Before recording software instruments in GarageBand on Mac

You can connect a USB or MIDI music keyboard to your computer to play and record software instruments. You can play and record the software instruments built into GarageBand or software instruments you add as Audio Units plug-ins. See Use Audio Units plug-ins with on Mac for information on adding Audio Units plug-ins. You also need to add a software instrument track and choose a sound.

GarageBand’s built-in sounds are sorted into categories, such as Bass, Guitar, Orchestral, Piano, Synthesizer and so on. When you choose a sound patch from any of these categories, the Smart Controls area updates to show you controls for the patch. You can use these controls to adjust the sound. See Intro to Smart Controls in GarageBand on Mac.

Connect a music keyboard to your computer

In GarageBand on Mac, do one of the following:

If the keyboard is a USB music keyboard, connect the USB cable from the keyboard to your computer.
If the keyboard is a standard MIDI keyboard, connect the keyboard to a MIDI interface using standard MIDI cables, then connect the MIDI interface to your computer.

Make sure you follow the instructions that came with the keyboard, which may include installing the correct driver on your computer. Check the manufacturer’s website for the latest driver software. If you’re using a MIDI interface, make sure you follow the instructions that came with the interface.

Add a software instrument track and choose a patch

In GarageBand on Mac, do one of the following:
- Choose Track > New Track.
- Click the Add Tracks button above the track headers.
In the New Track dialogue, select Software Instrument.
Click Create.
In the Library, select a patch category from the list on the left, then select the patch you want to use from the list on the right.

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GarageBand User Guide

Before recording software instruments in GarageBand on Mac

Connect a music keyboard to your computer

Add a software instrument track and choose a patch