client needs help getting some audio out of a GarageBand file. Long story (made by person on newer version of GB/MacOS, they have older version only and aren't willing to upgrade, etc). I have the GB file that the person sent them, it appears to be about 45 MB in size (makes sense given length of audio file likely contained in it). Try to open the file in GB 10.4.7 on Monterey, and on launch, it prompts to create a new project file of the same name with added number at the end. "The file couldn't be opened" is the error message that results, and clicking "open an existing project" doesn't yield results either.

On a normal .band file, you can right-click and "show package contents" to see inside and grab the source audio. That's what I'd like to do in this case, but that option simply isn't available with this particular GB file. Other .band files do have the option.

Any other possible way of getting inside the file to grab the audio?

Hmm, I wonder if there is a Terminal command equivalent to Show Package Contents.

Do you have Logic Pro?
If yes, open the file in Logic Pro and you should see the audio.
If you don't have Logic Pro, DM me to set up a file transfer- I should be able to extract the audio.

Joe

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Joseph C.
Do you have Logic Pro?
If yes, open the file in Logic Pro and you should see the audio.
If you don't have Logic Pro, DM me to set up a file transfer- I should be able to extract the audio.

Joe

Good idea. Just downloaded Logic and tried, same results. Can't open file.

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mikebw
Hmm, I wonder if there is a Terminal command equivalent to Show Package Contents.

I initially explored this route as well to no avail, though to be fair I didn't spend a ton of time after not finding any workable options.

aha! Had a thought to see what might happen if I were to drop the GarageBand file onto VLC. It opened up the folder structure as a VLC playlist, and that allowed me to play the individual media files. I know you can save stuff from VLC, but couldn't figure out an easy way. So next I dropped the file onto BBEdit, which opened up the folder structure as well. I was then able to save the .wav file using "save a copy" and that resulted in a .wav file on my desktop that is playable and seems to be just right.

This process somewhat reminds me of the old days, hacking around in resedit

Kewl!
So, zipping the file before sending would prevent this to happen?

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rich in distress
Kewl!
So, zipping the file before sending would prevent this to happen?

I think so...but dropbox and other sync services have gotten a lot better about this in recent years. I haven't had any issues like this in at least 5+ years.