In this guide
On iPhone, use Drums → Beat Sequencer to program steps and record the pattern into Tracks view. On Mac, add a Drummer track or Drummer Loop and adjust its performance. Build a short arrangement, check levels, and export a separate audio file.
To make a beat in GarageBand on iPhone, open Drums → Beat Sequencer, turn on steps for a kick, snare and hi-hat, then record the pattern into Tracks view. On Mac, add a Drummer track or Drummer Loop and adjust the performance in the Drummer Editor. Both approaches can start a beat, but their controls differ.
Begin with one or two bars and listen before adding more layers. This guide includes a simple 16-step example, a separate Mac workflow and checks for the finished export.
Ready to build a complete arrangement? Follow how to make a song in GarageBand.
A simple 16-step starting pattern
For this example, use one bar of 4/4 divided into 16 equal steps. Steps 1, 5, 9 and 13 mark the four quarter-note beats; the other steps divide the space between them. Program the pattern below in an empty 16-step grid and adjust it to taste.
| Sound | Steps to activate | What to listen for |
|---|---|---|
| Kick | 1 and 9 | A simple low pulse on beats 1 and 3. |
| Snare or clap | 5 and 13 | A backbeat on beats 2 and 4. |
| Closed hi-hat | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 | Even eighth-note subdivisions; reduce the number or vary their velocity if busy. |
This is a basic example, not a required genre pattern. At 100 BPM with quarter-note beats, the bar lasts approximately 2.4 seconds. BPM is a pulse rate, not the number of notes in the pattern. Tap a reference rhythm with tap tempo if you want a starting number, then set and listen to the project tempo.
Make a beat in GarageBand on iPhone
- Open the sequencer. In a GarageBand song, tap the instrument browser, swipe to Drums and choose Beat Sequencer. Apple's Beat Sequencer guide documents the controls.
- Choose a kit and prepare the grid. Select a drum kit, set the pattern length to 16 steps if needed, and clear an existing pattern if you want to enter the example from scratch. Each row controls a kit piece; lit steps play that sound.
- Program the sounds. Find or choose kick, snare and closed hi-hat rows, then tap the steps in the table above. Play the pattern and change a step if it does not groove as intended.
- Adjust the feel. Try different velocities, kit pieces or swing settings. Keep the first version simple so each change is easy to hear.
- Record the pattern. Tap Record, let the pattern run for the section you want, then tap Play to stop. Apple says the recorded pattern appears as a region in Tracks view. A pattern playing in the sequencer is not the same as a recorded region in the song.
- Add another section. In Tracks view, arrange your recorded regions and add a variation or melodic part if useful. Leave space for any future vocal or instrument.
Make a beat in GarageBand on Mac
The Mac workflow below uses Drummer, not the iPhone's Beat Sequencer grid. It is useful when you want a generated performance that you can adjust rather than manually entering the exact 16-step example above.
- Open a project and use the Add Track button or Track → New Track. Choose Drummer and create the track. GarageBand creates a Drummer region.
- Choose a drummer or a suitable Drummer Loop. Apple explains how to find and add Drummer Loops from the Loop Browser.
- Double-click the region to open its editor. Try a preset, then adjust loudness, complexity, instrument choices, fills or swing as available for that drummer. Apple's Drummer guidance illustrates the performance controls.
- Play several bars, vary or add a region for a transition, and check that the drums support any other parts. Add bass, chords or a melody on separate tracks if the beat needs them.
Arrange and mix a short beat
Make an eight-bar sketch: for example, play the basic groove for four bars, introduce a small variation, then return to the original pattern. This is a creative starting point, not a fixed arrangement rule. A good variation might remove a kick, add a short fill or leave a beat of space before the next section.
Balance kick, snare and hats while listening at a comfortable level. If the output distorts, lower individual tracks and check the master output; turning down headphones alone does not fix a clipped export. Listen on headphones and a small speaker, and check whether low bass masks the kick or hats obscure another part.
Save the project and export audio
Keep the editable GarageBand project so you can change the pattern later. On iPhone, Apple's sharing guide describes sharing a song as an audio file or a GarageBand project. On Mac, use Share → Export Song to Disk, choose the appropriate format and range, and listen to the saved file. Apple documents the Mac export dialog, including the selected range option.
Check the entire export for a clipped start, a cut-off tail and unexpected silence. If you sample another person's recording or use outside loops, confirm that the relevant permissions cover your intended use. A stem estimate is not the original session track and does not grant rights to reuse a recording.
Common questions
Can I make a beat in GarageBand without instruments?
Yes. GarageBand provides software instruments, drum sounds and loops. You can program a pattern on iPhone or use a Drummer track on Mac.
Why does my iPhone pattern play but not appear in the song?
Playing a Beat Sequencer pattern is different from recording it into the project. Record the pattern, stop, and check Tracks view for the resulting region.
Is a higher BPM always a faster-feeling beat?
It sets the rate of the chosen pulse, but note subdivisions and half-time feel affect perception. Check the metronome and the arrangement together.
Can I extract drums from an existing song?
A separation tool can estimate a drum part from a mixed recording, but may leave other sounds or alter hits. See how to isolate an instrument and use material you have permission to process.