Garageband is a versatile music editing software that is not only beneficial for creating music, but also for dance teachers who want to customize songs for their dance routines. In this article, we will guide you through the process of cutting a section out of a song using Garageband.
Step 1: Open iTunes and Find the Song
Start by opening iTunes and locating the song you want to edit. If you find it easier, you can drag the song to the desktop for easier access later on.
Step 2: Open Garageband and Create an Empty Project
Next, open Garageband and double-click on “Empty Project.” Wait for the project to load and you will see a screen with various options.
Step 3: Import the Song into Garageband
To import the song into Garageband, click on the little iTunes button located at the top of the screen. This will open a window where you can locate your song using iTunes. Drag the song from your desktop to Garageband, making sure the green plus sign appears.
Step 4: Set the Display Mode and Zoom In
Once the song is imported, click on the little scissors button to bring up the editing area. Click on the song and go to the display mode option. Select “Time” to view the song in seconds instead of just numbers. This will allow you to zoom in and out for more detailed editing.
Step 5: Identify the Section to be Cut
Listen to the song and identify the section you want to cut. You can use the zoom feature to get a closer look at the waveform. In this example, the section to be cut is between 2:18 and 2:48.
Step 6: Make the Cut
To make the cut, start by letting the song play a little past the section you want to keep. Then, use the cutting tool to make the cut. You can simply drag your cursor to a specific area and hit delete to remove it from the song. Ensure that there is no missing music between the two segments after the cut is made.
Step 7: Create a New Track for Fading
To achieve a smooth transition between the cut sections, create a new track in Garageband. This will allow you to fade the first track into the second track seamlessly.
Step 8: Drag and Overlap the Tracks
Drag the second track below the first track and overlap them. This will create a rough transition between the two sections.
Step 9: Adjust the Volume Levels and Fades
To create a smoother transition between the two tracks, adjust the volume levels and fades. Click on the squiggly line with two dots to access the volume levels. Fade out the ending of the first track and fade in the beginning of the second track.
Step 10: Preview and Adjust as Needed
Preview the edited song to ensure that the transitions and cuts sound right. You can adjust the fades and volume levels as needed to achieve the desired effect.
Step 11: Save and Share the Edited Song
Once you are satisfied with the edited song, save your changes. Then, click on “Share” and select the option to send the song to iTunes. Name the song and hit “Share.” Garageband will automatically open iTunes for you to hear the final edited version.
By following these steps, you can easily cut a section out of a song and customize it for your dance routine using Garageband. Experiment with different fades and volume levels to achieve the desired effect. With Garageband, dance teachers can create seamless and professional edits for their dance performances.
