Bass with GarageBand

[Milesinho]

I've started using GarageBand to record stuff. The guitar goes directly into the Mac via an Apogee Jam and all the preset effects and pedals sound great.

I want to add baselines as well but I just can't get any sort of remotely decent sound out of the bass guitar no matter what effects I apply. Has anyone got any advice? Do I need to go through an amp (which I'm reluctant to do as I don't have much space to spare) or is there a setting that I'm missing.

I'm not looking for any particularly specific tone or anything like that. I just need a decent generic rock bass sound.

[M-Bass-M]

On the ipad you can download IK Multimedia's Amplitube and access it via the inter-app audio function. You can download Amplitube Custom Shop for free, pretty sure there's a basic bass amp that comes as standard.

[ambient]

Thought there was amp design in GarageBand ?

It's been ages since I used it but it definitely used to have it.

Edited February 23, 2014 by ambient

[RhysP]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1393160903' post='2376781']
Thought there was amp design in GarageBand ?

It's been ages since I used it but it definitely used to have it.
[/quote]

There is.
There's also a load of various bass tone presets you can use as well.
Depends what you're looking for I guess.

[Milesinho]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1393163614' post='2376823']
There is.
There's also a load of various bass tone presets you can use as well.
Depends what you're looking for I guess.
[/quote]

I guess I'm being dumb but I can't see them. I'm using the Mac version, not iPad.

[RhysP]

[quote name='Milesinho' timestamp='1393340689' post='2378967']
I guess I'm being dumb but I can't see them. I'm using the Mac version, not iPad.
[/quote]

I'm using a Mac too, but mines an older one so maybe the newer versions are different (I'm running Garageband '11).

Anyway, try this - when you create a new track select the "Real Instrument" option. When the track is created there will be a list of presets for different instruments on the right hand side of the screen. Select "Bass" and you'll have the option of 26 different bass presets to use.