Media Review: Beginning GarageBand

Review by Shane Vahle

Over the past decade, home recording software has become an indispensable tool in the pallet of most musicians and singer/songwriters. You probably have at least one or two full-length CD’s or demo’s in your own collection that was recorded and mixed solely by the artist or band themselves with one of the many DIY recording programs available today. As part of it’s OS X operating system, Apple has again added it’s own at-home recording application within the iLife software package – GarageBand ’11.

If you’re new to the home recording approach and need a hand getting started with GarageBand, Sound Engineer/Guitarist, David Terry is at your service. Filmed at Nashville’s CGR Studios, David walks a student (singer/songwriter Jessica Willis) step by step through the beginning stages of the program. With a front row seat, you’ll learn the basics of producing recordings from start to finish including opening new projects, setting up the audio interface, creating audio and virtual-instrument tracks, recording, basic editing and mix-down techniques and even creating ringtones and podcasts.

Once the fundamentals are covered David devotes the last chapter to some of the more advanced features of the program such as using templates, amp modelers and effects, virtual instruments and a feature unique to GarageBand, Learn To Play, which offers lessons on guitar or piano with help from a few of the original artists themselves.

Entering the world of digital recording can seem a little overwhelming at first but with experienced advice from a knowledgeable instructor like David Terry, it’s easier than you might think. Beginning GarageBand is a great starting point and reference to get you up and tracking in no time.

Price range: $16.99 – $19.99
Alfred Music Publishing Co.