How to Insert Native Instruments Plug-ins in GarageBand

This article explains how to insert Native Instruments plug-ins in GarageBand, including:

  • Inserting instrument plug-ins (e.g. Massive X, Kontakt, etc.) in a Software Instrument track.
  • Inserting effect plug-ins (e.g. Guitar Rig, Supercharger, etc.) in an Audio FX slot.

    Note: Some NI products can be inserted both as instrument or effect plug-in (e.g. Absynth 5 / Absynth 5 FX, etc.).

Inserting NI Software Instruments in GarageBand

  1. Create a new track in Garageband by selecting:
    Track > New Track...
    01_New_Track.png

  2. In the following dialog, select Software Instrument and click Create.
    02_Select_Software_Inst_Track.png
  3. By default, GarageBand will load a Classic Electric Piano from its internal sound library. Press the Smart Controls button to view the Smart Controls pane in the lower part of the GarageBand window. Pressing the B key on your computer's keyboard will also display the Smart Controls pane.
    03_Smart_Controls_Button.png
  4. On the left side of the Smart Controls pane, click the Track button to access the Plug-ins menu.
    04_Plug_Ins_Menu.png
  5. Within the Plug-ins menu, click the selector tab on the instrument plug-in slot.
    05_Instrument_Slot.png
  6. Browse the AU Instruments menu to find the Native Instruments plug-in you wish to open. In this example, we choose a Stereo instance of Massive X.
    06_AU_Instruments_List.png
  7. If you get a warning message, press the Lower Security Settings button to proceed.
    07_Security_Warning.png
  8. Massive X is now loaded in GarageBand and its window is open for editing. If you do not see the Massive X plug-in window, click on the Instrument plug-in slot named Massive X in the Plug-ins menu.
    08_Instrument_Slot_Plugin_Name.png

You can now play the plug-in's sounds via a MIDI keyboard or record MIDI data on the Software Instrument track in the Arrange window for playback.

Inserting NI Effects in GarageBand

  1. When hovering your mouse over the Audio Effect slot (directly under the Instrument slot), you will see four empty Audio FX slots. To add an AU effect plug-in, click one of these empty slots.
    09_Audio_FX_Slot.png
  2. Browse through the Audio Units menu to the NI effect plug-in you wish to load. In our example, we choose GUITAR RIG.
    10_Audio_FX_List.png
  3. The effect plug-in is now loaded in GarageBand and its window is open for editing. If the plug-in window is not displayed, click on the respective entry in the Plug-ins menu.
    11_Instrument_and_FX_Slots.png

The effect plug-in is now loaded in an Audio FX slot and will process the output signal of the Audio or Software Instrument track.