How to record audio (on mac)

Hello community, (i am pretty sure this is answered but i can't find it)

I am thinking of entering a sound logo competition (if you browse the internet, i think you know what it is) anyways, i wanted to record sounds with my mac microphone, and put the audio files into garageband

1. I just do not know how to do that (record audio files and insert them into garageband)
2. Does garageband or any known application helps you crop parts of sound

Thanks, MoronX