Midi File To Garageband Ipad

10.04.2020
Midi File To Garageband Ipad Rating: 3,5/5 9889 votes

GarageBand for iOS has everything you need to play, record, and share incredible music on your iPad or iPhone — now including Sound Library.

I've done it by direct downloading (like in the video example) and using file sharing via iTunes and has been working fine. For best results, transfer it directly to the 'GarageBand File Transfer' folder under GarageBand in the 'On My iPhone/iPad' folder. Learn how to import MIDI song files into GarageBand. How To: Import a MIDI file into GarageBand By Robin Mansur; 9/11/08 2:45 PM; WonderHowTo. This Apple software tutorial shows you how to explore MIDI files and learn how to use them in your GarageBand songs. Learn how to import MIDI song files into GarageBand. Feb 13, 2016  Share the midi-track in GarageBand as an audio file to iTunes and open it on your iPad. Or play the midi file and record it using the Music memo.app. The way you can have Music Memo analyze the audio and create a car file with smart instruments as accompaniment. Extensive Garageband iPad Tutorial Garageband is another unique gift from Apple for audiophiles and more pertinently for music creators or prodigies altogether. IPad further exploits the full functionality of GarageBand by extending the intuitiveness with its overtly simple but responsive touch screen gestures. Convert own Garageband drum track to midi file. DONE (According to instructions on this page) 3. Modify drum midi file in some other application to make it sound more like human has played it. Import modified and hopefully more natural sounding drum midi file back to Garageband. How steps 3-4 could be possible in Garageband?

What is Audiobus? — Audiobus isan award-winning music app for iPhone and iPad which lets you useyour other music apps together. Chain effects on your favouritesynth, run the output of apps or Audio Units into an app likeGarageBand or Loopy, or select a different audio interface outputfor each app. Route MIDI between apps — drive asynth from a MIDI sequencer, or add an arpeggiator to your MIDIkeyboard — or sync with your external MIDI gear.And control your entire setup from a MIDI controller.

Download on the App Store

Audiobus is the app that makes the rest of your setup better.

in General App Discussion

I now believe it's possible to do this (unless everyone else already knew how to do it and I just couldn't find it).

Here's what's I've found so far:

Exporting midi from GB on iOS is something heard of lots of people wanting to do, including myself. So I ask, why should it be difficult? Why isn’t a feature?

But since it’s not a feature, why can’t we just reach in and take it for ourselves by force if we must?

I may be missing it but I haven't found the technique yet so I've started to crack things open just a bit. Here's what we can see inside..

..continued on a blog page so I could easily upload related files:
https://groundjuggling.wordpress.com/export-midi-from-ios-garage-band-projects

Comments

  • I use the RouteMidi plugin to get midi out from regular midi tracks in GB. It doesn’t work for the smart instruments or drummers or drum sequencer though.
    It basically works on the piano/kb type of tracks. Works good for those.

  • I don't know much about the smart instruments other than to my ear, the violin sounds horrible and airy compared to apps like ThumbJam.

    However, even if they don't rely on midi internally, I wonder if there could be some sort or mapping that could be useful (for the instruments that sound good).

  • @SevenSystems really has found a niche. Comparing many of the DAWs

    Cubasis
    GarageBand
    Gadget

    None of them export Midi!!!

    WHY!!!!

  • Doesn’t Cubasis export MIDI? Are you sure?

    Auria Pro does, the option is located in the Menu dialog.

  • @theconnactic said:
    Doesn’t Cubasis export MIDI? Are you sure?

    Auria Pro does, the option is located in the Menu dialog.

    @theconnactic said:
    Doesn’t Cubasis export MIDI? Are you sure?

    Auria Pro does, the option is located in the Menu dialog.

    If it does there’s no option in the share menu. So I’m afraid NOT!

  • @LucidMusicInc said:
    @SevenSystems really has found a niche. Comparing many of the DAWs

    Cubasis
    GarageBand
    Gadget

    None of them export Midi!!!

    WHY!!!!

    Gadget can export midi

    Cubasis can too

    After creating the mixdown just share it.

