Icon of program: Apple GarageBand

Apple GarageBand for Mac

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Key Details of Apple GarageBand

  • Make music anywhere you go with GarageBand
  • Last updated on
  • There have been 3 updates
  • Virus scan status:

    Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)

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Apple GarageBand 0/2

Editors’ Review

Download.com staff

GarageBand for Mac offers a wealth of tools for creating, editing, and fine-tuning your music. While it's not a professional tool like Logic Pro X, its abilities must not be underestimated.

  • Audio Recording: With GarageBand, you can record multiple tracks of audio with high-quality results. You can also enhance your recordings with built-in audio effects such as reverb, echo, and distortion. Key features include:
    • Options to record in 16-bit and 24-bit audio resolutions.
    • A fixed sample rate of 44.1 kHz.
    • Tools for pitch correction and a variety of preset effects.
  • Virtual Software Instruments: The app comes packed with a large selection of realistic instruments and synthesizers. This allows for rich sound creation and the ability to play music live. Key points include:
    • Support for USB MIDI keyboards for live performances.
    • An on-screen virtual keyboard and "musical typing" feature.
    • Adjustable parameters on synthesizers to tailor your sound.
  • Guitar Features: Guitar players will find useful features that support simulated amplifiers and effect processors. The app provides:
    • Emulations of well-known amplifiers like Marshall and Fender.
    • The ability to layer up to five effects over virtual amplifiers.
    • Connections for guitars directly through the Mac's built-in input or a USB.

GarageBand supports detailed MIDI editing, allowing users to bring in MIDI files and adjust elements like pitch, velocity, and note duration using easy-to-navigate tools such as the piano roll or notation editor. While it may lack some of the advanced features found in professional DAWs, GarageBand is continuously improving by adding more features with each update.

Pros

  • Quick to get started: To start creating a song, pick a project template. You can go with a blank template or choose one tailored to a style or instrument (such as hip hop or guitar). For finer control over the project, you can pick a tempo and set key and time signatures as well as input and output devices.
  • Lay down your tracks: After setting on a project type, plug in your instrument or mic, and start recording a track. GarageBand comes with an expansive library of sounds and effects to apply to your track to produce the sound you want. You can use Apple-created loops or add third-party drum beats and riffs.
  • Cue the drummer: Choose from more than two dozen drum loops from a variety of styles -- from EDM and hip hop to Latin and blues -- and then tweak the loop to get the exact sound you want. For example, you have control over the sound of the kick drum, snare, toms, and hi-hat.
  • Synthesizers: GarageBand also comes with 100 synth sounds designed for EDM and hip hop. As with the drum loops, you can tweak the sounds to match the feel of your tune.

Cons

  • Big files: On initial setup, GarageBand warns you it may take a while to download its starter collection of files. If you want the full collection of patches, drummers, and loops, the file is significantly larger (topping 10GB), so make sure you have the time and space if you want them.
  • A bit of a learning curve: While GarageBand is not a professional-level tool (Apple's Logic Pro X fills that spot), it is a deep music-creation program that takes some time to get comfortable with.

Apple's GarageBand puts a music studio right on your Mac, giving both musicians and the musically challenged a broad range of powerful tools you can use to create and edit songs.

 

What’s new in version 10.0.3

  • Adds support for OS X Yosemite
  • Access audio effect plug-ins for more detailed control over the sound of your tracks
  • Build your own bass rig with Bass Amp Designer using vintage and modern amps, cabinets, and mics
  • New Voice Template for fast and easy vocal recordings
  • Share GarageBand projects with Mail Drop
  • Vertical zoom automatically adjusts the height of your tracks
  • Contains multiple enhancements to Accessibility
Icon of program: Apple GarageBand

Apple GarageBand for Mac

Download now

Used Apple GarageBand for Mac? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
Latest update
Version
10.0.3
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Mac
Operating System
  • OS X 10.9
  • OS X 10.10
  • Mac OS X
Additional Requirements
None
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
740,789
Downloads Last Week
7
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Program available in other languages

Last Updated

User Reviews

4/5

26 User Votes

Developer’s Description

By Apple
Turn your iOS device into a collection of touch instruments and a full-featured recording studio.
GarageBand is the easiest way to record and create great-sounding songs on your Mac. Add realistic, impeccably produced and performed drum grooves to your song with Drummer. Easily shape the sound of any instrument in the Sound Library with Smart Controls. Crank up the bottom end with brand-new bass amps, or mix and match electric guitar amps, cabinets, and pedals with Amp Designer and Pedalboard. Control GarageBand and play any software instrument wirelessly on your iPad using the Logic Remote app. Use iCloud to keep your GarageBand projects updated across multiple Mac computers, or even import GarageBand for iOS songs directly from iCloud.
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