Adding Audio Units Modules
(Instruments) to GarageBand
Garageband
makes it really easy to get in there and easily set up virtual
instruments that come built-in. However, if you're going in to
Garageband with the intention of using a third-party plug-in, you
might be scratching your head at first.
Get started
with Logic Pro software instrument tracks
If you have a USB or MIDI keyboard (or another type of MIDI
controller) connected to your computer, you can play and
record software instruments. Logic Pro features a complete
library of professional-quality software
instruments, including synthesizers and other keyboards,
guitars, drums, world instruments, and more.
A patch contains the instrument, effects, and routing
settings that control the sound of the track. You can change
the sound of a software instrument track by choosing a
different patch from the Library. In the Library, you can
also audition patches to find the one you want to use.
You record a software instrument on a software instrument track in the
Tracks area. The recording appears as a MIDI region on the selected software
instrument track. You can arrange MIDI regions in the
Tracks area, and edit them in the
Piano Roll Editor and other editors.
Logic Pro includes a metronome, which plays a steady beat to help you play
in time while recording. You can have the metronome play as you record, or
play only a one-bar count-in before recording starts.
Select a
software instrument track, then play notes on your music keyboard.
If your music keyboard
has pitch bend and modulation wheels, move them as you play, to see how
the sound changes. If your music keyboard has other controls, such as
faders, knobs, or drum pads, try using them as well.
In the Logic Pro toolbar, click the Add
Tracks button .
Click the Software
Instrument & MIDI icon (the keyboard) at the top of the New Tracks
dialog.
If
necessary, click the Details triangle to open the bottom of the
dialog.
Make sure that “A
Software Instrument” appears on the pop-up menu on the left, and
“Output 1-2” appears on the Output pop-up menu on the right.
Make sure the Open
Library checkbox is selected.
Click Create.
The new track appears
in the Tracks area, and the Library opens on the left.
In
the Library, click a category on the left, then click a patch name
on the right.
You can audition
software instrument patches by clicking them in the Library, then
playing your music keyboard, to find the one you want to use. For more
information about choosing patches, see Logic
Pro patches overview.
Select the software
instrument track you want to record to.
Move the playhead
to the point where you want to start recording.
Click the Record
button in
the control bar (or press R) to start recording.
After a one-bar
count-in, recording starts. The recording appears as a new software
instrument region on the track as you record.
Click the Stop
button in
the control bar (or press the Space bar) to stop recording.
Audio Units™ is a trademark of Apple
Inc.
Mac™ is a trademark of Apple Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries.
OS X & macOS are a trademark of Apple Inc.,
registered in the United States and other countries