How to Make Your Demo

Using a pre-made loop is completely fine and a production technique used at every level of the industry. Here's a few recommendations on where to find them.

• BandLab Sounds: built into BandLab. Tap Add Track, choose BandLab Sounds, browse by genre or instrument. Any loop snaps to your tempo automatically
• GarageBand Drummer: add a Drummer track and GarageBand generates a realistic drum performance. One slider controls howbusy or simple the beat is
• GarageBand Apple Loops: tap the loop icon to browse thousands of free pre-recorded loops. Drag any in and it snaps to your tempo
• Splice Sounds (splice.com): free tier with a selection of samples and loops
• Looperman (looperman.com): free community library of user-uploaded loops
• YouTube Audio Library: free backing tracks and stems

Avoid Bluetooth headphones for recording. Bluetooth introduces latency (audio delay) which makes it very difficult to sing or play in time. Use wired headphones or earphones whenever possible.

What to use as a microphone:

• Your phone’s built-in mic is fine. Hold or prop it 20 to 40cm from your mouth or instrument
• Your laptop’s built-in mic also works. Find somewhere quiet as the microphone on your laptop is less directional
• Wired earphones with a built-in mic can also be used

• Find the quietest room you can. Close windows, turn off fans and appliances
• Turn on the metronome before recording and play along to it
• Do a test take and watch the level meter. Green is good. If it goes red, back away or turn the input volume down
• Do two or three takes and pick the best. You don’t need it to be perfect