1. Mac Garageband
2. Garageband Audio Units Mac Pro

Audio Units (AU) In GarageBand: Using a new Audio Unit Instrument This is slightly more complicated. New Audio Unit Instruments don't appear in GarageBand's browser-like list that you see when you create a new track — not until you create a preset with them and save it. Instead, they appear in the Generators popup. Create a new track, open the Details. Triangle at the bottom of the window. Apr 08, 2019  GarageBand is a digital audio workstation (DAW) and music sequencer that can record and playback multiple tracks of audio. Built-in audio filters that use the AU (audio unit) standard allow the user to enhance the audio track with various effects, including reverb. Best FREE Instrument Plugins Free instrument VST Plugins, VST3 Plugins, Audio Units Plugins (AU), AAX Plugins and Rack Extension Plugins for Windows and Mac OS X. The results are sorted by most popular with KVR members (Data from MyKVR 'Favorites' Group). GarageBand: Adding Audio Units (Instruments and Effects) GarageBand's range of effects and software instruments can be expanded simply by adding plug-ins known as Audio Units, some of which (both freeware and shareware) are reviewed on this site. This article explains the basics of what they are and how to use them with GarageBand.

GarageBand's range of effects and software instruments can be expanded simply by adding plug-ins known as Audio Units. This article explains the basics of what they are and how to use them with GarageBand.

What are Audio Units?

Audio Units are an Apple-created plug-in standard for audio applications. The idea is that an Audio Unit plug-in will work with any audio application on your Mac, and although in practice some applications use different plug-in types (Cubase, for instance, uses VST plug-ins, a standard devised by Steinberg way before the days of OS X), GarageBand, being an Apple product, sticks to Apple guidelines and will accept only Audio Unit plug-ins.

As far as GarageBand is concerned, Audio Units come into two types — effects and software instruments — but the way you add these to two types your system is identical, and it is in fact impossible to tell, from simply looking at an Audio Unit component, which type it is. Both have the same standard icon:

(Though, note that some developers will give their Audio Units a custom icon.)

Once downloaded, the majority do not have an installer, but require you to move the component manually onto the right place on your hard drive.

So, where do Audio Unit Components go?

They should be copied to the Components folder in the Plug-Ins folder in the Audio folder of your Library folder (which is in your Home folder).

In OS X shorthand, this is ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/.

Once the Component is in the Components folder, it will be available when you next start up GarageBand.

A couple of notes before we get to how to use this new Audio Unit in GarageBand, though. When you download a freeware or shareware component, it may come with a Read Me file or documentation. This might contain different installation instructions, though this is rare, but always check. There may also be a manual, which it is a good idea to read.

Also, a useful tip: as it is impossible to tell an Audio Unit Effect from an Audio Unit Software Instrument just by looking at it, you might want to use the Finder's Label feature to give the icon a colour, say, green for effects and blue for software instruments.

So you've downloaded you new Audio Unit, gone through all the foofaraw of dragging it into the right folder (why can't OS X automatically put plug-ins into the right Library folder, like OS 9 used to do when you dragged extensions onto the System folder?), and now you open up GarageBand and look around for a sign that your favourite music-making app has been transformed by its brand new plug-in.

Well, you have to hunt around a bit, thought not too much, fortunately, and in different places according to the type of plug-in you've just added.

Using a new Audio Unit Effect

Let's look at how to use a new effects plug-in first. This is just the same as using any of GarageBand's standard effects. You create a new track, or bring up the Track Info window for an existing track and click on one of the two effects popup menus. You'll find GarageBand's standard effects listed at the top of this menu, then, under the grey heading Audio Unit Effects, you'll find you new effect listed in alphabetical order.

Select it, then click the pencil-styled edit button to change the parameters for the new effect. When you play your song, you'll hear it in operation.

This is slightly more complicated. New Audio Unit Instruments don't appear in GarageBand's browser-like list that you see when you create a new track — not until you create a preset with them and save it. Instead, they appear in the Generators popup. Create a new track, open the Details.. triangle at the bottom of the window, and open the Generators popup menu. As with new Audio Unit Effects, instruments are listed in a section below GarageBand's standard instruments, under the grey heading Audio Unit Modules.

Simply select your new Audio Unit Instrument by name, click the edit button to make any changes (if creating a track, you will have to click Create then bring up the Track Info window again to do this — just a quirk of GarageBand), and you can start using your new Audio Instrument.

Incredible music.
In the key of easy.

GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio right inside your Mac — with a complete sound library that includes instruments, presets for guitar and voice, and an incredible selection of session drummers and percussionists. With Touch Bar features for MacBook Pro and an intuitive, modern design, it’s easy to learn, play, record, create, and share your hits worldwide. Now you’re ready to make music like a pro.

Start making professional‑sounding music right away. Plug in your guitar or mic and choose from a jaw‑dropping array of realistic amps and effects. You can even create astonishingly human‑sounding drum tracks and become inspired by thousands of loops from popular genres like EDM, Hip Hop, Indie, and more.

