GarageBand iOS app goes universal with new extras

Apple gave iPhone and iPod touch owners parity in its creative apps once more on Tuesday by launching a universal version of GarageBand ($5, App Store). The new 1.1 update makes use of more contextual menus and panning to accommodate the smaller screens. The change curbs musicians to seeing four tracks at a time and less of a given instrument, although a whole drum set stays visible.

Every user, including iPad owners, gets more composition choices. The app will now register 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures. Smart instruments get a lift with custom chords now an option for all instrument types, while the smart keyboard has an arpeggiator. Touch-based instruments can tweak velocity response, Apple said. Songs can transpose in semitones or full octaves, and it's possible to reset the song key without having to transpose the original version of the clip.

More audio export and import options are available, including for AAC and AIFF. Smaller devices still support the full feature range, including use of the microphone or hooking up live instruments with the right adapters.

Running the new app needs at least an iPhone 3GS, third-generation iPod touch, or any iPad.

by MacNN Staff