How to Record on GarageBand (Mac Setup That Sounds Good)

GarageBand makes a solid free recorder for podcasts, voiceovers, course audio and music. Recording is one button, but the few settings you choose before pressing it decide whether you get crisp, clean audio or a distorted, echoey mess. Here's how to set it up the right way on a Mac.

How to record on GarageBand, step by step

1. Connect your microphone or instrument and check it's working.
2. Start a new project, or open an existing one, and add an audio track.
3. Select the track's header and set the input source to your microphone.
4. Set the input level while you speak (see below).
5. Move the playhead to where you want to start.
6. Click Record or press R.
7. Speak, sing or play.
8. Click Stop or press the Space bar.

The recording shows up as a new audio region on the track, which you can move, trim and edit.

Settings to check before you record

Setting	Why it matters
Input source	Makes sure GarageBand uses your microphone, not the laptop's built-in one
Input volume level	Too loud distorts, too quiet sounds thin
Monitoring	Lets you hear yourself through headphones while recording
Bit depth	Higher bit depth gives more dynamic range
Metronome and count-in	Helps musicians keep time; turn off for speech

The catch: the level slider is sometimes greyed out

Many people go to turn down their microphone in GarageBand and find the Record Level slider dimmed. Apple explains that when it's dimmed, you can't change the input volume in GarageBand; you need to adjust the volume on the connected device instead, such as the gain knob on your USB microphone or audio interface.

There's also an Automatic Level Control option that lowers the level to prevent feedback and raises it if it's too low. It's handy for quick recordings, but for podcasts and voiceovers I'd set the level by hand so it doesn't jump around.

Monitoring without feedback

To hear yourself while you record, turn on the Monitoring button in the track header. Always wear headphones when monitoring. If you use speakers, the microphone picks up its own sound and you get a horrible feedback squeal.

Recording a podcast in GarageBand

1. Create one audio track for each person if you have a microphone each.
2. Do a test: record ten seconds, play it back and adjust.
3. Record the whole conversation in one go if you can.
4. Cut mistakes and long pauses afterwards by trimming regions.
5. Add intro music on a separate track.
6. Export with Share, then Export Song to Disk, as MP3.

Apple notes GarageBand trims silence at the very start and end of an export automatically, so you don't need to cut those yourself. For editing and publishing, see my guide to podcast editing software.

Tips for clean recordings

• Use a USB microphone rather than your Mac's built-in one.
• Record in a small, soft-furnished room to cut echo.
• Stay a hand's width or two from the microphone and keep that distance steady.
• Turn off notifications and close noisy apps.
• Leave a few seconds of silence before you speak, in case you need it for noise clean-up.

Recording on iPhone or iPad

GarageBand on iPhone and iPad can record too, using the Audio Recorder. It's great for capturing an idea or a quick voice note, though for longer podcasts the Mac version, with a good microphone, is easier to manage.

Fixing common recording problems

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
No sound recorded	Wrong input source	Select the track and choose your microphone as the input
Distorted, crackly audio	Level too high	Turn the gain down on the mic or interface
Very quiet recording	Level too low or too far from the mic	Move closer or raise the gain
Echo or a hollow sound	Hard, empty room	Record somewhere with soft furnishings
A squeal while recording	Monitoring through speakers	Use headphones

Most of these are fixed in seconds once you know where to look, and they're far easier to sort before you record than to rescue afterwards. That's why I'm so insistent on the ten-second test: it catches every one of the problems in this table before they ruin an hour of recording.

My verdict

Select an audio track, set the input source and level, wear headphones, then press R to record and Space to stop. If the level slider is greyed out, turn the gain down on your microphone itself. Test for ten seconds before every session. For getting more listeners once you've recorded, my post on podcast marketing is a good next read.

Frequently asked questions

Can GarageBand record my Mac's built-in microphone?

Yes, but a USB microphone sounds far better for podcasts and voiceovers.

Does GarageBand trim silence when exporting?

Yes. Apple says any silence at the beginning or end of the project is trimmed on export.

Can I record more than one take in GarageBand?

Yes. GarageBand can record multiple takes on the same track so you can pick the best one.

What is the record shortcut in GarageBand?

Press R to record and the Space bar to stop.

Why can't I change the recording level in GarageBand?

If the Record Level slider is dimmed, adjust the volume on your microphone or audio interface instead.

How do I hear myself while recording in GarageBand?

Turn on the Monitoring button in the track header and wear headphones.

How do I choose my microphone in GarageBand?

Select the audio track and set its input source to your microphone.

Can I record a podcast in GarageBand?

Yes. Record each voice on an audio track, edit the regions and export as MP3.

How do I export a GarageBand recording?

Choose Share, then Export Song to Disk, and pick MP3, AAC, AIFF or WAVE.