  • @White said:

    @LucidMusicInc said:
    @SevenSystems really has found a niche. Comparing many of the DAWs

    Cubasis
    GarageBand
    Gadget

    None of them export Midi!!!

    WHY!!!!

    Gadget can export midi

    Cubasis can too

    After creating the mixdown just share it.

    Awesome sauce!

  • @CracklePot said:
    I use the RouteMidi plugin to get midi out from regular midi tracks in GB. It doesn’t work for the smart instruments or drummers or drum sequencer though.
    It basically works on the piano/kb type of tracks. Works good for those.

    This app fucks up Garagebands internal timing.. Try and use the Arpeggiator, ba-bow.

    Just a FYI for anyone else thinking of buying it!

  • @BroCoast said:

    @CracklePot said:
    I use the RouteMidi plugin to get midi out from regular midi tracks in GB. It doesn’t work for the smart instruments or drummers or drum sequencer though.
    It basically works on the piano/kb type of tracks. Works good for those.

    This app fucks up Garagebands internal timing.. Try and use the Arpeggiator, ba-bow.

    Just a FYI for anyone else thinking of buying it!

    Just tried it.
    What is ba-bow?
    Seems to work fine for me, but I am just going by ear.
    Haven’t looked closely for jitter and whatnot.

  • @CracklePot said:

    @BroCoast said:

    @CracklePot said:
    I use the RouteMidi plugin to get midi out from regular midi tracks in GB. It doesn’t work for the smart instruments or drummers or drum sequencer though.
    It basically works on the piano/kb type of tracks. Works good for those.

    This app fucks up Garagebands internal timing.. Try and use the Arpeggiator, ba-bow.

    Just a FYI for anyone else thinking of buying it!

    Just tried it.
    What is ba-bow?
    Seems to work fine for me, but I am just going by ear.
    Haven’t looked closely for jitter and whatnot.

    My bad humour!

    Hmm, I wonder why it messes up GB for me? A few other people have said the same thing.

    It was changing 8th notes to triplets!

  • RouteMIDI plugin is useful. When using it with Gadget for example, midi timing while just playing/monitor is usable. But when you want to record Gadget IAA on an audio track, there will be some important offset and you will find that midi timing is also wrong. So here is the trick: record in real-time GB RouteMIDI output in Gadget sequencer with some quantize, then export to audio from Gadget and import in GarageBand for your mixdowns. Timing will be perfect. This plugin is useful when you want to sequence everything in GB.

  • edited November 2018

    Can Midiflow be used to export MIDI out of GB into Cubasis without using a computer? How? I don't see GB as in its lists. There are videos on Midiflow for Audiobus, etc but none on just Midiflow router app.

  • edited November 2018

    @CracklePot said:
    I use the RouteMidi plugin to get midi out from regular midi tracks in GB. It doesn’t work for the smart instruments or drummers or drum sequencer though.
    It basically works on the piano/kb type of tracks. Works good for those.

    I've both RouteMIDI and Midiflow but couldn't figure out how to get MIDI out of GB into Cubasis. I tried RouteMIDI as AU in GB:

    set BG Audio in both apps => On
    GB > Use with Music Apps => On
    GB > Send MIDI Clock => On
    GB > added RouteMIDI as an AU track
    GB > RouteMIDI > set MIDI Out to Cubasis
    matched channels in both apps
    played back the GB project
    tapped Record in Cubasis

    It records just empty events in Cubasis with no notes inside them. How did you export MIDI out of GB? There are no videos on how to use these apps.

  • @MobileMusic said:

    @CracklePot said:
    I use the RouteMidi plugin to get midi out from regular midi tracks in GB. It doesn’t work for the smart instruments or drummers or drum sequencer though.
    It basically works on the piano/kb type of tracks. Works good for those.

    I've both RouteMIDI and Midiflow but couldn't figure out how to get MIDI out of GB into Cubasis. I tried RouteMIDI as AU in GB:

    set BG Audio in both apps => On
    GB > Use with Music Apps => On
    GB > Send MIDI Clock => On
    GB > added RouteMIDI as an AU track
    GB > RouteMIDI > set MIDI Out to Cubasis
    matched channels in both apps
    played back the GB project
    tapped Record in Cubasis

    It records just empty events in Cubasis with no notes inside them. How did you export MIDI out of GB? There are no videos on how to use these apps.

