# bismark bs-16i — SoundFont / DLS Sample Player

> Professional AUv3 SoundFont and DLS sample player for iOS and iPadOS. (iPhone/iPad app by bismark LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-bs-16i/id388149926 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [bismark LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1213793300)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $7.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 123 App Store ratings · 155 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 51 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-09-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-bs-16i/id388149926/reviews.md

## What is bismark bs?

bismark bs-16i is a professional AUv3 SoundFont sampler for iOS and iPadOS.
Use it as a powerful plug-in instrument inside your favorite DAWs.

bs-16i is powered by a synthesizer engine adopted in professional and commercial audio equipment.
With the optional Hi-Res Engine, it delivers extremely clean, low-noise sound
using 100% floating-point audio processing.

Load SoundFont (.sf2) and DLS libraries and access a vast collection of instruments.
A General MIDI–compatible setup is included by default with "GeneralUser GS SoftSynth" by S. Christian Collins.

AUv3 plug-in features:
• Works as an AUv3 instrument in Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other compatible hosts
• Automation-ready parameters
• Designed for both iPhone and iPad workflows

App features:
• Scalable on-screen keyboard
• Pitch bend wheel and CC controllers
• Built-in SMF (Standard MIDI File) player
• USB and Bluetooth MIDI support
  Connect external MIDI keyboards, controllers, and sequencers,
  or drive bs-16i from other apps using Virtual MIDI.

Common (AUv3 and App) features:
• 16-part multitimbral playback
• Full support for standard MIDI messages
• SoundFont, DLS, MIDI, and Scene files are managed in the “bs-16i” folder on iCloud Drive
  and automatically synced across all your iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
  iCloud Drive and local storage can be selected for each Scene.

Notes:
• To load SoundFont or DLS files, sufficient free memory exceeding the file size is required.
• This application collects the following information: device name, OS version,
  SoundFont/DLS file name, and Core MIDI interface name.

## Key features

- AUv3 plug-in instrument
- Load SoundFont (.sf2) and DLS libraries
- 16-part multitimbral playback
- Scalable on-screen keyboard
- Pitch bend wheel and CC controllers
- USB and Bluetooth MIDI support
- Built-in SMF player

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $7.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hi-Res Synthesizer Engine | $4.99 | one-time |
| 128 Polyphony | $2.99 | one-time |
| Compressor | $4.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of bismark bs?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Great soundfont player
- 👍 Versatile sound options
- 👍 Good MIDI support
- 👍 Useful for GarageBand
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 👍 Good value for money
- 👍 Excellent sound quality
- 👍 Low latency performance
- 👍 Supports custom soundfonts
- 👍 Frequent developer updates
- 👍 Good velocity sensitivity

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashing issues
- 🐛 Legacy version problems
- 🐛 Soundfont loading issues
- 🐛 Notes not playing
- 🐛 MIDI cutting out
- 🐛 App freezes or closes
- 🐛 Exporting difficulties
- 🐛 Soundfont disappearing
- 🐛 AUv3 issues
- 🐛 Sustain stuck
- 🐛 Audio dropouts
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Unusable in GarageBand sometimes
- 🐛 Crashes when loading projects

