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beat sequencer tutorial

Beat Sequencer Tutorial

Introduced as part of GarageBand iOS’ 2.3 update, the Beat Sequencer is one of the App’s most underrated features.

Packing in all the functionality of a traditional digital drum sequencer while staying true to GarageBand’s ‘pick up and play’ approach to its touch instrument interface, The Beat Sequencer is not only a super powerful way to build a rythm track, it’s also great fun to use.

In typical GarageBand style, it’s incredibly easy to dive in and create some interesting and usable sounds right away. Scratch below the surface however and you’ll find some robust customization options available.

You’re able to select from several different types of kit and then input/delete hits on parts of said kit with a single touch.

When it comes to fine tuning your pattern, you can adjust the pattern length, step division, playback mode and swing parameter.

There are also a ton of preset grooves that you can use as a starting point.

In this video tutorial I take you through the Beat Sequencer’s interface and features;

 

 

Do you use the Beat Sequencer in your GarageBand iOS projects, or do you prefer one of the App’s (many) other beat making methods? Leave a comment and let me know or get in touch on Facebook or Twitter.

Show Comments (4)
  1. Hi Patrick,
    I may have missed it. I do not see where to record and how to use the track with other tracks in this tutorial. Much thanks for your channel. I am a subscriber. Is there another vid I can watch?

  2. Hello

    My name is Sotiris and I’m having problems restoring projects in the beat sequencer in Garage Band in my iPhone.

    What exactly happened is that in a project that I was working on, in the main page down and left I accidentally pressed the “random” sequence button (the one with the dice icon) so it changed my whole project.
    I tried to find where my original project was but with no success.So I erased all the information in the main page of this project but I realised that some time ago I’ve recorded 8 bars of the original stuff in the beat sequencer recording mode.
    So I can see it now (as a midi file of 8 bars and all the dots in it of the project) after I pressed an icon in the upper left of the main page, hear it perfectly but as this plays along, if I turn into the starting main page of the beat sequencer it is blank without all my work of this project though I can hear it as I said before.

    Therefore I have the following questions:

    1) How can I transfer my project from the recording page (I found that page after I pressed the third icon as you see it if you start from the left to your right in the upper left of the main starting page in my iPhone app) which is shown as a midi file of 8 bars to the main starting page of beat sequencer where I can edit all my work?

    2) How can I “undo” and restore my original project when I accidentally press the “random” sequence button, the one with the dice icon that automatically changes all the project?

    3) Finally which is the proper way to save a final project and make a duplicate that you ‘d like to edit only that one then (the duplicate) without messing with the first original final project?

    I would really appreciate any help from you about my problems

    I am waiting for your response.

    Thanks in advance.

    Sotiris

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