- Running Garageband For Mac Os X On Windows Machine
- Running Garageband For Mac Os X On Windows Pc
- Hackintosh
Jan 02, 2016 Running Garageband for Mac OS X on Windows. The only way to use Garageband on your PC is to virtualize a complete Max OS X environment which then allows you to run Garageband like any other Mac OS. Jan 02, 2016 Running Garageband for Mac OS X on Windows. The only way to use Garageband on your PC is to virtualize a complete Max OS X environment which then allows you to run Garageband like any other Mac OS. Dec 14, 2018 Use GarageBand in Windows. The only legitimate way to use GarageBand in Windows is to create a Mac virtual machine. I run MacOS Sierra within VirtualBox and it works flawlessly. If your Windows PC has the resources to run a VM version, then this.
There is no purer form of art than music in my opinion. It come straight from the soul and is an expression of one’s self and the experiences and life they have lived.
Don’t get me wrong, there are incredible paintings, written pieces, sculptures, etc. but there is a reason music dominates the popular culture unlike any other.
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley
Luckily for everyone here, we are in an age where music can be had and made by pretty much everyone. It’s right at your finger tips, all you have to do is get a music making app such as Garageband, which allows you to mix and create music with the help of a PC or Mac. Of course, you could always pick up a traditional guitar, play some drums, rock out on a saxophone, or impress the ladies with your jazz flute.
With this guide I’ll walk you through the options you have to download and install Garageband, the music editing software, on your windows computer, some great alternatives and tips for making the most out of the app.
What Is Garageband?
As an ode to some of the best 90’s grunge bands that started in garages and built their band into the big time music industry, Garageband is Apple’s way of helping the future generations do something similar from their computers.
Since its inception, Garageband has become a whole music creating and editing platform. You can learn to play piano or drums by using preinstalled or outside sourced music on your iPad or computer. There are a number of preset instruments including guitar, piano, drums, and more.
On top of that, you can create your own music just by hooking up your guitar or a mic to your iPad or computer and start rocking out. The app will then record the entire thing and you can use that as the basis for making rifts or editing a song. This allows you to combine physical instruments with electronica and the preset instruments on the app.
When you’re done recording, you can mix the song just the way you want and then distribute it through exporting to a number of formats or put it on Apple’s own iCloud. Apple makes it easy for Garageband to talk to iTunes so you can transfer songs over to listen on your iPod or iPhone when you’re on the go.
Can You Get Garageband On Your PC?
You may or may not know that Apple and Microsoft (Windows) have been competing for the past several decades to rule the market share of personal computing. Windows has traditionally had the upper hand, whereas Apple has always been more niche, higher end, and gaining in popularity recently. What comes with the territory of this feud? The answer may be clear, competition and not playing very nice.
The Mac model is a controlled environment where Apple strictly determines what can be let into their OS X environment and ensures everything plays nicely together. The Windows model is that they will build a platform and let pretty much anyone tack on and add on software to modify it as they see fit. Therefore, you can imagine that Windows is ok with letting Garageband run on it’s system, but unfortunately Apple is keen to limit who can use the app.
Really, the only app that Apple has widely developed that runs on both a PC and Mac is iTunes. The reason for this is simple, they have a significant market share in the music industry with iPods, iPads and iPhones. Apple realized they couldn’t expect everyone with an iPod to go out and buy a Mac so there was a cost incentive for them to develop iTunes for their rival operating system. Unfortunately, Apple has not made any other popular software program that runs on a PC.
This brings me to the sad truth that Garageband for PC does not exist. At least, not in the way we’d prefer in that you can just buy the app on the iTunes app store and install it on your computer without having to create work arounds. Below I’ll show you some tips and tricks to get around this annoying fact and provide some alternatives that will do everything you would want in a music editing software program.
Remote Connect To Garageband
As noted above, there really aren’t any ways to run Garageband natively on your Windows machine, however, lucky for you there are ways to run a Mac through a PC. One option is to use a remote connection from your PC computer to another Mac. This will require that you know someone with a Mac or if you have one at home and want to access it at work that is an option.
You can setup a remote connection very easily using Google Chrome. There is a feature called Chrome Remote Desktop that allows anyone to connect to another computer given they have permission to both and know passwords. Follow these steps to connect your PC to a Mac running Garageband.
- Make sure you have Google Chrome on both your PC and your Mac.
- Go to both computers and install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension (link above) to both Chrome apps.
- Now, head over to the Mac and open Chrome and click the plus for a new tab. You should see Chrome Remote Desktop and make sure you authorize it. Go through all of the permissions and access rights and select yes.
