This brings up a small pedalboard, and if you click on the empty pedal spot you can add more pedals.
You can also customize the sound by either adjusting the controls on the amp head, or add effects by clicking on the Stompbox icon in the upper right hand corner. Since I’m a rock/metal player I spent a lot of time in the Distorted tab and my favorite option under that tab was Woodstock Fuzz. There are four tabs: Clean, Crunchy, Distorted, and Processed. To change amps, just click on the button labeled Clean Combo to bring up the available preset amps. Once you’re plugged in, launch GarageBand on the iPad and choose Guitar Amp from the Instruments window.īy default, you’ll be using the Clean Combo amp on app launch. I then jack in my ’62 Reissue Strat in and let loose. I then either use headphones or a set of nice PC speakers as my “amp.” I also use the Griffin A-frame stand on my desk to prop it up at a nice viewing angle. In addition to being cheaper, I like that the iRig leaves my dock connector free so I can charge my iPad while playing. Plugging InĪpple recommends the Apogee JAM ($99) for plugging your guitar into the iPad, but I use the iRig ($39, and also conveniently for sale at most Best Buys (s bby)).
How does this software amp compare to existing options? Read on to find out. Darrell covered the new iPad GarageBand Smart Instruments, so I’m going to talk about plugging a real one in. A few months ago I wrote about three iPad guitar amps, but now there’s an official option from Apple(s aapl).