Sequencing drums in GarageBand?

[draelyc]

I've pulled up some of the built in kits and copy/pasta to make a track long enough for a quick demo of an amp or to sketch out a rough song idea ... but ...

Is it possible in GB to sequence a whole drum part, like for an entire song ~ placing hits and fills, etc., right where you want them?

Is anybody besides me still using GarageBand? Lol...

[trey85stang2]

you can do it, a midi keyboard will help, but you can do it all in the piano roll. Its tedious but can be done. I personally use an alesis sample pad pro, play the drum parts (the best I can) then fix my sloppy playing in piano roll

[Ostinato Rubato]

Step 1) post 5 drum sample comparison videos in the most confusing format you can manage.

[draelyc]

you can do it, a midi keyboard will help, but you can do it all in the piano roll. Its tedious but can be done. I personally use an alesis sample pad pro, play the drum parts (the best I can) then fix my sloppy playing in piano roll

Dig. Thanks!

I was afeerd that I might need to consider some outboard gear ~ all the sequencing I've done so far has been with (touch sensitive) pads, and then as you say, fixing the sloppy bits in the editing.

[Marc G]

Step 1) post 5 drum sample comparison videos in the most confusing format you can manage.

you can use the digital piano roll to do it in the software... or use a midi controller like a keyboard or drumpad to do it externally...

what version are you using?

[draelyc]

Step 1) post 5 drum sample comparison videos in the most confusing format you can manage.

you can use the digital piano roll to do it in the software... or use a midi controller like a keyboard or drumpad to do it externally...

what version are you using?

I can never remember off the top of my head, and I'm at the office now and can't look it up.

I've only just now looked up how to open up the piano roll, after Trey's post, above.

I R noobzors, lol.

[Marc G]

depending on your version there will be a Garageband Drummer you can insert, it will automate the drums for you and you should be able to export it to Midi and then apply a drum kit to it and THENNNN just modify it if need be... I know you can do that in Logic at least

[draelyc]

depending on your version there will be a Garageband Drummer you can insert, it will automate the drums for you and you should be able to export it to Midi and then apply a drum kit to it and THENNNN just modify it if need be... I know you can do that in Logic at least

Oh, man. :-/ So many steps...

I found the various drum kits that came with GB, and I've used them to make short clips/amp demos 'round here...

But I couldn't figure out (at least not quickly and intuitively, without a manual) how to create my own patterns using those kits, rather than being stuck with whatever patterns the kits automatically play.

[neilrocks25]

depending on your version there will be a Garageband Drummer you can insert, it will automate the drums for you and you should be able to export it to Midi and then apply a drum kit to it and THENNNN just modify it if need be... I know you can do that in Logic at least

This.

[neilrocks25]

depending on your version there will be a Garageband Drummer you can insert, it will automate the drums for you and you should be able to export it to Midi and then apply a drum kit to it and THENNNN just modify it if need be... I know you can do that in Logic at least

Oh, man. :-/ So many steps...

I found the various drum kits that came with GB, and I've used them to make short clips/amp demos 'round here...

But I couldn't figure out (at least not quickly and intuitively, without a manual) how to create my own patterns using those kits, rather than being stuck with whatever patterns the kits automatically play.

It might be worth stepping up to another program, like Cubase elements its not expensive.

[trey85stang2]

garageband is free, so the latest is a just a trip to the app store. if you are already familiar with garageband and have a ton of crap in it (and will be sticking with a mac) then logic pro is a great choice.

[draelyc]

Thanks for the replies, y'all!

Sounds like A) I need to poke around in GB and experiment a bit to see what's what, and B) I might orta invest in a set of pads I can use to play in basic patterns by hand, which I could then clean up in the software.

Not really at a point where I can think about stepping up to a bigger, better DAW ~ and I've barely scratched the surface of GB so far, anyway.

Much appreesh, y'all!

