GarageBand

What is GarageBand?

GarageBand is an app that turns mobile iOS devices into Touch instruments to record studio-level music anywhere.

Rated for users of all ages, GarageBand is free to download and use and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices.

Apple mobile product users/musicians receive an added perk for choosing the Apple family with the ability to download and use the GarageBand app for free. The GarageBand app is easy to use and useful for users of all skill levels -- the sky’s the limit with this app.

According to the developer:

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. Use the new Sound Library to download additional free instruments, loops and sound packs. Audio Unit Extensions in iOS 11 allow you to play, record and mix third-party instruments or effects right into GarageBand.

Composers can use GarageBand to turn their mobile device into a musical instrument to generate recordings. Those users who already know how to play the piano or guitar can launch right in and begin recording chords and melodies with the virtual keyboard and guitar strings.

Don’t know how to play? GarageBand can teach novices how to play and compose music on both the piano and guitar. But, virtual instruments only scratch the surface of what the GarageBand app can do.

Once users download and open the app, they’ll see a plus sign in the upper left-hand corner -- tap on it and tap “Create New Song” to get started. Users will also see the option for iCloud Drive, which allows users to free up space on their device by uploading musical creations directly to their iCloud storage.

When users begin the process of creating a new song, they’ll be shown options of instruments they can scroll through and select, such as bass, guitar, keyboard, drums, virtual session drummer, strings, audio recorder (for voice and sound effects), and an amp to record guitar or other amplified instruments.

Each of the instruments features additional options, allowing users the ability to make their music sound as authentic as possible with acoustic instruments, or go for a synthesized effect. 

Once a user selects an instrument, they can begin creating. The screen view will show the overall song that is being composed, with each instrument or vocal option added as a track and layered to create a complete song.

This is where the fun begins, as each track is easily able to be mastered individually, with options such as volume, treble, bass, echo, reverb and mute. Thus, the completed song will be a mixture of all of the individual tracks combined.