Apple Launches GarageBand for iPhone, iPod touch

Via a free update to its existing GarageBand iOS application, Apple has now added native support for iPhone and iPod touch, allowing every iDevice owner to easily create music, whenever inspiration kicks in.

As Apple itself puts it, there’s really no need to know much about music to pick up on GarageBand and make something that just sounds great.

The software is incredibly intuitive and while it offers a lot of pre-defined stuff, it’s also a great tool for professionals looking to quickly record an idea when away from their keyboard.

“GarageBand on iPad has been a big hit and we think customers will love using it on their iPhone or iPod touch,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

“The innovative Multi-Touch interface combined with Smart Instruments makes it easy to create great sounding music, even if you’ve never studied music or played an instrument before,” Schiller added.

The app supplies music fans with a wealth of Touch Instruments that sound great even without any effects applied.

Beginners and experienced musicians alike can “play and record keyboards, guitars, drums and basses in a wide variety of styles,” while “smart Instruments now allow you to choose from an extensive new library of custom chords so you can play and strum along with your favorite songs.”

The iPad version lets you plug in your electric guitar and record through classic amps and stompbox effects, and even record your voice or any acoustic sound using the built-in mic.

Musicians can record up to eight tracks simultaneously and projects can easily be shared by email, or they can be exported via iTunes sharing to continue work on a Mac with the desktop version of GarageBand or Logic Pro.

Early adopters owning both an iPad and an iPhone can get the iPhone app free of charge. Newcomers are charged $4.99 (3.99 EUR).

Compatible devices include iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch (3rd & 4th generation).

The updated GarageBand 1.1 also includes a range of new features and enhancements, all documented in the release notes (via the link below).

Download GarageBand iOS