Problem installing compete set of instruments and loops

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Level 3

810 points

Problem installing compete set of instruments and loops

I have GarageBand 11 running on a 2011 Mac Mini with OSX High Sierra. Apparently, I didn't install the full set of instruments and loops when I installed GarageBand, because when I play content I made on my other computer, a lot of stuff is missing.

In particular, I have some drum tracks, and when I select them, some of the drum kit options have arrows that say the content has not been downloaded and ask me if I would like to download the full set of instruments and loops through the App Store. If I select that option, nothing happens, but if I try the "install later" option, about every third time I try, the additional content shows up under "updates" in the app store. However, when I select it, it downloads the package, waits for a *long* time (about 15-20 minutes), and then gives the very useful message "an error occurred running one of the scripts in [something like] GarageBandExtraContent.pkg". I've tried at least three times now and the same thing happens.

This is driving me crazy, and I'd appreciate any advice. In particular:

- I have the full set of instruments and loops on two other macs. Is there some way I can just copy it?

- Can I just download the bloody content without going trough the App store?

- Can I completely uninstall Garageband, and then reinstall it and get the content?

Posted on Nov 4, 2018 2:28 PM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,525 points

Nov 5, 2018 7:22 AM in response to ejpre

GarageBand '11 is rather old and no longer well supported. The last version dates from October 2013. Apple even removed the updater to GarageBand '11, version 6.0.5 from the Downloads page. I would not risk to uninstall GarageBand '11, if you prefer it to the current GarageBand 10. Since you cannot install the addiditional sounds from the AppStore, you may not be able to reinstall GarageBand from the AppStore at all.

If you have all sounds and loops on other Macs, copy them over.

You need to copy the missing items from these directories:

/Library/Audio/Apple Loops/
/Library/Application Support/GarageBand/

Which system version do you have installed?

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Answer 2

léonie

Level 10

200,525 points

Nov 5, 2018 7:38 AM in response to ejpre

The version numbers are indeed confusing. GarageBand '11 is called so as part of the iLife '11 bundle, but its last version number is 6.0.5. The newer applications, after the end of iLife, are having version numbers starting with 10, the same goes for iMovie. The most recent iMovie is iMovie 10.1.9, matching GarageBand's 10.3.1.

If you have both GarageBand 10.3.1 and GarageBand 6.0.5, you may want to keep both. They share the Instrument Library and the loops, so not much extra storage is required. And both applications can do different things. I am still using GarageBand 6.0.5 to use the sound effect instruments to play samples, or to make a podcast. And I like the smart instruments in GarageBand 10, the drummers, smart strings, arpeggiators. It is easier in the older GarageBand to change the pitch and the tempo of an audio file.

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Answer 3

ejpre Author

Level 3

810 points

Nov 5, 2018 7:24 AM in response to léonie

Thanks. That worked perfectly.

BTW, having GarageBand 10 come after GarageBand '11 was really confusing me. It seems like a very Microsoft thing to do.

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Problem installing compete set of instruments and loops

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