Control sound with Boom 3D
- Use the Beat Sequencer in GarageBand for iPad You can create repeating drum patterns with the Beat Sequencer by tapping squares or steps in a grid. Each grid row controls a different drum sound (kit piece), and each column represents a beat in the pattern. When the Beat Sequencer is on (running), each lit step plays its corresponding sound.
- Nov 01, 2017 High fidelity fans will be pleased to learn that GarageBand for iOS is now 24-bit, from recording through to exporting. There's also the new Beat Sequencer instrument, a simple step sequencer-based drum programmer that’s ideal for making electronic beats.
GarageBand brings new Sound Library and classic Beat Sequencer Free Update Also Includes New Asian Touch Instruments, Additional Drummers and More With GarageBand 2.3 for iOS, beat makers can tap into a new Beat Sequencer instrument inspired by classic drum machines.
Since Macs are often known as computers for creative types, they are often praised for being especially good at helping you make music. Just look at what any DJs and production studios are using and you’ll mainly see MacBooks and iMacs. So if you’ve just bought a Mac with a goal of creating the music you’ve always dreamed about — good choice! But now where do you start?
Naturally, there are lots of professional music-making and mastering apps, such as Logic Pro X and Ableton Live, but the learning curve to master them is so steep that most beginners will probably give up before making any significant progress.
Boost sound on Mac
Or fix any audio-related problems. It’s all very easy to solve with Setapp, a desktop suite for an easier Mac life.
A better way is to start creating music gradually, covering all the foundations first before graduating into pro-level apps. That’s why apps like GarageBand exist to help you bridge the gap.
What Is GarageBand For Mac?
GarageBand is a digital audio workstation, meaning it lets you record your own music with a possibility of using a library of GarageBand instruments, such as a GarageBand keyboard and a variety of other virtual keyboard pianos (even an online MIDI keyboard).
Alternatively, you can simply record your voice for a podcast or voiceover, and then edit it with all the necessary arrangement right within the app.
While GarageBand offers versatility and plenty of robust features, it has become really popular for (1) being pre-installed on every macOS and (2) being absolutely free to use. An iOS GarageBand piano keyboard app is also available in the App Store at no cost. Sounds fantastic! Let’s begin with a simple GarageBand tutorial.
How to start a project in GarageBand
When you’re convinced that it’s not yet time to use any of the GarageBand alternatives, you’re ready to start on your learning path. To begin, let’s create your first project:
Open GarageBand from your Applications folder (or download from the App Store)
Let any sounds and add-ons download automatically if asked
In the “Choose a Project” window, navigate to Project Templates
Select one of the templates that resembles what you have in mind the most
If you already know the tempo and key you want to play in, click Details to open additional options
Hit Choose when ready
Let’s assume you’ve clicked the Keyboard Collection and get you all set up properly from there.
How to fine-tune your workspace
If you haven’t set up a custom tempo in the menu and not sure how to slow down a track in GarageBand, don’t worry — you can simply double-click the tempo in the middle of the top bar and enter the new value, or literally drag that number up or down. Similarly, if you’re wondering how to change pitch in GarageBand, you can use the dropdown menu next to tempo.
Since we have lots of different keyboards enabled, let’s get rid of the unneeded ones simply by clicking on them and hitting Delete. To add new instruments (or voice), click the plus (+) icon above the instruments, choose the tool you need, and then Create.
How to add Apple Loops
Another great reason to use GarageBand is its abundant library of Apple Loops that will quickly teach you how to sample in GarageBand — the essential skill for any music maker.
To use Apple Loops:
Step Sequencer Online
Select View ➙ Show Loop Browser from the menu bar
Filter the database by Instrument or Genre
Click on the loop to play in preview
When you like the tune, drag it over to your main instruments panel
To increase the loop’s length, just drag it to the right over how many bars you need. If you need to know how to cut a track in GarageBand, a good way is to position the playhead bar at the place you’d like the track to split and then use the shortcut ⌘ + T. Mastering how to cut in GarageBand will open completely new avenues for your creative expression through advanced sampling. While on this topic, to start your instruments at different times and get that layered feel, just move the tracks to the right.
