Looking back at when I first started out with Garageband, the number one thing that took my projects to the next level sound wise was when I went from using the in-built mic to a ‘proper’ microphone.

Now, I didn’t start out taking this stuff seriously  - to begin with I was using Garageband to sketch song ideas, and as a tool for arrangement ideas and practice, using the inbuilt microphone on my – even then – ancient Apple iBook G4, running Garageband 2.

Those were the days – no Flex Time, no Groove Matching, 16 bit recording…. yeah, actually…. it wasn’t that great.

It wasn’t long before I realized that I could be using Garageband to create ‘proper’ sounding and produced tracks. I knew that the sound quality I was getting from the built in mic really wasn’t going to cut it though (especially for guitars – but we’ll get to that later…).

So began the hunt for a ‘proper’ microphone. I had a few criteria that it had to adhere to :

Apple’s inspired decision to update Garageband IOS to be fully compatibility with the Audiobus app may have provided the best solution to getting great sounding audio with your iPad/iPhone.

What is Audiobus?

Audiobus essentially allows you to send audio from one app (an instrument app, microphone or synth app for instance), filter it through another (which could be any effect – delay processor, reverb unit or bitcrusher to name but a few) and receive it in another (a multitrack recorder, like the Garageband app.)

Confused?

I LOVE Izotope.

I use their plug-ins regularly, so when I was coming up with ideas for what to cover for the second edition of ‘You Need This Plug-In’ there was only one choice….

Izotope describe Vinyl as ‘the ultimate Lo-Fi weapon‘ and it’s hard to argue otherwise.

As a musician who loves the portability and ease of use of Apple’s Garageband app for IOS, I was blown away by the idea of IK Multimedia’s iRig.

“What’s that? It allows me to plug my Guitar directly into my iPad/iPhone AND record straight to the Garageband app using all of it’s built in amp models and effects??

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!”

And?

It IS great.

Mostly…..

See, while it’s true that the iRig makes practicing and recording guitar on the fly a cinch, it’s not all sunshine and lollypops…. there ARE a few issues….

Like most musicians, inspiration usually strikes me at the most awkward moments.

I’ve lost count of the number of dead cert hit singles (honest…) and killer vocal lines i’ve cooked up while lying in bed, at work or when visiting the family…. and forgotten before I could get them even roughly recorded.

I’m sure you’ve been there too, right?

Luckily all that changed when the Garageband app for IOS came along…

As The Garageband Guide grows (there’s more blog subscribers pretty much every day now, as well as a rapidly growing community on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) I get asked more and more questions about how to use Garageband.

Now, I LOVE answering any questions about Garageband – hell, helping you master Garageband is what this site is all about, but i’ve been wondering recently if having a series of  posts that answers some of the questions I get asked the most would be a good idea….

Are you  just starting down the path to Garageband enlightenment?
Wouldn’t it be great if someone put together some sort of list that outlined a selection of the best tricks and tips?

Lucky old you….

Whether you’re a complete beginner or are just looking to learn a few new tricks, you’ll love this Garageband tutorial video.

In it, I’ll take you through my list of 5 essential things that every aspiring Garageband Ninja NEEDS to know….