AppleInsider Staff
Apple has quietly revealed a forthcoming update to its GarageBand music production app that will add a number of new synths with shape-shifting controls, additions that seem to be influenced by Camel Audio's popular Alchemy synth software, which Apple acquired earlier this year.
The new synths — demos of which can be seen on Apple's GarageBand page — Â include sweeping arp, droplets, bright punchy synth, pumping synth waves, and epic hook synth. In all, Apple says the update will give GarageBand "100 EDM‑ and Hip Hop‑inspired synth sounds."
Notably, each synth can be controlled by a new smart control that Apple calls the transform pad. That control is nearly identical to the remix pad found in Alchemy Mobile, an app which Apple acquired with Camel Audio in February.
This suggests that Apple has worked quickly to integrate Alchemy into GarageBand, an unusually fast integration for Apple. Generally, the fruits of an acquisition are not seen in the company's products for a year or more.
Apple also teased some additional updates that are slated to arrive on June 30, the same day Apple Music launches in the U.S. MacWorld contributor Kirk McElhearn believes this could bring the ability to upload content directly to Apple Music's new Connect feature, while the GarageBand website suggests that the changes will be related to the existing Piano Roll Editor.
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
Amber Neely
17 Comments
Not my cup of tea, but I can understand Apple focusing on this area due to the alleged popularity of this style of music. I'd much rather they improve the realism of their guitars (whammy bar, please) and the drum and percussion options.
Forgot they bought Camel. Weird acquisition. Why not focus on Logic?!!!???
I remember when if you wanted to play music, you learned an actual instrument.
I remember when if you wanted to play music, you learned an actual instrument.
I remember when you wanted to complain, you wrote a letter.
Surprisingly, Alchemy keyboard seems to be back in the App Store (right after Apple's acquisition, it was gone from the App Store). And it's now seems to be a free app. Previously it was a freemium app- you download for free and pay for the useful features but now the features are all included. I should add that I downloaded the app a few months back (although never paid for the IAP) and re-download the app from the "Purchased" section of the App Store.