Keep reading, and we’ll tell you the most common reasons why your vocals are distorting and how to remedy it.
1. The Gain Is Too High on the Audio Interface
To record with external equipment on GarageBand, you need to connect an interface. Sometimes, the settings on the interface are not right for what you’re trying to achieve, and the most common mistake that people make is setting the gain too high.
How to Fix the Gain
Correcting the gain is easy. Most interfaces will have a turnable knob to increase or decrease the gain, with a ring light around the knob that lights up when sound passes through. When your mic is connected, try singing or speaking into the microphone (whichever you’re intending to do for the recording) and watch the ring light: does it light up green, or is it turning red?
If the light turns red, it means that the gain is set too high and too much volume is passing through the mic, distorting the sound. All you have to do is adjust the gain by turning it down slightly, but remember to do it while you’re singing or speaking into the mic, so you can make sure you’re getting the right volume. Once it turns green, you’re good to go.
2. You’re Standing Too Close to the Mic
Sometimes the reason for distortion is simply your position in regards to the mic. If you are not experienced with studio recording, you might not know how close or far you should be to the mic.
How to Correct Your Position
Correcting your position depends on whether you are narrating or recording vocals for singing. If you’re narrating, fixing the distortion is pretty easy because once you find the sweet spot, you can keep your position static and record from that distance throughout. However, if you’re singing, adjusting your position will be a continuous task.
Since you cannot adjust the gain knob while recording alone (unless you’re willing to put in substantial time to record each section individually), you will have to move closer to the mic when singing softer or lower frequencies; when your vocals become higher and louder, especially when you’re belting, you will need to move away from the microphone. This might take some practice.
These adjustments shouldn’t need to be substantial, and if you find yourself having to take a big step backward or forward, there are likely other settings that need adjusting too.
If you’re recording vocals, read our beginner’s guide to comping vocals in GarageBand.
3. You’re Using the Wrong Effect
GarageBand comes built-in with a variety of vocal sounds that can easily change the effect to suit your specific needs. Sometimes, we might choose an effect that does not go well with what we are trying to achieve, and our vocals end up distorting.
How to Choose the Right Effect
We recommend recording your vocals using the default sound before changing to any effect. However, if you’d prefer to use the right effect from the get-go to adjust your vocals accordingly, try the following:
Make sure you are using vocal effects and not instrument effects
GarageBand offers effects not just for vocals but for instruments too, and these are carefully curated to emulate real-life circumstances, so using an effect on your vocals that is meant to aid a guitar might be affecting the sound in an unpleasant way.
Make sure you are choosing an effect that suits the style of the vocals
There are various vocal effects that suit different styles. If you’re recording a song, for example, you’ll want to use effects that are meant for music, and you can also be specific about genre. However, if you’re doing it for a podcast, you’ll require a different set of effects, such as Narrator, so make sure your purpose is clear.
Don’t have the basics down yet? Check out our guide on how to make a song on GarageBand.
4. Your GarageBand Settings Are Wrong
The settings in GarageBand can greatly affect the sound you hear.
How to Fix GarageBand Settings
Firstly, look at the controls: is the compression too high? Is echo turned on, and how much is added? Too much or too little of a specific element can completely change the sound because it clashes with other components.
Have a look at the EQ. A general rule if you’re recording vocals is to turn the treble up and the bass down, but this all depends on your unique voice, what equipment you have, and what genre you’re recording. If you want your vocal style to match the song, you might need to do some research and figure out what’s best for you specifically.
Check that the output settings are correct. You can try enabling some switches and disabling others, while also adjusting the low, middle, and high frequencies.
5. The Software Is Outdated
A surprisingly common issue people run into is not updating their software, either their device software or the GarageBand software. If one is outdated, it’s possible that it will no longer be compatible with the other. The solution is straightforward: update your software.
If you’re wanting to move to different software entirely, read about the reasons why you should upgrade from GarageBand to Logic Pro X.
6. Your Equipment Is Faulty
Unfortunately, sometimes the problem is not an easy fix; sometimes the issue lies in the equipment you’re using, and figuring out what piece is problematic takes some work. If you have tried to remedy the distortion with the above steps but were unsuccessful, the most likely issue is faulty equipment.
How to Check Your Equipment
First check your cables. The probable cause is a faulty wire in the cable that connects your mic to the interface, or the interface to your device. If you have other cables you could use, test them out and see whether your issue is remedied or not.
If the cables are fine, make sure there isn’t a problem with your mic. You can do this by unplugging your mic and speaking directly into your device, or you can swap it for another mic if you have one. Also, make sure you’re using a noise popper to keep out any unwanted sounds that could be interfering with your vocals.
If the cables are fine and the mic is fine, the interface is most likely the issue. Sometimes the interface is too old and does not have enough power to support your other equipment, or there is a broken component. You can check online to make sure all the equipment you’re using is compatible, and if it is, consider having a professional check the interface.
Take Control of Your Vocals in GarageBand
Even with user-friendly software like GarageBand, technology can still be confusing. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes like riding a bike, and you’ll be recording vocals like a pro in no time.
