Garage
BandDeveloper
Apple IncDifficultyTime
needed20-3 0Go back to the 80s by adding a retro synth trackStep-by-step Add an 80s bass synth4Smart Controls
Open the Smart Controls (B). Here,
we’ll set the knobs to adjust Delay to 7 , with
Ambience and Envelope both halfway (6).
FM, Decay and Reverb are 4, 7 and 1.5Arpeggiator Notes
Click the Arpeggiator button in the top-
right of Smart Controls. Toggling the Arp on,
click the dropdown menu and hover down to
set Note Order to ‘Up & Down’.6Rate and Range
Keeping theArpeggiator as Factory
Default, hover down to Rate. You want this
set to 1/16th notes for the best 1 98 0s feel,
while ensuring Octave Range remains on 1.1
Retro Project
We start with an open project. Our
example uses 1980s Apple Loops, such as
80s Back Beat 01, Minimal Disco 80s Beat 02,
AbstractAtmosphere 080and Synth Array 19.2New Track
Create a new track (option+cmd+N).
We want to add a software instrument track,
which we will record our synth line into. Using
Musical Typing we can add MIDI notes.3Library Patch
With new track added and selected,
show the Library panel (Y). Navigate to
Synthesizer>Bass and pick ‘Eighties Pop
Bass’ to apply the patch.Create an arpeggiated80s bass synth
Learn how to add a retro-sounding synthesised bass track
to your GarageBand projectsAnyone familiar with 1980s pop music
will know all about it. Things were
going electronic with the advent of
synthesisers, and there was very, very big hair.
Haircuts may have changed since, butstill you can
hear the sounds and styles in today’s tunes. If you
want to add that 80s vibe to your GarageBand
songs, bass is key. Arpeggiated bass synth lines
were a hallmark, and our favourite music-making
app has them in abundance. In this guide,
we’ll create one from scratch, using software
instruments to make a simple line. Then, by using
the arpeggiator plug-in, we can get that rapid-fire
pulsing effect so synonymous with the era.