User Manual

38 Chapter 4 Using Apple Loops
You can also convert a Software Instrument loop to a Real Instrument loop when you
drag it to the timeline. Real Instrument loops require less processing power for
playback, which can allow you to use more tracks and effects in your project, especially
for projects with many loops.
To convert a Software Instrument loop to a Real Instrument loop:
m Option-drag the loop from the loop browser to the timeline.
By default, Option-dragging a Software Instrument loop converts it to a Real
Instrument loop. You can change the default so that dragging a Software Instrument
loop converts it to a Real Instrument loop, and Option-dragging does not convert it.
To change the default behavior for converting Software Instrument loops:
1 Choose GarageBand > Preferences, then click Loops.
2 Select the “Convert to Real Instrument” checkbox next to “Adding Loops to the
Timeline.”
When you add a loop to a project, a region is created from the loop in the timeline. The
edits you make to the region do not change the original loop, so you can always return
to the original sound of the loop or use it in another project.
Now try adding some of the drum and bass loops you found earlier to the timeline.
Creating Your Own Apple Loops
You can save Real and Software Instrument regions you record as Apple Loops. When
you save a region as an Apple Loop, it is added to the loop library and appears in the
loop browser, so you can use it in other projects.
Apple Loops you create from recorded regions match the tempo and key of the
project, just like the Apple Loops included with GarageBand.
To save a region as an Apple Loop:
1 Select the region in the timeline.
2 Choose Edit > Add To Loop Library, or drag the region over the loop browser.
3 In the Add Loop dialog, do the following:
a Type a name for the loop.
b Choose the scale and genre from the pop-up menus.
c Choose an instrument category and instrument name from the list.
d Click the appropriate mood buttons for easy searching.
4 Click Create.
For information about recording Real and Software Instruments and creating regions,
see Chapter 6 and Chapter 7.