Part of accepting what GarageBand 10 is and isn't is understanding its relationship to Apple's professional digital audio workstation application, Logic Pro X. While GarageBand has always been a lighter version of Logic, Apple added features such as podcasting and Magic GarageBand to help make the application more appealing to a broader base of users. Those days are largely over.Today's GarageBand is unapologetically a Logic spinoff that concentrates solely on music. Open Logic Pro X and GarageBand 10 side-by-side and, given the striking similarity of the two interfaces, you can imagine Apple's music creation team running down a list of Logic features and ticking off those appropriate for a music-oriented GarageBand audience. "Keep these features, lose the professional stuff, and build it. Done."
And that means exactly what for those accustomed to the old GarageBand? There is no support for creating enhanced podcasts—chapter markers, broadcast effects, embedded artwork, vocal ducking, and export settings designed with podcasters in mind don't exist. As someone who has been producing enhanced podcasts with GarageBand for years I'm sorry to see these features go. But I also understand that the vast majority of podcasts are not issued in the enhanced format. My best guess is that Apple came to same conclusion.
You'll find that the pre-made musicians found in Magic GarageBand have lost their gig as well. If you've used 32-bit instrument and effects plug-ins with GarageBand you'll have to upgrade them to 64-bit versions because—as with Logic Pro X—32-bit plugins are incompatible with GarageBand 10.The single exception is that if you pay the $5 in-app purchase price for GarageBand's extra sounds, loops, and drummers, you'll additionally have access to all of GarageBand's Learn to Play music lessons you receive two lessons with the free version and the Lesson Store, neither of which has been updated in ages.If you mourn the loss of these features you'll be pleased to know that Apple doesn't leave you in the lurch.