GarageBand FAQ: Audio ≠ MIDI

Q. I have my MIDI Keyboard connected and working, but I can't get my keyboard's sounds to play on the software tracks.
[Related Entries: Jam Packs , SoundFonts , Install SoundFonts , Use SoundFonts , Synths , Record Line-In , interfaces , Keyboard Compatibility , MIDI Controllers ]

A. MIDI ≠ Audio. It is not possible to transmit Audio across a MIDI connection (and GarageBand doesn't offer MIDI OUT to play your keyboard). MIDI is a method of transmitting a set of instructions to a synth (in this case GarageBand) telling it what note to play, how long to play, etc. If you want to play and

record MIDI you have to play a "Software" instrument installed in GarageBand, any of the instruments that come with GarageBand, any of the Jam Packs from Apple, or any of the thousands of SoundFonts (SF2s) available free online. If you want to record the sounds your keyboard makes rather than MIDI, you have to connect the Line-Out, or headphone-out, of the keyboard to the Line-In on either your Mac, or your Audio Interface, and record on a "Real" track rather than a "Software" track.
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GarageBand from Apple Computer uses audio loops and MIDI loops in Apple Loops format. It can work with Audio Units plug-ins. Apple Macintosh Compatible FireWire and USB interfaces can be used to connect Audio and MIDI instruments to your Mac, and be recorded into GarageBand.

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