
Overview of Compression
Compression in More Detail
GarageBand Compressors
Song Sample Mix Analysis
Goal
- Convey knowledge of EQ and compression and know how to use these tools in GarageBand.
Terms
- Rough Mix
- Panning Tracks
- EQ Effect Presets
- Graphic EQ
- Master Output Level
- Volume and Pan Automation
- Compression
- Threshold
- Ratio
- Attack
- Release
- Gain
Product
- Create a blog post with embedded media from YouTube, SoundCloud, and/or Flickr off your composition and video explanation.
Examples
- Coming soon!
Compressor Controls

Compressor Settings Cheatsheet
Image from Groove3.com
GarageBand Compressor Plug-in Example Settings
Watch this tutorial on GarageBand compressor settings by thegaragebandguide.com
Steps
- Step 1 – Create Blog Post, Add Section Headings, and Define Terms
- Watch How Fleetwood Mac Makes A Song
- Create blog post titled, Mixing Music, Compression, and EQ with GarageBand
- Copy and paste the following headings:
- Summary
- Terms and Concepts
- Compressor Settings Cheatsheet
- (Copy and paste the cheatsheet here)
- GarageBand Screencast
- (Describe what you learned in GarageBand from this activity)
- Compression and EQ on Microphone Audition Project
- (Insert the before compression and EQ podcast)
- (Insert the after compression and EQ podcast)
- What I Learned and Problem(s) I Solved
- (Make sure to place video tutorial on GarageBand compressor settings into this section of your blog for future reference)
- Create the Summary heading
- Create the Terms and Concepts heading
- Copy and paste all the terms
- Copy and paste the Compressor Settings Cheatsheet under the terms
- Start writing the definitions in your own words as you complete the training
- Start training
- Get files for Chapter 8 on the server
- Step 2 – Refine Terms and Complete Tutorial
- Review and place these linked articles into the What I Learned section of your post:
- EQ Cheat Sheet? Frequency Charts for Mixing Hurt More Than Help!
- Subtractive EQ vs Additive EQ in Mixing
- Review Compression Cheatsheet above
- Continue training and definitions
- Review and place these linked articles into the What I Learned section of your post:
- Step 3- Demonstrate Compression and EQ
- Read TheGarageBandguide article on the GarageBand compressor plugin
- Watch this video tutorial on GarageBand compressor settings
- Listen to this example fromTheGarageBandguide:
- Compress and EQ your Microphone Audition and upload to SoundCloud
- Remember to add both your before EQ and compression and version and the modified version into your blog post
- Read TheGarageBandguide article on the GarageBand compressor plugin
- Step 4 – Publish and Document
- Create a screencast of your GarageBand work
- Explain and demonstrate the basics parts of GarageBand from the tutorial and publish to YouTube as unlisted
- Include:
- Evaluating a Rough Music Mix
- Panning Tracks
- Working with EQ Effect Presets
- Evaluating the Master Output Level
- Working with Volume and Pan Automation Curves
- Preparing the Project and Reconnecting a Movie File
- Evaluating the Overall Sound
- Working with the Analyzer and the Graphic EQ
- Include:
- Explain and demonstrate the basics parts of GarageBand from the tutorial and publish to YouTube as unlisted
- Create What I Learned heading
- Explain what you learned and at least one problem you overcame
- Create a screencast of your GarageBand work
- Step 5 – Present
- Present project and get feedback from peers and place this feedback under the What I Learned heading
Tools
- GarageBand
- Soundcloud
- YouTube
Resources
- GarageBand Basics
- Evaluating a Rough Music Mix
- Panning Tracks
- Working with EQ Effect Presets
- Evaluating the Master Output Level
- Working with Volume and Pan Automation Curves
- Preparing the Project and Reconnecting a Movie File
- Evaluating the Overall Sound
- Working with the Analyzer and the Graphic EQ
- Adding ID3 tag information and art in iTunes
- Watch tutorials
- GarageBand Basics Screencast Video Tutorial
- GaragebandandBeyond
- TheGarageBandguide
- The Ledger Note blog
- ProStudioLive.com – Compressor