Apple GarageBand 2.0 - Manual (Page 66)

66 Chapter 10 Mixing and Adding Effects
Setting the Output Volume
You can set the output volume of a song using the master volume slider, located below
the lower-right corner of the timeline. The master volume slider controls the volume of
the song when it is exported. You should adjust the output volume to a level high
enough to eliminate background noise, but not high enough to cause clipping.
The master volume slider is intended to control the output, or export, volume of the
song. Use your computer’s volume control to adjust the volume at which you listen to
the song play.
To set the master volume:
• Drag the master volume slider to adjust the output volume of a song. Drag the slider
left to lower the output volume, or right to raise the output volume. Option-click the
slider to return it to a neutral value (0 dB gain).
• As the song plays, watch the master level meters located above the master volume
slider. Before you export a song, make sure the small red dots to the right of the level
meters are not lit. These dots (called clipping indicators) light to show that the
volume level of the song at some point is too high, which will cause distortion or
“clipping” in the exported song.
Adding Fade Ins and Fade Outs
A very common mixing technique is to add a fade in at the beginning of a song, and a
fade out at the end of the song. Fade ins make the music seem to “come out of
nowhere”, and fade outs create the feeling that the song continues playing. You can
easily add fade ins and fade outs to your songs, and add other volume changes to the
song over time.
To add a fade in:
1 Choose Track > Show Master Track.
The master track appears at the bottom of the timeline.
2 From the pop-up menu on the left side of the row, choose Master Volume.
The master volume curve appears in the master track.
3 Click the master volume curve at the point you want the fade in to end.
4 Drag the control point at the beginning of the master track down to the volume level
at which you want the fade in to start. To start with complete silence, drag it all the way
down.
Now play the song from the beginning. You’ll hear all the tracks in the song fade in
gradually to their final volume level.
To add a fade out:
1 Choose Track > Show Master Track.