- From there, you will be asked to share the computer, click to share and write down the access code it gives you.
- On your PC open Chrome and the Remote Desktop extension and grant it access and permission to run.
- Then it will prompt you to enter in the access code you got for the Mac and hit Connect.
You will now be able to control the Mac and open Garageband and run it as if you were right in front of the computer. Note, this trick works for any computer, from iMac to Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, Mac Pro, and even Mac Mini.
Of course this requires you to know someone or own a Mac so that you can use it to remote connect. But what if you don’t already have one? Are there any options then?
iOS Emulator for PC
You may be asking yourself whether there are any options to run an emulator, similar to an Android emulator that will allow you to play iOS apps on your PC. Since Garageband is available for both iPhone and iPad this would be a potential option to emulate an iPad and then run the app.
There are several options out there for iOS emulators but unfortunately as of now none of them have the option to run Garageband. They are very limited in scope and do not offer the user to download and install their own apps. It has to be one of the built in supported apps that they have already integrated into their system. So, this could be an option in the future but as of now it’s not a realistic option.
Buy A Cheap Mac or iPad
The best option I suggest doing if you are set to use Garageband is to buy a cheap Mac computer or iPad to run Garageband. Apple has strictly limited the use of the app on their products and a better bet beyond trying to go around it is to just give in and buy a low end Mac.
There are a few options, Apple’s lowest end computer is the Mac Mini, which starts at $500. However, you can buy used Mac Minis for under $200 that will run Garageband perfectly. This is an option to just hook the Mini up to your PC monitor and you can switch in between the two computers as you see fit and whether you want to use Garageband or not.
Another option is to buy an older iPad and download Garageband onto it. The iPad version has pretty much all of the capabilities of the desktop version and it’s easy to take anywhere you want to go. Again, you can buy a used one for under $200 and that way you will be able to mix and create music as much as you want and anywhere you want.
Garageband Alternatives For Windows
There are a number of alternatives that will get you to the final end product just the same as Garageband but specifically made for a PC. I’ll outline the top three in my opinion below along with some specific advantages of those software programs over others.
Audacity
- Download on Mac, Windows, and Linux
- Completely free, easy to use, and been around since 1999 so one of the more established software programs.
- It’s simple and works when you need a quick and dirty fix to a song or clip.
- Supports mp3, OGG, WAV, and AIFF.
- Live recording
Avid Pro Tools
- One of the best and most renown DAW for Windows and Mac.
- Used by professional DJs to mix and record albums.
- You can do pretty much anything you’d want to do with regards to functionality, plugins, composition, built in instruments, etc.
- Downside is the cost, at $699 it will put you back more than other programs
Adobe Audition
- Download on both Mac and Windows.
- Another great music editing software by the giant Adobe. Comes bundled in Creative Suite but you can buy it separately at $349.
- It’s an easy program to start using but tough to find some of the features and hidden tools. It’s an app that can keep you busy learning and improving for years.
- I find the batch editing to be really helpful if you want to get through a bunch of separate clips but don’t want to edit individually.
Garageband for PC Claims
There are several sites out there that claim they offer Garageband for PC but I would highly recommend not trying them. Many of these sites are scams and do not provide any real solution to getting the app on your PC. Most of the time they offer a download after you fill out a survey or give them your email address. With that they make money every time someone fills out a survey so they’re just looking to make some extra cash. On top of that, if you ever do download an app you have no idea if it has a virus in it or not. That’s something that you can’t really control and won’t know until it’s too late.
A good way to test out the download link on some suspicious websites is to right click on the link and copy the url. From there you can paste it into a text app so that you can see what the url is. If the website address is not related to Garageband or the website you found it on, that’s a red flag that it may be a virus. Another trick is that you can go to the Google safe browsing site to check and see if it hosts any viruses or is suspicious at all.
Try this url https://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=Google.com when you come across a suspicious website all you have to do is replace the google.com with the website url in question. This will analyze the site and give you diagnostics on whether it’s safe. Believe me, it’s not worth downloading a virus in search for Garageband for PC.
Garageband On TV
This may be something that can work and fulfill a need for Garageband and the ability to make and edit music. You can download Garageband on an iPhone or iPad and from there you can airplay it onto a TV using the Apple TV box. This will allow you to use a surround sound system if you have one installed and let you play music and edit the music right on your TV. Pretty sweet and all for $4.99 which is the cost of getting Garageband onto your iPhone or iPad.
Running Garageband For Mac Os X On Windows Machine
Of course this is not an exact solution to getting the app onto your computer but this can be a good alternative and allow you to mix and edit your music all while sitting on your living room sofa. This can also be great if you have company over and just want to jam with your friends in a social situation.
