In GarageBand, the term “input” refers to the audio signal that is coming into the software from an external source, such as a musical instrument or microphone. When you connect an instrument or microphone to your computer or audio interface and select it as the input source in GarageBand, you can then monitor and record the sound from that source.
For example, let’s say you have a guitar that you want to record in GarageBand. You would connect your guitar to an audio interface or directly to your computer using a cable. In GarageBand, you would then select the input source as your guitar, which tells the software to listen to the sound coming from your guitar.
Once you have set up the input source, you can turn on monitoring for the track. This means that when you play your guitar, you will hear the sound through your speakers or headphones in real-time. This is important because it allows you to hear what you are playing as you record, making it easier to stay in time and make adjustments to your performance if needed.
Monitoring the input signal can also be helpful for adjusting the recording levels. You can visually monitor the input level meter in GarageBand to make sure the signal is not too quiet or too loud. Adjusting the input level ensures that your recording will have a good sound quality and avoid any clipping or distortion.
In my personal experience, I’ve used GarageBand to record vocals. I connected a microphone to my audio interface, selected it as the input source in GarageBand, and turned on monitoring for the track. This allowed me to hear my vocals through my headphones as I sang, giving me a better sense of how my performance sounded.
In GarageBand, the term “input” refers to the audio signal coming from an external source, such as a musical instrument or microphone. By selecting the input source and turning on monitoring for the track, you can hear and record the sound from that source in real-time. This feature is essential for monitoring and adjusting the recording levels, as well as providing a better overall recording experience.