7.2. Save Instrument, Delete Instrument

For want of a better term , Apple calls the effects presets in this dialog box Instruments .

In the following pages, you'll learn how to operate the knobs and dials of the individual effect processors (Compressor, Reverb, and so on) that make up each Instrument. The process begins by clicking the Details triangle to expand the dialog box, as shown in Figure 7-1.

It's comforting to know, though, that once you've spent some time tweaking the effects settings for a certain "instrument" (effects preset), you can save your work for use with other tracks and in other GarageBand projects. All you have to do is click the Save Instrument button at the bottom of the dialog box. GarageBand invites you to name your new effect preset. Thereafter, it will appear in the right-side list (see "Giggly Baritone" shown in Figure 7-2).

In fact, GarageBand is so concerned that you might lose hours effects fiddling that, if you try to close the dialog box or select a different "instrument" without clicking Save Instrument, it shows you the warning box in Figure 7-2.

So yes, it's very easy to create new effect presets. Fortunately, it's also easy to prune the list, throwing away any that you've created that, in the cold light of day, you decide really aren't such masterpieces. Just highlight its name in the right-side list and then click Delete Instrument at the bottom of the dialog box.

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Note: You can't use the Delete Instrument button to delete any of Apple's effect presets ”only your own misbegotten attempts.

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