How to Record Guitar in GarageBand | A Complete Guide, Including Mac vs iPhone and iPad

"I want to record my guitar. But DAWs seem difficult..."

If that's you, GarageBand is the answer.

It comes preinstalled on Mac, and it's free. Yet it has all the features you need to record guitar.

This article walks you through recording guitar in GarageBand from start to finish.

Does it work the same way in GarageBand on iPhone or iPad?

Reader

ryo

The recording flow is almost the same. But the screen design is quite different. This article explains it using the Mac version's screens. If you use iPhone or iPad, the flow will still be a useful reference.

I started out recording on an iPad with an iRig.

Then I moved to Mac, and now I record at home with Logic Pro. I'm writing from the point of view of someone who has used both setups.

Are the Mac and iPhone/iPad Versions of GarageBand Operated the Same Way?

This is probably what you're wondering about first.

Here is the short answer.

The basic recording flow is almost the same. But the screens and the finer controls are different things.

The Mac version and the iOS version (iPhone and iPad) are actually built as separate apps.

Even so, the flow is the same: create a track, set the input, record, export.

So I can record even if I only have an iPhone.

Reader

ryo

You can. In fact, I started out recording on an iPad. The way you connect your gear changes a little, though, so I cover that in the second half.

What You Need to Record Guitar in GarageBand

A guitar and a Mac alone won't give you a good recorded sound.

At minimum, get the following gear together.

Audio interface [most important]

This is the device that connects your guitar to your Mac.

Whether you have one or not changes the quality of your recorded sound at its root.

You can pick up an amp's sound with your Mac's built-in mic. But honestly, I don't recommend it. It will be full of noise.

ryo

At first I recorded with an iRig. When I switched to a Tascam interface, the noise dropped and the outline of the sound became clear. Now I use an Apollo Twin Solo.

In my iPad days, I used an iRig, a simple interface for smartphones.

It was convenient and great for beginners. But when I moved to Mac and changed to a regular audio interface, the resolution of the sound was completely different.

I explain how to choose an interface in detail in this article.

Guitar cable and headphones

You need one guitar cable to connect your guitar to the interface. The one you normally plug into your amp is fine.

Headphones are essential too.

If you record while playing sound through speakers, that sound can leak back into the mic or the input. Headphones are the basic way to monitor.

If I play electric guitar, I don't need an amp?

Reader

ryo

You don't. GarageBand has amps built in. You plug the guitar straight into the interface and make the amp sound in the software. That's the mainstream style of home recording today.

I cover this "line recording" style in detail here.

Setup Before You Record [Where Many People Get Stuck]

Once your gear is connected, it's time to set up GarageBand.

If you skip this, you'll get "no sound" or "can't record." Let's go through it in order.

1. Choose input and output in the settings

After you launch GarageBand, open the settings from the menu bar.

Sometimes the interface's name doesn't show up under input device.

In that case, check the USB connection and restart GarageBand.

2. Create an empty project

After the settings, choose "Empty Project" to create a new one.

It then asks what type of track you want.

Choose the "Guitar" icon (audio track) here.

You might hesitate between it and the mic icon. If you plug your guitar in directly, choose the guitar icon. An amp is set up for you from the start, which makes things easier.

I'm curious about the "Drummer" track too.

Reader

ryo

That's a feature where AI plays the drums for you automatically. If you put a Drummer track down first, you can play along with the rhythm, which is handy. It feels better than playing to just a metronome.

Steps to Record Guitar

Now it's time to record. There are three steps.

1. Turn on input monitoring

Turn on the input monitoring button on the track.

Now you hear what you play, with effects applied, through your headphones.

If you can't hear anything, also check that the input gain knob on your interface isn't turned too low.

I explain how to think about gain settings in detail in this article too.

2. Set the metronome and count-in

Click the metronome icon at the top of the screen to turn it on and off. The shortcut is the K key.

Turn on the count-in too. After you press the record button, you get one bar of lead-in, so you can start playing without rushing.

3. Press R to start recording

When you're ready, just press the R key.

