Recording via Garage Band

[jessica]

Hi I have a PowerBook G4 1.67GHz with 512MB RAM. I have a iStudioLink Instrument Cable from Monster with GarageBand2. I have already recorded some tracks into GarageBand with the cable alone (and my Fender Strat Electric Guitar), however I would like better sound, louder, maybe a bit more professional sounding. I am not in a band, I don't intend to do much of anything with my music, but I would love to record what I play.

Can anyone recommend what I would need to record into Garage Band2? The berranger v-amp2 was a recommendation to me and the M-Audio 49 Key Entry Level Midi Keyboard (Keystation). It is about $100. The Amp is I think $100 as well. To get the sound I would use an iMic ($40).

I would like a recommendation of what to get on a budget and then of course a would-be wish list if I weren't on a budget.
Hopefully I can get that as I am ready to buy, but I just want to get the right stuff as well as things that will not blow my powerbook out.

Also, I am VERY new to both the guitar and recording via my Mac...so simple responses are probably best for me. Until I learn more of course!

[Black Star]

Hi I have a PowerBook G4 1.67GHz with 512MB RAM. I have a iStudioLink Instrument Cable from Monster with GarageBand2. I have already recorded some tracks into GarageBand with the cable alone (and my Fender Strat Electric Guitar), however I would like better sound, louder, maybe a bit more professional sounding. I am not in a band, I don't intend to do much of anything with my music, but I would love to record what I play.

Can anyone recommend what I would need to record into Garage Band2? The berranger v-amp2 was a recommendation to me and the M-Audio 49 Key Entry Level Midi Keyboard (Keystation). It is about $100. The Amp is I think $100 as well. To get the sound I would use an iMic ($40).

I would like a recommendation of what to get on a budget and then of course a would-be wish list if I weren't on a budget.
Hopefully I can get that as I am ready to buy, but I just want to get the right stuff as well as things that will not blow my powerbook out.

Also, I am VERY new to both the guitar and recording via my Mac...so simple responses are probably best for me. Until I learn more of course!


Hey Jess. Although, i've never used the program you are talking about, i am getting more familiar with recording procedures.

In order to get a more fuller, louder sound, it helps to lay down more than one guitar track. I myself lay down 4 rythm tracks to beef the song up. I keep 2 in the center, with one of those tracks having the bass down quite a bit. With the other 2 tracsk, i pan one of them to the left speaker, and the other track to the right speaker.

Another thing you have to experiment with is equalizers and different types of reverb. Reverbreall helps fill out the sound, but you don't want too much cause it will mkae youyr track sound messy. With the equalizers you can adjust anything to do with any track, such as the bass, mid, treble, hiss control, etc.

With the midi keyboard you were talking about....some programs include a piano roll, wich allows you to write piano with just your basic keyboard. (although this is all on PC, not a MAC).

It's all about experimentation, and it takes time to learn how to get good sounds. Good luck though, and post more questions if needed.

[Big Russian]

First of all, wohoo, another Mac user!

I have a standard iBook. I have no clue which version of Garage Band I have, but a couple of times when I screwed around with Garage Band in the past, the computer expressed its unhappiness with the number of tracks I had, so watch out for that.

Black Star mentioned a piano roll program, there is one free program for Mac which is called MidiKeys (http://www.manyetas.com/creed/midikeys) so go ahead and download it. I found it especially usefull for creating drum loops.

Macs also have a program called sound studio, which I sometimes use to hear how much my playing sucks. I don't know whether you can lay down several tracks at once, but I haven't explored that program properly yet, so after all maybe you can.

Almost forgot, you mentioned getting a mic. For the time being, why don't you just use the built in one? If you're not looking at serious recording, it should suffice, it keeps me happy. Just put your Powerbook somwhere close to your amp and you're good to go.
Good Luck :D

[Hawk]

Hey Jess. Although, i've never used the program you are talking about, i am getting more familiar with recording procedures.

In order to get a more fuller, louder sound, it helps to lay down more than one guitar track. I myself lay down 4 rythm tracks to beef the song up. I keep 2 in the center, with one of those tracks having the bass down quite a bit. With the other 2 tracsk, i pan one of them to the left speaker, and the other track to the right speaker.

Another thing you have to experiment with is equalizers and different types of reverb. Reverbreall helps fill out the sound, but you don't want too much cause it will mkae youyr track sound messy. With the equalizers you can adjust anything to do with any track, such as the bass, mid, treble, hiss control, etc.

With the midi keyboard you were talking about....some programs include a piano roll, wich allows you to write piano with just your basic keyboard. (although this is all on PC, not a MAC).

It's all about experimentation, and it takes time to learn how to get good sounds. Good luck though, and post more questions if needed.

Soon I will know all you secrets!!!!!!!!!