When you launch Music Memos, you're met with a very clean, straightforward interface with a big record button right in the middle. There's not a settings menu to be found anywhere, nor will you be doing much swiping around. The only other "sections" to the app are an instrument tuner, located at the top right, and a list of your existing recordings (or "ideas" as Apple calls them). You get to those by swiping up on the main screen or tapping the folder icon.

You don't really even need to hit the record button to get started; Music Memos includes an "auto" mode that will begin recording once it detects you're playing something — or generally making noise. I still prefer the tried and true button, personally. Once you're recording, the button pulsates red and a waveform scrolls along the bottom of the app.

When the take's done, you'll see the recording appear at the bottom. Music Memos automatically splits everything into measures and attempts to figure out what chords you were playing. It does an okay job without any help, but you can dive in to change the chords or pick a different time signature. And if you were using a capo or had your guitar in another tuning, there's a way to add notes so you'll remember those things later on.

From there, you can just hit record again and start on another idea. (There's no way to layer tracks or dub in more guitar work; that's all GarageBand territory.) Or you can add some backing instruments to what you've already laid down. Adding drums or bass requires just a tap, and Music Memos lets you customize things like volume and the complexity of the drumbeat or bass line. In each case, particularly with the bass, Apple does a nice job of keeping in time with your recording — without requiring any real work on your part. It's nothing like having a real person behind you, but still does the job of filling out your song easily and quickly.