    It is working for me. You should hear Cubasis playing back the midi when GB is playing, even before you record.
    Do you have midi data on the track in GB that has RouteMidi loaded on it? I usually record in GB with a piano/kb instrument track to get the midi. Then I make a new track with RouteMidi and copy the midi information to it. It will send that out to your other apps.

  • @CracklePot said:

    @MobileMusic said:

    @CracklePot said:
    I use the RouteMidi plugin to get midi out from regular midi tracks in GB. It doesn’t work for the smart instruments or drummers or drum sequencer though.
    It basically works on the piano/kb type of tracks. Works good for those.

    I've both RouteMIDI and Midiflow but couldn't figure out how to get MIDI out of GB into Cubasis. I tried RouteMIDI as AU in GB:

    set BG Audio in both apps => On
    GB > Use with Music Apps => On
    GB > Send MIDI Clock => On
    GB > added RouteMIDI as an AU track
    GB > RouteMIDI > set MIDI Out to Cubasis
    matched channels in both apps
    played back the GB project
    tapped Record in Cubasis

    It records just empty events in Cubasis with no notes inside them. How did you export MIDI out of GB? There are no videos on how to use these apps.

    It is working for me. You should hear Cubasis playing back the midi when GB is playing, even before you record.
    Do you have midi data on the track in GB that has RouteMidi loaded on it? I usually record in GB with a piano/kb instrument track to get the midi. Then I make a new track with RouteMidi and copy the midi information to it. It will send that out to your other apps.

    LOL, I was thinking it would export the entire project as a single track. I just copied the MIDI data to the RouteMIDI's track and it worked Thanks!

  • I have just emailed the route midi dev about the GB timing issue. I am guessing if it hasn’t been fixed it can’t.

    So I don’t really see the use of Route Midi if the timing is all out. #refundtime

  • @topaz said:
    I have just emailed the route midi dev about the GB timing issue. I am guessing if it hasn’t been fixed it can’t.

    So I don’t really see the use of Route Midi if the timing is all out. #refundtime

    It's fixed, at least the last few times I have used it.

  • edited August 2019

    This draft is from last year - posted now

    @CracklePot said:
    @MobileMusic
    Awesome.
    You’re welcome.

    Holy crap, Apple! They did it again!!

    Since it doesn't work with Smart Instruments, Live Loops, Drummer, etc to export MIDI - I thought I was smart -

    I went into the Piano Roll of a Smart Instrument
    selected all MIDI notes and copied to clipboard
    went into the Piano Roll of an empty region on the RouteMIDI AU track
    and Pasted the MIDI notes !!!!! (not )

    WHERE IS THE PASTE OPTION, Apple??? Did they forget it? They are just MIDI data right - just notes and length - how does it matter if I want to paste them into any instrument's MIDI region using 'Piano Roll'? If I just want to yank out the performance part of it (MIDI data), I could apply any instrument to the track but there is no Paste option in the Piano Roll.

    This should work even with Drummer, etc - they are all just MIDI data - I should be able to copy/paste that data into any other track - it's just data, right? Paste option is available only for the same track's copied MIDI notes.

  • @MobileMusic said:
    This draft is from last year - posted now

    @CracklePot said:
    @MobileMusic
    Awesome.
    You’re welcome.

    Holy crap, Apple! They did it again!!

    Since it doesn't work with Smart Instruments, Live Loops, Drummer, etc to export MIDI - I thought I was smart -

    I went into the Piano Roll of a Smart Instrument
    selected all MIDI notes and copied to clipboard
    went into the Piano Roll of an empty region on the RouteMIDI AU track
    and Pasted the MIDI notes !!!!! (not )

    WHERE IS THE PASTE OPTION, Apple??? Did they forget it? They are just MIDI data right - just notes and length - how does it matter if I want to paste them into any instrument's MIDI region using 'Piano Roll'? If I just want to yank out the performance part of it (MIDI data), I could apply any instrument to the track but there is no Paste option in the Piano Roll.

