What’s the IPhone app equivalent to my old 4 track Tascam

[mirrorimij]

The title says it all.  What’s the easiest app to do simple multitracks?  I want it to be easy and do NOT need a lot of bells and whistles.  I don’t need effects, simulators etc.   I would like to be able to output an MP3 or .wav (preferably). 
 

 

[alantig]

GarageBand seems like an obvious answer.  It has a lot of stuff, but you don't have to download or use it all.

I saw a recommendation for something called MultitrackDAW.  That's the first I've heard of it - may be what you need.

Also recalled that Voice Memos was supposed to get multitrack capability, but it looks like that requires at least an iPhone 16 Pro.

Looks like Roland released something called ZenTracker in 2021.  No idea if it's any good or still available.

[mirrorimij]

Thank you.  Might be time for a phone upgrade.

[mathman]

garage band on iPhone can do a lot.  Add some amp sims like amplitude or BIasfx. or others and it is a pretty complete system.  It is availailble on older phones also.  iPhones are more supported but android has options also.

 

[geoff_hartwell]

23 hours ago, mirrorimij said:

Thank you.  Might be time for a phone upgrade.

Do you have an iPad lying around? GarageBand works on them too and the screens are bigger. 
Used ones are mad cheap at OWC, I have bought several and they’ve all been great with battery life, great deals.

I have one set up with a 49 key usb keyboard for the wife to noodle on with piano or organ sounds from GB. You could obv use a simple setup like that (with a iRig or usb interface) for a multitrack notepad. 👍

[mathman]

Garage band on iPad has some extra features also. Some are pretty cool.

[Saul Goodman]

36 minutes ago, geoff_hartwell said:

Do you have an iPad lying around? GarageBand works on them too and the screens are bigger. 
Used ones are mad cheap at OWC, I have bought several and they’ve all been great with battery life, great deals.

I have one set up with a 49 key usb keyboard for the wife to noodle on with piano or organ sounds from GB. You could obv use a simple setup like that (with a iRig or usb interface) for a multitrack notepad. 👍

What is this OWC you speak of?

[mathman]

Owc

[mathman]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other world computing 

[geoff_hartwell]

5 minutes ago, Saul Goodman said:

What is this OWC you speak of?

https://eshop.macsales.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq1WELdi7RgR61wowntqtb1mv3TlluVpLug1h-jWNMDFAbXf9dr
 

It was originally “Other World Computing” I think, and now is under Mac Sales

[tbonesullivan]

FYI, if you want that Lo-fi Tascam 424 overdrive sound, JHS pedals just put out a pedal that is pretty much one of the channel strips.

[velorush]

21 minutes ago, tbonesullivan said:

FYI, if you want that Lo-fi Tascam 424 overdrive sound, JHS pedals just put out a pedal that is pretty much one of the channel strips.

Wow! Being quite ig-nert, I learn something every day! 424 GAIN STAGE – JHS Pedals

I didn't even know the "424 Sound" was a thing (I just knew my broke-college self couldn't afford one BITD). 

[tbonesullivan]

6 minutes ago, velorush said:

Wow! Being quite ig-nert, I learn something every day! 424 GAIN STAGE – JHS Pedals

I didn't even know the "424 Sound" was a thing (I just knew my broke-college self couldn't afford one BITD). 

I mean... they are now plentiful on reverb and ebay, and also plenty cheap. Apparently Bruce Springsteen mostly recorded an album on one, and now a current guitarist who goes by Mk.Gee (from New Jersey) has been using it a lot.

https://www.musicradar.com/guitars/guitar-pedals/hes-not-using-a-guitar-amp-hes-using-a-tascam-424-jhs-pedals-puts-a-portastudio-in-a-pedal-to-help-you-recreate-mk-gees-elastic-lo-fi-tones

[mirrorimij]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I’ll give GarageBand a try.

I wasn’t looking to duplicate the 424 sound - I just want a simple multi tracker that I can take out of my pocket.

[atomicwash]

I use the Spire app for multi track writing, recording right from my iPad. Super easy to use and export files.

[geoff_hartwell]

On 8/22/2025 at 10:02 PM, atomicwash said:

I use the Spire app for multi track writing, recording right from my iPad. Super easy to use and export files.

Cool! Tell us more! Do you use an interface for guitar and/or vocals? Tia

[atomicwash]

On 8/24/2025 at 12:23 PM, geoff_hartwell said:

Cool! Tell us more! Do you use an interface for guitar and/or vocals? Tia

No interface, just the built-in mic on the iPad. I use Spire for writing and layering guitar parts to pass on to our vocalist for writing lyrics. It's a free app, check it out!

[mathman]

Ik Mulitimedia makes some really good interfaces for iPhones and iPads.  Irig2 rig hd etc.

 

https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/?S1=553&S2=555

[HamStd]

On 8/18/2025 at 4:19 PM, mirrorimij said:

Thank you.  Might be time for a phone upgrade.

Or Bob, I can dig out my old Tascam for you.  I heard cassette tapes are coming back.  Look at Taylor Swift!!