# Axon 2 — Neural Network Drum Machine > AI-powered drum machine with FM synthesis and a unique neural network sequencer. (iPhone/iPad app by Audio Damage, Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/axon-2/id1289090729 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Audio Damage, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248448317) - Category: Music, Music - Price: $6.99 - Rating: 3.30/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 16 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 13 MB - Released: 2017-10-09 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/axon-2/id1289090729/reviews.md ## What is Axon 2? Axon 2 is a drum synth driven by artificial intelligence. (Well, "intelligence" might be a strong word. Artificial something-or-other.) An experimental instrument, Axon uses a modified artificial neural network as a sequencer, and features seven FM-based percussion voices, that are really a single 18-operator FM voice. If that sounds weird, you ain't seen nothing yet. It is surprisingly intuitive once you get the knack of it, and is capable of all-new, complex rhythms that repeat in surprising ways. It often gets referenced as a "random sequence generator," but there is nothing random in Axon; it is entirely determinative. The sequencer features seven "neurons" that trigger a voice and send a pulse when they have received a predetermined number of pulses. You can wire the output of any neuron to the input of any other (with built-in loop detection to prevent runaway feedback), and in this manner pre-program the artificial neural network without having to go through a "learning" phase. The seven individual drum voices, each triggered by its attendant neuron, are 2-operator FM voices in a configuration to best make percussion sounds, with additional FM and AM busses that all voices send to and receive from. Each voice has a HPF, distortion circuit, and white noise generator to provide a full range of percussion-oriented voicing individually, while interacting with each other in new and unique ways. Features • Artificial Neural Network sequencer features seven neurons, and is easily programmed to create strange new repeating rhythms. • Seven FM percussion voices that also buss together to create a single monolithic complex percussion synthesizer. • Full mixer with pan, level, mute, and solo on each voice. • Built-in stereo delay with X/Y pad control over feedback and filter frequency, for live playability. • MIDI input, including Bluetooth MIDI, for driving Axon from DAW and hardware sequencers, and Virtual MIDI Output (standalone only) for driving other software with the Axon sequencer. • Inter-App Audio, including transport synchronization, in standalone mode. • Internal transport for non-synchronized playback. • Resizable vector-based user interface. • Drawn reciprocation dingle arm to reduce sinusoidal depleneration. • XML-based cross-platform, human-readable preset system, with copy/paste, for easy transferring of your own presets and third-party offerings. Please Note: This application will work fine on an iPad Mini, but the user interface may be difficult to use due to the size. ## Key features - AI-powered neural network sequencer - Seven FM-based percussion voices - Individual voice processing (HPF, distortion) - Built-in stereo delay with X/Y pad - MIDI input (Bluetooth MIDI supported) - Inter-App Audio support - XML-based preset system ## Recent user reviews (10 of 16) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/axon-2/id1289090729/reviews.md ### 1/5 — ENTIRELY USELESS? *2021-12-06, version 2.0.12* I have purchased this application before and used it a fair amount of times when it worked, but now it has been rendered useless and unusable. I cannot count the amount of times I clicked on the application just for it to give me a blank screen for a second then crash. I simply cannot use this app at all, I expect this issue to be fixed as soon as possible, considering that I am not the only one who is experiencing this given that these complaints are years old and they have yet to receive a simple reply from the creator. ### 2/5 — Please Fix *2020-11-19, version 2.0.12* Great concept but crashes all the time. Please fix. ### 1/5 — Too bad *2020-10-22, version 2.0.12* Constantly crashes. Can’t even open it as stand alone. Waited some time for updates but no luck. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2020-03-08, version 2.0.12* Don’t bother buying this. Can’t even get it to open. ### 3/5 — Great app but frustrating crash events. *2020-02-25, version 2.0.12* [“ Outstanding instrument. Just great. The issue is the constant crashing. I keep thinking that a OS update or a app update to axon will fix it but Ive had the same issue with it for years now. It crashes when saving presets or switching presets. Pretty bad when youre working on a elaborate creation and it crashes when you go to save. Im shocked this has not been fixed. I could use a working axon over a facelift to Eos or upgrades and facelifts to Roughrider. Please fix this app.”] ### 1/5 — Constant crashes *2019-11-14, version 2.0.12* I was able to open this as a stand-alone maybe 3 times before it crashed HARD and refused to ever open again. It’s not much more stable as a plug-in. Using it in AUM it crashes when saving a preset. It crashes if you resize the window too many times. Sometimes it just quits for no reason. It also doesn’t seem to respect state saving half the time and opens on the