    This should work even with Drummer, etc - they are all just MIDI data - I should be able to copy/paste that data into any other track - it's just data, right? Paste option is available only for the same track's copied MIDI notes.

    Step 2: Double-click the file 'Omnisphere 2 Downloadable Installer.exe.”Step 3: Click 'Next' to begin the Omnisphere 2 installation process.Step 4: Follow the steps as you're guided through the installation process.Step 5: Make sure to review the Installation Info and Licensing FAQs and accept the license agreement.Step 6: At the “Select Components” step you'll choose to install the 32bit and/or 64bit versions of Omnisphere. The following steps will show you the default location for both versions of the VST.Step 7: The default location of the large Omnisphere data files will be displayed next. If you are uncertain which one to choose, select them both. Omnisphere 2 InstallationStep 1: From your Downloads folder, open the “Omnisphere 2 Installation' folder and then the folder called 'Windows.' Omnisphere win xp. Once you have downloaded Omnisphere 2 via the Download Manager, follow this set of instructions to install it on your Windows system.Note: You need over 64GB of free space available on your hard drive in order to continue.

    Yeah I found the same a year ago.
    That’s why I specifically recommended using the piano/keyboard instrument to create the Midi data, and not a Smart Instrument.
    It seems that only the piano in GB is using general Midi, and everything else uses some GB data format or Audio.
    Sorry if I caused you any confusion.

  • edited August 2019

    @CracklePot said:

    @MobileMusic said:
    This draft is from last year - posted now

    @CracklePot said:
    @MobileMusic
    Awesome.
    You’re welcome.

    Holy crap, Apple! They did it again!!

    Since it doesn't work with Smart Instruments, Live Loops, Drummer, etc to export MIDI - I thought I was smart -

    I went into the Piano Roll of a Smart Instrument
    selected all MIDI notes and copied to clipboard
    went into the Piano Roll of an empty region on the RouteMIDI AU track
    and Pasted the MIDI notes !!!!! (not )

    WHERE IS THE PASTE OPTION, Apple??? Did they forget it? They are just MIDI data right - just notes and length - how does it matter if I want to paste them into any instrument's MIDI region using 'Piano Roll'? If I just want to yank out the performance part of it (MIDI data), I could apply any instrument to the track but there is no Paste option in the Piano Roll.

    This should work even with Drummer, etc - they are all just MIDI data - I should be able to copy/paste that data into any other track - it's just data, right? Paste option is available only for the same track's copied MIDI notes.

    Yeah I found the same a year ago.
    That’s why I specifically recommended using the piano/keyboard instrument to create the Midi data, and not a Smart Instrument.
    It seems that only the piano in GB is using general Midi, and everything else uses some GB data format or Audio.
    Sorry if I caused you any confusion.

    It doesn’t seem like a proprietary data format but just that the Paste option is missing! They look like any other MIDI data - editable, drawable, deletable, copy-able but not paste-able across instruments

    I tried Smart Instrument to Piano and Piano to Smart instrument - Paste option is missing either way even though it is allowing to copy data. Paste is possible only within the same instrument. This is dumb on Apple’s part. If I can copy paste data from one instrument into another, what is Apple going to lose? Maybe it would sound different based on target instrument (that’s how MIDI data works) but that’s my problem.

  • Nope, timing is still way off and state not saved.

    @BroCoast said:

    @topaz said:
    I have just emailed the route midi dev about the GB timing issue. I am guessing if it hasn’t been fixed it can’t.

    So I don’t really see the use of Route Midi if the timing is all out. #refundtime

    It's fixed, at least the last few times I have used it.

    @BroCoast said:

    @topaz said:
    I have just emailed the route midi dev about the GB timing issue. I am guessing if it hasn’t been fixed it can’t.

    So I don’t really see the use of Route Midi if the timing is all out. #refundtime

    It's fixed, at least the last few times I have used it.

  • @topaz said:
    Nope, timing is still way off and state not saved.

    @BroCoast said:

    @topaz said:
    I have just emailed the route midi dev about the GB timing issue. I am guessing if it hasn’t been fixed it can’t.

    So I don’t really see the use of Route Midi if the timing is all out. #refundtime

    It's fixed, at least the last few times I have used it.

