"How to add Apple Music to GarageBand? I want to record a cover version of a song I downloaded via Apple Music, but can't find the file in GarageBand."
GarageBand is the go-to studio for many beginners and pro musicians to mix tracks, record song covers, practice instruments, or create demos. But if you try to import a song from Apple Music to GarageBand, you are likely to hit a wall. So, can you use Apple Music with GarageBand? Yes, but not directly. In this guide, we will show you how to add songs from Apple Music to GarageBand on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, step by step. Let's get started!
Why Can't You Import Apple Music to GarageBand Directly?
When you try to put songs from Apple Music to GarageBand, you may see songs greyed out, or a message saying "Protected songs and songs not imported locally on your iPhone can not be imported".
The simple reason behind this frustration is protection, which makes all Apple Music tracks encrypted in the M4P (protected AAC) file format. However, GarageBand only supports AIFF, CAF, WAV, AAC (except protected AAC files), Apple Lossless, and MP3. Therefore, the downloaded Apple Music can not be imported directly to GarageBand.
If you want to add Apple Music to GarageBand, you can purchase the songs from iTunes (Unprotected AAC files). But it may cost you a large expenditure in this case. Yet, you can take advantage of Apple Music Converter by converting Apple Music into common MP3. Then you could freely add those songs to GarageBand.
How to Convert Apple Music for GarageBand (Step-by-Step)
Then, how to add Apple Music to GarageBand for later use? To do so, you need to first convert Apple Music into a GarageBand-compatible format. This is where TuneFab Apple Music Converter comes in.
This professional tool is designed to download songs from Apple Music to various common formats like MP3 and AIFF, all compatible with GarageBand. Even better, this software does much more than just remove DRM from Apple Music, but also retains the original audio quality. So, if you have no idea where to convert Apple Music to MP3 for GarageBand, TuneFab is worth considering.
Main Features of TuneFab Apple Music Converter
- Keep original audio quality for professional GarageBand projects.
- Convert songs, playlists, albums from Apple Music to MP3, AIFF, ALAC, M4A, WAV, and FLAC.
- Preserve original ID3 tags, making it easy to locate your loops and samples.
- Up to 35X faster speed to batch convert Apple Music songs for GarageBand.
- Include the built-in Apple Music web player for a seamless download process.
- Support common music output to be used with other apps, including GarageBand.
Using this software is super easy. Follow the steps below to learn how to convert and download Apple Music as MP3 for your GarageBand projects:
Step 1. Access the Apple Music Web Player in TuneFab
Install and launch TuneFab Apple Music Converter. Select the Apple Music service on the main interface and log in with your Apple Music account to access your playlists, albums, and library.
Step 2. Select Apple Music Songs, Albums, or Playlists
Search and locate the music you want to import from Apple Music to GarageBand. Click on the "Add to Convert" button to start fetching audio information.
Step 3. Choose a GarageBand-Compatible Format
In the pop-up, hit the drop-down menu of "Audio Quality" to select an output format that is supported by GarageBand, such as MP3 (by default), M4A, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and ALAC. Also, adjust the output bitrate and sample rate for optimal quality if you need.
Step 4. Convert Apple Music for GarageBand
Select the titles you need and click "Convert Now" to start downloading. Once finished, go to the "Local Library" tab and then click the file icon to locate your Apple Music files. You are now ready to add Apple Music songs to GarageBand on Mac, iPhone, or iPad without any limitations.
How to Add Apple Music to GarageBand
Up to now, you already have your Apple Music tracks converted into GarageBand-compatible formats. But how to add music from Apple Music to GarageBand on Mac, iPhones, and iPads? Well, it is rather easy to do. The detailed instructions for transferring Apple Music to GarageBand are provided below:
Add a Song from Apple Music to GarageBand on Mac
On macOS, the easiest way to add Apple Music to GarageBand on Mac is simply by drag and drop, without complex steps.
Step 1. Launch GarageBand on your Mac and open an existing project or create a new one.
Step 2. Locate your converted Apple Music files in the local folder.
Step 3. Drag and drop the file directly into the GarageBand track area.
Step 4. The song will be imported instantly and ready for editing, mixing, or trimming.
Import Songs into GarageBand from Apple Music on iPhone/iPad
To add Apple Music to GarageBand on iPhone or iPad, you need to move your converted files to your iOS device first. There are two efficient ways to do this:
Method 1: Via Files App
Step 1. Upload your songs to iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Step 2. Go to the GarageBand app, open your project, and then tap the loop icon.
Step 3. Tap "Browse items from the Files app" in the "Files" tab to locate your song.
Step 4. Drag and drop the file into the track view to start your project.
Method 2: Via iTunes/Finder Sync
Step 1. Connect your iPhone/iPad to your computer and sync the converted Apple Music songs using iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Step 2. Open a project in the GarageBand app, tap the loop icon, and go to the "Music" tab.
Step 3. Select the synced song and drag it to the track area. Then, you can successfully add a song from Apple Music to GarageBand.
FAQs About Using Apple Music in GarageBand
Can you use Apple Music in GarageBand?
Yes. Though Apple Music Tracks are protected and the format is not supported by GarageBand, they can be converted to common MP3 via Apple Music Converter like TuneFab Apple Music Converter. Then you can import the songs into GarageBand freely.
How to export GarageBand projects to Apple Music?
To add GarageBand songs to Apple Music:
1. Launch GarageBand and switch to My Song view.
2. Select the song you want to share, and click Share > Share the music.
3. You can edit the length you would like to share, and then click Share to confirm your choice.
4. The song will then automatically appear on the Music app.
Can you make a Ringtone with GarageBand from Apple Music?
Yes, but only after converting Apple Music to a DRM-free, GarageBand-compatible format by using TuneFab Apple Music Converter. Once converted, you can import the Apple Music song into GarageBand, trim your favorite 30-second clip, and then click "Share" > "Ringtone" to set your custom ringtone for your iPhone.
Why are my Apple Music songs greyed out in GarageBand?
When you insert a song from Apple Music to GarageBand, you may see it greyed out. This usually comes down to the following reasons:
- The song is protected by Apple Music and cannot be edited or imported.
- The audio format is not supported by GarageBand.
To fix this issue, you can use a reliable Apple Music Converter like TuneFab to convert Apple Music to MP3, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and other compatible formats without protection, making your entire library compatible with GarageBand projects.
Conclusion
This article has walked you through how to add Apple Music to GarageBand on Mac, iPhone, and iPad in detail. While protection prevents you from using your favorite tracks in a project, it doesn't have to be a dead end.
By using TuneFab Apple Music Converter, you can effortlessly bypass protection and convert any song from Apple Music to MP3 or other GarageBand-compatible formats while keeping the original quality. This makes it easy to import Apple Music songs into GarageBand and start editing right away. So, download TuneFab today and unleash your creativity!
