Using an Audio Interface in GarageBand in iLife ’11

To record instruments or microphones, try an audio interface as your input device with GarageBand in iLife '11. An audio interface is an adapter or a device that enables you to connect audio sources to your Mac. Setting up an audio interface in GarageBand in iLife '11 can be quick and painless.

1. Connect your instruments, microphones, and sound sources to the audio interface.

   
   

   Follow the connection instructions provided with your audio interface.

   
   



2. Choose GarageBand→Preferences; in the Preferences dialog, click the Audio/MIDI Interfaces button.

   
   

   The Audio/MIDI Interfaces pane appear.

   
   



3. Choose the audio interface from the Audio Input pop-up menu, and then close the Preferences dialog. (Click the red button in the upper left corner of the window.)

   
   

Many audio interfaces offer both MIDI and connections for other types of audio devices.They can come in several formats as well, including FireWire, PC card, PCI, and USB.

The Emagic Multichannel Interface 2|6 (www.emagic.com), for example, connects to your Mac’s USB port and offers six audio inputs (for line-in music, electric instruments, or microphones), as well as MIDI connections. The M-Audio FastTrack guitar and microphone interface (www.m-audio.com), which is small and portable — it draws its power from the USB connection.

You can configure the audio interface with more specific controls. The Apple utility Audio MIDI Setup works with audio devices to connect via FireWire, PCI, PCMCIA, or USB.

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