[trey85stang2]

Not really at a point where I can think about stepping up to a bigger, better DAW ~ and I've barely scratched the surface of GB so far, anyway.

Garageband is pretty feature rich for free. The one main reason I made the switch to logic pro was the limitation of changing tempo in song and honestly that is the only major limitation I recall (its been 3-4 years since I have used garageband though). If you are sticking with mostly au's that you bought anyways then I dont think logic pro will add much.

[draelyc]

...

I don't know what an "au" is. I prolly should stick with basics for now, lol!!!

[trey85stang2]

...

I don't know what an "au" is. I prolly should stick with basics for now, lol!!!

audio unit, its basically apples vst. It doesnt support vst plugins natively.

[JerEvil]

GB will do exactly what you are asking. If you use the Drummer feature, use the kittle controller ball to get an approximation of what you want. Then you can always convert it to a midi track and adjust it from there if you want. For your needs I am sure the Dummer will be fine. Experiment with different "drummers" and kits.

Also, if you want more control to drag and drop, go here...

www.groovemonkee.com

I use their stuff all the time. You literally piece a song together one part at a time.

[draelyc]

GB will do exactly what you are asking. If you use the Drummer feature, use the kittle controller ball to get an approximation of what you want. Then you can always convert it to a midi track and adjust it from there if you want. For your needs I am sure the Dummer will be fine. Experiment with different "drummers" and kits.

Also, if you want more control to drag and drop, go here...

http://www.groovemonkee.com

I use their stuff all the time. You literally piece a song together one part at a time.

I haven't had a chance to try this yet, but I will ~ much appreciated, Jer!

[Ostinato Rubato]

I just watched some quick tutorials on how to do this in Garage Band. So I know how, but I’m not gonna tell you.

[draelyc]

I just watched some quick tutorials on how to do this in Garage Band. So I know how, but I’m not gonna tell you.

D’oh! This is because I kicked you, isn’t it?

[video]https://youtu.be/Rzu6hdfZ2V4[/video]

[K-Bizzle]

I use Garageband on my ipad for all my writing because of its ability to be quick and easy with drums.
Doesn't have most of the tools people want in a DAW but I use it for getting ideas laid down and clearly communicated. Doesn't need to be any better than it is.

So with that said what I always do is a combo of manually programming the kick and snare (and sometimes crashes if needed) and using the built in Drummers to handle everything else (fills, tom work, almost all the symbols).
Its easy to "program" the kick and snare on iPad because I just play out the rhythm for each part. Fix it where needed, then loop. After that add the drummer and usually have the drummer synced to the bass or rhythm guitar. Sometimes I sync it to the kick/snare part.

Anyway I write songs FAST this way and the software mostly stays out of my way which is why I like it. Someday soon I'll use a more serious DAW but I love the flow on the ipad with garageband for writing.

[itchyfingers]

Of all the dead threads to be reincarnated... That or Drae has died and been reincarnated as a Chinese bot named MonikaLarkin.


Edit: Spellung is hardt

[K-Bizzle]

Of all the dead threads to be reincernated... That or Drae has died and been reincarnated as a Chinese bot named MonikaLarkin.

Wow, obviously I did not fucking notice.
Captain observant over here, I guess I always assume if its under active/view new posts its actually new and not some weird necro bot bump.

[Tortuga]

Cmon, K - admit you got excited at the thought of a token female joining the fray

[K-Bizzle]

Cmon, K - admit you got excited at the thought of a token female joining the fray

Too old any married for that unfortunately.

Also

[itchyfingers]

Of all the dead threads to be reincernated... That or Drae has died and been reincarnated as a Chinese bot named MonikaLarkin.

Wow, obviously I did not fucking notice.
Captain observant over here, I guess I always assume if its under active/view new posts its actually new and not some weird necro bot bump.

Wasn't calling you out, KB I promise! The only reason I noticed is because I hadn't seen a Drae-which-minutiae-is-better thread in like a year.