Garageband iOS or OSX?

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jnorris235 Author

Level 1

12 points

Garageband iOS or OSX?

This question was asked 7 years ago, but both versions have changed dramatically.

My iMac is on its last legs and it seems I can now do everything else on an iPad, which I would prefer.

Is the OSX GB so much better than the iOS version, or is it just quite different?

I am not into GB enough to be able to to tell.

I record myself singing and playing. I add backing tracks and drums and loops. I transpose and change BPM.

I'd quite like to play a bit more with effects etc.

Does iOS GB do all of this? And is it as easy to use as the OSX version?

Some advice would be really welcome - thanks for your time.

iPad, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Jul 10, 2018 5:42 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Dav9d

Level 1

17 points

Aug 2, 2018 4:26 AM in response to jnorris235

They’re both have their strengths and weaknesses, and with the Logic Remote app on your iOS device, you have even more control over G. B. on the Mac. You can play a touch instrument on the iPad/ iPhone, that the device doesn’t have, and it’ll play/ record on the Mac. G. B. on Mac OS has far more instruments. Want a Funky surf rock guitar… it’s probably on the Mac version. Want to play whale sounds on the guitar, going through pedal effects.... no problem. So many more options on the Mac version. However an iPhone is far more portable. If you get a sudden idea, just take it out of your pocket.

You could start your project, such as the rough draft idea, and then transfer it to the Mac for the heavy work.

This might not matter to you, but unlike the iOS version you can print out musical score 🎼 sheets.

So to sum it up, if you can, use both versions, and when using the Mac version, use Logic (yes, it works with G. B.) Remote on the iOS device.

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jul 10, 2018 5:56 AM in response to jnorris235

The OS X version is more powerful than the iOS version. You can start a project on iOS and transfer it to OS X for finishing touches. If you try to go in the other direction you get a bounced down audio file to work with in iOS.

tt2

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

200,657 points

Jul 10, 2018 6:02 AM in response to jnorris235

It is much easier to edit or arrange tracks in GarageBand on the Mac.

But it is easier to use the iPad as a musical instrument for playing virtual instruments. The touch screen makes the iPad more powerful as a touch instrument.

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Answer 4

léonie

Level 10

200,657 points

Jul 10, 2018 6:14 AM in response to jnorris235

It is fun to play guitar chords by pressing the chord strips on the iPad touch screen or similar.

But I hate to have to deal with song sections when recording instruments.

And the track automations are missing. On the Mac I can easily change the tempo of a song dynamically using the tempo track - I can play some parts of the song slower and others faster, as the mood takes me. And the iPad offers only three time signatures, 4/4, ¾, 6/8. It is very limiting.

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Answer 5

léonie

Level 10

200,657 points

Jul 10, 2018 6:26 AM in response to jnorris235

The track controls are very limited on the iPad. You may want to check out the GarageBand Help: https://help.apple.com/garageband/ipad/2.2/index.html#

The volume is nearly the only thing you can automate:

https://help.apple.com/garageband/ipad/2.2/index.html#/chsf716994ec

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Answer 6

jnorris235 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jul 10, 2018 6:17 AM in response to léonie

That's exactly the sort of thing I need to know. The automations are vital. I change the volume of a track at various bits of the song, for instance when using crashing waves as a background. iPad no good then it seems!!

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Answer 7

jnorris235 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jul 10, 2018 6:03 AM in response to léonie

Ah. Wondered if it was all too fiddly on the iPad. I've not tried virtual instruments!

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Answer 8

jnorris235 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jul 10, 2018 5:59 AM in response to turingtest2

Hope you don't mind me asking more - but I'm wondering what you mean by 'more powerful'. I could at least go the iPad route, and then maybe get a 2nd hand computer if I'm not happy and work on the project on that. being used to an iMac I think it would have to be the larger iPad and the pro version, and with a pencil...but is it easy to explain what is missing in the iOS version? Thanks.

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Garageband iOS or OSX?

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