Podcasts have become such a popular medium of audio entertainment that so many brands and individuals are raring to jump on the bandwagon. With the potential of millions of listeners all over the world, it’s not a surprise.
If you’re just starting out as a podcaster, you must find the best software to easily record and edit your episodes. Fortunately, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS users have an easy choice available at their fingertips and devices.
Apple’s GarageBand makes recording podcasts easy and convenient, and most importantly, it’s completely free.
With GarageBand, you can try out different podcasting tools and features before investing in more robust audio production software. It’s an easy first step as it will prime you for more advanced options.
If you’re ready to learn all about podcasting using GarageBand, read on to find out what it is, if it is suitable for podcasting, and how to record and edit podcasts on this platform.
What Is GarageBand?
GarageBand is a digital audio workstation loaded on all macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices. Since its debut as a music creation app in 2004, it has undergone many updates to leverage the advancements in audio technology.
Today, it is a popular platform for aspiring musicians and podcasters in the Apple ecosystem. It is easy to run the software on an iMac, MacBook, iPad, and even iPhone, and users can use the different functionalities to create and edit music and podcasts.
Is GarageBand a Good Choice for Podcasts?
GarageBand is a versatile audio production app. Although it started as a digital music workstation, it has evolved to cater to podcasters, too.
GarageBand has a user-friendly, intuitive, and powerful interface and is an excellent choice for beginners in the podcasting world. Its streamlined design and layout and simple editing tools make navigating the software’s functions a breeze.
GarageBand also eliminates the need for pricey audio gear and studio time. Moreover, it is free for all Apple users, so you do not have to spend anything to use it. The software delivers top-notch results that help you create pro-sounding podcasts.
You can add audio using microphones, interfaces, and musical instruments through MIDI or USB ports. You can also drag and drop audio clips like sound effects or loops.
Once you’ve learned about its basic functions, you can craft your own GarageBand experience and expand the interface per your audio production needs.
GarageBand also integrates with Apple iCloud, so you can seamlessly add and edit tracks across devices, from your computer to your tablet to your phone.
Note that this app was designed specifically for music production, so you may need a few workarounds to apply the default functionalities to record and edit podcasts.
You will also need to be familiar with the basics of sound design to make the most of this software.
How to Record a Podcast With GarageBand
Recording a podcast on GarageBand is easy; just follow these simple steps:
Step 1
Open the GarageBand app. If you have previously worked on this software, it will open your latest project by default. Otherwise, you will need to choose Empty Project to begin working.
Next, click Project Templates on the tab to the left and choose a template. Choose the track that has the mic icon.
Step 2
After the project launches, you will find a bar at the top of the screen that resembles a digital console. As GarageBand is primarily a music production tool, it shows time in musical notation automatically.
To simplify the display, click on the transport dropdown menu and choose the Time option.
Click on the metronome and count-in features to the right of the display to turn them off. If you don’t turn them off, you will hear the sound of a metronome while you’re recording.
Step 3
Back up your work early and often so you will never lose your progress at any point. Click on File and Save As. Give your file a name and select your desired destination folder.
Step 4
Move your pointer over GarageBand, then click Preferences. Choose the Audio/Midi option and click on your microphone (input) and headphones (output).
In the Library section, you will find a wide range of audio templates with a mix of elements so you can easily set certain levels on your voice recordings. Try each of them and choose one that will suit your podcast.
Step 5
Click on Track and scroll down to New Track if you need to add an audio track to your recording. If you wish to delete extra tracks, hold down the control button, click on the audio track you want to delete, and select Delete.
If you’re recording a podcast on your own, choose Singletrack recording. Choose Multitrack recording to record with guests or cohosts.
Monitor your sound levels by checking your microphone settings and making a test recording. Make changes to the input gain on your audio interface to ensure that the audio is not too loud or soft. The levels must stay below the yellow or red area.
Step 6
Once everything is set, click the red record button to begin recording your episode. After you finish talking, click on the square button to stop recording.
If you need to go back to the start of your project, click on the button that resembles an arrow that points left into a vertical line.
Step 7
You can add sound effects or background music by clicking and dragging audio files into the timeline and shifting them around.
Dragging an mp3 file into the app will create a track on its own.
How to Edit a Podcast With GarageBand
Editing Menu
From the four icons in the top left corner of your screen, press the scissors icon to launch the Editing menu.
Choose the audio track for editing. If you want to edit more than one track, click on the headphone icon to choose what you want to hear. To mute an audio track, click on the button that resembles a megaphone that has a line across it.
Split Regions at Playhead Tool
This tool allows you to split an audio track into different clips so you can individually move and edit them. This tool is handy if you need to delete a few seconds of the clip from the middle of the file.
All you need is to isolate the portions, trim the track, and move the regions to close the gap and make it sound seamless.
Loop Pointer Tool
The Loop Pointer tool is great when you need to trim an audio clip to a certain length. To use it, hover your cursor over the lower right edge of a clip, and it will appear.
To shorten a clip, use the tool and drag the clip from the edge. Drag the edge back out to show audio that you had previously trimmed.
Automation Tool
With the Automation tool, you can create smooth transitions and volume changes to make your audio sound polished.
To automate a track’s parameters, click on the drop-down menu. Once the automation tool is visible, create an automation node by clicking anywhere on the workspace.
Add extra nodes when a yellow line appears. Drag a node up or down to change the volume level at that particular point in the clip.
Music and Narration
You can create unique intro music, outro music, or background music in your podcast using GarageBand’s clever tools and features.
Create a new project and choose the Software Instrument track type. This will allow you to plug in a USB to copy files or use a MIDI keyboard and other instruments through a USB port.
GarageBand also has virtual instruments you can use to create your own music, such as electric guitar, drum kit, and synth. To use the virtual keyboard, go to Window and click on Musical Typing.
The Loop Browser also has Apple Loops. These are pre-recorded musical snippets that can be repeated to fill space and make your final product sound more interesting.
You can choose from various sounds, such as drum beats, rhythm parts, electric piano, and many, many more.
Conclusion
GarageBand is a free and easy-to-use digital resource that podcasters can use to create professional-sounding recordings.
It has all the tools, features, and flexibility you need to create a professional podcast that your listeners will enjoy and engage with.
So if you are looking for a fantastic starter software to record and edit your podcast, check out GarageBand’s software and tell us what you think.
We hope you enjoyed reading our comprehensive guide on podcasting using GarageBand. If you wish to check out more helpful articles, visit our website and browse our blog.
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