Using Reverb to Make GarageBand Drums SOUND REAL

‼️ Download my FREE GUIDE to Make GarageBand Drums Sound Real: www.thebandguide.com/realdrums ‼️
This video is the first video in a 3 part series where I show you how to make GarageBand drums sound REAL. These videos will walk you through 4 types of parallel processing you can do with your GarageBand drums to add more space, punch, and color. In part 1, we are using reverb to create a drum room sound and a snare reverb track.
Part I: Space (Reverb)
Part II: Punch (Parallel Compression) • Make GarageBand Drums ...
Part III: Color (Distortion) • Adding Distortion to G...
#garagebanddrummer #garageband #garagebanddrums

[@TheBandGuide]

‼️ Download my FREE GUIDE to Make GarageBand Drums Sound Real: www.thebandguide.com/realdrums ‼️

[@Gabeconstantinemusic]

this might be a really dumb question, but would these effects still work if I added all the effects into one single drum track? or does it only work with track duplicates? if I try to load all the effects (reverb, space, direction, compressor) etc into a single audio chain will it crush/squash the drum sounds, or distort them?

[@OfficialPaulStillo]

Holy crap! I didn't know we can change a drummer track into a MIDI track?! Even that part alone blew my mind. Some other great tips in this video too. Thanks.

[@TheBandGuide]

Right?? That’s such a game changer when it comes to using the GB drummer

[@theapostrophewrecks3589]

Right??? Game changer

[@Joshuabarclay]

This channel is a massive game changer for me! This is great professional content, well done and thank you 🙏

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey thanks, Joshua! 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I’m stoked to hear the music you make with it!

[@j_laf9575]

I am finally trying to start recording some of my music ideas and this whole series is super useful. Thanks man

[@Cyril365Paris]

Simply amazing! Great explanations, and great results. Thank you!

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

Thank you! I've just started using these tips and the Garage Band Drummer. It's making a big difference in my production.

[@brycemcdonald6621]

Just a note to say that this is easily the comprehensive and useful tutorial on this subject I've seen. Immediate game changer for me. Thanks you!

[@aljohnsonmusic8219]

Wow. Another great lesson. Can't thank you enough. My drums just came alive!

[@mariska.o]

thank you so much for explaining all of this in such detail!! i usually struggle to keep up with a lot of music production tutorials because i'm autistic and it always feels like i've missed a few lessons when people do a step-by-step tutorial but start naming terms and plug-ins and kits etc etc. without explaining where they are in the program or what their purpose is; i really appreciate how you take the time to break down everything in the process here!! :)

[@anthonymorgan-clark5009]

Just started using Garage band properly - I bought an iPad a few months back and messed about with some ideas, and this week bought a Macbook. Thank you for these videos, I've learned loads already.

[@zaurike]

Instant like and subscribe, mate. Brilliant delivery. Thanks.

[@TheBandGuide]

Awesome, thank you!

[@DrustIV]

Thank you, it's a relief to find a tutorial with no hype or irrelevant narrative. That was very useful and really well presented; refreshing to use a short drum sample to illustrate the technique.

[@TheBandGuide]

Glad it helped!

[@babyyoucandrivemycar]

Thanks for sharing this. I hope you can give tips on: 1. using electronic drums on garageband 2. avoid double / unwanted ghost notes 3. quantizing the tracks/region. Thanks!

[@johnkonstantine9115]

These are great tips. I just produced a track for a friend who sang & played piano/synth. I added three guitars (acoustic/electric/bass) & GB virtual drums. these tips helped make a slow pink floyd vibe (55bpm) really shine. i needed big verb sounding drums.nothing fancy but legit studio sound that bumps the track up. I play little drums also, but not well enough for every tune I write or that I produce for other writers. great find at the right time.

[@TheBandGuide]

That’s so awesome to hear, John! Sounds like it’s going to be a great tune

[@wizlon2]

Amazing set of tutorials. Hard to believe the finished version is from the original source. I've always struggled mixing vocals so a series of videos on that would be awesome.

