Quick answer: GarageBand on Mac loads Audio Units (AU) plug-ins, not VST. For house basslines, the best free AU synths are TAL-BassLine-101, u-he TyrellN6, Dexed and OB-Xd. Install them to the Components folder, restart GarageBand, then program an off-beat bass pattern at 120 to 126 BPM. GarageBand on iPhone and iPad only loads AUv3 apps.
This page is part of our complete GarageBand vocals guide, which walks through recording, the vocal chain, presets and mixing in one place.
House bass is simple on paper: a few notes, a tight rhythm, a lot of low end. The sound comes from the synth and from how the bass leaves room for the kick. This guide lists four free synths that work in GarageBand on Mac, shows how to install them and gives a bassline recipe you can copy.
Four free synths for house bass
| Plug-in | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| TAL-BassLine-101 | Monophonic analog-style synth, modelled on a classic 1980s bass machine | Punchy, round house and acid-style bass with few controls |
| u-he TyrellN6 | Virtual analog synth, free from u-he | Warm, thick basses and pads with a full set of controls |
| Dexed | FM synth that reads classic DX7 patches | Bell-like, plucky and electric-piano style bass tones |
| OB-Xd | Virtual analog synth in the style of a vintage polysynth | Fat saw basses, chords and stabs |
Check each developer's page before you download. Plug-in versions and Mac support change, and your Mac may need a build made for Apple silicon. Download from the developer, not from a mirror site.
How to install an AU plug-in in GarageBand
- Download the plug-in for macOS from the developer's page.
- Run the installer. If you get a .component file instead, copy it to
Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components. The folder in your home directory works for one user, and the one on the main drive works for all users. - Close GarageBand fully and open it again so it rescans.
- Create a Software Instrument track. Click the Instrument slot in the Smart Controls area (or the Edit tab), and choose the plug-in from the Audio Units menu.
- If the plug-in does not show up, read the developer's install notes and check that it supports your Mac's processor type.
A simple house bassline recipe
- Set the tempo to 124 BPM. House usually sits between 120 and 126.
- Program a four-on-the-floor kick: one hit on each beat.
- Pick the root note of your key. Play it on the off-beats, the "and" between each kick. This is the classic off-beat house bass.
- Choose a short, plucky sound with a filter that closes quickly after each note.
- Add a second note, such as the fifth or the octave, on one off-beat per bar to give the line movement.
- Keep each note short so the bass does not overlap the kick.
Many house producers use sidechain compression so the bass ducks on every kick. GarageBand's built-in compressor has no kick-triggered sidechain, so shorten the notes and use volume automation, or choose a plug-in with its own ducking control.
Mix tips for house bass
- High-pass the kick and bass differently: keep the sub in one of them, not both, between 40 and 80 Hz.
- Add a gentle low-pass filter above 5 to 8 kHz on the bass so it does not fight the hi-hats.
- Use GarageBand's Channel EQ to cut 2 to 3 dB around 250 to 400 Hz if the bass sounds boxy.
- Check the bass on small speakers. If you cannot hear it, add a bit of the second harmonic with light saturation or an octave-up layer.
The same EQ ideas appear in our vocal EQ cheat sheet, and the mix steps in our GarageBand guide apply to any track.
Add a vocal on top
Once the bass works, a vocal chain finishes the track. Our Vocal Preset Mega Bundle for GarageBand ($49) and the GarageBand Starter Pack ($19) load ready-made vocal settings. See the full GarageBand vocal presets collection and the best GarageBand plug-ins for more free tools.
Frequently asked questions
Does GarageBand support VST plug-ins?
No. GarageBand on Mac loads Audio Units (AU) only. Use the AU version of a plug-in, or a VST-to-AU wrapper at your own risk.
Can I use these plug-ins in GarageBand on iPhone or iPad?
No. iOS GarageBand uses AUv3 apps, which are different from the Mac plug-ins above. Look for AUv3 synths in the App Store.
What BPM is house music?
Most house sits between 120 and 126 BPM. Deep house often runs a little slower, and tech house a little faster.
Why does my installed plug-in not appear in GarageBand?
Restart GarageBand after you install it. Check that the .component file sits in the Components folder and that it supports your Mac's processor.
Back to the full guide: GarageBand vocals, from recording to mixing. Related: GarageBand Vocal Presets and How to Mix Vocals in GarageBand.
