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Garageband Instruments

2

250gb

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 12, 2011
7
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I don't have a store nearby so I haven't played with the iPad2 yet. Can anyone tell me what instruments and sounds are available?

From the demo video I saw Keyboard, Bass, Guitar, Drums (and their smart versions) as the big categories. Am I missing anything?

What about string, wind instruments/sounds? Are they available within the keyboard? I think Music Studio has those for iPod&iPad.
 
There are no wind or "orchestral" string instruments. There are pianos, guitars, and basses, including upright bass, which of course are all strings but not the ones you're looking for, I think. There is a large variety of keyboard instruments, including a lot of configurable synths, so you might be able to use those to make acceptable alternative sounds.

In case you didn't know, since you specifically mentioned the iPad 2, GarageBand runs fine on the iPad 1. It is a pretty amazing piece of software, especially when you consider what it runs on. I'm kind of a hack musician, but I've been having a lot of fun with it. Has to be the most interesting and sophisticated piece of software I've seen for the iPad, by far.

Edit: I was just playing with it some more, and it turns out that in the predefined loops (which I didn't even know about when I posted the above) contain a number of winds and strings. There aren't any in the virtual instruments, though.
 
Last edited:
A few questions (Why do I have a feeling I will be disappointed with the answers ...):

(1) Is there a step sequencer for the drums, or are we limited to "tapping" our beats or using the preset "smart" drums? Does not seem practical to make a realistic drumbeat using only fingers, given that I can't use my foot to add the kicks.

(2) Is there overdubbing? I.e., if I enter a drum line with snare and kick, can I add hi-hats later on a second run using the same track? Similarly, if I do a guitar track, can I add notes later using the same track?

These are appallingly basic features for a music editor. I haven't been able to find definitive answers. I will probably buy it either way since it's only $5, but these features are really necessary, even for a toy.
 
deadwalrus said:
(1) Is there a step sequencer for the drums, or are we limited to "tapping" our beats or using the preset "smart" drums?

(2) Is there overdubbing? I.e., if I enter a drum line with snare and kick, can I add hi-hats later on a second run using the same track? Similarly, if I do a guitar track, can I add notes later using the same track?
Click to expand...

#1: No, not as far as I've seen.
#2: Yes, absolutely.
 
No wind instruments or anything like that. You can overdub, but there is no step sequencer as far as I can tell. I've found the velocity detection can be a bit of trouble, I think the iPad has to be able to move a bit or something, that seems to work anyway. It would be nice if you could set a minimum velocity I think. Very cool app though, I'm sure it will improve over time. New instruments or even third-party "plugins" through in app purchasing would be awesome.
 
fuz10n said:
Looks like it does have a drum sequencer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c21MOI9A7w&feature=player_detailpage#t=51s
Click to expand...

That's not actually a sequencer, really. You set each drum "element" (kick, snare, hi-hat, etc) on the grid depending on volume (top to bottom) and complexity (left to right), and the program plays a beat in the time signature you selected. If you change the relative position of the "element" icons, you get a different sequence (and there seems to be a lot of variation), but you can't program your own beat, fills, etc.
 
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