBand was made primarily for music manufacturing. As a podcaster, you need to use this function to create distinctive intro and outro music or background music.
First, create a brand new venture. Choose the Software program Instrument observe sort. This allows you to plug in a USB MIDI keyboard and use different actual devices through USB.
You too can use GarageBand’s digital devices, just like the synth, electrical guitar, or drum equipment. Go to Window > Musical Typing to make use of the digital keyboard.
Professional Tip: Apple Loops are prerecorded musical phrases within the Loop Browser. You should use these so as to add drum beats, rhythm elements, and different sounds to a venture.
Step #4. Assemble and blend your episode
Now it’s time to rearrange your tracks right into a podcast episode. This is not an actual science, however following the following pointers will help streamline your modifying workflow.
Arranging your tracks
Attempt to maintain several types of audio on their very own observe. Music, sound results, and every voice ought to all be saved separate. From right here, you’ve gotten two choices.
Possibility #1: Organize tracks chronologically
You possibly can prepare your audio tracks chronologically, starting on the high. On this instance, we have now an intro clip adopted by theme music on the observe under.
Then we have now the intro narration and the interview itself. This association permits for visible group, with audio cascading from high left to backside proper.
Possibility #2: Use one observe per audio supply
If you use one observe per audio supply, you solely have to use results (EQ, compression, and so forth.) as soon as.
On this setup, the intro clip can be on the identical observe because the interview since they’re from the identical supply.
For instance, the intro and outro narration can be on one observe, assuming each segments had been taken from the identical audio recording.
Intro and outro music might be on the identical observe when you’re not utilizing completely different processing on them.
This strategy can reduce the variety of tracks you employ in your combine and save vertical actual property in your workspace.
Mixing your tracks
Mixing is the method of hanging an excellent steadiness between the degrees of your completely different tracks. We suggest utilizing the voice stage of your recording because the baseline for different ranges.
Every observe has a metered quantity slider within the observe header. Hearken to a clip of your episode to make sure the voice ranges are within the meter’s inexperienced vary.
Then, set any intro or outro music to a stage that sounds according to the voice stage. Do the identical with any sound results or narration.
Balancing your quantity provides you what’s referred to as a “static combine.” As soon as you have set your static combine, you’ll be able to leverage the ability of automation.
Add quantity automation to music to have it play behind intro narration or fade the extent out step by step. You too can use this software to eradicate pops or clicks in your audio.
Professional tip: Click on the area bar to simply begin and cease your observe’s playback.
Audio processing plugins
You could need to use audio processing plugins like EQ or compression. These results assist form the tone or dynamic vary of your materials. Remember the fact that much less is extra normally.
Be certain your results processing would not add or subtract quantity out of your static combine. Some plugins embody an output management to boost or decrease the quantity to its unprocessed stage.
You too can use Garageband’s Acquire plugin, situated below the Utility part of the plugin checklist.
Should you’re in search of extra mixing and mastering capabilities, think about upgrading to Logic Professional X, Apple’s pro-level audio modifying software program.
Step #5. Export file
Earlier than exporting your closing episode, hit the play button and hear to every phase for errors you might need missed. If you’re proud of the combo, export it as a single audio file in WAV format.
Click on Share > Export Track to Disk. A dialog will open the place you’ll be able to title your file, select a vacation spot for it, and choose the format. When you fill out the required fields, click on Export.
After you export your file, do one thing enjoyable to reset your thoughts and ears. Then, take heed to the episode yet one more time for errors you might need missed.
When you’re happy, add the file to your podcast host for distribution.
Professional tip: Export an uncompressed WAV file to make sure the perfect audio high quality.
Last ideas
GarageBand is a wonderful newbie software for modifying podcast episodes. Despite the fact that the software program was created for musicians, the workspace is intuitive and has every thing most podcasters must edit a high quality episode.
Alban Brooke
Alban Brooke is the Head of Advertising at Buzzsprout and the co-host of Buzzcast. Have any questions on this information? Attain out on Twitter.
FAQS
Is GarageBand good for podcasting?
GarageBand is a wonderful newbie software for modifying a podcast. Nonetheless, as a result of it was created for music manufacturing and songwriting, you may want to show off among the options to make it work for podcasting.
How do I make a podcast in GarageBand?
To file a podcast in GarageBand, plug your microphone in and open a brand new venture. Arrange your workspace, select between single or multitrack recording, and press the file button!