[@TheBandGuide]

Thanks, Andrew! I just might have to do that... 🤔

[@riodanarto6918]

Hi sir, you saved my day. I recently just added the compressor and space D for drum track but still not satisfied and you teach me the detail to adjusting each component of drum, really appreaciate it. Greeting from Indonesia, Thx !!

[@TheBandGuide]

That’s so great to hear! 🙌🏼

[@Guitarwood]

You just opened a who new world for me and changed my trajectory. Thank you!

[@Theactivepsychos]

Exactly what I've been looking for. Loving this.

[@TheBandGuide]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@peteprescottdeveling8635]

Awesome dude... Just Awesome. Thanks for the wisdom

[@omniosi]

Just the tip of turning off cymbals in a drum track to mix separately is huge! And converting drummers to MIDI. So cool!

[@travismegale6796]

So good! Thank you.

[@IanGray1968]

Hi. Great guides. Thx. I would like to see some guides about workflows and tips to speed up the set up process. I never really know start properly.

[@rolitoricablanca1625]

thanks for the video...it really helps me a lot.

[@TheBandGuide]

You're welcome!

[@pathumeth]

Patta🔥🇱🇰

[@TheBandGuide]

Superb comment! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jonathansmith5787]

Great tutorial, really helpful, thanks 😊

[@TheBandGuide]

You’re welcome!

[@xyz8655]

Nice. Thanks

[@Moykel]

Another great tutorial, thank you Colin. As Sun Ra once said, Space Is The Place.

[@TheBandGuide]

That’s exactly right!

[@richardquatermass3824]

Great video. Thank you

[@kike4433]

thanks man, great tutorial!

[@TheBandGuide]

Glad it helped!

[@scpstarryn00b]

More great, educational, well-organized content. A great "go to" channel for maximizing Garageband's potential.

[@TheBandGuide]

Thank you, Tim! Exactly my goal.

[@batistaclyngdoh8291]

thank you Colin , you're the best !!!!!!!

[@bijanguitar]

Fantastic, thanks a lot.!

[@mchoneyofficial4761]

My new track "Beetle" is ready to go, then I watch this, now have to go back and redo...sigh. Thanks!

[@TheBandGuide]

Stoked to hear it!

[@pagulu]

Excellent guide! Subscribed! 👍🏼

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey thanks!

[@theredwoods6928]

Honestly shocked that this video has less than 100k views. Super helpful, thank you.

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey thanks! That means a lot! I'm a fairly new channel, so hopefully one day🤞

[@joeeldred8304]

wow...what a great video. It sounds like a commercial where everything is bigger than life. Thanks. I have seen videos on pro tools where vocal effects are put on the other channel. While the main vocal stays on the other side. Not sure if you can duplicate on GarageBand. Side chains would be another challenge not for the pumping sound but to highlite a lead guitar.

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey thanks! That’s exactly right. If you want my video on the 5th step in mixing (effects), I do that some on the vocals by duplicating the vocal. Unfortunately GarageBand doesn’t allow side chaining, but it’s honestly not a suuuper helpful thing. I’d often rather highlight a lead guitar with volume or EQ

[@1-800-WILLIAM]

So helpful. Thanks.

[@TheBandGuide]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthewellis4449]

Really loving the channel. Keep the vids coming super helpful. Cheers 🍻

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey thank you! 🙌🏼

[@matthewellis4449]

@@TheBandGuide do you have a web page or other social channels? Wonder how to ask questions directly to issues I maybe having with GB.

[@radioactiveelectriceelfact4295]

This has blown my mind.

[@miamidogwalker8488]

Thanks 😊 do u have a video on how to share recordings ? Or sent files ?

