GarageBand for Mac Gaining New Synths and Features on June 30 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

GarageBand for Mac Gaining New Synths and Features on June 30

Apple has updated its GarageBand for Mac website to confirm that the music creation software will be updated with new features on June 30 alongside the launch of Apple Music, as noted by Macworld editor Kirk McElhearn on his personal blog Kirkville. GarageBand will gain new synth sounds and the software's built-in recording and editing features will be improved.

GarageBand OS X
Apple will be adding 100 shape-shifting EDM‑ and Hip Hop‑inspired synth sounds to GarageBand that each feature the Transform Pad Smart Control for morphing and tweaking sounds to your personal liking. The new controls are very similar to the Alchemy software that Apple acquired through its recent purchase of Camel Audio, known for its range of plug-ins, synthesizers, effects and sound libraries.

Some of the new synths are demoed on the GarageBand website, including Sweeping Arp, Droplets, Bright Punchy Synth, Pumping Synth Waves and Epic Hook Synth. Apple further outlines that GarageBand's software instrument Smart Controls and Piano Roll Editor will be improved, allowing changes to be captured in real time and fine-tuning of music afterwards.

"Capture your changes in real time by adjusting any of your software instruments’ Smart Controls while recording a performance," reads a caption on the GarageBand website. "You can also fine‑tune your music later in the Piano Roll Editor." A footnote lists the new features as available on June 30 in the United States and as "coming soon" in other countries, consistent with the Apple Music website.

It is possible that Apple may also add a way for GarageBand users to upload new music to Apple Music Connect, a social platform that will enable artists to connect with fans. Apple hopes that Apple Music Connect will help not only well-known musicians, but also unsigned artists, to more easily promote their music and engage with their fans through one centralized platform.

Popular Stories

apple music

Apple Music Is Down for Some Users

Monday April 20, 2026 12:18 pm PDT by
If Apple Music isn't working for you, you're not alone. According to Apple's System Status page, there's currently an Apple Music outage. Apple says that users may be experiencing intermittent issues with the service. The outage started at 2:38 p.m. Eastern Time, and it is ongoing. We'll update this article when the outage has been...
Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...

Top Rated Comments

Traverse Avatar
142 months ago
Wow, a first-party Mac application getting more powerful? Haven't seen that in a while.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
142 months ago
I enjoy this app, but I wish it was never called GarageBand.
Too skeumorphic naming?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
142 months ago
'coming soon' in Apple terms might mean: never. Like iTunes Radio, that never made it beyond the U.S. of A and Australia.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
teslo Avatar
142 months ago
people don't realize how powerful garageband and iMovie are (can be). some vids out there using all of about $10 in 3rd party animation/content software along with these two free programs can make really professional looking stuff. its all about avoiding cliches, i.e. getting to know the programs for more than 30m to do 'that one thing you hoped it would do.'

tangential but relevant - i got tired of missing out on editing my band's vids simply because i couldn't afford final cut, so i gave it a shot on iMovie (after doing a simple edit in logic 'garageband' pro) and ended up with a really decent product utilizing lots of quick effective edits. all it takes is time and patience - and if you find you can't do something with the free version, you upgrade, as so much time is invested and you've learned so much. such a good business model.. definitely actively saving for final cut.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
karmakat Avatar
142 months ago
I find it fascinating that despite the recent jump in the popularity of podcasting they would still leave those who want to produce podcasts with Apple tools out in the cold. They've even removed all references to the Podcast Producer app that you had to buy the server version of the OS to use. So weird.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
142 months ago
Hopefully Logic will also be updated
I would be utterly surprised if they didn't update Logic as well. I have a good feeling that it will and it only makes sense for Logic to get slightly more features.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)