Step-by-step How to record multiple takes

1 Project launch

To start, you need Garageband launched and either an existing project opened or a new one created with at least a single audio track receiving an input signal to record.

2 Cycle selection

The cycle area marks a spell in the timeline where the playhead will repeatedly record. Toggle this yellow strip on with the C key before sizing and positioning accordingly.

3 Repeat performance

Click the Record button in the control bar and keep performing as the cycles repeat, noticing how each recording pass goes over the previous take until you click Stop (S).

4 Number crunch

Don’t worry, each take has been recorded without losing those prior. You can navigate between them by clicking the little number badge in the top-left corner of the region.

5 Audition process

This shows a takes pop-up menu that crucially lets you click a take from its list of passes to shuffle it up to the top of the pile to ‘audition’ it during project playback.

6 Multiple tracks

If you have several audio inputs available across a number of tracks, you can also ‘multi-track’ record during each pass while still capturing a take through every cycle.

7 Configure header

Navigate to Track>configure Track

Header from Garageband’s top file menu. This shows a special pop-up menu where you need to check ‘Record Enable’ under Buttons.

8 Record enabling

With Record Enable buttons now inside our track headers, click each to initialise every desired track you wish to record its input within simultaneously during recording.

9 Press Record

Enabled tracks show their buttons flashing red and when you click the main project Record button, you will see that the audio input signals are captured now to each one.