Recording audio in GarageBand

- There are a few different ways to get your sounds into GarageBand.

- If you've got a laptop, you should have a built-in microphone. This isn't the highest quality, but will allow you to try out a basic sound recording or to record your voice.

- If you are using a desktop, you will need to connect an instrument or microphone to the line in port at the back of the computer.

- The next level of quality would be to attach via USB or FireWire. Both should give similar results.

- Many instruments will sound better using instrument inputs rather than line-ins.

- If you hold option and click the audio button at the top, you'll be able to view controls for your audio devices.

- We'll demonstrate a recording of an acoustic guitar using a microphone. This is the most basic method of recording.

- First, we open GarageBand and then open a new real instrument track. You will see that the record button is highlighted to let you know that when you record, it will be directly onto this track.

- The next best method of recording would require connecting a microphone preamp or a mixer to the computer. To do this, you'll need a cord that connects from that device into an adapter with a 1/8'' connector, similar to a typical headphone plug.

- Check your audio options and ensure that Line In is enabled. You should notice an improvement in the sound quality with this method.

- An even better method is to connect using a USB or FireWire connector. Keep in mind that the higher the quality of your recording device, the more background noise it will pick up.