Apple GarageBand '08 - Manual (Page 36)

36 Chapter 4 Tutorial 2: Adding Apple Loops
To add a loop to the timeline:
m Drag the loop from the loop browser to an empty part of the timeline where there is
no track. A new track of the appropriate type is created, and the loop is added to the
new track.
There are two types of Apple Loops: Real Instrument loops and Software Instrument
loops. In the loop browser, the loop’s icon shows which type each loop is. Real
Instrument loops have a blue icon with an audio waveform and Software Instrument
loops have a green icon with a musical note.
Note: You can also drag a loop to a track of the same type (Real or Software
Instrument) to add it to the timeline. If you drag a Software Instrument loop to a
Software Instrument track, a dialog appears, asking which instrument you want to use.
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.
You can change the default behavior in the Loops pane of GarageBand preferences.
When you add a loop to a project, a region is created in the timeline for the loop. 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.
You can also add audio files in any of the following formats to your project from the
Finder: AIFF, WAV, AAC (except protected AAC files), Apple Lossless, or MP3. When you
add a compressed file to a project (such as an AAC or MP3 file), it stays compressed,
saving space and time.
To add an audio file:
m Drag the file from the Finder to the timeline, either to a Real Instrument track or to the
empty area below the existing tracks.
If you drag an audio file to the empty area below the existing tracks, a new basic track
is added to the timeline, and the audio file is placed in the new track.