GarageBand for Mac Updated with MP3 Export, New Drummers, and More

I'm really impressed with GarageBand at the moment. IMHO they've done a great job with the UI, which means it's barely a learning curve from this to Logic Pro X in regards to basic editing. They're giving people the tools to create great things, and it's a really good way to help interest in their Pro applications.

- Adds the option to export songs as an MP3

It couldn't already do this? What the . . . ?

I'm over the moon about the new Garageband really. It's a far more complex DAW than people give it credit for, especially for something that's free. Some of the software instruments (especially the drum loops) aren't as laughably unusable as they used to be. The new UI is also a major improvement over the previous iteration. The only initial issue I had was converting my old GB files to the new format, but that's over and done with now.

Bottom line, if you just want to knock some ideas out on your Mac, there's nothing better. If you want to learn to use a DAW and start recording music, there's not a better place to start IMO.

It couldn't already do this? What the . . . ?

I think that feature was removed in the new version.

Export to MP3… really??

Is this a new marketing strategy of Apple? Dropping basic features and then adding them back in a future version, claiming this to be a terrific update…?
(Same thing with calendar synching via iTunes instead of iCloud)...

So is this a new thing?? Apple removing features, only to introduce them as new features again..

Nah, it's been going on for a number of years. Backlit keyboard removed from MBA, then reintroduced, for one. I'd like to think that Apple react to people's complaints, and if there's enough justification, they'll reintroduce a feature. :D :apple:

Apple has really rocked the house with GarageBand. It's a pretty fantastic DAW. I've used a lot of them professionally, and the best ones are the ones that let the musician/engineer create without getting bogged down in a learning curve. I'm still a Presonus StudioOne man, but for songwriting, GB has the baton. Also - the Drummer feature makes it a major player in forming drum tracks. I sold my v-drums because I (a non-drummer) got better results from Drummer. So I form my actual drum parts in GB, export them, import into StudioOne and record the rest of my song. No other DAW has a drum track feature that's near as organic and easy to use as GarageBand (Logic Pro X obviously does). BOOYA! Looking forward to the extra drummers.

And to answer someone else's issue with the "in-app purchase" avenue... Apple does the in-app purchase for the extras because of licensing and royalties they have to pay for the loops and samples. That's their way of keeping GarageBand free in the AppStore, but having the option to gain more content. In all honesty, the Drummer alone, if it were a stand-alone plug-in, could easily go for $500.

I am a drummer. I record my own drums thru mics, so no need to pay for drum sets.

Yes, but the drummers in Garage Band don't drink your beer, hit on your girlfriend, not show up when they are supposed to and can actually keep accurate time.

(Not saying this applies to you, but most of the drummers I've worked with.)

Not sure what you're referring to. AU plug-ins and all that were always in there. It was just rearranged. It's actually better because each instrument/amp/guitar whatever now has its own interface.

Audio Unit effects are there, but not all the other effects that used to come with Garageband. Any extra effects included in the presets can't be edited. They dumbed down the effects part of the program.

External Audio Units Effects and Softsynths

Read this to get your Audio Units effects and softsynths working again:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5469006

The user leonie in that thread shows how it's done with a screenshot.

I was able to confirm I was able to run some of my payware softsynths. Same goes for effects.

The only things that won't run are items that are 32-bit.

So check your vendor and make sure you can get a 64-bit version and try the tips here and see.