Before recording software instruments in GarageBand on Mac

You can connect a USB or MIDI music keyboard to your computer to play and record software instruments. You can play and record the software instruments built into GarageBand or software instruments you add as add as Audio Units plug-ins. Before you record, you also need to add a software instrument track and choose a sound.

GarageBand’s built-in sounds are sorted into categories, such as Bass, Guitar, Orchestral, Piano, Synthesizer, and so on. When you choose a sound patch from any of these categories, the Smart Controls area updates to show you controls for the patch. You can use these controls to adjust the sound. See Intro to Smart Controls in GarageBand on Mac.

In GarageBand on Mac, do one of the following:

If the keyboard is a USB music keyboard, connect the USB cable from the keyboard to your computer.
If the keyboard is a standard MIDI keyboard, connect the keyboard to a MIDI interface using standard MIDI cables, then connect the MIDI interface to your computer.

Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the keyboard, which may include installing the correct driver on your computer. Check the manufacturer’s website for the latest driver software. If you’re using a MIDI interface, be sure to follow the instructions that came with the interface.

Helpful?

Before recording software instruments in GarageBand on Mac

Connect a music keyboard to your computer

Add a software instrument track and choose a patch