GarageBand for Mac Updated With New Drummers, Loops, Sound Effects and Free Artist Lessons - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

GarageBand for Mac Updated With New Drummers, Loops, Sound Effects and Free Artist Lessons

by

Apple today updated its GarageBand music creation software for Mac to version 10.3, introducing new loops, sound effects, drummers, and more, all for free.

There are two new Drummers that offer Roots and Jazz-influenced brush styles, along with 1,000 new electronic and urban loops that cover genres like Reggaeton, Future Bass, and Chill Rap.

garagebandformac
Apple says that it has added more than 400 animal, machine, and voice sound effects that can be worked into music creations, and there are also free downloadable Artist Lessons.

The new Artist Lessons are designed to teach users how to play hit songs on piano and guitar, and are taught by the artists that made the songs famous.

This is the first major update to GarageBand for Mac in a year. The last update, 10.2, was introduced in June 2017 and brought new Drummers along with support for the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro.

Since April 2017, the GarageBand apps for both iOS and Mac have been available to download for free. You can get the new version of GarageBand for Mac from the Mac App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

jayducharme Avatar
105 months ago
I got the FCPX update, but the GB update still isn't showing up. I agree that GB is from a legacy time when Apple was giving people a stronger reason to switch to Mac. But I'm glad it's still included and I know a few people who have purchased their first Mac specifically because of GB.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
105 months ago
GarageBand 10.3 is unusable. It's introduced a serious bug.

GarageBand 10.3.0 has broken support for third-party AU virtual instruments. First it puts up an error message saying that you have to choose to reduce macOS security in your System Preferences to use a certain third-party AU plugin.

Then after you do that, it gives you an error message saying "Audio Unit plug-in can't be used. The Audio Unit could not be loaded for your project, and may need to be updated. Contact the manufacturer for an updated version or further assistance."

I have had this problem with 64-bit, up-to-date plugins that work just fine with no problem in MainStage 3.3.2 and other apps that use Audio Units. So the problem is with GarageBand 10.3.0.

I had no choice but to revert to GarageBand 10.2 from a backup so that I can keep working with my AU instruments.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
105 months ago
Ah... the 1GB+ app that I've removed a long time ago. I quite enjoy not having to update it to :p
The app you chose to install in the first place. What a pointless comment. :rolleyes:

Leave this thread for people who appreciate Apple giving us great software updates.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PBG4 Dude Avatar
105 months ago
I’m surprised (but glad) Apple haven’t dropped GarageBand, it seems very much a legacy of what Apple was about 10 years ago, not where it seems to be going now.
GarageBand is almost like a reskinned version of Logic Pro X to make it easier to use. As long as LPX is updated, I expect GB to stick around.

It is a great piece of software if you want no hassle multitrack recording.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
105 months ago
I’m surprised (but glad) Apple haven’t dropped GarageBand, it seems very much a legacy of what Apple was about 10 years ago, not where it seems to be going now.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aliensporebomb Avatar
105 months ago
GarageBand 10.3 is unusable. It's introduced a serious bug.

GarageBand 10.3.0 has broken support for third-party AU virtual instruments. First it puts up an error message saying that you have to choose to reduce macOS security in your System Preferences to use a certain third-party AU plugin.

Then after you do that, it gives you an error message saying "Audio Unit plug-in can't be used. The Audio Unit could not be loaded for your project, and may need to be updated. Contact the manufacturer for an updated version or further assistance."

I have had this problem with 64-bit, up-to-date plugins that work just fine with no problem in MainStage 3.3.2 and other apps that use Audio Units. So the problem is with GarageBand 10.3.0.

I had no choice but to revert to GarageBand 10.2 from a backup so that I can keep working with my AU instruments.
That's a serious issue. And it's also why I keep an old version of Garageband as backup prior to the user interface overhaul.

I updated my machine this morning prior to going to the day gig, I'll have to check this out. I have a lot of virtual instruments.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
If you pay for certain iCloud+ storage plans beyond the 5GB that Apple offers for free, you will receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. A summary of the two new iCloud+ perks on iOS 27:Increased daily usage limits for some new Apple Intelligence features, including image generation in the revamped Image Playground app. HomeKit Secure Video cameras receive generated video...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Product

Thursday July 2, 2026 8:04 am PDT by
Apple's first product release of summer 2026 occurred this week, but do not get too excited, as it is merely the Beats Solo Buds in a new color. Beats Solo Buds are now offered in orange through Best Buy in the U.S., with availability set to expand to 7-Eleven stores in Japan on July 4. Apple already offered orange Solo Buds in India for free with the purchase of an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 ...
iPhone 4 on Black Feature

Apple Facing One of Its Worst Leaks Since the iPhone 4

Thursday July 2, 2026 9:53 am PDT by
Apple supplier Tata Electronics recently suffered a cyberattack that resulted in thousands of confidential files being published on the dark web, and this reportedly included some photos and documents related to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. We have elected not to share any of the leaked photos in this story due to the illegal nature in which they were obtained, but they can easily be found...