Export the song as WAV
- In GarageBand on Mac, choose Share, then Export Song to Disk.
- Name the file in Save As, and choose where it goes from the Where menu.
- Choose WAVE as the format (AIFF is also uncompressed). Do not choose AAC or MP3: they are compressed.
- In the Quality menu pick the uncompressed setting. Apple's own article about sharing from GarageBand names it "Uncompressed 16-bit".
- Leave the cycle checkbox off unless you want only the cycle area or the selected regions.
- Click Export. GarageBand exports the whole project and trims silence at the start and end.
These labels are from the GarageBand User Guide for Mac (version 10.4.x). Newer builds may word things slightly differently; the choice that matters does not change: an uncompressed file.
What to check first
- Peaks, not loudness. Play the loudest part and watch the output meter: if it hits the red, lower the track volumes, not the master volume, and export again.
- Take off anything on the master whose job is to make the song louder. Leave the mix sound alone: you are asking the mastering step to do the loudness.
- Make sure the song ends where you want it: the exported file is trimmed of silence at both ends, so a deliberate gap at the start will not survive.
- Bit depth. The uncompressed setting Apple names for sharing from GarageBand is 16-bit; if your version offers a higher one, take it. A 16-bit source is fine for a first master, and OBRA still returns a 24-bit file.
Free, quick, and what to expect
A song made with GarageBand loops and your own vocal usually needs three things from mastering: a consistent tone (a little low-end tidy and some air), a steady level between the verse and the chorus, and a loudness that matches streaming. That is what OBRA's three masters give you, with each move explained so you can learn what happened.
Drop the file into OBRA
- Open obra.art/mastering and drop in the WAVE file from GarageBand. It is read in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
- Wait a few seconds: you get three masters, Natural, OBRA and Loud, with every move explained.
- Switch between them while the song plays, and against your original at the same loudness (OBRA matches it so louder does not fool you).
- Open the Platforms view to see how Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube will play the master.
- Download the 24-bit WAV or FLAC. Two songs a day are free with no account.
If your song is a vocal over a beat, try Vocal + beat instead: drop the beat and the vocal separately and OBRA lines them up, cleans and levels the vocal and masters the result. It is free to listen to and $5 / €5 / £5 to download.
If the mix itself is the problem
A master cannot fix a mix that is out of balance. If you hear that, upload your tracks to OBRA ULTRA: an OBRA engineer mixes and masters the song and sends a WAV and a written note, $19 / €19 / £19 per round, back within 72 hours (limited spots each week).
Frequently asked questions
How do I export a GarageBand song as WAV?
In GarageBand on Mac choose Share, then Export Song to Disk, pick WAVE as the format, choose an uncompressed Quality setting and click Export.
Can I master a GarageBand song online for free?
Yes. Export a WAV and drop it into OBRA Audio Mastering: two songs a day free, no account, nothing uploaded, 24-bit WAV or FLAC back.
Is GarageBand's export good enough for mastering?
An uncompressed WAVE or AIFF is. Avoid AAC and MP3 exports, which have already thrown away audio data.
Does GarageBand trim my song?
Yes. Apple's guide says any silence at the beginning or end of the project is trimmed when you export.