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GarageBand

GarageBand

Overview

What is GarageBand?

Apple offers GarageBand, a digital audio workstation packaged with its operating system.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

GarageBand has become the go-to software for users looking to conveniently record vocals and instruments at home. Its user-friendly …
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Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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Logic Pro (GarageBand Premium)

$199.99

On Premise

Garageband for Mac

Free

On Premise

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Details

What is GarageBand?

GarageBand Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsMac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Apple offers GarageBand, a digital audio workstation packaged with its operating system.

Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 9.4.

The most common users of GarageBand are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(23)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

GarageBand has become the go-to software for users looking to conveniently record vocals and instruments at home. Its user-friendly interface and intuitive controls have made it a preferred choice among musicians and podcast producers alike. The software's ease of use allows users to quickly edit audio episodes, removing unwanted sounds and achieving clean cuts during the editing process.

Businesses have also recognized the value of GarageBand for their marketing needs, relying on its capabilities to produce high-quality audio and voiceovers for their videos. Whether it's podcasting, creating YouTube content, or posting on social media, GarageBand provides an accessible tool for any staff member to produce professional-grade recordings. Additionally, individuals within organizations have found value in using GarageBand for marketing purposes such as podcasting and video-blogs.

The versatility of GarageBand extends beyond just music creation. Users have found it particularly useful for recording and editing audiobooks, creating guided meditations, and enhancing audio files where other software may fall short. Its smooth and efficient capabilities make it a preferred choice over more complex software options when it comes to music arrangement and production. With GarageBand, users can achieve their desired sound without the steep learning curve often associated with professional audio editing tools.

Editing Efficiency: Many users have found that editing in GarageBand is easy and efficient. They have appreciated the ability to highlight and delete specific parts of their work, making the editing process seamless.

Convenient Track Manipulation: Several reviewers have highlighted the convenient feature in GarageBand that allows them to drag two or more tracks together, keeping them in sync during the editing process. This capability simplifies the task of manipulating multiple tracks.

Intuitive Interface: The user-friendly design of GarageBand has been praised by many users. They have stated that it can be easily used by anyone, regardless of their experience level. The simple interface contributes to its accessibility and allows users to navigate the software effortlessly.

Limited File Compatibility: Some users have expressed frustration with GarageBand's limited file compatibility. They have stated that the software does not support certain audio file formats, making it difficult to import or export files from other music production tools.

Occasional Crashes and Glitches: Several reviewers have reported experiencing occasional crashes and glitches while using GarageBand. They mentioned that these interruptions can be disruptive to their workflow and require them to restart the application, potentially leading to lost progress.

Lack of Advanced Features: A number of users have felt that GarageBand lacks advanced features compared to other professional music production software. They have expressed a desire for more sophisticated editing tools, plugins, and effects options in order to enhance their creative possibilities.

GarageBand comes highly recommended for beginners and those who want to learn at their own pace. Users suggest watching YouTube tutorials to become familiar with the software. It is often recommended to start with GarageBand before progressing to more advanced options like Logic Pro or Pro Tools. GarageBand is praised for its ability to record music, use MIDI instruments, and experiment with loops. However, it may not be the best choice for professional environments, and users advise switching to Logic Pro for more comprehensive features. Educators are encouraged to use GarageBand to create valuable lessons for students. Before fully committing to GarageBand, it is suggested to explore more advanced software like Logic Pro or free alternatives such as Audacity. Overall, GarageBand is a great tool for beginners to dive into audio recording and editing, but professionals may find it lacking in certain areas.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-8 of 8)
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Tara Brueske | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Way more user friendly. Audacity was clunky in the editing part and Garage Band is not. I love that everything is laid out in an eye friendly fashion. Audacity had too many tools laid out in a busy way where it's actually hard to find things. Also, since Garage Band is free to Mac users, it was kind of a no brainer switch because it's also good training for you if you eventually want to use LOGIC.
Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
With GarageBand it's very easy to drag in MP3 and slide them where you want it. I have a folder of MP3 I use for every podcast episode such as intro music, outro music, advertisements, etc. I have used other audio editors like Audacity which I did not find to be intuitive. Audacity is another free program, however I always struggled with how to easily export MP3 files. I have had some clients that have recorded with Audacity and have gone back to open the recording file to discover it was blank. I never had this issue with GarageBand.
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Adobe Audition is another great audio editing/recording software, in fact it is much better compared to GarageBand and has much more effects. However, it has a pretty large price tag while GarageBand is completely free. Also, Adobe Audition has a very steep learning curve which makes it hard for our staff to get used to the software. Considering all this and after deep analysis we decided to opt for GarageBand, well at least for now. We may change in the future depending on our needs.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
FLStudio: It has a breadth of functionality compared to Garageband, and its equally easy to use.
Abelton: Its the best one that I have used, I have not even explored I believe 1% of the whole studio, but that proved to be enough for me on the project that I was working on. (For long term definitely would recommend this )
Shawngela Pierce | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I have used Adobe Audition before but found it to be hard to learn. Some of the features were very nice but too much for what I needed to justify the price. GarageBand is perfect for my needs and it came free with my Mac laptop. That is the best deal in town!
Ben Caplan | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
GarageBand isn't the most powerful audio editing tool on the market, but for a free tool to Apple users... you can't go wrong.

This tool has all the features a beginning user would ever need... and more! It's no Adobe platform, but if you're testing an idea or trying something new, don't waste the money on Adobe just to be disappointed/deterred with the complexity.

If you're just getting into podcasting, music production, audio editing - use this! Once you get familiar with GarageBand and all the different tools that are available and how to best use them, that's when I'd look to upgrade. You'll be able to better appreciate a tool like Adobe Audition once you've mastered the features of a free tool like GarageBand.
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