More sounds, more inspiration.
Plug in your USB keyboard and dive into the completely inspiring and expanded Sound Library, featuring electronic‑based music styles like EDM and Hip Hop. The built‑in set of instruments and loops gives you plenty of creative freedom.

The Touch Bar takes center stage.
The Touch Bar on MacBook Pro puts a range of instruments at your fingertips. Use Performance view to turn the Touch Bar into drum pads or a one-octave keyboard for playing and recording.

Plug it in. Tear it up.
Plug in your guitar and choose from a van-load of amps, cabinets, and stompboxes.

Design your dream bass rig.
Customize your bass tone just the way you want it. Mix and match vintage or modern amps and speaker cabinets. You can even choose and position different microphones to create your signature sound.

Drumroll please.
GarageBand features Drummer, a virtual session drummer that takes your direction and plays along with your song. Choose from 28 drummers and three percussionists in six genres.

Shape your sound. Quickly and easily.
Whenever you’re using a software instrument, amp, or effect, Smart Controls appear with the perfect set of knobs, buttons, and sliders. So you can shape your sound quickly with onscreen controls or by using the Touch Bar on MacBook Pro.

Look, Mom — no wires.
You can wirelessly control GarageBand right from your iPad with the Logic Remote app. Play any software instrument, shape your sound with Smart Controls, and even hit Stop, Start, and Record from across the room.

Jam with drummers of every style.

Drummer, the virtual session player created using the industry’s top session drummers and recording engineers, features 28 beat‑making drummers and three percussionists. From EDM, Dubstep, and Hip Hop to Latin, Metal, and Blues, whatever beat your song needs, there’s an incredible selection of musicians to play it. Djay remote not connecting.

Each drummer has a signature kit that lets you produce a variety of groove and fill combinations. Use the intuitive controls to enable and disable individual sounds while you create a beat with kick, snare, cymbals, and all the cowbell you want. If you need a little inspiration, Drummer Loops gives you a diverse collection of prerecorded acoustic and electronic loops that can be easily customized and added to your song.

Audition a drummer for a taste of his or her distinct style.

Powerful synths with shape‑shifting controls.

Get creative with 100 EDM- and Hip Hop–inspired synth sounds. Every synth features the Transform Pad Smart Control, so you can morph and tweak sounds to your liking.

Sweeping Arp

Droplets

Bright Punchy Synth

Pumping Synth Waves

Epic Hook Synth

Learn to play

Welcome to the school of rock. And blues. And classical.

Get started with a great collection of built‑in lessons for piano and guitar. Or learn some Multi‑Platinum hits from the actual artists who recorded them. You can even get instant feedback on your playing to help hone your skills.

Take your skills to the next level. From any level.
Choose from 40 different genre‑based lessons, including classical, blues, rock, and pop. Video demos and animated instruments keep things fun and easy to follow.

Teachers with advanced degrees in hit‑making.
Learn your favorite songs on guitar or piano with a little help from the original recording artists themselves. Who better to show you how it’s done?

Instant feedback.
Play along with any lesson, and GarageBand will listen in real time and tell you how you’re doing, note for note. Track your progress, beat your best scores, and improve your skills.

Tons of helpful recording and editing features make GarageBand as powerful as it is easy to use. Edit your performances right down to the note and decibel. Fix rhythm issues with a click. Finesse your sound with audio effect plug‑ins. And finish your track like a pro, with effects such as compression and visual EQ.

Go from start to finish. And then some.
Create and mix up to 255 audio tracks. Easily name and reorder your song sections to find the best structure. Then polish it off with all the essentials, including reverb, visual EQ, volume levels, and stereo panning.

Take your best take.
Record as many takes as you like. You can even loop a section and play several passes in a row. GarageBand saves them all in a multi‑take region, so it’s easy to pick the winners.

Your timing is perfect. Even when it isn’t.
Played a few notes out of time? Simply use Flex Time to drag them into place. You can also select one track as your Groove Track and make the others fall in line for a super‑tight rhythm.

Polish your performance.
Capture your changes in real time by adjusting any of your software instruments’ Smart Controls while recording a performance. You can also fine‑tune your music later in the Piano Roll Editor.

Mac Garageband

Touch Bar. A whole track at your fingertips.
The Touch Bar on MacBook Pro lets you quickly move around a project by dragging your finger across a visual overview of the track.

Wherever you are, iCloud makes it easy to work on a GarageBand song. You can add tracks to your GarageBand for Mac song using your iPhone or iPad when you’re on the road. Or when inspiration strikes, you can start sketching a new song idea on your iOS device, then import it to your Mac to take it even further.

GarageBand for iOS

Play, record, arrange, and mix — wherever you go.

GarageBand for Mac

Your personal music creation studio.

Logic Remote

Garageband Audio Units Mac Pro

A companion app for Logic Pro X.