What is GarageBand

If you've ever used GarageBand on the Mac, you should have a good idea of what to expect with the

iPad app

. If you haven't, then you should know that the

GarageBand app for iPad

is a piece of

music creation software

that allows you to create songs

using software instruments

included with the application or using real instruments plugged in to the hardware. The iPad version has many of the same features condensed to fit the iPad screen, but the touchscreen interface helps to make up for any features that are absent.

To get started, you'll need to download the app from the

app store

. Install it and it will appear as an icon on your iPad. When running the app for the first time, you'll be taken to the instrument selection screen. Choose an instrument and you'll see it appear on screen. In our case, we chose the Keyboard first. If you're familiar with GarageBand, you may notice the interface is different and that it is more instrument-centred. Rest assured that there is a way to switch to a more familiar timeline view, which we'll show you in an upcoming episode.

Now, if you're familiar with other

Apple applications on the iPad

like Pages, GarageBand uses the same sort of format for managing your files. Hit My Songs and you'll be taken to a window that shows all of your projects as icons, each of which gives you a preview of what that file is. Swipe back and forth to see the available projects and tap one to select it. The + sign icon at the bottom allows you to create a new song or duplicate an existing song. Tapping New Song will

create a new project

while tapping Duplicate Song will duplicate the currently highlighted project.

Because GarageBand is a multitasking program, you'll notice a red bar reminding you that GarageBand is still open if you choose to exit to the iPad menu. Another nice thing about this app is that you can access easy help information just by clicking the question mark in the corner. You'll see flags pop up over objects that you can interact with telling you basic information about that button. Often, you'll also be able to get more detailed information including instructions and screenshots.