This document provides instructions for creating a radio riff or ad using GarageBand: 1) The riff should be less than 20 seconds and include at least 4 elements like the program name, station ID, name, or invitation to listeners. 2) Use GarageBand to add music loops and record voice tracks, making sure to record in a quiet space and check audio levels. 3) Include at least 4-5 tracks, breaking up voice parts with music, and repeat loops at the beginning and end for continuity. 4) Export the completed riff as a music file to add to a playlist for playback.

1. How to Make a Riff or an Ad
In
By Mrs. Lois Smethurst

2. The Riff Script
• Include at least 4 from the following list:
– The name of the radio program
– The station ID
• Optional Extras
– Your name
– Something about your show
– Invite listeners to stay tuned
– Advertise next week’s show
Make you riff original and interesting

3. Start a New Project
Choose the Voice Option
Save with your name in
the default Garage Band
Folder

4. Add Loops and Recordings
Click here to
hear and
add music
loops
Record your
voice on either
of these tracks

5. Record Your Message
Plug a microphone
in so there is no
background noise
in your recording
This mutes all other
tracks. Use it if you
have already added
some music.
Remember to click
off when finished
Make sure you are
getting a nice big
wave pattern. Click
again to make it
disappear.

6. 1. The finished Riff should be less than 20 seconds long.
2. It should have at least 4 or 5 tracks
3. Break up the speaking parts with music in between. Split =
4. Make a pattern and repeat the loops so that it sounds like a
composition. For example repeat the same loop at the
beginning and the end.

7. It is important to turn on “Ducking”
in the control menu. This makes
your voice stand out over the
music. The voice track has the
yellow up arrow.
Metronome = off

8. Last Step
Export your Riff to Disk. Use
the default settings and then
put the file into your group’s
playlist.
You must
complete this final
step or your song
will not play. The
final file that goes
into the playlist is
a music file not a
Garage Band file
Listen to your finished Riff and check that there are no funny clicks or background
noises that need to be deleted. Get a friend to listen to it too and give you some
feedback.