GarageBand logo

GarageBand for iOS

By Apple Free Editors' Rating

Key Details of GarageBand

  • Turn your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch into a full-featured recording studio
  • Last updated on 04/06/20
  • There has been 1 update within the past 6 months

Editors' Review

Download.com Staff Jul 8, 2013

GarageBand offers a mobile version of Apple's powerful iWork music creation tool, with only a handful of drawbacks to what is otherwise a powerful, intuitive tool. More powerful than many beginner tools but not nearly as powerful as some of the most robust tools on the market, GarageBand is a perfect entry-level tool for someone interested in multi-track recording or digital composition on a mobile device.

GarageBand offers numerous options when first starting. From keyboards to drums, to sampling and a number of presets that make it easy to create fun effects without having to play with the controls too much, GarageBand has a lot to play with. It operates only in landscape mode and some tools are better on the Mac--especially the keyboard interface--but many options like the amplifier option, recording tools, and samplers are very well crafted and perfectly easy to use, even for those with no experience creating music. Multitrack recording is another very useful tool here, and despite the resources this app must demand, it ran smoothly in every test we developed for it, from an eight track recording to multiple voice inputs and three- to five-minute audio recordings being edited onscreen.

GarageBand is one of those rare apps that can be useful for almost anyone interested in recording. Whether you are interviewing someone for your podcast or are playing with Smart Drums while connected by Bluetooth to three other iPad or iPhone users, this app never ceases to amaze. This is one of Apple's better iWork apps for the iOS platform.

Full Specifications

What's new in version 2.3.8

  • Support for Dark Mode and new Share Sheet in iOS 13
  • Access files from external hard drives, SD card readers and USB drives
  • Improves audio fidelity of Apple Loops when making tempo and key changes
  • New downloadable "Skyline Heat" sound pack with a collection of over 350 new Hip Hop loops and 6 drum kits
  • Search for Apple Loops by Sound Library pack name
  • Provides performance and stability improvements

General

Release April 6, 2020
Date Added April 6, 2020
Version 2.3.8

Operating Systems

Operating Systems iOS
Additional Requirements iOS 12.1

Popularity

Total Downloads 125,928
Downloads Last Week 139
Report Software

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User Reviews

4.9/5
15 User Votes
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Developer's Description

GarageBand turns your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch into a collection of Touch Instruments and a full-featured recording studio -- so you can make music anywhere you go. And with Live Loops, it makes it easy for anyone to have fun creating music like a DJ, by triggering loops and audio effects in real time. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play keyboards, guitars, and drums. Enjoy Smart Instruments that make you sound like a pro -- even if you've never played a note before. Plug in a guitar or bass and play through classic amps and stompbox effects. Use a Touch Instrument, microphone, or a guitar and instantly record a performance with support for up of 32 tracks. Audio Unit Extensions in iOS 10 allow you to play, record and mix third-party instruments or effects right into GarageBand. And share your song using email, Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud, or AirDrop for iOS. Live Loops. Make music like a DJ. Use Multi-Touch to tap and trigger a Live Loop cell or group of cells. Get started with templates like EDM, House and Hip Hop. Build your own grid using over 1, 200 Apple Loops in a variety of popular genres. Create loops by recording directly into a cell using any Touch Instrument, or live instruments like voice or guitar. Use Remix FX to perform DJ-style effects like filters, repeaters, and vinyl scratching. Tap record and capture your Live Loop performance. Drummer for iOS. Add a virtual session Drummer to your song who takes direction and plays realistic grooves. Choose from 9 acoustic or electronic drummers. Each Drummer character provides their own sound and the ability to create over a million realistic grooves and fills. Alchemy Synth. Play and record using the new Alchemy Touch Instrument with over 150 synth patches. Swipe on the Transform Pad to morph and tweak the sound of any patch. Play your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch like a musical instrument. Play musical instruments on the innovative Multi-Touch keyboard. Capture any sound and apply studio-class effects like pitch correction, distortion and delay with the Audio Recorder. Recreate legendary guitar or bass rigs using virtual amps & stompboxes. Use the Sampler to create your own custom instrument. Use 3D Touch to play keyboard sounds with polyphonic aftertouch. Record performances from third-party music apps directly into GarageBand using Audio Unit Extensions. Sound like a virtuoso with Smart Instruments. Play an entire string orchestra using Smart Strings. Perform with Chord Strips and autoplay using any keyboard instrument. Groove with a variety of Smart Basses using upright, electric, and synth sounds. Strum chords or trigger autoplay patterns on an acoustic and electric Smart Guitar. Create a song anywhere you go. Record, arrange and mix your song with up to 32 tracks using Touch Instruments, audio recordings, and loops. Record multiple times over any song section and choose your favorite using Multi-Take Recording. Use new mixing effects, including Visual EQ, Bitcrusher, and Overdrive. Trim and place musical regions exactly where you want them to play. Automate the volume and record the movement of controls on Touch Instruments. Add comments or lyric ideas to your song with an integrated notepad. Share your songs. Keep your songs up to date across all devices using iCloud Drive. Create custom ringtones and alerts for your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Share your songs using email or Facebook, YouTube, and SoundCloud. Remotely add new tracks to your Logic Pro X project from your iPhone or iPad via iCloud. The Alchemy synth is available on iPhone 6 or later, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4. Requires compatible third-party Audio Unit Extensions apps from the App Store. Polyphonic aftertouch is available on iPhone 6s or later. 32 tracks is available on iPhone 5s or later, iPad Pro, iPad Air or later, and iPad mini 2 or later. Multitrack recording requires a compatible third-party audio interface.
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