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How do I use my GarageBand instruments with DP?

GarageBand instruments can't be loaded directly in Digital Performer, but you can still use GarageBand along side DP as another instrument.

To route the audio out of GarageBand and back into DP, you'll need Soundflower, which is a freeware audio utility for OS X. Soundflower creates a virtual bus for routing audio between applications. Head to here to download it.

Once Soundflower is installed, follow these steps:

  • Open GarageBand, and go its Audio/MIDI Preferences. For Audio Output, choose "Soundflower (2 channel)".
  • Load the instrument of your choice in GarageBand.
  • In Digital Performer, go to Setup menu > Configure Audio System > Configure Hardware Driver. Select both "Soundflower (2 channel)" and your regular audio driver. Set the Host Buffer Multiplier to 2 and press OK.
  • Now go to Setup menu > Interapplication MIDI. Under Outputs, click the Add button (GarageBand will notify you that the number of MIDI inputs has changed -- hit OK). Double-click the output to name it (for example, "To GarageBand").
  • Assign your MIDI track to "To GarageBand-1". Record-enable it.
  • Create an aux or stereo audio track. Assign its input to "Input Stream #1 1-2", and its output to the stereo output you monitor from (such as "Analog 1-2").
  • You should now be able to hear your GarageBand instrument through DP. You can now add effects through DP's mixing board if you'd like.
  • If you'd like to record the instrument as audio in DP, create a new stereo audio track and assign its input and output the same as your aux track.

Click here for a PDF version of these instructions that includes screenshots