Introduction

Before the creation of virtual music editor programs such as GarageBand, Acid, or Digital Performer, recording and mixing music was only possibly through use of a recording studio or expensive audio equipment. These methods are not only scarcely accessible, but quite expensive as well, and therefore usually only available to the more talented/experienced artists. But with newly developed forms of audio-digital technology, musicians of any level of skill or musical involvement are able to record, mix, and create their own musical pieces with relative ease and little cost. The technology has become so advanced, in fact, that some programs have eliminated the need for any instruments at all, and they can be added in and customized by the simple click of a button.

This technology is important not only because it has made the creation of music more accessible, but it has also provided an outlet for musicians to explore their creativity in ways only a recording studio could provide. No longer do musicians have to stay within the “physical” confines of music with merely instruments and voice. New dimensions can be added to songs such as harmonies, sound effects, overtones, pitch configurations, and tone modifications-the possibilities are no longer limited to what you physically own or are physically able to play.

To show how these improved technologies have effectively made at-home musical composition accessible, our group has chosen to create, record, edit, and mix our own song through the use of one of these programs: GarageBand.

Throughout our song creation process, GarageBand played a key role in every aspect of the finished product. This software allowed us to drastically improve the quality of song that we had initially recorded, without having to improve the recording conditions, which were not ideal. We also used GarageBand to add effects to both the guitar and drum parts, which in the end made the song much more cohesive.

The goal of this project is to illustrate how Garageband and other similar technologies have made advanced musical creation more accessible to anyone interested in making their own music in the comfort of their own home.