How to record on GarageBand with instruments
While loops can carry you quite far, and you can even compose whole tracks with them, the dream of every musician is to create something original that has never existed before.
To record using GarageBand instruments:
Select the GarageBand keyboard track
Go Window ➙ Show Musical Typing, or use the shortcut ⌘ + O to open the online MIDI keyboard
Hit the record icon and use the keys on your Mac keyboard to play your music
Click the record icon again to stop recording
While virtual keyboard pianos are quite limited compared to the real ones, you can record real instruments with GarageBand as well:
Click the plus (+) icon to start a new instrument track
Choose the option that allows you to connect a guitar or bass
Connect your instrument to GarageBand
Hit the record icon and play as usual for complete control
Press Record once again to stop
The combination of Apple Loops, GarageBand instruments, and your own bass or guitar could easily result in thousands of unique tracks and compositions. Possibilities are endless!
How to save and share your music
When your creation is ready, you naturally want to save it and share it with the world. To only save the GarageBand project itself and maybe work on it later, use the standard File ➙ Save As option.
To export your track into a complete song, go Share ➙ Export Song to Disk, where you’ll be able to choose the format as well as the quality of your audio. Now you just need really good speakers to get all the complexity you’ve put into your song right.
How to get the best sound possible
What if you don’t have the budget to splurge on expensive audio gear? How do you maximize your Mac’s sound then? The answer is Boom 3D.
Boom 3D is a simple but mighty equalizer and volume booster for your Mac. With a simple slider, it lets you override your Mac’s internal volume limits and really get the maximum out of your speakers.
In addition, Boom 3D is a precise equalizer that allows you to adjust all the frequencies to the kind of song being played, which works both for your music collection and your own tracks too. Just select the closest preset from the dropdown and fine-tune as you see fit.
How to graduate beyond GarageBand tutorials
While you’re learning how to use GarageBand on Mac, it’ll seem like it’s never going to get boring. But with time you’ll get too comfortable and even hit the ceiling in terms of being able to execute on your creative vision. At that point, you might start looking for GarageBand alternatives. Your next best step — n-Track Studio.
Music studio inside your Mac
Overcome GarageBand limitations with n-Track Studio. It’s an app that helps you record music professionally using a Mac only.
n-Track Studio is a fully fledged music studio right in your Mac, while still in many ways as accessible as GarageBand. The professional mixer and sequencer allow you to DJ right within the app, and live input recorder makes it possible to record all the songs live during a concert or session. Finally, the app’s own massive library of effects will considerably extend what you thought was possible in creating new sounds.
To sum up, finding out what is GarageBand really is an essential part of becoming a well-rounded musician. And using extra help provided by Boom 3D and n-Track Studio will only accelerate you in your goals.
Best of all, Boom 3D and n-Track Studio are available to you at no charge at all during the seven-day trial through Setapp, a platform with over 160 excellent Mac apps curated to significantly extend the possibilities of your Mac. With so many opportunities at your disposal, you have no option but to start creating music right away!
Do you love making music? If so, then you must know the history of music-making. In the earlier times, The Beatles used to record their songs with the help of twin-track vacuum-tube equipment at Abbey Road of the EMI. At that time, there was a little chance for overdubbing. Meanwhile, the recording sessions were similar to live performances. In the same way, The Fab Four used to record their songs perfectly in a single shot. However, one mistake would charge them money and time as they had to go over everything from scratch.
Now, the time has changed for good. Today, kids can duplicate these recording sessions on their smartphones. There is no requirement of musical instruments. The best part is that you can take as many retakes and takes as you like. You can enjoy a recording session with unlimited tracks virtually in your pocket in the shape of mobile applications. Hence, this age is certainly the golden era for musicians.
When it comes to music-making applications, GarageBand is the best one out there. This application remains unconquered until today. However, there is no application like GarageBand for Android users. It is available only for iOS devices like iPads and iPhones. If you are an Android user but a great musician, do not worry as we have come up with some great alternatives to GarageBand for Android devices. So, let’s know about these alternatives right below!
