How To Export Multitracks In GarageBand
If you’re sending a GarageBand session off for mixing, the main thing you need is one clearly named audio file per track, exported in a format that will open cleanly and in sync when imported into the mix engineer's DAW.
Before exporting, make sure you have properly prepared your multitracks for mixing. If you need help with that first, read Preparing Your Multitracks For Mixing.
GarageBand is a bit more limited in this area than some of the other DAWs. Rather than exporting all of your multitracks in one go, the practical approach is to export them one at a time.
How To Export Your Multitracks
1. Set the cycle area across the full song
Turn on Cycle mode and set the cycle area so it covers the full section you want to export.
This helps make sure each file starts and ends at the same point, so everything lines up properly when imported into another DAW.
2. Solo the first track you want to export
Solo the first track you want to send.
Because GarageBand does not use the same all-tracks-at-once export workflow as some other DAWs, you will need to export each track separately.
If you are not sure what effects should stay on and what should come off before export, read Should I Leave Effects On When Exporting Multitracks?.
3. Open the export window
Go to Share > Export Song to Disk.
4. Choose your file format
Set the file type to AIFF or WAVE.
Either is fine for sending multitracks to a mix engineer.
5. Choose an uncompressed quality setting
Use an uncompressed quality setting for your export.
6. Make sure GarageBand exports the cycle area
Turn on Export cycle area, or length of selected regions (if Cycle is turned off).
This tells GarageBand to export only the section you have defined, rather than anything beyond it.
7. Name the file clearly and export it
Name the file after the track, choose where to save it, then click Export.
8. Repeat this for each remaining track
Unsolo the track you just exported, solo the next one, and repeat the same process until every track has been exported.
What To Check Before Sending
Once you have exported all of the files, open the folder and give it a quick check.
Make sure:
The expected tracks are all there
The file names are clear
Everything starts from the same point
Nothing has been cut off
If you are sending the tracks to a mix engineer, it is also a good idea to include a rough mix alongside the exported files.
Upload Your Multitracks
Once you have finished your export, you can upload your multitracks on my file upload page and I’ll have a listen and get back to you with the next steps.
If you have any questions at all, feel free to send me a message via the contact page.