    @BroCoast said:

    @topaz said:
    I have just emailed the route midi dev about the GB timing issue. I am guessing if it hasn’t been fixed it can’t.

    So I don’t really see the use of Route Midi if the timing is all out. #refundtime

    It's fixed, at least the last few times I have used it.

    Hmm, well I was able to get MIDI out of Garageband via MIDI clock sync to Xequence 2 with RouteMIDI a few weeks ago.

    I do remember RouteMIDI breaking the timing in Garageband a few times back when I first bought it, but since I last uninstalled/reinstalled it's been fine.

  • @MobileMusic said:

    @CracklePot said:

    @MobileMusic said:
    This draft is from last year - posted now

    @CracklePot said:
    @MobileMusic
    Awesome.
    You’re welcome.

    Holy crap, Apple! They did it again!!

    Since it doesn't work with Smart Instruments, Live Loops, Drummer, etc to export MIDI - I thought I was smart -

    I went into the Piano Roll of a Smart Instrument
    selected all MIDI notes and copied to clipboard
    went into the Piano Roll of an empty region on the RouteMIDI AU track
    and Pasted the MIDI notes !!!!! (not )

    WHERE IS THE PASTE OPTION, Apple??? Did they forget it? They are just MIDI data right - just notes and length - how does it matter if I want to paste them into any instrument's MIDI region using 'Piano Roll'? If I just want to yank out the performance part of it (MIDI data), I could apply any instrument to the track but there is no Paste option in the Piano Roll.

    This should work even with Drummer, etc - they are all just MIDI data - I should be able to copy/paste that data into any other track - it's just data, right? Paste option is available only for the same track's copied MIDI notes.

    Yeah I found the same a year ago.
    That’s why I specifically recommended using the piano/keyboard instrument to create the Midi data, and not a Smart Instrument.
    It seems that only the piano in GB is using general Midi, and everything else uses some GB data format or Audio.
    Sorry if I caused you any confusion.

    It doesn’t seem like a proprietary data format but just that the Paste option is missing! They look like any other MIDI data - editable, drawable, deletable, copy-able but not paste-able across instruments

    I tried Smart Instrument to Piano and Piano to Smart instrument - Paste option is missing either way even though it is allowing to copy data. Paste is possible only within the same instrument. This is dumb on Apple’s part. If I can copy paste data from one instrument into another, what is Apple going to lose? Maybe it would sound different based on target instrument (that’s how MIDI data works) but that’s my problem.

    Yeah, I totally agree with you here.
    I was just giving Apple the benefit of the doubt, but it just as likely that they are just being weirdly restrictive.

    To make it more confusing, most of the Smart Instruments can be selected as the sound presets on the Piano, and sound pretty much the same when played with Midi data.

  • Just tried again after reinstall, timing is way out.

  • @topaz said:
    Just tried again after reinstall, timing is way out.

    I did a little testing as well.
    I find that the main problem is everything is early when you record the audio back into GB, but even when you try to line up the audio with the original midi, there seems to be jitter in the timing in the recorded audio.

    If you aren’t using any external Midi FX processing, but just playing an instrument in AUM and recording audio back into GB, you could just load the instrument directly in GB, copy the Midi to its track, and use the merge tracks function to freeze the instrument track.

  • Will test but it would be nice if the dev could fix the save state as well as some kind of offset.

  • @MobileMusic said:

    @CracklePot said:

    @MobileMusic said:
    This draft is from last year - posted now

    @CracklePot said:
    @MobileMusic
    Awesome.
    You’re welcome.

    Holy crap, Apple! They did it again!!

    Since it doesn't work with Smart Instruments, Live Loops, Drummer, etc to export MIDI - I thought I was smart -

    I went into the Piano Roll of a Smart Instrument
    selected all MIDI notes and copied to clipboard
    went into the Piano Roll of an empty region on the RouteMIDI AU track
    and Pasted the MIDI notes !!!!! (not )

    WHERE IS THE PASTE OPTION, Apple??? Did they forget it? They are just MIDI data right - just notes and length - how does it matter if I want to paste them into any instrument's MIDI region using 'Piano Roll'? If I just want to yank out the performance part of it (MIDI data), I could apply any instrument to the track but there is no Paste option in the Piano Roll.