PS: read more about the top Music Downloader for Android, and the best Android Music Manager.
10 Best GarageBand for Android
#1 GarageBand for Android. n-Track Studio Music DAW
This application helps in transforming your Android smartphone into an inclusive recording studio. N-Track Studio Music DAW lets you playback and record both MIDI and audio tracks. It even enables you to merge these tracks and add audio effects so as to improve the overall recording quality.
n-Track offers its support to both stereo and memo recording with countless tracks, whereas it is restricted to 11 music tracks in the free version. The application features in-built MIDI synth that produces about 128 MIDI instrumental sounds. There are other features available like spectrum analyzer, step sequencer, piano roll MIDI editor, etc.
When we talk about the special effects, it supports various music effects like echo, tremolo, reverb, phaser, Pitch Shift, flanger, chorus, and others. The application features a 64-bit floating-point audio engine, which is generally not available on various Android DAW applications. Hence, n-Track makes a great alternative to GarageBand for Android users.
Price: Free
#2 GarageBand for Android. Magix Music Maker Jam
Music Maker Jam enables you to produce music by adjoining loops like short musical portions that can be played over and over again in loops. Here, you will find a mixer over eight channels and 100 music modes. It gives you enough room to direct your creativity.
The application even allows users to record outer voice. Hence, they can employ this feature to record their rapping, singing, or other types of sounds. Once recorded, use them for creating your song. After users have successfully finished recording their songs, it is time to share the same with the entire world with the help of its sharing feature.
In the community of Music Maker, you will discover numerous new songs posted by other Music Maker users. So, what are you waiting for? Try out this amazing alternative to GarageBand for Android now.
Price: Free
#3 GarageBand for Android. uFXloops Music Studio
It is another versatile alternative to GarageBand for Android. This music studio application is for music creators who belong to genres like techno, electro, trance, and hip-hop. It comes with countless features like a sampler, free loop sequencer, mixer, soundboards, beatmaker, etc.
However, uFXloops Music Studio is not as robust as GarageBand. But, it is incredibly awesome at creating music for the targeted genres. It features over 200 sample music projects that are sufficient for novices to get started. Once ready, they can record their own songs using their own synthesizer, drum beats, or other instruments of their choice.
The application offers support to audio effects like bitcrusher, distorter, flanger, chorus, and lots of others. With this application, you can even add final touches if you have successfully recorded the music. For this, you have to import your music file and start working on it. Here, you can export files in all popular audio formats like MP3, AIF, OGG, WAV, etc. These formats are available for both stereo and mono. uFXloops feature a music community that helps newcomers a lot. So, do check it out once.
Price: Free
Also, here is everything about the top free beat making software for your reference.
4. Stagelight
Another incredible alternative to GarageBand for Android users is Stagelight. It is a popular and powerful music producer for Android devices. With this application, you can create beats, blend loops, and create complete songs with multiple tracks like an instrument, vocal, drum, and audio tracks. The most admired one on Stagelight is Loop Builder. This option enables even novices to create music rapidly by arranging, triggering, and adding vocal, instrument, drum, or audio loops.
Stagelight also features in-built tutorials that assist in teaching novice music creators. You can look for tutorials and lessons on various concepts like creating a beat, editing audio, recording instruments, mixing, MIDI, and lots more.
In terms of instruments, Stagelight features up to nine diverse instruments like guitar, drum machine, electronic bass, synthesizer, etc. Additionally, you enjoy access to other amazing features that you expect from a competent DAW. These include music presets, effects, MIDI editing, etc. Moreover, its user-friendly interface makes it an awesome alternative to GarageBand for Android devices.
Price: Free
5. FL Studio
It is an incredible alternative to GarageBand for Android users. FL Studio is even available for PC. Here, you will find over 113 premium-quality instruments, sliced-loop beats, and drum kits, where each one comes with configurable settings. The application features lots of exciting effects like Reverb, Amp, Delay, Limiter, Mix, and EQ. Moreover, there are about 100 track sequencers along with instinctive editing options.
