If you haven't used the app in a long while, GarageBand's basic interface layout mimics Logic Pro and other proper multitrack software. Read our editorial mission (Opens in a new window) & see how we test (Opens in a new window).

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. For plugging in an electric guitar or bass, or connecting microphones to record vocals and other acoustic instruments, you'll need an audio interface of some kind, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) or the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96. To use this app, you must plug in a USB-compatible MIDI keyboard and either a pair of headphones or a small pair of desktop speakers. Setup and User Interfaceįor this review, I tested GarageBand 10.4.6 on a 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2021, M1 Pro) with 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and macOS Monterey 12.3.1. The fact that GarageBand is free makes the app all the better, and a clear Editors' Choice for entry-level recording software. Although GarageBand lacks Logic's amazing flexibility, vast array of instruments, and powerful mixing and mastering features, it's almost as powerful when it comes to handling other tasks. Unlike the cartoonish version that debuted in the early aughts, GarageBand features a surprisingly serious presentation that roughly mirrors the high-end Logic Pro digital audio workstation, or DAW. Now, you can do it with the built-in software that comes with every Apple computer, thanks to the free GarageBand. A couple of decades ago, it took a mountain of gear to make an album. How to Set Up Two-Factor AuthenticationĪ seismic shift has occurred in how records are made.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

Garageband audio editing