There’s a quick breakdown of some of the best alternatives. Overall, you will be able to find anything you want to do in the software above. However, it won’t necessarily work as smoothly and won’t be as intuitive as Garageband.
5/5(27votes )
GarageBandGuide Using GarageBand App4.5/5(Running Garageband For Mac Os X On Windows Pc
33votes )GarageBand is a music creation studio that is present on your Mac. If you are wondering how to use GarageBand on Mac, then read this thorough guide that will tell you all the details if you are using the application for the very first time. We’ll guide you on how to download GarageBand from the Apple Store, how to install it and how to get started with this digital audio workstation (DAW). We’ll make you familiar with GarageBand workspace and also highlight some of its eminent features.
This app is perfect for music professionals and is loaded with a plethora of innovative features to create the best music for different purposes. It is quite effortless to use and is one of the best apps from Apple.
What Should You Know Before Using GarageBand on Mac?
You must own an Apple device that is capable of running GarageBand. If you are using it on your iPad or iPhone, ensure that you have the latest OS installed on your device. If you are using the MacBook or Mac Desktop, you can use this application as well.
Downloading GarageBand on Mac
Hackintosh
If you find GarageBand already installed on your Macbook /iPhone/iPad, you can skip this part.
If you are using your Macbook, open your web browser and in the search box type “download GarageBand” and hit the return key. You’ll see “GarageBand in Mac App Store –iTunes – Apple” displayed on your screen. Click on this result.
You can view the app in Mac App Store and purchase it. It is available for $4.99. You can click the “Buy App” option to make the purchase. Once the download is complete, you’ll see an option “Launch Application” if you are using Google Chrome.
If you are using GarageBand on your iPhone or iPad, you need to go to the App Store. Search “GarageBand” in it. Once the results appear, tap on it and purchase it in the same manner as mentioned above.
How to Select Project Type on GarageBand on Mac?
After you have successfully opened GarageBand, a screen appears in front of you which looks somewhat like this:
If you click on New Project, you get plenty of options
- Keyboard Collection
- Electronic
- Amp Collection
- Songwriter
- Voice
- Empty Project
- Ringtone
- Hip Hop
Depending on your goals, you can select the project type. For example, if you are a songwriter who wants to record himself while using an electronic or acoustic guitar then you may select the ‘Songwriter’ option. If you do not have anything in mind and want to build everything from scratch, then you can select ‘Empty Project’.
How to Select Track Type in GarageBand on Mac?
Once you have selected the ‘Empty Project’ in the ‘New project’, the next screen that appears in front of you is the ‘Track Type’ screen. We have 4 options to select from:
- Drummer: Selecting this will play drums automatically with your song
- Audio (Guitar/Bass): Record Bass or Guitar using GarageBand as an amplifier
- Audio (Microphone): Record yourself via a microphone
- Software Instrument: Play sounds that are present on your Mac
Overview of the GarageBand Screen
This is how a typical GarageBand Screen looks like if you have selected “Empty Project”.
Transport Controls
The Transport Controls are located at the upper-half of the screen and help us to navigate the music while we are recording and editing it. These transport controls have the usual meaning. Starting from left, they denote:
- Rewind
- Fast-Forward
- Stop
- Play
- Record
The LCD
Also located at the top of the screen right next to the Transport control is the LCD that gives information about the project that we are working on. Starting from left, they are:
- Project/Time: We can toggle between analyzing our song as a measure or in terms of hours, minutes and seconds.
- Measures: This shows us the beats, bars, and ticks of the song in real-time.
- BPM: BPM stands for Beats Per Minutes. If the BPM is higher, it denotes that our song is playing fast. The default BPM in GarageBand is 120.
- Key: Change the musical key of your project with this button. The default key in GarageBand is C Major
- Time Signature: Change the time signature of your song with this button.
Cycle Tool, Tuner, Count-in, Click
Located on the right side of the LCD screen is a collection of four buttons in the order written above.
- Cycle Tool: If you want to repeat certain tracks, you can use this tool.
- Tuner: Tune instruments using this tool.
- Count-in: This option will provide you four clicks before it starts recording a track. This option comes in handy to give you a few seconds to prepare.
- Click: This option lets you toggle between hearing and not hearing a click while recording a track.
Master Volume Slider
This option is present on the top-right corner and it lets you adjust the volume of the song.
Conclusion
This was just a brief introduction on how to get started with GarageBand on Mac. You can get the specific details if you want for a particular section. GarageBand is a revolutionary app present on iOS that lets you create amazing music with minimal effort.