Apple GarageBand on iOS supports MPE and allows for expressive control of the 5 dimensions of touch when using the Seaboard RISE, Seaboard Block, and Lightpad Block as controllers. With a few simple steps, you'll be able to use the full expressive range of your RISE or Block with GarageBand for iOS!


Step 1: iOS Settings

Open Settings on your iOS device:

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Select Bluetooth:


Bluetooth in iPhone settings


Check that Bluetooth is switched on:


iPhone Bluetooth is switched on


Next, select the GarageBand app in Settings, and then click the slider next to 'Support MPE Controllers' to enable MPE functionality:


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Step 2: GarageBand Settings

Open GarageBand and navigate to the Settings menu, and then select Song Settings:


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Select Advanced, then select Bluetooth MIDI Devices:


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Ensure your Lightpad Block is turned On and is in Bluetooth pairing mode, and then select your Lightpad Block to enable it. It will show as 'Connected' when paired properly:


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You're now able to use the full expressive range of your Seaboard RISE, Seaboard Block, or Lightpad Block to control GarageBand instruments.


Step 3: Load NOISE into GarageBand

If you have a compatible device, you may load NOISE as a plugin in GarageBand. Download NOISE from the App Store. In GarageBand, when selecting Tracks swipe to "External," tap "Audio Units," and then select NOISE Melody or NOISE Drums. You'll now be able to use much of NOISE's functionality within GarageBand. 

Note: SWAM soundpacks are not currently available in the NOISE plugins. We're adding new features to the NOISE plugins all the time, so please stay tuned!

A known issue with GarageBand's rendering causes NOISE tracks in exported GarageBand projects to be silent. In the meantime, to export the audio of your GarageBand projects you may record the audio output from your iOS device:

  • Connect to a MacOS device via Lightning cable. 
  • On the MacOS device, launch QuickTime Player. 
  • Select File > New Audio Recording. 
  • In the drop-down menu accessible via the arrow to the right of the record button, select the iOS device.
  • Click the record button to begin recording the audio output of your iOS device.

You may also record from your iOS device to a desktop DAW. To record into Ableton Live, for example, see this article.