    This should work even with Drummer, etc - they are all just MIDI data - I should be able to copy/paste that data into any other track - it's just data, right? Paste option is available only for the same track's copied MIDI notes.

    Yeah I found the same a year ago.
    That’s why I specifically recommended using the piano/keyboard instrument to create the Midi data, and not a Smart Instrument.
    It seems that only the piano in GB is using general Midi, and everything else uses some GB data format or Audio.
    Sorry if I caused you any confusion.

    It doesn’t seem like a proprietary data format but just that the Paste option is missing! They look like any other MIDI data - editable, drawable, deletable, copy-able but not paste-able across instruments

    I tried Smart Instrument to Piano and Piano to Smart instrument - Paste option is missing either way even though it is allowing to copy data. Paste is possible only within the same instrument. This is dumb on Apple’s part. If I can copy paste data from one instrument into another, what is Apple going to lose? Maybe it would sound different based on target instrument (that’s how MIDI data works) but that’s my problem.

    For the smart instrument, all you need to do is always use the keyboard section, instead of the others for your instruments. All the sounds are there, so you can reuse the MIDI information if you create another keyboard layer.

Here in North America the NHL playoffs are now in full swing and perhaps you're inspired to play some rocking organ! With GB on the iPad we get some great keyboard sounds with nifty screen controls! N

Here in North America the NHL playoffs are now in full swing and perhaps you’re inspired to play some rocking organ! With GarageBand for iPad we get some great keyboard sounds with nifty screen controls! Not only can we use these keys in our songs that we’re recording, but as I explained in a recent tutorial, live use is also a possibility!


Setup and Equipment Needed

There are a few things we need.

  • Controller Keyboard with power supply - There are many to choose from and I use an Axiom Pro 61. You will definitely need the power supply as the iPad does not provide power through it’s dock port. If you want to use the Korg Nano series, you will need a USB hub with power supply.
  • Camera Connection Kit - Our keyboard controller communicates with GB through this device.


Axiom Pro 61

Apple's Camera Connection Kit

Controls

Each instrument has it’s own layout (organ with drawbars, synths with filter controls) but also there are some functions just above the keyboard and these will vary with the instrument selected. For example, “Sustain” will be on piano but not organ, organ will have the “Rotary” switch for the Leslie, all depending on the instrument.


Midi File To Garageband Ipad Download

Although we’re going to be using a keyboard controller, if you want to use the onscreen keyboard, you get different controls for how your screen keyboard responds. On the far left is an “Octave” plus and minus. A middle button for “Glissando”, “Scroll”, “Pitch” which vary again depending on the instrument selected and the right side has a “Scale”, “Arpeggiator” and “Keyboard Layout”.

“Glissando” lets you slide across the keys like a real keyboard would. Think of the piano player using the back of his hand and sliding up or down the keys.

Midi File To Garageband Ipad To Pc

“Scroll” allows you to play a note and while holding it, slide the keyboard up or down. Useful if you need to get into different octaves of the on screen keyboard quickly.

“Pitch” is a like a pitch bend wheel but lets you pitch up or down between notes simply by sliding your finger. Great for the vintage synths!

“Scale” is great for solos if you want to try different sounding scales in a piece of music. Once you pick the scale you want to use, the keyboard becomes more like a single row marimba minus the #/b keys. If you use a kb controller, you will still have all the notes available but you can learn what notes are used by playing them on the iPad and matching them on your keyboard. You’ll soon be playing “Klezmer” with ease!


“Arpeggiator” is your freedom to play multiple notes with one chord held down. You can choose note order, rate, and octave range. Great for dance tunes or your version of “Teenage Wasteland”! Unfortunately, the arpeggiator does not work with a KB Controller.


