We can personally recommend the Focusrite Scarlett package. Thankfully, there are a wide variety of affordable packages that provide professional sound quality. To get the coveted professional sound, you’ll want to invest in a recording microphone and interface (the device that converts analog sound waves into a digital signal). Garageband will allow you to record using your built-in computer microphone, but if you are ever planning on releasing your recording to a larger audience, you’ll be disappointed with the sound quality. Any tracks you record in the app can easily be transferred to the desktop software, which is wildly convenient. Though if you are just beginning your recording endeavors, keep it simple and think of it as a quick and easy recording device. We’ve in-fact used the app to record multi-track demos when killing time on flights and in waiting rooms. This app is actually incredibly detailed, offering dozens of well design virtual keyboards, drums (acoustic and electronic), even guitars and basses. You can hum a melody or rhythm into the vocal recorder, or use one of the many virtual keyboards or drum machines to make your ideas even more realized. This is tremendously useful for recording ideas when you aren’t in front of your computer or instrument. If you use an iPhone, you can download an app version of Garageband for free.

The first being about getting set up to record, and the second will cover editing and post-production. We will be breaking this post up into 2 parts. *Second, once we got writing we realized how much there is to cover on this topic. The most popular being Cubase (paid) and Audiotool (free). *First, we must acknowledge that Garageband is only available for Mac users, though there are similar alternatives for Windows users. Below are a handful of ways to start using Garageband to bring your songwriting and recording to greater heights. It can be used as a quick recorder to capture ideas on the fly, and a fully realized virtual studio.

It is incredibly useful and with each new version, becomes more and more intricate. Apple is probably surprised at how predominant it has become for both amateur and professionals. Garageband, whether you like it or not, has ushered in thousands of new songwriters, producers, composers, and all-around musicians.

Garageband recording time