Recording starts. To stop, press the space bar.

It's fine if you make a mistake. Undo with Cmd + Z and record again as many times as you like.

ryo

When I first recorded myself and listened back, I was surprised that my rhythm was rushing. But noticing that became the start of my improvement.

Shaping Your Guitar Tone in GarageBand

Once you've recorded, next is the tone.

Use the built-in amps and pedals

Press the B key to open Smart Controls, and the amp screen appears.

It has presets of classic amps, from clean to high gain.

I recommend trying the presets one after another at first. You can switch from the library, which opens with the Y key.

GarageBand's amp feature is a simplified version of Logic Pro's Amp Designer. This review is a good reference for how capable it is.

When it feels limiting, use an external amp simulator

The Mac version of GarageBand supports AU plugins.

Serious amp sims like TONEX and AmpliTube work in GarageBand too.

ryo

The built-in amp was plenty for practice. But when I switched to TONEX, the response to my picking became a level more realistic.

You can buy both at Plugin Boutique.

Here are the product pages for TONEX MAX and AmpliTube 5 MAX v2.

Prices drop sharply during sales, so check the price before you choose.

Is there a way to get a better sound for free?

Reader

ryo

There is. Even free amp simulators alone can give you a more realistic sound than the built-in amp. Trying free ones first, then considering a paid version if you like them, is the way that avoids mistakes.

Editing After You Record

Now let's tidy up the performance you recorded.

Splitting and trimming regions

A chunk of recorded waveform is called a "region."

Place the playhead and press Cmd + T to split the region at that point.

Cut out only the part where you made a mistake and re-record just that. This is the most common way to use it.

You can also trim a region's length by hovering over its edge and dragging.

Fix timing problems with Flex Time

"The performance was good, but one note was off the beat..."

That's when Flex Time helps.

You can move just one specific note within the waveform forward or back to fix the timing. You don't have to re-record everything, so it saves time.

But don't rely on it too much. Moving a note far makes the sound unnatural. Basically, get the rhythm right in your playing.

Export Your Finished Song

Finally, export the song as an audio file.

Here is something to watch out for.

"Save" and "Export" are different things.

From the menu bar, choose "Share" → "Export Song to Disk".

Choose the format and quality, and you're done. If you only want people to listen, MP3 at 256 kbps is enough.

Tips for Recording on iPhone and iPad

From here, I have some extra notes for iPhone and iPad users.

Use a mobile interface such as an iRig to connect

You can't plug a guitar cable directly into an iPhone or iPad.

That's where a mobile interface like the iRig series comes in.

I used an iRig in my iPad days too.

It fits in a pocket, so you can record on the go. That convenience is a charm the Mac doesn't have.

ryo

When I was recording with an iPad and an iRig, the convenience was the biggest appeal. But I couldn't help noticing the noise and the thinness of the sound.

For sound quality, Mac plus an interface has the edge

Let me be honest.

If you want to pursue sound quality, in the end a Mac plus a regular audio interface has the advantage.

I also felt my sound improve at once when I moved to Mac.

That said, the path of "start casually on iPhone, then build a Mac setup once you get hooked" is perfectly fine. Being able to carry your project over to the Mac through iCloud is another strength of GarageBand.

So starting on iPhone and moving to Mac later isn't wasted.

Reader

ryo

It isn't. The recording flow you learn in GarageBand carries over directly to Logic Pro. The most important thing is to start with the gear you have now.

Stepping Up from GarageBand

If you use GarageBand a lot, the day will come when it feels limiting.

The main place to move to then is Logic Pro.

It is the upgraded version of GarageBand, so it feels almost the same. You can open your projects as they are.

If you want to compare other DAWs too, see this article.

Summary: GarageBand Is the Best Way into Home Guitar Recording

Finally, here are the key points of this article.

GarageBand is free.

If you have a Mac, you can start recording today.

Start by recording one phrase. Hearing your own playing objectively is the quickest path to getting better.

If you want to see the whole picture of home recording, read the roadmap article too.