“Keyboard Layout/Velocity/Key Controls” - You can choose how you would like the onscreen keyboard to be set up with choices for one or two keyboards and octave range.
“Velocity” on and off is simple enough but you also can control the velocity range depending on the instrument (no velocity for organ since there is none!) left to the middle of the screen.
“Key Controls” simply turns on and off the view of the middle button for “Glissando”, etc.
There is also a hidden feature that is very cool and similar to an aftertouch on a KB controller. Load in the “Vintage Lead” preset under “Synth Lead” and strike a note. Now move your finger up and down that note.. instant filter sweep!

Keyboard Controller

Plug your keyboard into your Camera Connection Kit and make sure it’s secure as I find it can pop out easily. If it does, you may need to restart your iPad to get control again. Open up GB and navigate to the “Keyboard” instrument. Once this opens you can then select from pianos,organs, synths, etc. by tapping on the instrument in the middle of the screen. You can even store your own presets.
Again, think of the iPad screen as the controls for the organs drawbars or synths filters. Unfortunately GB won’t record this data during recording. Pitch bend and Mod wheels will respond on your controller as will velocity and after touch. Also, there are no ways to assign a KB controller’s sliders or knobs to say, organ drawbars or synth knobs, although I did find my “master” slider with MIDI CC#7 controlled instrument volume.

Using “Smart Instruments”

One feature I wish GB would allow is the use of “autoplay” but controlled via the KB controller. But there are some interesting ideas you can do by combining the “autoplay” feature and your keyboard. For example, select “Smart Keyboard” and choose one of the 4 “autoplay” modes. You then will see 3 bars with a chord on the top bar. The bar with the chord plays both left and right hand accompaniments, the middle bar is right hand only and the bottom is left hand bass. If you hit the top bar, you could solo on the KB controller. The middle bar could allow you to try bass combinations such as G-G/F-G/E or perhaps a piano bass line with a distinctive melody. Be careful though as the sustain is used most likely and can mush up your sound in the bass line. Using the bottom bar would allow you again more right hand solos or your own accompaniment.

Garageband To Midi


If you want any electric or acoustic bass instruments, you will need to use “Smart Bass”. Using the acoustic bass gives a feature that is hard to emulate on the KB controller unless you get good with the pitch bend wheel.. sliding your finger along a fretless neck. Simply select Acoustic Bass, switch the “Chords” to “Notes” and tap on the screen. It adds some realism to the bass line and with some practice, can give some convincing results. Further editing can be done on GB on your Mac.


“Smart Guitar” is very similar to the smart keyboard and bass features with one additional feature. If you use your KB Controller, you can strike chords on your keys!Now you can use the “autoplay” feature for arpeggiated chords and “strum” chords on your keyboard. Great too for having ostinato picking patterns with multiple chord changes.


Recording Tips

First and foremost.. PRACTICE! Yes.. I said that again as I did in the last tutorial. GB on the iPad does not allow editing like GB on a Mac . Not even MIDI editing for wrong notes. Maybe in version 2.. BUT.. you can slow down the tempo, unlike the Guitar/Audio recording section, and speed it up after. If needed later, you can open up the song on your Mac and edit it there. You also can save time by recording repetitive parts and then looping them. Simply record your part, double tap on the track region and select “Loop”.

If your timing is not that great or you need to tighten up a section, “Quantization” will help. Simply tap on the top right “Mixer” in the Track view and select your quantization value. Use the fastest value you played. For example, if a lead synth line played as fast as 16th notes, use the 1/16 Note value. Quantization will also affect all of the tracks regions in a section! But.. you can have different quantization on each section if a part gets moved from one section to another. Confused? Yeah.. me too at first. If you quantize a part in Section A to 1/8 notes but then move it to Section B that is quantized to 1/16 notes, the new part will show “Multiple”. This is something I seriously hope Apple fixes as it’s frustrating if you need multiple quantizations within a section.

Also, don’t be afraid to record a part and try different instruments as your song may take on a whole new flavor choosing a clav instead of a piano for example. Try duplicating the track with a similar synth but with a different filter cutoff and panned hard left and right. Or use two totally different synths. Bass lines can get really fat with this idea! Slow your song down and play in your own idea of an arpeggiated pattern.. speed up and loop!
Stay tuned for more GarageBand for iPad tips and tutorials. Till next time..don’t drive your neighbors nuts with the Minimoog playing Axel F or Tom Sawyer synth leads.