GarageBand with VoiceOver 2

by Keith Reedy

Editor’s Note: This tutorial pertains to recent versions of Mac OS X, VoiceOver, and GarageBand. For best results, we recommend using this tutorial with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, and the version of GarageBand which ships with iLife ‘08. Use your "Software Update" utility from the Apple menu to install all updates to the software before continuing.

Working with tracks in GarageBand with Voiceover

Creating a new track in your GarageBand project.

Creating a new track is done with,

command-option-n.  You will be ask to choose one of the buttons for either a synthesized instrument, or, a real instrument as with a microphone.  You will need to choose these with VO keys-right, or, left arrow keys.  When you have chosen one of these buttons, select the button with, VO keys-space bar.  Now tab to creat and press, VO keys-space bar.

You are now ready to record.

One of the unique things you can do in GarageBand is name your tracks.

While on your track, press VO keys-end and Voiceover will say, Save instrument button.

VO keys-space bar on this button and you will be presented with an edit box.  Type in the name and tab over to save and press VO keys-space bar.

When you have a few tracts created, you can find a list of your tracks.  Just VO keys-right arrow once to the right of the scrol area.

You can arrow up and down through the list of tracks you have created, until you hear the name of the track you wish to work with, solo that track if you wish with the letter s, pressing the letter s again will take solo off.  You are now ready to  do what ever work you want to do on your selected track.  When you are finished, don’t forget to lock your track, so that you don’t accidentally record over your work.

Command-l to lock your track and command-l to unlock your track.