FX & Automation, Mixing & Mastering

How to Set Up Fade-In & Fade-Out in GarageBand (Mobile)

Written By : Andrew Siemon

Automation is for changing parameters like dynamics like effects, volume, pitch, over time. An easy way to fade out is to use the default fade-out, however, this doesn’t give you much control over it.

To automatically set up a “fade out” in GarageBand iOS, click the Gear Icon and then engage the “Fade Out” switch. To create a “fade in,” click on the instrument icon, and then choose “Automation.” Unlock the Automation by clicking the Pen icon, and then set up an automation point to drag it down.

How to Fade In & Out in GarageBand iOS

1) Select The Instrument You Want To Fade In to Bring Up The Menu   

1) Select The Instrument You Want To Fade In to Bring Up The Menu  - GarageBand iOS (Fade)
Tap on the icon of the instrument you want to fade.

You’ll see a drop-down menu appear to the right with several options. You’ll see 7 options, the 5th one being Automation.

Click on Automation. This opens up the automation lanes. You can repeat this with other tracks if you want to do more than one – or even all of them. 

2) Slide the Pen Over To Unlock It 

2) Slide the Pen Over To Unlock It 
Drive your cursor up to the top left of the screen.

Slide the pen icon over to unlock it. If you don’t unlock it, you won’t be able to make changes in the way you want.

3) Place Your Automation Points & Then Drag Them Down/Up

3) Place Your Automation Points - GarageBand iOS (Fade in and Out)
You can create many of them if you’d like.

I’m using the Apple Pencil for this and it works awesome for automation in both GarageBand iOS and Logic Pro for iPad.

4 B) The Fade at the End - GarageBand iOS
Place a fade at the end as well if you want.

This is really how you get creative with the dynamics of your track. Put automation anywhere you want for dramatic effect.

I’ll do this quite frequently with guitar parts. Rather than using a compressor which will reduce the peaks and bring up the quiet parts everywhere, you can do so only where it needs it.

4) Slide the Pen Over To Lock It  

4) Slide the Pen Over To Lock It
Now drive back up to the pen icon and drag it back into the locked position. 

5) Listen To It & then Adjust The Automation Points

Playback from the start of your song and see if it sounds how you want it to. Have another listen. Repeat this process until it sounds exactly how you want it. 

How to Automatically Set Up A Fade Out in GarageBand iOS 

1) With Your Workspace Open, Click the “Gear” Icon

1) With Your Workspace Open, Click the Gear Icon
GarageBand officially calls it the “Settings” icon.

2) Switch On “Fade Out”

2) Switch On Fade Out - GarageBand iOS
The Fade Out button can clearly be seen here.

Switch that on and it’ll be create a really nice fade out at the ending of your track. The fade out is fairly long and natural-sounding.

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Andrew Siemon is the principal creator of ProducerSociety.com, a website dedicated to all things music, including music production, music theory, recording, and how to use the most popular DAWs. Starting out as a metal guitarist, Andrew has since moved into other areas of music production including hip-hop and fusion

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