How to Import Audio Files Into GarageBand on iOS 11 and Later

Importing audio files in GarageBand: why do that?

Note: this is an updated version of a post that was published in 2016. The GarageBand app on iPad and the operating system have had some changes since so, then this commodity is applicable to GarageBand on iOS 11 and later.

Permit's say you or your students have created an audio file in another app or software programme – such as Groove Pizza, Incredibox, Beepbox or one of the many other music app options – and now you lot desire to import that audio file into GarageBand and so that you can tape a vocal function over the top.

The steps are not likewise difficult and it opens upward some useful opportunities for your students to develop their musical creations.

You can utilise Apple'south Files app as the "portal" to access audio (and MIDI) files in locations like Google Bulldoze, Dropbox, iCloud Drive and more than.

Hither'south a listing of the quick, bones steps:

  • Save the sound file in an accessible location
  • Create a new certificate in GarageBand with an Sound Recorder rails and head to Tracks View
  • Open the Loop Library and import your file into Files list
  • Drag the file from the Loop Library into the projection y'all're working on

For a more than detailed explanation, read on.

Save the audio file in an attainable location

First, you'll need to save the audio file you want to import into GarageBand into a location that you can admission on your iPad. Luckily, Apple improved this process greatly with the introduction of the Apple Files app in 2017.

Apple'southward Files app is a key file direction arrangement for all of the files on your iPad and iPhone. Through the Files app you can access documents, photos, videos, and audio files that live in iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox or any other compatible app.

Apple Files app

If the file is currently on your laptop you lot can save it in ane of these cloud locations for easy access inside GarageBand.

How to access the file inside GarageBand

When you lot open up the My Songs browser in GarageBand yous can see the collection of files – the same ones that y'all tin see in the Files app – in a list on the left of the screen.

The options you can come across in your Locations listing volition vary, depending on which apps you take installed on your iPad.

My Songs browser On My iPad

At the peak at that place will be an On My iPad location. Tapping on this allows you lot to admission the files inside apps on your iPad. Some files that y'all can encounter here volition be greyed out since they are not compatible with GarageBand. For instance, the files in my Keynote app binder are greyed out because they are non audio, MIDI or GarageBand files and therefore non compatible with GarageBand.

If y'all have Google Drive, Dropbox or iCloud (you take the apps installed and you are signed into those services) yous volition also see those in the Locations list. Again, some of the files that you can see hither in those folders volition be inaccessible because they are not audio, MIDI or GarageBand files.

And then, in order to import an audio or MIDI file into GarageBand, first save information technology into Google Bulldoze or Dropbox OR one of the other locations you lot can run into hither.

Steps for importing an sound file into GarageBand

  1. First, make sure the file you want to import is in an attainable location (see above)
  2. Next, open up GarageBand
  3. Create a New Certificate
  4. Locate the Audio Recorder (microphone) on the instrument browser and tap on the Voice selection
  5. Tap the Tracks View button

6. Tap the Vocal Sections button (the "+" at top right of the screen)

7. Tap Section A and plow Automatic on (this will allow GarageBand to arrange the length of the file you're importing. If the song section is too curt, the file volition be cropped)

Section length set to automatic

8. Tap the Loop Library button and and so tap the Files tab. At the acme, y'all volition run into a list of whatever files that accept already been imported. To import your new file, tap Browse items from the Files app at the bottom of this window

Loop browser showing files

9. The Files app will open. Cull the location of the file you desire to import (such as Drive or Dropbox), find the file and and then select it. Your file will exist added to the listing of files that live inside GarageBand

x. Next, elevate the file into your project: tap and hold your finger on the audio file and elevate it beyond into the empty audio recorder track (or fifty-fifty underneath the empty track – it doesn't really matter which option you lot choose)

File dragged into project

From email attachment to GarageBand

Instructions for this depend on which email client you lot are using (Gmail, Apple tree Mail service etc), but the overall steps are:

  1. Open up your electronic mail app.
  2. Locate the email with the audio file attachment you desire to import into GarageBand.
  3. Cull Save/Share and and so save the audio file into the Files app (or directly into Drive or Dropbox)
  4. Follow the instructions above to import information technology into GarageBand.

Ane more option: iTunes

If you accept a Mac laptop or desktop estimator you tin besides use iTunes to transfer files in GarageBand.

  1. On your computer, open up iTunes and add together the sound files you desire to import to the GarageBand File Sharing area.
  2. Open GarageBand on your iPad and follow the steps higher up to create a new certificate.
  3. Tap the Loop browser push and you will see a message request if you lot desire to motility the sound files to the GarageBand File Transfer folder. Tap Motility Files and the audio file volition be moved to the GarageBand File Transfer folder where you can access it in your project.

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Want More than?

Hello! I'm Katie Wardrobe – an Australian music technology trainer and consultant with a passion for helping music teachers through my business Midnight Music.

I'm a qualified teacher but no, I don't currently teach in a school. I help teachers through my online professional development space – the Midnight Music Community – where in that location are tutorial videos, courses, links and downloadable resources.

I like to focus on easy ways to incorporate applied science into what you are already doing in your music curriculum through a range of artistic projects. I likewise run live workshops and take presented at countless conferences an other music education events.

If y'all want uncomplicated, effective ideas for using technology in music education, I would Dear to aid you inside the Midnight Music Community.

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