GarageBand

GarageBand is the application that allows you to create music anywhere. It was developed and published by Apple for iOS and macOS. The app is a part of the iLife software suite. You can download GarageBand on Apple Store for free.

Design 5/5

The GarageBand app imitates the full-featured recording studio with a collection of Touch instruments. By default, it has a dark mode with the main menu, where you can download new instruments, loops, and sounds. As the background is black, the application has white color fonts and bright images. It allows focusing attention on the most important details. The beats are displayed in neon colors such as pink, blue, and green.

Usability 5/5

The first version of this app was made for the macOS system. Therefore, when at the beginning of March 2011, Apple announced the new version for iOS, they tried to repeat the interface and the main features. The music is created with the help of on-screen instruments, which have keyboards, sampler, drums, and others. The list of available instruments includes but not limited to electric and grand pianos, organs, synth pads, clavinet, and so on.

Also, GarageBand reviews showed that the app has a lot of different sounds. For those who have already had the finished files on the macOS version, the developers added the ability to import them on iOS and continue the editing. Overall, the usability of GarageBand is really decent. It is very hard to imitate the music studio just in one app, but GarageBand developers were able to do this. Using smart strings and innovative multi-touch keyboard, you can create really exciting music anywhere and anytime.

Features 5/5

The GarageBand iOS has all the necessary features for creating music. The Apple Loops option allows you to build your own grid from scratch, or if you want, you can start with a template. The Remix FS feature performs DJ-like style effects for creating club music or techno. It does not matter what kind of music you want to create: classical, pop, rock, or others, you can be sure that GarageBand has all the necessary tools for it.

In-app purchases 5/5

GarageBand is completely free for all iOS users. You can download and install it on your phone and starts to create the music. However, if you want to get additional sounds, instruments, you need to pay money. Their price is not so high and affordable for almost all people. For example, you can buy a completely new sound only for $5. But, repeating the above, it is not necessary.

The Bottom Line

GarageBand is a cool application for those who like to create new music. It has all the needed features for this, such as Apple Loops, Alchemy Touch instrument, Beat Sequencer, and so on. Also, the app features a large library of additional content, e.g., sounds, that you can purchase in the in-built market. Smart instruments can imitate the sounds of real musical instruments and are very convenient in use.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 5

Pros

Large library of sounds;
A lot of features;
Decent usability;
Free to download.

Cons

No Android version;
Some additional purchases can be expensive.