4. Make Sure GarageBand is Guided by Voices

GarageBand '09 launch screen.

Launch GarageBand. We started a podcast, but the process is exactly the same if you choose to create a song.

This is where naming your Aggregate Device comes in handy.

In the Menu Bar select GarageBand>Preferences. Select the Audio/MIDI tab. Select the Audio Input drop down and select the Aggregate Device you created using the Audio MIDI Setup. GarageBand will warn you that you will be changing the audio driver, select yes. Close the Preferences window.

5.Podcasting the Night Away

You need this panel to adjust the audio input settings.

Be sure the Track Info panel is visible.

It's easier to duplicate a track at the beginning than create a new one.

We've duplicated the Male Voice track so we have three tracks for our three USB mics.

Your device is split between the three mics. Choose the appropriate mic for the appropriate person. 

Select the first voice track. In the track Info panel select Info Source. What has happened is that the Aggregate Device is seen as two stereo devices or three mono devices. Choose Mono 1 for your first voice track. Select the second Voice track and select Mono 2 Input Source. Select the third Voice track and select the Mono 3 Input Source. If you have more mics, continue until each track is assigned it's own Mono input Source.

6. All Together Now

Make sure all the red buttons are selected for recordings.

In order to record all the mics at the same time, you need to press the red record buttons on the Voice Tracks you want to recording. When you start recording, it may take GarageBand a few moments to begin. Remember, the more mics you have going at once the more processing power you're using. 

All three podcasters can speak at once.

That's it. You can adjust each vocal track independently now which is especially helpful when you're using different types of microphones, or some of the podcasters are louder than others.