Garageband iOS how to export track to mix on another DAW?

by **4TrackMadman** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:31 pm

Hello all!
I have a collaborator that has created several track in Garageband for iOS (the mobile version).
He's asking my help in remixing the material but can't find a way to export the separate tracks with a common start time. Anyone have a suggestion on the best way this could be done?

I am working on PC, Studio One, Sonar or a few other DAW apps, that end should be easy, getting the files to me is apparently not.

by **Exalted Wombat** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:52 pm

Google "export tracks from garageband ipad". It seems possible, though you have to jump through a few hoops.

by **agent funk** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:20 pm

Well with the normal garageband you can send an uncompressed mix to iTunes. By muting all tracks except the desired one and repeating for each track it is possible to get the files out one at a time. Have all FX off, all sliders at 0db, including master, no eq etc. Then you get the file as an AIFF. You can convert the file to WAV in iTunes if you need to. The drawback is they will be 16 bit and in stereo (even if it is a mono track).

I have done this myself, bit of a pain but doesn't take that long really.

by **electrotimba** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:21 am

fletcher wrote:Well with the normal garageband you can send an uncompressed mix to iTunes. By muting all tracks except the desired one and repeating for each track it is possible to get the files out one at a time. Have all FX off, all sliders at 0db, including master, no eq etc. Then you get the file as an AIFF. You can convert the file to WAV in iTunes if you need to. The drawback is they will be 16 bit and in stereo (even if it is a mono track).

I have done this myself, bit of a pain but doesn't take that long really.

Not any different with iOS-he should use share>select uncompressed and as described above export to iTunes the AIFFs. The idea of using iOS GB is to export projects and open in Logic or GB on computer.

by **agent funk** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:33 am

The easiest way is to open the Garageband project in Logic of course. But I was assuming that option wasn't available.

by **4TrackMadman** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:37 am

Fletcher is correct - no way to import in Logic or use a Mac.

by **Tomás Mulcahy** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:27 am

4TrackMadman wrote:Fletcher is correct - no way to import in Logic or use a Mac.

I don't think that's quite correct. It may be that you have the wrong version of GB on your Mac:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4574
And if they'll load in GB, they'll load in Logic. From Logic you can export a multitrack in one go.

by **agent funk** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:46 am

think you have misunderstood, 4track means he doesn't have Logic or a Mac at his disposal. Which means it has to be done the long way around as I described.

I think that's what is meant at least..... :lol:

by **4TrackMadman** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:58 pm

Yes, my Mac is way outdated (running 10.4) and the guy I am helping out with his project is on the newest version of GB on an iPhone and has no Mac. I am still having him try sending a GB file for me to try out if it will open on my GB (from 2005) but I doubt it will work. I think only way that we can do it is by exporting out (submixing) each file with a common start time and reassembling it on my end in Studio One or one of my other Windows DAWs.

by **Exalted Wombat** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:40 am

Maybe, now he's dipped a finger into the water on his iPad, he would like to move over to doing it for real on a less restricted platform? The main work was deciding what he wanted, it will be easy to recreate it on a real computer.

by **Wease** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 3:08 pm

Exalted Wombat wrote:Maybe, now he's dipped a finger into the water on his iPad, he would like to move over to doing it for real on a less restricted platform? The main work was deciding what he wanted, it will be easy to recreate it on a real computer.

Yeah....he's using garageband on the iPhone....and although good, is somewhat limited in its sound sources.

Unless he's using samples (which actually won't be that difficult to reconfigure) or has recorded his own sound sources into the iPhone, then all his project is actually midi files....running GarageBand instruments...

If you export a GarageBand iOS project into Logic Studio, you get a midi song...no audio see.

Now this is the only way I know to get the GarageBand midi off the iOS device ....you have to have logic and a mac......then you can export the resulting midi files to any platform daw.

And I'm thinking these maybe actually of more use for a "remix" project.....cause you can replace the sounds of GarageBand with more expensive and higher quality ones.....and mix in 32bit etc etc...and add etc etc

And the composer - your mate - might want to look at your gear and decide to add to his composition....or you might!

Now.....do you know anyone with a mac?.....you can do it the audio export way, but this sounds like a right ball ache...and ball aches are bad.....

All you need is a person with a mac.....some time on their hands....an ability to say, Dropbox the files back and forth to you....and a helpful disposition who's willing to aid a fellow forumee.....consider it an Easter gift, if you will?

A pm message maybe...

by **4TrackMadman** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:41 am

Actually one of my friends just bought a new Mac and has been asking me to show him Garageband so I might have a source for the transfer.

The bloke I am helping out is playing all the instruments himself, including drums and getting a really cool retro death metal sound (think Death circa "Leprosy", or early Pestilence). I personally like what he's doing with the limited technology, upgrading him might make him go for splashier production which IMO will ruin the material, but I did advise it. For the time being he needs help mixing using his sound sources so no midi at this point, just .wav or .aiffs.

by **agent funk** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:23 pm

If you want the midi files you have to have Logic. There is no way to export files from Garageband without opening the project in Logic - from which point you create a new Logic project. Without Logic it has to be done the audio way I described before. It only takes about 30 sec per track.

by **4TrackMadman** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:41 pm

Thanks, I'll let you know how that fares.

by **Richard Graham** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 2:27 am

Wease wrote:
If you export a GarageBand iOS project into Logic Studio, you get a midi song...no audio see.

Weird. Logic Express 9 will do MIDI plus audio and all plug-ins 100% perfect fromGB on iOS.

by **Wease** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 11:31 am

Richard Graham wrote:
Wease wrote:
If you export a GarageBand iOS project into Logic Studio, you get a midi song...no audio see.

Weird. Logic Express 9 will do MIDI plus audio and all plug-ins 100% perfect fromGB on iOS.

Ahhh....I meant unless you record some audio into GarageBand iOS initially.....if you just use the garagebands internal instruments, they come out As midi tracks in logic...with the GarageBand instrument sounds

Sorry for the confusion :blush:

by **Richard Graham** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:45 pm

Thanks for clearing that up, Wease. I am having my own problems with Logic too (see other thread!) - if you could help me out I'd be much obliged!

by **mcalldp** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 2:54 am

Would anyone be willing to take my project files and export the midi tracks?

I started aome song ideas in Garageband on my iPad not realizing I couldnt export the midi ro Cubase on my Windows PC to use better samples and turn these little ideas into proper music.

I wont make that mistake again! I just need somone with a mac that can open my project files, export the midi tracks and load back to drop box or google drive or whatever,

APPRECIATE ANY HELP!!!

by **jhnflwls** » Sat May 12, 2018 2:50 am

4TrackMadman wrote:Hello all!
I have a collaborator that has created several track in Garageband for iOS (the mobile version).
He's asking my help in remixing the material but can't find a way to export the separate tracks with a common start time. Anyone have a suggestion on the best way this could be done?

I am working on PC, Studio One, Sonar or a few other DAW apps, that end should be easy, getting the files to me is apparently not.

You should check out this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rtuwyua5mk

by **jhnflwls** » Sun May 13, 2018 8:01 am

jhnflwls wrote:
4TrackMadman wrote:Hello all!
I have a collaborator that has created several track in Garageband for iOS (the mobile version).
He's asking my help in remixing the material but can't find a way to export the separate tracks with a common start time. Anyone have a suggestion on the best way this could be done?

I am working on PC, Studio One, Sonar or a few other DAW apps, that end should be easy, getting the files to me is apparently not.

You should check out this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rtuwyua5mk

I hope the solution helps you

SOUND ON SOUND

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Garageband iOS how to export track to mix on another DAW?