GarageBand for iOS
More tools, more plugins – more music-making fun.
APPLE HAS RECENTLY updated its flagship music apps on Mac and iOS: Logic Pro X and GarageBand respectively (though GarageBand on Mac hasn’t had the same recent love). We’ll take a look at the host of technical and feature improvements made to Logic Pro X in an upcoming issue, but it’s GarageBand that’s been impressing us most.
The biggest new addition is audio plugins, enabling third-party apps to apply effects to a track using their own interface within GarageBand. It work just like Photos app extensions: you install an app from the App Store, and then select it from a list of options within GarageBand’s newly expanded mixer tools. GarageBand also gets more of its own built-in effects and tools to apply to recorded tracks, which have all the controls necessary for experts to manipulate them individually and in-depth – though there’s also a new voice-recording effects tool that can apply a silly or useful effect with just a tap.
One of the other big features is a new synth, named Alchemy, which has been brought over from Logic using the same pro-quality sound engine, but with some simplified controls. It’s perfect for those wanting to play around with Stranger
Things or Blade Runner- style sounds, and is packed with options while still being easy and fun to experiment with. Part of what makes it simple to use is a new option to play keyboard instruments with a chord-based layout, like the one available for all of GarageBand’s string instruments. Again, it’s perfect for people who know nothing about music but want to play with making something fun.
There are even more tools for pros hidden away, including a two-handed keyboard layout and the ability to record multiple takes, plus fast access to instruments. We’re blown away by what Apple has included without making the app harder to use. We hope iMovie gets a similar treatment soon!