Audio Unit plugins

[Crustibooga]

Hi all!

GB as we all know is well addictive, so much so, that I'm not using Reason so much. The thing with GarageBand is that it truly is quick and simple to use.

One thing that most users will not know, is the fact that it is more expandable than Reason. Apple uses a system wide audio plugin architecture called AU (Audio Units) and it is this that gives GB a huge sonic boost. In AU format there is a huge range of professional effects and instruments. More interestingly for those that are not wealthy musicians (99.9% of us!!) there are quite a few free AU plugins to experiment with. One that I tried recently, is a freebee called BuzZer [http://www.alphakanal.de/space/buzZer] an excellent little synthesizer and amazing the fact that it is freeware. Some other sources for AU's are: macmusic.org [http://macmusic.org/softs/softcat.php/lang/EN/id/7037/] and versiontracker.com.

I'll post instructions on how to install AU's and how to actually use them within GB later, if anyones at all interested?

Keep grooving!!!!

btw There are some great tracks on here. A BIG thanks to the creators of macidol.

[ifingers]

Nice one Sonny!

Yeah I would be very interested if you did some stuff on this - it could go in our tips section in the main part of the site. I haven't played with any AU plugs before - so this would be good for me if no one else

I am sure a lot of other people will find this useful too - you'll get full credit and a big link to your band pages - so you should get some good plays out of this too. - It's all good

peace

[Crustibooga]

Cool! Fingers,

I'll get on to it this evening. Is it best to post it here first or would you like some sort of html page or link to one?

[Crustibooga]

As promised, instructions on downloading, installing and using AU (Audio Units) plugins for use in GarageBand.

What is an AU plugin?

Mac OS X has in it an excellent audio architecture which is expandable. The expansion is possible through the use of plugins, these audio plugins are known as AU's. You may of heard of VST plugins for other high end audio software, AU's are a similar thing except are an extension of the Mac OS.

AU's can be effects processors; reverb, echo etc... or instruments and range in cost from free to a few hundred pounds/dolars.

buzZer AU

We will start this lesson by downloading buzZer, a free AU analogue style synthesizer.

1/ download buzZer http://www.alphakanal.de/space/buzZer
2/ install buzZer.component into: Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/

WooHoo! Installation complete!


Next: Using buzZer in GB

1/ Launch GB and create a new song [File -> New]
2/ As an example, in the loops section click on bass, then select one of the 80's dance basses (green loop icon) Now drag it into the score window to create a track.
3/ set the track to loop the bass. Press play so that you can hear it.

4/ Make sure the track is highlighted and press "command and i" to bring up track info whilst the track is still playing. Click the Generator button to bring up the list of software instruments. At the bottom is where you will find buzZer and any other AU instruments that you load. Select buzZer.

5/ You will here the sound change, this is now buzZer playing. To make new sounds with it click the pencil icon adjacent to the drop down menu. And there you have it! a complete analogue style synthesizer to play with!

Finally, remember to save any good sounds that you create!

Cheers
Sonny

[ifingers]

Sorry Sonny - I completely missed your post

A fantastic job! Thanks mate! - Your are too cool

I am just updating the tips page - so this can go up there! Wicked!

You'll get full credit too!


Thanks

Rich

peace

[maggieo]

buZZer rawks!

Thanks, crusti!

[sarmoung]

Buzzer is definitely working, as I can hear it. But every time I click the pencil icon I just get that accursed coloured spinning wheel.

Something I'm overlooking?

Cheers.

[sarmoung]

Mmm, still not working. However Crystal (freeware) does seem to work using the same procedure. I can hear the computer (12" PowerBook, 867mhz, 256meg) screaming at me to stop being such a cheapskate and buy it some more RAM, but it does work. Buzzer looks like it should be less hungry in that department though.

Crystal is at http://www.kvr-vst.com/get/219.html

Need to see what else might be hiding on that site of use...

[Crustibooga]

Hey Sarmoung, great link for AUs cheers!! I think that you're struggling with buzzer cos of RAM, I have a 550 TiPb but with 768 RAM. Your machine should be better, but it really needs more ram. Go for it!!!

Cheers
Sonny

[ifingers]

Yeah I agree 100% with Sonny.

Give it some more Ram! It'll really make a difference not just to GarageBand - but practically everything you do on your Mac.

Thanks for the heads up on Crystal!

Rich

peace

[julianc]

Commercial demo downloads also work ( albeit with some limitations) - there's shed loads of stuff out there ! Without having to resort to nasty cracked/pirated rubbish.

eg. try

http://www.novationmusic.com/nov_route/ ... n_demo.htm


- you may need to drag the unstuffed contents into your Audio Units folder.


If you have a midi keyboard with knobs - some parameters like resonance and filter will work and movements are recordable within GB - cool Huh?!


Julianc

http://www.macidol.com/jamroom/julianc

[hologr4m]

Hello! I have a Powerbook 17" with one giga of ram and Garageband with Jam Pack installed.

I donwloaded Buzzer and installed it, and it worked...then i also donwloaded Expert Sleepers Crossfade Loop Synth, which ia another free au plugin...but Garageband did not show buzzer anymore...

Do oyu think they are not compatible with each other?

I did not try other au plugins yet...so i don't know...

[nreyes]

I am also having the same problems with disappearing AUs.

I was happily working with AU-303 (a freeware AU) then closed garageband and installed a demo AU of Albino 2 and some other AU freewares. After re-launching Garageband, in the Generator pulldown list there are all the new AUs but no sign of AU-303.

Checked the Components folder and they are all there. Bizarre......

Anybody got a work-around / solution?

[hologr4m]

I installed buzzer and crystal synth, which is free (AU version) and they both work together...but just those two...

solutions anyone?

[Crustibooga]

Hmmm, interesting... I have the quite a few AUs, Crystal, Buzzer, etc. Maybe a suggestion is to run Cocktail system utility, this will sort out pre-binding on your system as well as many other things.

http://www.macosxcocktail.com/index.html

It might just help!

Cheers
Sonny