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> Using Garageband For Recording Real Instruments
industrialplaid
post Tue 25 Jul 2006, 03:36
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Over the past couple weeks I have been working on recording quite a few songs using my Powerbook G4, Garageband v1.1.something, a shitty SM-57 ripoff vocal mic, the iMic USB device, and a variety of guitars, my voice, and a bass. I understand that the quality of my end-product is going to be severely impaired by my shitty equipment (especially the mic), but my goal is just to record some serviceable versions of my original compositions fully intending to do a much better job at a later date (hopefully with other musicians).

That being said, I'm trying to figure out how I can do the best job I possibly can with what I have. I have two problems right now with the setup I've been using, and I'm not sure how to solve them.

1) The levels are extremely low on my songs even when everything is cranked up to the max (the master volume and the individual track volumes). I have to set my speakers to volume levels twice what I would use for a typical CD to be able to hear my songs at an acceptable level.

2) There is a lot of white-noise on all my tracks, due I assume to the shitty mic I was using.

Is there anything I can do with my current setup to correct these issues? I'd like the songs to be audible and less "noisy". If Garageband isn't capable, can you guys recommend any freeware programs out there that might be?

Thanks.
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Mac Daddy
post Tue 25 Jul 2006, 11:28
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industrialplaid, don't freak. You're on the right path, using your PowerBook as a Demo Machine. To Record serious at a later date. As much as we all wish we could Record, Burn and Sell from our Macs/PC's, it takes a whole lot more. I'm sure there must be a way to do it 'Directly', but I have never heard anything that did not need major help or experience. In fact, I think that one of the contributing factors why I purchased a PowerBook G4 in the first place was when 3 or 4 years ago I heard about these two musicians, can't remember their names, did this Music From Around The World. They recorded street music 'Live'. They just Recorded. It sounded, Audio Wise, "Not Good". They did not create one 'Note' they only 'Recorded' the sound, the music was great, but, Audio Wise, again, Not Good. I saw something on Google, Music created on a PowerBook, found some articles but not the one about the two who started the whole thing, however, there is an article about someone who Recorded and Performed in Chicago using Garage Band... There was good information and a link to contact the Creator. I have, but have not used Garage Band. Sort of reminds me of those old Casio Keyboards... Punch in Disco and Party... Cool for about 4 Bars of Music. Cute, Nice. Music needs to be "Badd". You know what I mean. That Cadilac in nice... That Porsche is Badd Thing. Music needs to breathe. GB has too much control over how 'real' music flows, grows, shows colors/feelings. I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.

Music needs real people, Like you and the Musicians you plan to use. A G4/G5 or SuperG 'Whatever' will probably never be more than a glorified Recording Machine, which will probably crash under pressure. About the Shure SM-57... You cannot expect much from it. I know I'm gonna catch hell for saying that, But, but, but, you Never see them in Recording Studios, not even on the Drums!

G4 and GB is fine for laying down and capturing the ideas... The perfection and magic happens later. Don't give up, you might even figure out how to do it. When you do, please let me be the first to know, because I'm selling all the gear I've purchased and will go back to my PB G4, which is used mostly for E-mails and Replys.
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