obnoxious Default setting... which might be no big deal if you could save or load your presets without it crashing. ### 4/5 — Love it, but it crashes a lot. *2019-04-18, version 2.0.12* Excellent work, but when switching between presets to choose one it will crash, if they’re playing. It’s also crashed while making changes to an existing preset before I was able to save it. This is very frustrating. Otherwise this is the best design idea for what I do. Please solve this soon. It deserves a 5 star rating. ### 5/5 — New favorite! *2019-02-25, version 2.0.12* No glitching on this end, other than the kind I want. Running 6 instances in AUM without so much as a hiccup on 10.5” iPad Pro. I never thought anything would ever compete with Ruismaker, but the sequencer and delay effects push this over the top for me. Another stellar app from the AD crew. Can’t wait to pair this with Enso, whenever it debuts. ### 1/5 — Just crashes *2019-01-19, version 2.0.12* On iPad Pro 11”. Some testing would have been nice ### 5/5 — Now it’s up to AudioDamage standards *2019-01-19, version 2.0.12* Been waitin a long time to get the midi fixed, and now it’s awesome... just use it as a midi sequencer, the fm engine is 😖 ## Frequently asked questions about Axon 2 ### What is Axon 2? Axon 2 is an experimental drum synthesizer that utilizes an artificial neural network as its sequencer. It features seven FM-based percussion voices and allows for the creation of complex, repeating rhythms through its unique programming interface. ### How does the Axon 2 sequencer work? The sequencer features seven 'neurons' that trigger a voice and send a pulse when they receive a predetermined number of pulses. Users can wire the output of any neuron to the input of any other, pre-programming the network to create intricate rhythms. ### Can Axon 2 be controlled by external hardware? Yes, Axon 2 supports MIDI input, including Bluetooth MIDI, allowing it to be driven by DAWs and hardware sequencers. It also offers Virtual MIDI Output for controlling other software with its sequencer. ### Does Axon 2 have built-in effects? Each of the seven drum voices includes a High-Pass Filter (HPF) and a distortion circuit. Additionally, there is a built-in stereo delay with X/Y pad control over feedback and filter frequency for live playability. ### What is the pricing for Axon 2? Axon 2 is a paid application priced at $6.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscription models mentioned for this app. ### What devices is Axon 2 compatible with? Axon 2 is designed for iPad devices. While it may function on an iPad Mini, the user interface might be difficult to use due to its size. ### How often is Axon 2 updated? The latest version of Axon 2 is 2.0.12, which was last updated on January 18, 2019. This indicates a less frequent update cycle. ### What is the user sentiment for Axon 2? Axon 2 has an average rating of 3.3 stars from 26 ratings. This suggests a mixed reception from users, with some appreciating its experimental nature and others potentially finding it challenging or having specific technical issues. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 2.0.12 — 2019-01-18 We have activated the MIDI out feature of Axon. Some things to note: 1. The MIDI note that the particular node outputs is based on the pitch setting of the node. 2. The mixer works when using the MIDI out. The level sliders determine velocity, and mute and solo both work as you'd expect. 3. AUv3 built with iOS SDK prior to iOS 11 do not have MIDI out. So we have to raise the minimum of Axon to iOS 11 to allow this. ### 2.0.7 — 2018-01-05 MIDI output of the standalone version has been rewritten to deal with the "MIDI Out Bug" often talked about. As far as we can tell, it is now fine. Also, the MIDI out has been changed so that the MIDI note triggered by the voice reflects the pitch setting of that voice. i.e. if the Axon voice 1 pitch setting is A sharp 1, the MIDI note it triggers will be A sharp 1. ### 2.0.6 — 2017-10-09 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Axon 2 | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Velvet Machine](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/velvet-machine/id1534554750) | 4.8 (45) | $7.99 | Music | | [Patterning 2 : Drum Machine](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patterning-2-drum-machine/id1332154350) | 4.8 (501) | $4.99 | Music | | [Scatterbrain Audio Splitter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scatterbrain-audio-splitter/id1498199681) | 4.8 (49) | $3.99 | Music | | [GlitchCore](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glitchcore/id1499237784) | 4.3 (39) | $4.99 | Music | | [SnakeBud - AUv3 MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snakebud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1568600625) | 4.6 (14) | $6.99 | Music | ## More apps by Audio Damage, Inc. - [Grind Distortion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grind-distortion/id1249816007) - [Eos 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eos-2/id1252122327) - [Dubstation 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dubstation-2/id1253069666) - [Replicant 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/replicant-2/id1261900553) - [Pumphouse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pumphouse/id1270238019) All apps by Audio Damage, Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1248448317 --- *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 2026-06-10.*