GarageBand Beat Sequencer Tutorial


In this video I take a closer look at one of GarageBand iOS’ most underrated features; The Beat Sequencer.

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49 thoughts on “GarageBand Beat Sequencer Tutorial

  1. I want to input a 16-bar drum solo at a resolution of 32nd notes with option to ghost snares. This is for reference whilst learning on my electric drum kit. Is this possible? Thanks

  2. Underrated indeed! I just discovered this last night and was blown away at the quality of the digitized FX. The fact that you can add several different types of reverb and delay to your beats through the sequencer is phenomenal! And the virtual EQ is amazing as well! I was looking at buying an analog beat sequencer but this discovery just saved me hundreds of dollars!! Thank you for a quick run down to help me get my hands wet!

  3. It’s a very intuitive little sequencer for GarageBand!

    One thing I always tell my students when they’re creating beats with it is…use the velocity!

    No human drummer plays the cymbals/snare etc at the same volume all the time, and the off-beats are usually just a little quieter than the on-beats. By adjusting the velocity of these offbeats, no matter how subtly, adds a more professional and natural flow to the groove. This is especially true of electronic drum sets!

    On the flip side, Reggae often emphasises the offbeat and using the velocity setting adds some authenticity to the sound!

    Even if you consciously don’t notice it, all the drums playing at the same volume will start to sound monotonous even if the beat is exciting! That’s why the modern reconstructions of tried-and-tested funk beats can sound a little, well, bland!

    Another point…this is a also a great way to add a bit of John Bonham magic to the drum kits with the sequencer. Bonzo hit hard, but tended to play the cymbals with a much more delicate hand, so when he wanted to add more intensity he merely increased the volume of his hi-hat and cymbal work, which gave the auditory illusion that EVERYTHING was suddenly louder!

    Had he merely started at full volume it would have turned to unrecordable or listenable noise if he’d gone all Hulk on the skins 😂

  4. Hey, Patrick. Can you help me connect my DR880 for use in GB? I've looked through your catalog but didn't see anything specifically speaking to the subject. Thank you! 😊

  5. Dude! For a video about music production, your choice of background music is ironic. Is that some stock stuff? I recommend you strip it completely out since you are already talking about and giving examples of music. The background music sounds overly compressed.

  6. 3 things 1) love your channel and the informative vids, thanks! 2) Curious as how you implement this with gb for Mac? I have to just send the project from my iPad to Mac BUT if I have to do a drum edit I either do it in the editor window on Mac GB or make another beat and send myself the project 🙁 way too complicated! 3) does apple have a suggestion box where we can suggest they integrate beat sequencer into gb for Mac?

  7. Thanks for this! I've learned some new tricks for this that should greatly improve my songs. I use it all the time. It's great for straight up hard rock. I just make up an intro, have a straight beat, couple of fills here n' there. Then just do the rest on guitars, bass and vocals. I write whole songs using the sequencer.

  8. That’s a great tutorial, useful, quick on the upbeat, no mucking about… and as a wee bonus I get to listen to a fellow Scotsman wax poetic about rhythm. Of all the variations of what we call the English language, I find Scottish to be the most viable, changeable, living version. It’s not beyond my ken✌🏻

  9. So, I previously used the beat sequencer all the time, but now it is missing from my GB app. Am I the only one?? (especially considering this video is only a couple of days old…)
    Where the beat sequencer once was, it now just says "Electronic Drums", and tapping that pulls up pads instead of the sequencer…

  10. Hey Patrick! Great job as usual! Question: I just upgraded to 10.3.1 and downloaded "all available sounds" – but can't seem to find the 400 new sound effects; where would they be? I still have the legacy effects of thunder etc but am looking for the machine etc. Also, am I supposed to have all the iLife loops as well because there are no iLife sound effects under the FX heading in the Loop browser. Do I need to re-install the entire "all available sounds" again from the Prefs menu? Yikes. thanks, d:D 🎹🎧

  11. G'day, You Sir are a bloody legend mate. I am a new starter and know I will learn a lot from you. Thanks for making these videos man! I have posted my first real video "Flying JOY Ride – Blast Off" and looking into making/producing my own tunes with Guarageband to add to my videos (then I have no issue with any copy write). I have downloaded your PDF Guide and subscribed with a big thumbs up and SMASHED the bell icon so I won't miss out on your new videos. I have been watching your beginner videos for a couple of days now and all is going along good. Cheers my new Scottish mate from across the big lake….. Spike (Central Wheatbelt 'Outback' Australia)

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