[@felixthefool6065]

BRUH THIS IS SO COOL

[@TheBandGuide]

🙌🏼

[@ClockAgentOfficial]

These guides are brilliant. I've been thinking of moving from Garageband IOS to another desktop DAW but I love the acoustic drummer function in GB (having used it for the last 3/ 4 years) and was reticent to lose it by moving to another DAW, but having watched these, I think the desktop GB will be absolutely fine! :)

[@TheBandGuide]

It's hard to beat macOS GB! Except maybe Logic... but until you need it- I would stick with GB and just learn it as well as you can. It will all translate if you ever decide to move to Logic!

[@cronkitepercussion]

I hear ya! I'm a professional drummer and lately I've been using the GB drummer in a pinch....then I'm like "Dayuuummm that's a good fill!". Well, at least it won't steal my wife =p

[@TheBandGuide]

@@cronkitepercussion 😂 The fills sometimes inspire/influence my real world playing now!

[@cronkitepercussion]

@@TheBandGuide IKR?? There are some tasty fills hidden inside GB 🤓

[@cronkitepercussion]

@@TheBandGuide I have LogicPro but I keep returning to GB. Too many choices paralyse this mixing amateur's brain 😲

[@cronkitepercussion]

You sir, are a godsend: thank you!!!

[@TheBandGuide]

🙏 🙏

[@kevinturvey8213]

solid gold info - BUT: don't forget though - "audience perspective" (such as it is) gets flipped anyway if you have a left handed drummer (they do exist)!

[@moriz87]

This was extremely helpful and entertaining

[@TheBandGuide]

🙌🏼 you’ll love my new video... taking it even a step further!

[@lilatacesongs]

This is amazing, thank you

[@TheBandGuide]

🙌🏼 hey you’re welcome!

[@TheJumpingjim]

Great stuff...many thanks! Please do a video on getting a good bass guitar sound (clean and fat).

[@TheBandGuide]

Did one on mixing bass recently that I think will help you a lot!

[@TheJumpingjim]

@@TheBandGuide Hi, Just checked out your bass video....very clear, no jargon...excellent and very helpful video. I guess I shouldn't say this but providing this quality of tuition free is amazing. Thanks a lot.

[@Rex-sf8qj]

Great great tutorial bro

[@TheBandGuide]

Appreciate it!

[@mchoneyofficial4761]

Still using these. They're the template to all my songs. :)

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey that’s awesome! I hope you’re doing well!

[@marcoperez1219]

Thank you so much

[@TheBandGuide]

You're most welcome!

[@chrismadden5960]

Wow again thanks!

[@TheBandGuide]

Crazy, right??

[@Mrluchendo]

Hi mate, great instruction videos. can I use these steps in iOS?

[@bleensounds6671]

This was an amazing guide. Thanks, bro! Why the HELL does Apple have the drums flipped? I asked myself the same thing when they kept Normalization on GarageBand AND the Music app. Just complete buffoonery on their part lmao

[@azuresky1036]

Nice video! Most of this stuff I already do but I have never known about flipping the panning of the drums! wow! Now I'm going to not be able to notice that detail in all my other GB recordings lol. How do feel this process compares to using the "Space Designer" plugin in GB? I use that a lot when mixing drums.

[@TheBandGuide]

Thank you! Space designer is great too! Just a different flavor of reverb with WAY more options. Honestly, GarageBand reverbs are excellent. They are literally the same reverbs as Logic Pro X, just a more simplified interface.

[@relaxingmusicmusicandvideo2422]

Awesome

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey thanks! 🙌🏼🤘🏼

[@relaxingmusicmusicandvideo2422]

@@TheBandGuide i am learning from you everyday you are best teacher

[@paulfownes5001]

Hi Colin. Great videos. And I love the free guide. Many thanks. One thing ... I seem to have a problem whenever I add too many midi tracks - GBand doesn't appear to like it. I get crackling and it keeps slowing down (I Googled it, and it said that it could be due to too many midi tracks). Have you ever experienced this? And how do I get around it?

