Recording studios that fit in your pocket

Apple has released a new version of its music recording and editing application, GarageBand, turning the iPhone and iPod into some of the smallest recording studios on the planet.

GarageBand was previously available for the iPad but the new version (1.1) brings iPod and iPhone compatibility and offers new features such as enhanced Smart Instruments with custom chords.u00a0

"GarageBand on iPad has been a big hit and we think customers will love using it on their iPhone or iPod touch," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The innovative Multi-Touch interface combined with Smart Instruments makes it easy to create great sounding music, even if you've never studied music or played an instrument before."

Musicians can plug their instruments (or a microphone) straight into the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to record straight into the app or use the built-in Touch Instruments (keyboards, guitars, drums and basses).

Budding iOS musicians might also be interested in the KORG iMS-20 music production app for iPad, the Reactable mobile interactive instrument and the iMaschine groove sketch pad.