# AUMI — Music Improv for Every Body.

> Music improvisation software for individuals with limited voluntary movement. (iPhone/iPad app by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aumi/id647002265 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/545728224)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.4 · 69 MB
- Languages: American English, European Spanish
- Released: 2013-06-01
- Data updated: 2026-06-06
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aumi/id647002265/reviews.md

## What is AUMI?

Adaptive Use Musical Instruments (AUMI) software interface enables people who have very limited controlled (voluntary) movement to independently engage in music making.

The Adaptive Use Musical Instruments software interface enables the user to play sounds and musical phrases through movement and gestures. This is an entry to improvisation rather than “hitting the right notes” or playing set pieces of music. Instead, the software uses music as a way for participants to express a range of affects, both by themselves and in response to, or in conversation with, others.

 While the AUMI interface can be used by anyone, the focus has been on working with people who have profound physical disabilities. In taking these participants as its starting point, the project attempts to make musical improvisation and collaboration accessible to the widest possible range of individuals. This approach also opens up the possibility of learning more about the relations between ability, the body, creativity and improvisation, from within a cultural context that does not always acknowledge or accept people with disabilities.

This iOS version of AUMI runs on devices with cameras, and can run on iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads. A large assortment of sounds can be triggered with configurable amounts of sensitivity. AUMI also can be used as a MIDI controller to access other iOS based synthesizers or external equipment (using the iPad's Camera Connection kit or via Core MIDI over WiFi.)

AUMI can also import audio from other iOS or desktop apps to be used as melodic or percussive instruments.

AUMI can capture a record of the movement in the session, which can be exported and turned into reports in a clinical setting.

## Key features

- Music creation through movement and gestures
- Focus on improvisation and self-expression
- Accessible for individuals with profound physical disabilities
- Uses device cameras for input
- Configurable sound sensitivity
- MIDI controller functionality
- Import audio from other apps

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aumi/id647002265/reviews.md

### 5/5 — My Special Needs Music Students LOVE AUMI

*2017-06-26*

I LOVE AUMI too.
All of my students have cognitive challenges and many of them also have physical challenges.
AUMI is a hit with all most of them.  You can tell when they "get it" that they are controlling the sound by themselves.  It's like magic.  
What's more, I love being able to easily add my own sound files.  That why no matter what music standard or integrated academic curriculum I'm teaching AUMI can be a meaningful activity for the class.  
Congrats on doing something so wonderful for the lowest one percent of the population and thank you.

### 1/5 — Not great

*2014-06-03, version 1.0.2*

It just doesn't work as it should.  See previous comments by other users, this just isn't fit for purpose yet, please update and improve it! For this price I expected much more.

### 4/5 — I use it all the time

*2014-01-07*

I work as a music therapist with kids with severe cognitive and physical limitations. Often holding onto an instrument or mallet is difficult, and I don't always like to strap mallets to their hands.

This app is great for helping the kids I work with participate and make music - while being able to keep the notes within specific keys and scales so it doesn't sound chaotic. The visual feedback they receive is great (which you don't get with the Soundbeams hardware). Even the children in low awareness states who might not be as aware of their surroundings or the "rules" of music get benefit and enjoyment  - their movements increase once they hear that music is created by their small or simple movements.

### 1/5 — Not responsive enough

*2013-09-09, version 1.0.2*

I completely applaud the reasoning behind this app- I would love it to work for the pupils but it doesn't. 
It just doesn't work like it should- doesn't move with pupils, pupils get frustrated and lose interest because of this. Even I struggle to get it to track my movements properly. 
Go for the far better Airharp or Airvox apps. 
Guys you really need to sort this out, I've used lots of gesture based programs with SEN pupils and this just doesn't work for purpose.

## Frequently asked questions about AUMI

### What is AUMI?

AUMI is a software interface that enables people with limited voluntary movement to independently engage in music making through movement and gestures, focusing on improvisation and self-expression.

### Who is AUMI designed for?

While AUMI can be used by anyone, it is specifically designed to make musical improvisation and collaboration accessible to individuals with profound physical disabilities.

### What devices does AUMI run on?

AUMI is available for iOS devices with cameras, including iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads.

### Can AUMI be used with other music equipment?

Yes, AUMI can be used as a MIDI controller to access other iOS-based synthesizers or external equipment via the iPad's Camera Connection kit or Core MIDI over WiFi.

### Does AUMI have ads?

No, AUMI does not contain advertisements.

### How often is AUMI updated?

The latest version of AUMI is 2.2.3, and it was last updated on January 22, 2025, indicating active development and support.

### Can AUMI import sounds?

Yes, AUMI can import audio from other iOS or desktop applications to be used as melodic or percussive instruments.

### What is the age rating for AUMI?

AUMI has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.2.3 — 2025-01-22

New scales: Jazz minor, chromatic tone row, diatonic tone row, pentatonic tone row
Yankee Doodle, Happy Birthday, Row Your Boat added to Timing patterns. 
New Memory timing loops over previous notes. (under development)
New Pose Detector "tracker"
Better searching of sound orders and AUMI Instrument lists
Screen layout changed to look better on tiny iPod Touches (and old iPhones)
"Send silence" to named peer devices
And a bunch of bug fixes

### 2.2.2 — 2024-04-23

Bug fix for iOSes earlier than iOS17!
Also: some info screenshot update
Also: you can now reorder the sounds even for melodic instruments. This is kind of an advanced feature, but I found it useful!

### 2.2.1 — 2024-04-02

Bug fixes and better desktop support, new rhythms, more fun!

### 2.2.0 — 2022-12-09

This version has been updated for newer operating systems! 
• The Settings screen has been reorganized
• The official collection of optional AUMI instruments has been made accessible inside the app
• bug fixes
• freshly updated instructions

### 2.1.4 — 2021-07-24

Various bug fixes! Also, better Color Tracker tracking, fix to iPhone velocity sliders, possibility of transmitting user instruments to listener devices

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## Related topics

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-06.*