[@RobSinner]

Work your Drums in a single track, then duplicate the GB file and use the new one ONLY FOR DRUMS, then delete the rest of the instruments and tracks, and split that one drum track into 6 different tracks (Kick/Snare/Toms...) then you'll be free to work with FX chains etc, this is how I do it!

[@lukehammond2924]

Hi Colin! Loving your tutorials, they’re a massive help. I was using the wooden verb on my kick drum, followed all the steps you did, but I’ve found when I apply the reverb, each hit of the drum is punctuated with a scratchy type noise, almost like a needle scratch, it only goes away when I reduce the wetness really low, but at that point I lose the effect of the reverb on the drum. I’m using Neo Soul drums in my mix. Have you encountered this issue? Any tips/ideas? Many thanks!

[@Gabeconstantinemusic]

yeah that happens to me too with certain drums on Logic and GB. I've tried to get rid of it, but no luck so far. I actually had to switch a midi drum track out with another one cuz it was such a pain in the a@@

[@leif3762]

Again, you rule.

[@edwincastle6522]

Thank you very much.

[@TheBandGuide]

You’re very welcome!

[@ChrisScian]

Hey Colin...out of curiousity, are you ultimately keeping that "original drum part" in the mix?

[@danweberhealing]

Hey Colin, awesome video. One question...so all of this you would do before splitting up the main drum track into it's own individual tracks (snare, kick, toms, cymbals etc)?

[@TheBandGuide]

Great question! You could do it before or after. If I did it after, I would pull from my “overheads” and just make sure the volumes of each track included was right (the knobs on the smart controls window)

[@danweberhealing]

Okay thanks!!

[@acustichenry]

thank you for the tips the one thing is my major issue is the progression chords. to create songs do you know how can I do it ? the iPad or iPhone have autoplay chords I wish garageban on Mac have that like on iOS it makes difficult to finish the song

[@juandiegoalvan7811]

I work in GarageBand in ipad. How can I switch the panning there?

[@ironbongloaf666]

Quick question - at what point during the mixing process should I be adding a wet reverb signal to the duplicated drum track? Should the duplicate drum track the reverb gets added to be present during the static mix?

[@R0BL68]

Is there a way to switch the hi-hat and ride cymbal sides from the default setting without converting to midi? I prefer the drummer perspective (hi-hat on the left and ride cymbal on the right. But it always records the opposite of that.

[@tommylarsson2025]

How can i adjust so the snare sounds a little less "sandy"? I like pretty much attack and rim and not so much from the "snare carpet?' Don't know the name in english 🤔 I like tone and attack as to speak. Any suggestions? Compressor, noise gate? Have a good day!

[@Gabeconstantinemusic]

this might be a really dumb question, but would these effects still work if I added all the effects into one single drum track? or does it only work with track duplicates? if I try to load all the effects (reverb, space, direction, compressor) etc into a single audio chain will it crush/squash the drum sounds, or distort them?

[@tommylarsson2025]

I reflect on one thing about panning. Im left handed and from the audience perspective the panning of my setup should be more natural (left to right) than a right handed drummer because it also follows the visual setup of the drums from left to right. But how do they do live? Do they still pan the toms from left to right even if it's "wrong" visually on a right handed drummer? I guess the idea comes from that we in the west world reads from left to right and therefore it also sounds natural. But imo the pan should follow the setup of the drums from the audience perspective. And maybe it does. So maybe that's one advantage to be a lefty. The only one I guess. :)

[@TheBandGuide]

That’s a great question! Typically it follows the drummer perspective in a recording and the audience perspective in a live setting

[@jorgedavidlopez744]

Hello Collin, would you use the compressor of the drummer or you switch off before you mix the other drum tracks ? I am not sure if you set differently with another compressor ? I would appreciate any help. Kind regards.

[@TheBandGuide]

It all depends! Sometimes I like the way it sounds so I leave it and if I decide I want more compression I’ll add another compressor. Other times I’ll start from scratch. No right answer, just whatever sounds right to you!

