Last Jan. 18, Apple announced that it is rolling out major updates to GarageBand and Logic Pro X. Cupertino stated that they will entail exciting changes to its two native apps, which are available for the iOS and Mac platforms, respectively.

GarageBand 2.2

The audio production app for iOS now has the 2.2 label, and it is rocking a new creative synthesizer called Alchemy. This synth instrument was first introduced in the Logic Pro back in 2015 and has been widely received in that platform for bringing an array of synths as well as the beloved Transform Pad, its shape-shifting control.

All these features have now been ported to GarageBand. Specifically, users can expect a collection of more than 150 Apple-designed patches that cover different genres such as EDM, hip-hop, rock, pop and more.

Aside from Alchemy, GarageBand also now has a dedicated sound browser. According to Apple, this new feature will enable users to browse instruments and patches easily. It was not made clear if the browser is based on Alchemy's dedicated browser in the Logic Pro platform. If this is the case, then it would allow the use of custom tags to identify patches to make presets organized and easier to explore.

Logic Pro X 10.3

The Logic Pro X 10.3, on the other hand, is now touted as a more powerful tool. It features a new interface, which Apple said has been modernized. This is probably attributed to the fact that it now supports the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar.

More importantly, however, the changes unleashed by the update includes the new features that make the app even more sophisticated, making the creative process more suited to the requirements of professional audio production. Particularly, creators will now have better control when editing music or mixing audio elements.

Apple has also thrown in some innovations such as the capability to add new tracks to Logic sessions remotely. This part demonstrates the more seamless interoperability between the application and GarageBand. Here, iOS devices can be used to open Logic Pro X projects when users are on the go. Recorded music in GarageBand can also be sent to Logic Pro X via iCloud.

"These updates bring a wide range of new and highly requested features to both hobbyists and the community of pro musicians and audio engineers who rely on our software and hardware to create amazing music," Susan Prescott, vice president of applications product marketing at Apple, stressed.

The updates are free, but for those who do not own Logic Pro X or GarageBand, they are being sold at the App Store for $200 and $5, respectively.