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Dumb Garage Band question on fading sections of individual tracks
At the risk of ridicule for using GB and not Logic or something else, I come, hat-in-hand for advice…
I’m goofing around in the latest version of Garage Band, making a multi-track vocal project.
It’s 4 tracks so far, and on one of the tracks, I’ve cut up the vocals a bit, so it’s mostly blank space punctuated by sections of vocals singing chorus.
On playback, the hard cuts when I get to those sections are too abrupt and noticeable, so I want them to fade in and out. But I don’t understand how to do that; I can only see how to add a fade-in and fade-out to the overall master track, not individual sections on a single track out of the 4.
While I have you here, what’s the best way to raise the volume further on an individual track in Garage Band, when you’ve already maxed-out the visible slider on the track? Is there a “normalize to” function somewhere?
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9 Replies
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Hello Mark and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.
I honestly have no clue, but let’s see…..of course you may just be trying to reduce the background sound on your tracks, but Google Says…
Since Garageband does not have a real crossfade function (as most DAWs have) within a single track, to produce a crossfade, you can place the second clip on a new track. Then create the end-fade on the first clip with as many automation points as necessary to create the fade shape you want. Then fade in the second clip (on a new track), again using as many points as necessary for the fade-in shape you want. Then slide the second clip forward to create an overlap of the fade-in and the fade out curves. That will create a true crossfade without the clicks at the end and beginning of the individual clips.
For a true crossfade, the second clip must begin before the first clip ends.
Note: The end-fade volume automation reaches “0” before the first clip ends, and the fade-in does not start to rise before the second clip begins.
About raising the level. Headroom may be an issue. It’s better to turn dow the loud tracks until your already turned up is right.
You can try inserting an effect like a compressor in the individual track and use its makeup gain for more gain, if Garage Band will let you. Garage Band does have limitations that go away when you step up to Logic Pro X. And Logic Pro X has a LOT more functionality.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog -
Thanks, Ty, I’d tried the makeup levels in a compressor setting trick before I posted, and it helped some.
Strange that GB doesn’t make this as easy to do as one would expect. I still have fun using it, though.
I think what I’m going to do is export the single track and add the crossfades in FCPX, then re-import it to GB, as a work-around. The project is just casual experimentation for fun right now.Logic’s not in my budget now, so I’ll be making-do with Audacity and Garage Band a while yet, until my budding music career advances a bit more.
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Pro Tools has a free version, Pro Tools First, I think.
It may be a neater option. I have not tried it.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum LeaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog -
[Ty Ford] “Pro Tools has a free version, Pro Tools First, I think.
It may be a neater option. I have not tried it.”
You can’t really go wrong with Ty’s suggestion. Just about every studio out there uses Pro Tools. There just might be a reason for that. Hmmm…
That said, Reaper has a large and loyal following. In addition to being widely used, it has the great advantage of being very inexpensive. If you look at the free download of the user manual, section 7.23 (p136) is all about crossfades and the Reaper Crossfade Editor. It should cover everything you need, and a bunch of stuff you haven’t thought to ask about yet. Or maybe that’s just me ????. I’m just sayin’ that it’s a huge and mature program at this point, and has lots of features I’ve never heard of, let alone used.
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Thanks, Bruce.
I’ll have to find time to stick my face in reaper.
Ty
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog -
Hi Ty and Bruce,
Friends of mine who work in performance and recorded audio use programs like Audacity (free) and Appleton Live to edit and mix sound. I just realized I have another free sound mixing program, called Fairlight, that is part of Black Magic’s DaVinci Resolve editing suite (free version). I’m looking forward to learning more of that. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9_t4jV72HQCheers,
RobertRobert Withers
Independent/personal/avant-garde cinema, New York City
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I’m interested in GB too. I would assume that GB can function as a MIDI sequencer and trigger an external keyboard via MIDI, but I am by no means certain this is true.
OTOH using it with an external sequencer might not be a good idea. GB IS a sequencer and the best way to use it might be with its own engine. GB should be the center piece of the setup, not a MIDi slave. Read here to more details: https://garagebandonpc.com/
For an application like the one you have in mind, any other soft synth / sequencer might work better .
Garage Band only will control its own synths. No MIDI out for external gear. -
Hi Sophia,
Are you on Mac or PC?
BTW, every one, I have a client who uses GB. In some desperation, I asked him to send me a copy of his GB session to see what I could do about getting the tracks out for my Pro Tools rig. I downloaded his session on my other computer that runs Logic and GB first. It opened in GB. Then I read that Logic could open the same GB file. I tried it. Boom! It worked.
Mark, I suggest you save up to get Logic Pro. What is it $299 now? It’s a very deep program with lots of included sounds and sequences. I used it to create this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7M2-GIW9Ls
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum leaderWant better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
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Baby steps, Ty, LOL.
I have level controls figured out in GB now; you turn on the automation window and now every track has rubber-banding, so that’s all good. In my virtual band projects I’m now making and mixing things 20-30 tracks deep, and learning fast. Logic down the road at some point, but I’m still not pushing the limits of GB and I’m saving up for a resonator ukulele first.
Here’s a recent thing we did, a virtual jam with about 20-25 audio tracks sweetened in GB. Not perfect, but a good learning experience. I’m in the blue Prince Kuhio shirt with the white hat, yelling “let the good times roll”.
Already working on a more ambitious one, people from 6 cities or more, probably 30 tracks deep.
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