**Commonly reported bugs**

- MIDI cutting out intermittently
- Copy-pasted MIDI data plays piano sound instead of selected instrument
- Notes sometimes not playing during playback or export
- Legacy edition not loading in GarageBand
- App crashes when loading projects with legacy edition
- Refuses to open unit extension and crashes app
- Cannot load songs that use the legacy version
- Legacy version won't load, crashes GarageBand
- Cannot import MIDI song after last upgrade
- Projects made before upgrade are unusable
- App crashes
- Soundfonts disappear after opening the app
- New AUv3 or legacy AUv3 not working correctly
- New AUv3 stuck on default piano
- Legacy AUv3 doesn't access iCloud .sf2 files
- Notes disappearing in playback
- Imported soundfonts not displayed in settings but visible in edit
- App not opening after changing to a newer iPad
- Soundfonts only partially loaded from folder
- Notes sometimes fail to play, possibly velocity data issue
- Articulations not interpreted well, fixed attack type
- Stuck notes
- AUv3 not working in GarageBand, loading as 'Inter-app unit'
- App closing by itself on iPhone SE 2nd Gen
- Sound cuts out when merging tracks
- Sustain stuck, affecting app usage
- AUv3 version doesn't recall soundfonts
- Delay in sound output after pressing keys
- MIDI program change not working correctly on iOS 14
- Notes sometimes don't play in GarageBand
- Transpose not working
- Portamento setting not saving
- AUv3 not loading in BeatMaker, Nanostudio, etc. after update
- No sound when connecting to Yamaha ypg 235
- Busy Boy sound not found
- Latest update crashes on startup on iPad 4 (iOS 8.4.1)
- BS-16i drops audio in AUM
- Cubasis issue: BS resets to factory when stopping project
- App crashes in Beatmaker 3
- No MIDI out to Audiobus MIDI chain when playing MIDI file
- Cannot access 'INBOX'
- Tune option makes app sound like a toy
- Sustain getting stuck, especially on continuous effects
- App crashes during settings changes on iPad
- Sound cutting out during MIDI playback
- App crashes with large soundfonts
- MIDI stopped working after last update
- App crashes when using more than 16 notes
- UI changed, making instrument selection less intuitive

**Most requested features**

- More features for sound design
- Affected filter cutoff by low velocity
- Envelope affected by cutoff
- Organ effects like 'Wah'
- Add a manual/documentation
- Improve UI/design
- Option to change theme color
- Split keyboard option
- MIDI learn for sliders/knobs
- Background Audio support
- Transpose button
- Scale keyboard to 17 keys on iPhone

## Recent user reviews (10 of 155)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-bs-16i/id388149926/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Freezing bug!!!

*2026-07-13*

Whenever i go into the menus for selecting soundfonts, they don’t even load, it just freezes and now i can’t use the app i paid for. Please if you would be so kind as to fix this? That would be amazing and mean the world to me. Still amazing app you’ve got here though, it has been SO HELPFUL! And to all those wanting to buy it, please do, it’s an amazing app. It’s totally worth the money aside from that freezing bug but I’m sure the developer will fix it soon.

**Developer response:** Version 5.1.2 is expected to resolve this issue. Sorry for the inconvenience.

### 4/5 — Frickable

*2026-07-12, version 5.1.1*

This was a BIT better than a different AU soundfont player called “Fontstack”, however, the downside is that I CANNOT USE DRUMS ON ANY CHANNEL BUT 10, I NEED IT TO WORK ON ALL CHANNELS, WHY MAKE IT SO COMPLEX? FL STUDIO MOBILE DOES BETTER THAN THIS! I JUST WANT WHAT SOUNDFONT I CHOSE TO BE PLAYING! NOT COMPLETELY JAILBREAK THIS APP! PLEASE SIMPLY! I ALSO DO NOT WANT REVERB!

### 4/5 — Wavetables not working

*2026-07-09*

Everything works but the only thing that doesn’t is the wavetables every time I try to press library on the app freezes. This only happens on my iPad when I do it on my phone it works perfectly

**Developer response:** Version 5.1.2 is expected to resolve this issue. Sorry for the inconvenience.

### 4/5 — Amazing app, super fun to use and work with!

*2026-03-30*

My only issue is that MIDI will cut out for a split second sometimes, it’s usually just one audio track but sometimes it’s all of them. (Audio tracks that are bs-16i of course)
Is there any way you could possibly fix this? It can be incredibly noticeable and a bit frustrating at times.

**Developer response:** Version 5.0.6 resolved the issue. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

### 4/5 — It’s goated but

*2026-03-26, version 5.0.6*

It still crashes. I have no idea what keeps causing this and It’s pissing me off. It feels like the system wants me to blame this. Either that or it’s just my storage.  It’s still really good but note to self: don’t use too much of it.

