How To

How to Install GarageBand Home Recording Software

By eHow Computers Editor
Rate: (4 Ratings)

Apple's home recording software, GarageBand, is distributed as part of the iLife software package, which offers a variety of creative tools for music and movie hobbyists. GarageBand is not a full-featured package intended for professional recording. Instead, it is designed for the average user who wants to create a rough demo or a podcast. It's simple to install and very intuitive to use.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Macintosh computer
  • External hard drive (optional)
  • ILife software

    Custom Install GarageBand Software on a Mac

  1. Step 1

    Confirm that your Macintosh computer is running OS X or higher. The iLife package, of which GarageBand is a part, only works on Mac computers and was specifically designed for OS X.

  2. Step 2

    Designate 2 GB of disk space for GarageBand, or 4.3 GB if you will be installing the entire iLife Suite, which includes iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes, iDVD and GarageBand.

  3. Step 3

    Purchase the iLife software bundle. The package comes with both a CD and DVD-ROM, from which iLife can be installed. If your home computer has a DVD drive, then you will be able to install GarageBand. The application is not included on the CD installation disc.

  4. Step 4

    Insert the DVD in your DVD drive.

  5. Step 5

    Launch the iLife installer by clicking on the DVD icon.

  6. Step 6

    Click on "Customize" if you want to do a custom install or only install GarageBand.

  7. Step 7

    Choose the items you want to install from the provided list and click "Install" to continue.

  8. Step 8

    Update your software after installation and prior to using the program.

  9. Conserve Space after Installation

  10. Step 1

    Install GarageBand's loops for home recording. The instrument files aren't that big, but the .aiff files (the loops) are very large and will take up a lot of hard drive space. They can be moved to another disk drive to conserve space.

  11. Step 2

    Choose an external drive or storage device to which you will be transferring the loop library.

  12. Step 3

    Locate your GarageBand loops on the hard drive. The location will vary depending on your library, and can be found either at "Macintosh HD->Library->Application Support->GarageBand->Apple Loops", or at "Macintosh HD->Library->Audio->Apple Loops."

  13. Step 4

    Select (highlight) all the loops and drag them to the external device.

  14. Step 5

    Wait until the files are done transferring, confirm that they are on the external drive and delete them from the hard drive.

  15. Step 6

    Start GarageBand and open the "Loop Browser" before beginning a project. Then, drag the loop folders from the external device to the browser. When the pop-up asking if you want to copy the files to the Apple "Loops" folder appears, choose the "Current Location" option. This will allow you to use the loops without re-installing them to the hard drive.

  16. Step 7

    Allow the library to re-index, as it will need to do this to use the file.

Tips & Warnings
  • GarageBand includes 1,000 pre-recorded loops. More are available in expansion packs, known as Jam Packs, which are offered by Apple.

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