[@jorgedavidlopez744]

That is very cool, thank you so much, just for this time I would try experimenting and see what sound best for the song. I have decided to changed for the VCA smash, and I would compare with the default compressor setting in a different drummer track. Thank you for given such a good knowledge in mixing. I appreciate all your help. Regards :)

[@AfiScruggsplaysbass]

This was great. One question. I'm transitioning to Logic Pro X. Will this technique work there as well?

[@TheBandGuide]

Hey thanks! It definitely will. Logic actually goes a step further with "producer kits" that create multitracks for you! I often double the "leak" track and process it as the distortion and parallel tracks from this approach

[@AfiScruggsplaysbass]

@@TheBandGuide Thanks. I just discovered producer kits about an hour before finding your video. I'll try this newer approach.

[@JohnLynagh]

Just recreated this in Logic with buses/sends. Equally as effective.

[@TheBandGuide]

Yes! Logic Producer Kits give you a great starting point then I tend to do some variation of all these processes. The busses make it way easier and less CPU heavy

[@paulbarrett4533]

Is it possible the find out what key your kick or snare is in and transpose it in GarageBand?

[@TheBandGuide]

You can use an EQ to find the fundamental frequency (just make a tight boost and sweep down to find the lowest frequency it really “sings”) then search what note that hz connects to

[@maktub224]

sounds really good. too good for grindcore though

[@TheBandGuide]

Haha grindcore loves the artificially huge sound!

[@stangu6242]

Hi Colin. I'm using your technique now on a new song. A question for you about the snare reverb. The verses of my song are using The Speakeasy kit with the brush on the snare. I think that is percussion as well as the snare. Do I do the same process for the snare reverb? Should I have the percussion on or off here? Thanks

[@TheBandGuide]

Great question! I would lean into this style for bigger snare hits and less for brushes. Brushes tend to have a "closer" sound and reverb tends to make things sound huge. So if your choruses have big snare hits, you could do this style reverb and then cut the snare verb track in the verses. Try them both out and just see what you prefer the sound of! When it comes to percussion- I tend to separate that out onto it's own track so I can mix it separately

[@stangu6242]

@@TheBandGuide Awesome. I will try it. I have the drums cut in sections so to test should I have one copy with everything & a second "Snare Reverb" track with the Verse section removed? BTW.... I had a youtube evening last week with your band. Really, Really good. And I don't know why Inwas so suprised when I realized you were the drummer.

[@TheBandGuide]

Wow thank you! That means a lot 🙌🏼 And that’s probably how I would approach it, but whatever makes the most sense to you!

[@miragy]

Hi, I can not seem to get those controls (kick, snare etc) when using drum loops from the Loops section. Is this correct? When I drag a custom loop to a Midi track, there is no sound. Can anyone help?

[@TheBandGuide]

Depends on the type of loop! Midi loops (green) will give you this control but audio loops (blue) won’t!

[@rosapatrol]

can u do this on iphone?

[@mchoneyofficial4761]

Im not sure I totally understand why we should switch the sound -180 (could you explain again?). Sorry

[@TheBandGuide]

Great question! You definitely don't have to, but it's more common in recordings for drums to be mixed from the drummers perspective with the hi-hats on the left, toms moving left to right, etc.

[@Traderhood]

I am following exactly what you do and my track is not converting to MIDI track.

[@Traderhood]

Never mind, I was trying to convert audio loop.

[@TheBandGuide]

Glad you got it!

[@n0166]

I play drums left handed so prefer the hi hats on the right =p

[@TheBandGuide]

I'll allow it! True story... when I was a kid, I watched a documentary about Metallica and they told a story about Lars getting so drunk he passed out on stage... so they invited a fan on stage to play the rest of the concert. I was going to see Muse a couple weeks later and their drummer was left handed so I learned to play alllll of their songs left handed just in case 😂

[@Katkattarotandparanormal]

Im on an ipad

[@Katkattarotandparanormal]

I dont have drums but beats that sound super clunky

[@Katkattarotandparanormal]

Beats sound to clunky