Meanwhile, you enjoy multiple options for a redo and undo for almost all editable displays in music sessions. FL Studio enables users to export and import MIDI files. Additionally, you can share your music files through Dropbox or email.
The application supports battery-friendly, premium-quality audio engine, which ensures that FL Studio employs the device battery’s fuel effectively. On the other hand, the latency of music entirely depends on the processing power of your smartphone.
Price: Free demo/$14.99
6. Caustic 3
This GarageBand for Android alternative is a kind of virtual rack mount of machines or synthesizers. One can slide among machines just by switching the slidebar down and up. Here, users can even choose one machine for playing by opting for the machine pad.
Every machine features a virtual keyboard that enables users to create numerous effects, tones, sequencers, and parametric equalizers to alter the songs. For electronic musicians, this application is no less than a heaven. However, it is quite overwhelming for conventional musicians.
In its free demo, you do not enjoy the ability to export and save music files. To enjoy this feature, you need to buy the unlock key.
Price: Free
7. Audio Evolution
This GarageBand for Android alternative is an inclusive digital audio terminal. This multi-track music recording application comes with a similar approach as Walk Band. Audio Evolution is designed especially for advanced music creators. With this application, they can record outside audio like their live instrument playing or singing through the microphone or external devices for great results.
Apart from the in-built piano roll, users can employ exterior MIDI keyboard so as to record their songs. The application features MIDI feature, import audio, MIDI sequencer, countless redo and undo, use of loops and samples, are just some features to name here.
Moreover, they can even export their songs as premium-quality audio or compressed version for websites. Audio Evolution relies greatly on loops when it comes to creating music. With the help of a mixer, you can add numerous loops.
Price: Free demo/$6.99
8. Heat Synthesizer
Heat Synthesizer is another great alternative to GarageBand for Android users. This free demo version offers a massive range of features. It even has an active music community. Once you have tried its free version, you are all set to upgrade the tool to its pro version. This version even includes saving files to support.
Garageband Step Sequencer Manual
Heat Synthesizer also offers a preset mutual manager, complete VST integration, three oscillators, sound generation machine having FX section, two filters, and lots of other features. With Heat Synthesizer, you can send MIDI events to the sequencer with the help of your Android tablet’s or smartphone’s keyboard. Meanwhile, you will love the application’s well-designed interface. If you have not checked it out yet, it is definitely worth a try.
Price: Free demo/$3.50
9. Walk Band
Walk Band is a perfect choice for people who like to focus on the visual instrument usage. This tool incorporates a piano keyboard having 88 keys with single as well as dual row medium. Moreover, there is also a duet player mode. The keyboard plays off five diverse sounds like organ, piano, synth, etc.
Walk Band’s guitar features various modes like solo and chords. Here, you will find three kinds of guitar sounds, pitch blend, and audio and MIDI recording. Its drum kit offers a drum pad mode, a wide variety of demo beats. Plus, there is a drum kit of five drums that works for dance, hip-hop, percussion, rock, and jazz.
The application even supports exterior MIDI keyboards through USB. Through Walk Band, you can connect the Yamaha Roland MIDI controller or keyboard. So, enjoy all these features with this GarageBand for Android alternative.
Price: Free
10. Remixlive
Remixlive comes from MixVibes, which is enjoyed, especially by drummers all over the world. The GarageBand for Android tool offers the remixing feature on the go. Hence, users can launch synchronized loops perfectly. With Remixlive, you can create music tracks within a few minutes. Its exclusive features include advanced editing, real-time finger drumming, six-beat pads, six live-controllable FX, and the skill to introduce songs from the music library.
Remixlive enables you to capture sounds from your smartphone’s microphone. One can even perfect these sounds and change their tempo. Additionally, you can play them in reverse mode. Once you have finished with all these things, you are free to share your creations through email or SoundCloud.
Price: Free
Hardware Midi Step Sequencer
Now, you know what all alternatives to GarageBand for Android are available. Most of these applications are available for free, whereas you can try out the free demo version of other tools before settling on them. So, create music with these applications like never before!