How to Fade Music In and Out in GarageBand

How to Fade Music Out in GarageBand

There are two ways to fade out your track in GarageBand: applying the automatic fade-out effect, or by using automation. They both arrive ar similar results, but there are some major differences.

Before going ahead, make sure you have GarageBand installed on your Mac or iOS device. In this article, we'll be using the GarageBand app for iOS.

The Automatic Fade-Out Option

GarageBand has a in-bilit fade-out option which simplifies fading out. To add it to your track:

1. Open your song from the Home Screen, and make sure you view it in the Mixer Window.
2. Tap on the Settings icon at the top right and select Song Settings.
3. Scroll to Fade Out and turn it on.
4. Hit Done.

This fade-out option does not give you lots of control. It functions as a master track and can add fade-out effects over all of the track channels, so you can't pick individual ones that will obtain the effect. You also can't edit the fade-out, meaning it will automatically pick a point where the fade-out starts, as well as the intensity and speed of the volume drop. 

This is a very good option for fading out shorter tracks or edits with a small number of tracks, as not too much audio will be lost. It's also convenient for people who aren't too fussy about customizing their fade-outs.

Fade-Out With Automation

Automation is a tool that can give you accurate control over the volume of a track. You can add it on individual tracks and pin point exactly where you want volume changes. Here's how to use the tool:

1. Open up your song from the Home Screen, and make ensure that you view it in the Mixer Window.
2. Locate the bar that is on the left that displays all your instruments and drag it to the right. This will open up a couple of settings and tools for each track.
3. From the left, you would see a Speaker icon, tapping it will mute that track.
4. The Headphones icon will solo the track, essentially muting all the others that don't have that icon selected.
5. And there is also a Volume Slider there, so you can control the main output volume of each individual track.
6. Now, from the Settings menu, ensure that the automatic Fade-Out effect is off.
7. In the left bar, click on the Instrument Icon. This would bring up a menu with several options and features.
8. Select Automation. This would expand all of the tracks to give you a clearer display of the volume, which is currently represented with a straight, gray line. The track on which you're about to apply automation will be highlighted in green.
9. At the top left, you would see a Pencil and a Lock. Drag the Pencil over the Lock. This would unlocks the volume point tool. Volume points are what's going to allow you to adjust the volume.
10. Go to the very end of the track and tap on the volume line. you will see a dot appear on the line.
11. Solo the track via the Headphones icon and tap the Playback Button at the top of the window to determine when you want the track to start fading out. Put another volume point there by tapping on the line. Now there will be two dots. To get rid of a dot, simply tap on it.
12. Look for the volume point that is at the end of the volume line and drag it down. you will see the line curve in accordance with the dots.
13. Click on Done at the top right. The lines and dots won't be visible anymore but you will hear the fade-out effect during playback. To adjust your automation, simply open up the automation feature on the track again.