GarageBand Audio Interface

Audio Interfaces

GarageBand has largely been designed with live recording in mind, so you will need equipment that can capture the output of your available sound sources, whether that's a human voice or an electric guitar.

Unless you are working with a dedicated audio interface with a built-in pre-amp (see below) you will need some way of boosting the low-level signal produced by a microphone. This could take the form of a small mixer or an inexpensive microphone pre-amp, which makes the signal strong enough to feed into your computer's line level input.

If you want to work with Software Instruments, you will also need a keyboard with a MIDI output and USB MIDI Interface. Keyboards which plug directly into your computer's USB port are also considered the easiest to install and configure.

If you are serious about producing professional-quality tracks, you will also need to invest in a pair of good-quality studio monitors. These are speakers specifically designed for monitoring music during the production process, and will help you eveluate your efforts at any time.

Engadget regulary review a variety of audio interfaces and all the other commonly-used pieces of recording equipment. Although reviews are a great way to narrow down the options, finding a local shop with knowledgeable sales assistants is a must, particulary when making your first purchase.

A Basic Guide To Choosing An Audio Interface.

Although the built-in audio facilities found in Apple computers can produce respectable results, a dedicated audio interface is useful when it comes to music production. Apple's built-in audio facilities are genrally more noisy and are often only capable of accepting a line-level input, so a separate pre-amp is needed for acoustic recording, costing as much as an audio interface with a built-in pre-amp.

What's more, third-party audio interfaces are often capable of recording at higher sample rates and bit depths, resulting in more professional recordings. If funds are tight, you can certainly get by without an audio interface, but it's something to keep in mind as you progress with GarageBand.

There are many audio intefaces that are compatable with GarageBand (like the MOTU 2408 above left) from standard PCI cards to multi-channel devices connected via FireWire port.