You might buy an iPad 2 instead of a laptop. If you've already got a powerful desktop computer but have been thinking of buying a laptop for simple, on-the-go music making, GarageBand for iPad might be the software to convince you that Apple's tablet will do instead. Perhaps most exciting of all, the Garageband 2.2 update introduces Audio Unit integration, allowing you to use third-party effects in your projects. It’s slim pickings at the minute, but you can find all available Audio Units in the App store. This is by far the biggest update to GarageBand iOS for years. With GarageBand for iPad, Apple is sending a different message: Yes, GarageBand is a tool for making music, but anyone—from musicians to tin-eared newbies—can use it. No talent required. Users of both GarageBand and Logic will be very happy with the new tools introduced in the pair of updates. To check out the entire list of new features in GarageBand 2.2.
When Steve Jobs revealed GarageBand for iPad, it was one of those moments that redefined mobile software for me. iPhone showed us you could touch your music. GarageBand showed us you could touch your music. Since then there's been an incredible string of pro apps for iPad and iPhone, but GarageBand, for me, remains real magic. It's one of the few things that makes me regret not having an ounce of musical talent.
There are bands, bands even I've heard of, that produce vast swaths of their songs and albums on iPad now, and while that shouldn't surprise me, it absolutely delights me.
GarageBand for iOS 2.2 doesn't just offer new features but it brings over features from Logic Pro X, Apple's pro audio editing software for the Mac. That includes Alchemy, which as the name implies, is transformative. There's also a new way to round-trip projects from Mac to iOS and back that's clever enough it feels like sorcery.
But enough with the wizardly hyperbole, here are the highlights:
There's a new sound browser so you can get at and explore the Touch Instruments more quickly and easily than before. (Where' my snare at?)
Apple's ported over Alchemy, their cool new synthesizer from Logic Pro X. It's got over 150 Apple-designed patches from across multiple genres like Pop, Rock, Indie, Hip Hop, and yes, EDM for the unce, unce, unce.
Multi-take recording gives you the ability to do try several takes, audition them all, and then choose the best one for the final mix. (The LINE must be drawn... here. No. The line MUST be... No. The line must be drawn HERE! Yes!)
The audio recorder has been redesigned and now includes vocal effects you can add with a single tap. They can just be for fun, but they also include pro-level pitch correction, distortion, and delay.
There's a new collection of advanced audio processing tools, including an interactive, graphical EQ so you can more easily see and adjust what you're equalizing.
Third-party plug-in effects are in full effect, with support for Audio Unit Extensions for expandable, creative sound design. So, you're not bound by just GarageBand. Now the App Store is your only limit.
You can share flattened versions of your Logic Pro X 10.3 projects via iCloud, record extra tracks, and have those additions shared back to the multi-track version in Logic Pro X. The round trip is real!
GarageBand 2.2 for iPhone and iPad remains a free update for all existing customers and for anyone who has bought an iPhone or iPad in the last few years. If that's not you, you can still buy it in the App Store for $4.99 and that makes it one of the best deals on any platform.
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Make music with Touch Instruments
Use Touch Instruments to play keyboards, drums, guitars, strings, and more. Record your own vocals or plug in your guitar or bass, and play through a great selection of amps and stompbox effects.
Build your song
Choose from hundreds of Apple Loops to add to your song, add a drummer that plays along to the music you recorded, and mix your song with effect plug-ins.
Create music like a DJ
How Get Garageband 2. 2 For Ipad Update 3
Use Live Loops to create electronic music by simply tapping cells and columns in the grid to trigger musical loops. You can build your own arrangements, then improvise and record a Live Loops performance.
Download free loops and instruments
Use the Sound Library to download and manage sound packs containing hundreds of loops, sounds, Touch Instruments, drum kits, and more. GarageBand lets you know when new sound packs are available to download.
How Get Garageband 2. 2 For Ipad Updates
To browse the GarageBand User Guide for iPad, click Table of Contents at the top of the page.