Q: What format does Garage Band use? I’d like to add some more sounds, but most dedicated Garage Band libraries seem to be geared toward hip hop, trance, and other dance music. I’m looking for more realistic strings and other orchestral instruments.
A: Garage Band actually uses the same .EXS format as Apple’s Logic Pro audio worksation. Whatever samples you obtain must be placed in the Garage Band Sample Instruments (these are the mapped programs) and Sampler Files folders (the actual sample data). However, keep in mind that Garage Band can also play back virtually any AU format plug-ins, up to and including the Vienna Symphony Symphonic Cube. So you can easily build up an impressive library in short order.