Play drums with a MIDI keyboard in GarageBand iOS (iPhone/iPad)

How to play DRUMS in GarageBand iOS using a MIDI keyboard.
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[@PeteJohnsMusic]

🎹 My recommended MIDI keyboard - imp.i114863.net/49q61 🎧 Other gear recommendations - studiolivetoday.com/gear

[@jumbosilverette]

thank you, just starting out with gb on an iphone

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

You're welcome. Hope it's going well for you and my videos can help you out.

[@rasamerlock4042]

Keep up the good work, live on the edge :)

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Thank you my friend. Really appreciate your support! And on the edge is the best place to live!!

[@Ponk_80]

great info, it was a bit hard to hear some of the sounds, because of the key sounds from the keyboard, was a bit louder then the drum sounds, is it possible to record the audio separately, not using the camera microphone? :) that way we might be able to hear the drum sounds a bit easier :) have a great day, and thanks for another video tutorial :)

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Thanks so much for the feedback. You are spot on about the audio. You may have noticed that early in the video there was a separate recording of the iPhone audio at the start, but it cut out and I was left with only the camera audio for the second half. Wasn't ideal I agree and will make sure it's better next time.

[@bobbauer5933]

For a pad controller one needs to know what midi note triggers which drum/cymbal etc. Is there a way to find that out in Garage Band. I don't need to change it I'd just like to figure it out without having to hand a keyboard on the thing. Thanks

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Yeah unfortunately it’s kind of trial and error. You pretty much need to do what I do in this one.

[@playmovingpictures]

Get on with it lol 😂

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

I do like to talk! I’m getting better hopefully. 😊

[@therealjimmy5411]

Thanks for giving me this link. What I am finding when you are in garageband and do a "get more sounds" not all of the sound packs use the same keys so it's chaos. I thought they were supposed to adhere to a standard midi layout?

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Yeah. It’s not as simple as that I’m afraid. Most of the basic kits are okay but some electronic and percussion kits are a bit random.

[@furiousj2532]

For some reason my midi keyboard is only playing some of the drum parts not all of them. What’s wrong?

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Might need to shift your octave up or down? Ask over at the GarageBand Users Facebook group if you need help. studiolivetoday.com/gbu

[@coolscoops]

Great but how did you map the keys to the drum kit or does it automatically assign the instrument sounds?

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

It automatically to calmly assigns sounds and unfortunately this can’t be changed in GarageBand iOS.

[@realityregenerator]

can I use the midi ok a sample pad pro

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Hi there. Not quite sure what you're asking sorry? Maybe ask over at the Create Record Release Facebook group - createrecordrelease.com.

[@marcosahlman5962]

hey pete, thanks for the vid, does this have to be a mini keyboard or can i still make drum beats using a regluar sized keyboard?

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Size doesn’t matter here as long as it is MIDI compatible. 👍

[@marcosahlman5962]

Thanks for the quick answer, so would this also work for making guitar sounds with the keyboard as well?

[@MarcusV741]

@@marcosahlman5962 yes

[@ejshelby5460]

if i don't use a smart phone or ipad to display the actual drum set, but just work on the computer with a MIDI keyboard, is there a way for the computer garageband to tell me which piano key is which drum part? (i'm not a drummer so i've no feaking idea how a human drummer plays it)

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Hey there. Unfortunately the drum options for MIDI in GarageBand iOS are quite limited. You will need to work out what keys control what drums but there is no way to change your key assignments.

[@elposito]

hello friend, good video, as always, I wonder if you could assign 2 keys to control the kick drum, for rhythms like metal, thank you in advance for your answer.

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Hey there. So, you can’t assign any keys using GarageBand itself, but some keyboards have keys which can be assigned on the hardware side using a separate app, so that may be an option.

[@elposito]

@@PeteJohnsMusic Thank you for your quick response.

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

You’re welcome. Best of luck. 👍

[@Locoandchooch]

Can you set up the keys for 2 bass drums?

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Hi there. I don’t believe so. But you can hit a single key pretty quickly with two hands to record some double bass drum action!

[@Runcktiorless]

What if it’s not a standard USB plug in on your keyboard?

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Hi There. It depends what sort of plug it is. If it is a USB type B or any variation, you'll just need the relevant cable or adapter. If it is an older style MIDI-In and MIDI-Out plugs (round 9-pin connectors) then you'll need a MIDI to USB adapter that is class compliant and will support iOS.

[@olivialewitski105]

Hi, I have a midi keyboard without the drum pad and whenever I try a hip hop or electronic kit it won’t play on my keyboard like no sounds will be coming through do you know why that is? Also, I tried the regular drums and it only plays Tom and kick drum do you know why that is? Will I have to buy a keyboard with the drum pad in order to get the full drum functions

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Hey Olivia. This is an interesting one? How many keys does your keyboard have, and does it have an “octave” button or selector? The drum sounds are usually stored at the low end of the keyboard range, so if you are able to drop the keyboard down with the octave button this may help. What model is your current keyboard?

[@olivialewitski105]

I have the I rig 37 pro

[@olivialewitski105]

Pete Johns I have it with an octave key

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Cool! So yes, this should definitely support all drum sounds. Use the octave button at the top of the keyboard to change the octave and see if you can get it working. Let me know how you go.

[@olivialewitski105]

Pete Johns thank you so much for your help however, unfortunately I tried every single octive option and they’re still no sound. When I first pulled up a drum kit there was at least a kick drum as well as some symbols but the rest of the keys didn’t work now there’s no sound. I might just go to the store from where I got it from and see if they can help.