Garageband: exporting tracks shorter than 5 seconds

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Garageband: exporting tracks shorter than 5 seconds

In Garageband I'm trying to export audio tracks that are not much longer than 1-2 seconds long - really short projects! - but when I do export them and then play them in my iTunes they are now about 5 seconds long. This is a bit lengthy for what I want them for. Is there any way of exporting a project that can be any shorter than 5 seconds? Anyone know?

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on May 11, 2009 1:18 PM

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Answer 1

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zeppelin016

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Jul 19, 2009 1:01 PM in response to poflynn

Hi All,

I just ran into this problem myself when trying to export a 1 second GB project to disk as an AAC file (.mp4). This is pretty bad that I have had to do this, but I found something that works for me:

1) Make sure the cycle button is enabled
2) Make sure that your cycle region is defined to match the exact length you want
3) Choose "Send Ringtone to iTunes" as your method of export
4) Once in iTunes, get info for the ringtone and notice where the ringtone is actually stored on disc. Copy that file somewhere else and change the m4r extension to m4a.

For some reason, projects exported as ringtones have their short length properly exported. But a ringtone seems to just be an AAC file with a special extension.

Not sure if this helps for Podcasts, but I imagine a podcast is basically AAC like a ringtone and all thats different is some kind of file extension.

- Brock

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Answer 2

poflynn

Level 4

1,303 points

May 11, 2009 4:25 PM in response to JulesBoudin

Did you try zooming way in so you can be more precise when setting the length of the Cycle Region?

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Answer 3

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

May 11, 2009 2:57 PM in response to JulesBoudin

JulesBoudin wrote:
Am I missing something out

it would appear so. i just exported a 1.5 second clip that exported as a 1.5 second clip.

perhaps more information would help us know what that is.

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Answer 4

JulesBoudin Author

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May 11, 2009 2:52 PM in response to JulesBoudin

Thanks for the response! Yeah, I've tried the cycle region button and then adjusted the yellow marker but then my exported .m4a file still comes out as about 5 seconds long instead of the actual 1 an' a bit seconds of my original project. Am I missing something out or just being too hopeful??

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Answer 5

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

May 11, 2009 3:14 PM in response to JulesBoudin

JulesBoudin wrote:
my version of Garageband says 3.0.5 (104.10)

you're in the wrong forum, you should use the GB3 forum

Is this anything to do with it?

no, it's always worked the same way, as the FAQ states

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Answer 6

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

May 11, 2009 3:37 PM in response to JulesBoudin

it's not a big deal in this case, but sometimes posting in the wrong forum will get you the wrong answer because the app's feature-set/GUI has changed.

the only other thing i can think of is the oddball problem fix:

first two things to try for “oddball” probs:

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#oddballprobs

(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

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Answer 7

JulesBoudin Author

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May 12, 2009 3:09 AM in response to JulesBoudin

thanks for the 'oddball' pointer, and the 'zoom slider' thingy! I didn't know about these things. I tried them both and I really thought I would get it working this time but for some annoying reason my 1.5ish second project always exports with about 3 extra seconds of blank play time at the end. ARRRGH! It's always the small problems that really get me!! Thanks for all you're effort so far!!!!!

THE STEPS I TAKE:

1. I make sure the orange track is pulled back to 0 secs
2. I press the cycle region button [the button with the two little recycling/circling arrows(which is right next to the play and skip buttons)]
3. I use the zoom slider (very useful!! thanks) and then adjust the orange cycle region [which appears on the beat ruler] so that it is the same length [EXACTLY] as my 1.5ish length track.
4. I try to pull the little end-of-track marker [the purple arrow] back [to the left] but will only come as far as 14:00 seconds?? weird!
5. Then finally I go to 'Share' in the menu bar and 'Export Podcast to Disk...'

6. I double-click my exported .m4a file which opens automatically in my iTunes but "lo and behold!!" it's no longer a 1.5 second track but a 5 sec one!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to keep my 1.5ish sec track 1.5 even after it is exported. Is it possible?

My Garageband keeps adding those extra 3 seconds on the end when I export!!!!???

Is there an option I haven't selected?

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Answer 8

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

May 11, 2009 1:34 PM in response to JulesBoudin

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#exportexactlength

(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

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Answer 9

JulesBoudin Author

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May 11, 2009 3:08 PM in response to JulesBoudin

Hmm?, well my version of Garageband says 3.0.5 (104.10). I don't know what year that is? Is this anything to do with it?

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Answer 10

JulesBoudin Author

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May 11, 2009 3:22 PM in response to JulesBoudin

Sorry, Thanks!

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Answer 11

poflynn

Level 4

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May 12, 2009 10:08 AM in response to JulesBoudin

Don't know why it's not working as it should. There is an option in iTunes to start and end the song when you want, but don't know how it works on a Podcast.

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