Anybody know GarageBand for New iPad?
Sunday, September 16 2012 @ 05:20 PM CDT

I need some instruction with GarageBand for the New iPad. GB in the New iPad is different from any other version. So what works for your Mac or iPad 1 or 2 will not necessarily work on my version.

I would think that importing a song from iTunes would be as simple as opening the loop tool icon, going to the file tab, typing in the name of the song, and hitting search, but not true! What's the secret?

Secondly, is it possible to change the volume within a track, like you can in other programs like Acid, for example? If so, how is it done? I actually believe this was omitted for this version of GB.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Re:Anybody know GarageBand for New iPad?
Sunday, September 16 2012 @ 09:02 PM CDT

Hi Pamela.

Welcome to MacJams.

You can import a .wav, .aif or .mp3 into a GB for iPad (3) project but it is a bit convoluted.

1. Sync your iPad with your Macbook/iMac and add the desired file to the GB File Sharing list in the Apps section of your synced iPad.
2. Open a new, or existing project in GB for iPad, go to Track View and click on the Loop Tool icon (4th from the right near the top) and choose Audio File. The file you wish to add should now be listed there.

It seems you can only get access to files that you have synced via the iTunes GB File Sharing list.

The only way I can think of to change volume "within" a track is to duplicate it, change to the desired level on the second track and then cut out the sections you don't need from both tracks. There won't be a smooth transition but I can't think of any other way.

I hope this has been of some help. I am certainly no expert on GB for iPad.

Take care,

Peter.

Re:Anybody know GarageBand for New iPad?
Sunday, September 16 2012 @ 09:36 PM CDT

Hi Pamela,
I think Garageband for the iPad works best when used in conjunction with the desktop version or with Logic 9 - both of which let you upload your project from the iPad and then continue it on the Mac.

That you do with iTunes by sharing the song on the iPad, hooking up (old-school, with the usb cable) and then saving from the Apps tab in iTunes to your desktop.

Other than that, the iPad version is very limited when it comes to effects or automation. What it does extremely well is give you touchable instruments for guitars, strings, synths etc.

Re:Anybody know GarageBand for New iPad?
Sunday, September 16 2012 @ 11:38 PM CDT

Thanks, Mike. I have a pc, not a mac. It makes sense to export the project to another program, I don't have one that would work. But it's something to consider. I dread the idea having to learn another program.

Peter, You confirmed what I thought about the volume. I'm really sorry they didn't make volume changes within a track available. That's unfortunate.

I tried the syncing my ipad with my pc (sharing file.) It did not offer up the song as an option in GarageBand. The song is on itunes on the ipad, too. So, I don't know, maybe it's not an option either.

Re:Anybody know GarageBand for New iPad?
Monday, September 17 2012 @ 08:57 AM CDT

Hello Pamela, and welcome to Macjams and the strange world of "iPad, the almost-computer"... unfortunately, to get things to work on the iPad hardware, many short-cuts have to be made. Did you know that the CPU in the iPad is 10 TIMES slower than your PC's (or a Mac)?! So because it is such a low-power device, the kinds of software that run on it have to be modified and "optimized" to run in such an anemic light-weight hardware environment. GarageBand is actually a very high powered audio editor, and unfortunately not all of its features work well on an iPad... so the engineers had to make some tough choices and throw some features out. It also could be that they ran out of time and had to ship version 1 for the iPad, and now they are working on adding some features for v2, and so maybe track volume-editing will be added soon.

I have been using Garageband for many years on my Mac, but only recently have started using the version on the iPad, and like you, I have found it to be "cute, but a little limiting sometimes." If you are to get into serious writing music and editing/mixing, I think you will quickly find that you will need a more powerful (laptop/desktop) computer to do those chores. There are many of these for Windows or Mac. However, having said that, I still find that I can jot down and record really great music ideas on the iPad's GarageBand, and even mix it pretty well on there. For example, the following very (VERY!) short example piece of music was something I made on my iPad:
Synthopolis version 1

Now that people got upset with me for posting such a short snippet, I have moved it to my Mac and am extending it and actually making a short animated movie with it... don't tell anyone though! It is a secret, and I want to surprise everyone and post it here when I finish it (it is taking a VERY long time to create all the animation for this!)

I look forward to hearing your music, it sounds like it will show up soon... I will comment when it arrives. Thank you for joining our fun and lively community. I think you will have a blast here.

ttfn,
ic42, aka Drakonis

* Post Removed *
Monday, September 17 2012 @ 10:24 AM CDT

* This message has been removed *

Re:Anybody know GarageBand for New iPad?
Monday, September 17 2012 @ 10:30 AM CDT

Thanks , Drak. I knew my iPad was slow as I dread when someone asks me to watch a video of any kind, although I'll happy to load up yours once complete.

Rocha, thanks! I will definately check that out!

* Post Removed *
Monday, September 17 2012 @ 10:51 AM CDT

* This message has been removed *

Re:Anybody know GarageBand for New iPad?
Friday, September 21 2012 @ 12:07 AM CDT

Just an update, I down loaded an update fro ipad GarageBand that makes it easy to import songs from iTunes. So happy about that.