The Complete List of Mixing Tips for GarageBand macOS

[AndrewS]

This is the beginning stage of the ultimate mixing tips resource for GarageBand users. If you have tips of your own, make sure to share. Have any questions? Ask away. I'm going to turn this into the greatest resource made on the subject.

Eventually, every tip will be illustrated with videos, links, images, etc, as the list gets more flushed out and completed.

1. Avoid clipping; ensure tracks don't peak in the red zone on output meters​

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2. Use output meters in GarageBand; keep volume in the yellow or green​

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3. It's okay if the master volume clips slightly when preparing for export​

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4. Name tracks and MIDI regions properly for easier navigation and mixing​

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5. Utilize up to 15 plug-ins per track in GarageBand​

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6. Order of plug-ins in the signal chain affects the overall sound​

Beginning of Chain​

Noise Gate
↓
Pitch Correction
↓
Subtractive EQ
↓
Compressor
↓
Distortion/Overdrive/Saturation
↓
Additive EQ
↓
Modulation Effects (Chorus, Phaser, Flanger)
↓
Reverb
↓
Delay
↓
Limiter

End of Chain​

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7. Turn off "Export Projects at Full Volume" in GarageBand preferences​

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8. Use the "Cycle Area" function to repeat and analyze sections​

9. Create manual fade-outs using volume automation​

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10. Listen to mixes on both high-quality and low-quality headphones, and in a car​

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11. Employ subtractive EQ before additive EQ​

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12. Utilize preset compressor settings in GarageBand​

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13. Use reverb and delay judiciously; avoid excessive reverb​

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14. Avoid running effects on the output master track​

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15. Use a noise gate on noisy tracks, like guitar​

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16. Understand and manage the signal-to-noise ratio​

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17. Allow instruments to ring out for natural endings​

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18. Invest in quality studio headphones for accurate sound representation​

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19. Use Auto-Tune and pitch correction sparingly​

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20. Utilize volume automation to minimize noise during silent parts​

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21. Remove low frequencies from vocal tracks to enhance clarity​

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22. Compression is optional; don't over-compress​

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23. Mix in mono to ensure sound consistency across all playback systems​

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24. Use premium mixing plugins for advanced sound manipulation​

Recommended Mixing Articles (Links Included)​

How to Make GarageBand Projects MUCH Louder
How Loud Should Vocals Be? [ANSWERED – With Examples]
How to Make Drums Sound Good in Garageband (ALL the Tips)
How to EQ Drums in Garageband (An Illustrated Guide)
How to Mix Drums in Garageband – (A FULL Guide)
The Last Reference Track Mixing Tutorial You’ll Ever Need
How To Pan Guitars in the Mix (Electric, Acoustic, and More)
How to Make Guitars Sound Better in Garageband
How to Use Parallel Compression in Garageband
How To Automate EQ in Garageband
Using Compression On Vocals In Garageband (A Step-By-Step Guide)
How To Mix A Beat In Garageband
How To Make Garageband Instruments Sound More Professional
How To EQ Guitars In Garageband (Acoustic, Clean, Distorted)
How To Get Rid Of Background Noise In Garageband
How To Export Out Of Garageband Without Normalizing (Fixes Volume)
Mixing In Mono With Garageband (How To & Why It’s Important)
Why Are Garageband Songs So Quiet?
Panning In Garageband – (How To and Best Practices)
How To Mix Using Garageband
What Is EQ And How To Use It In Garageband
How to Master A Song In Garageband
How To Mix Vocals In Garageband
What Is A Limiter And How Do I Use It In Garageband?
24 Basic (And Actually Useful) Mixing Tips For Garageband
What Is Compression And How Do I Use It In GarageBand?

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[Captaincrypto]

I was wondering about the one tip about the order of the plug-ins on a track. Any tips on what order works best? I am working with IOS GarageBand so number of plugins are limited and it’s too bad we can’t replace the stock visual eq no compressor with 3rd party plug ins

 

[AndrewS]

That’s a good idea. Let me add that to the list in a moment.

Here's how I usually do plugin signal chain order.

1. Noise Gate:
2. Pitch Correction:
3. Subtractive EQ:
4. Compressor:
5. Distortion/Overdrive/Saturation: .
6. Additive EQ:
7. Modulation Effects (Chorus, Phaser, Flanger):
8. Reverb:
9. Delay:
10. Limiter: