How to import Apple Loops into GarageBand

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Level 1

24 points

How to import Apple Loops into GarageBand

I am running GarageBand 10.4.6 on my MacBook Pro (running OS 12.6). I tried to move my Apple Loops library to an external HD to save disk space and followed these instructions (https://producersociety.com/garageband-ssd-hdd-setup-tutorial/), but somehow it didn't work for me. So I dragged all the folders back to where they used to be (HD/Library/Audio?Apple Loops/Apple) and reinstalled the Sound Library. However, now some loops are greyed out and I can't use them. I have tried to find them on my computer, but to no avail. For example, 44th Street jingle (from iLife) is greyed out and nowhere to be found on my computer. I have all the missing files on an external HD, but I don't know how to import them back into GarageBand.

I wonder if someone could offer some guidance as to how to import all the missing files back into GarageBand since I do not see an import option in GarageBand.

TIA

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 1, 2022 12:02 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

barberlives123

Community Specialist

Oct 4, 2022 7:36 AM in response to danmartinnt

Hey danmartinnt,

Did you drag the Apple Loops from Finder into the Loop Browser? If not, do this as it should cause GarageBand to reindex the Apple Loops.

If that doesn’t work, reach out to Apple Support at the following link so they can look further into this with you:

Contact Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 2

justin_900

Community Specialist

Oct 3, 2022 8:41 AM in response to danmartinnt

Hello danmartinnt,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

We want to help you add Apple Loops into the project you're working on.

Try these steps to add Apple Loops to your project in GarageBand:

"In GarageBand on Mac, do one of the following:

Drag a loop to an empty area of the Tracks area, below the existing tracks.
A new track of the appropriate type (audio, software instrument, or Drummer) is created, and the loop is added to the new track.
Drag an audio loop (blue) to an audio track.
Drag a software instrument loop (green) to a software instrument track.
Drag a software instrument loop (green) to an audio track to convert it to an audio loop.
Drag a drummer loop (yellow) to a Drummer track.
Drag a drummer loop (yellow) to a software instrument track to convert it to a software instrument loop.
Drag a drummer loop (yellow) to an audio track to convert it to an audio loop.

The added Apple Loop always matches the project tempo."

This Apple Support page has the full details: Add Apple Loops to a project in GarageBand on Mac - Apple Support

This link can help explain to Import audio and MIDI files in GarageBand on Mac: Import audio and MIDI files in GarageBand on Mac - Apple Support

If the issue continues, please reach out to an Apple Support Advisor for further assistance: Get Support

We hope this helps add the Apple Loops so you can fully customize your GarageBand project.

Cheers!

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Answer 3

danmartinnt Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 4, 2022 7:22 AM in response to justin_900

Hello, Justin_900

Thank you for your thorough reply.

What still baffles me is that some apple loops are greyed out and therefore not available. I can see them in the Apple Loops browser but cannot use them.

I wonder if it is at all possible to add them back to the Apple loops library.

Cheers

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Answer 4

danmartinnt Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 6, 2022 8:03 AM in response to barberlives123

Barberlives123

Thank you for your suggestion.

Based on what you suggested, I dragged all the folders with the loops I wanted to add to GarageBand to HD>Library>Audio>Apple Loops>Apple. Then from the Loops Browser drop-down menu I selected Reindex Loops and all loops were added to the Loops Browser and available for use.

Cheers

Daniel

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Answer 5

Oct 4, 2022 7:49 AM in response to danmartinnt

Sometimes it depends what key you are in. I believe there is a setting to disable that behaviour.

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How to import Apple Loops into GarageBand

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