### 5/5 — 外部音源として使用する際の不具合

*2026-03-17*

このアプリで自分の中で革命が起きました。

しかしながら、不具合（？）が見つかったので報告させていただきます。
（環境:iOS17.4のGarageBand）

外部音源として使用する際にbs-16i(Legacy)を選択すれば設定中のInstrumentの音が鳴ります。
しかしbs-16iを選択した時、他のKeyboard領域からコピー&ペーストしたデータの場合に設定中のInstrumentの音が鳴らずピアノの音になるという現象が起きております。

改善方法があればご教示いただけますと幸いです。

**Developer response:** GarageBandでご利用になる場合には、Settings > Overwrite Input MIDI Channelを任意の値にご設定ください。bs-16i側は指定されたChannelのみ発音する格好となります。

### 3/5 — Très bien mais…

*2026-03-04*

Bug très pénalisant et toujours pas réglé dans la version iPad.
(Settings->Synthesizer->Part settings->Part #1 = Blocage total de l’App)

### 5/5 — More features by still the goat

*2026-02-25*

This is the best sf2 player, for little money, I really recommend this, coming from a user that uses this in band rigs, I kinda wish there more features, like if I play the note low velocity, that the filter cutoff be affected too, that way I can use less samples instead of having layers, saves more room, another thing I would like is that, an env thats also effected by cutoff, similar to how korg im1, has this VDF, and VDA EG under the “Easy” tab, if I play a note, I can make it where the note plays full volume, and like 2 seconds later it decays a little and stays like that the rest of the duration note is held. Also some organ effects like a “Wah” would be good if there isn’t one.

If possible, adding these features would be very helpful when designing sounds.

At the end, this is the best app, and definitely recommend to everyone

### 3/5 — broken

*2026-02-23, version 5.0.6*

i’ve used bismark bs-16i for about a year or two and ever since the implementation of the new version , neither the legacy nor the new version work properly as a plugin for garageband !! the soundfonts won’t load in either version and any project i have that has a soundfont crashes :(

### 4/5 — Don’t work no more [Fixed]

*2026-02-22*

Can’t load legacy edition no more in GarageBand. Nor can I here it in any of my songs that already had legacy edition tracks in it. Problem only happened this week.

And it’s fixed the next day, thanks.

**Developer response:** I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

## Frequently asked questions about bismark bs

### What is bismark bs-16i?

bismark bs-16i is a professional AUv3 SoundFont and DLS sample player designed for iOS and iPadOS. It allows you to load instrument libraries and use them as plug-in instruments within compatible DAWs or as a standalone application.

### What kind of instrument files can I load?

You can load SoundFont (.sf2) and DLS libraries. The app comes with a General MIDI-compatible setup by default, featuring 'GeneralUser GS SoftSynth' by S. Christian Collins.

### How much does bismark bs-16i cost?

The base application is free, but it offers an optional Hi-Res Engine as an in-app purchase for enhanced sound quality. This allows for extremely clean, low-noise sound using 100% floating-point audio processing.

### What devices is bismark bs-16i compatible with?

The app is designed for both iPhone and iPad workflows and functions as an AUv3 instrument in DAWs like Logic Pro, GarageBand, and AUM. It also supports iCloud Drive syncing across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.

### Can I use external MIDI controllers with this app?

Yes, bismark bs-16i supports USB and Bluetooth MIDI. You can connect external MIDI keyboards, controllers, and sequencers, or drive the app from other applications using Virtual MIDI.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.1.3 — 2026-07-31

Fixed an issue where parameters might not update (e.g., selects instrument not being reflected).

### 5.1.2 — 2026-07-25

Some improvements for the UI issue

### 5.1.1 — 2026-07-07

Improve file browsing

### 5.1.0 — 2026-06-17

Scene export and import are now available.
The file extension is "*.bs16iScene".
Please note that the file paths for selected WaveTables and Songs within a Scene will always be relative to your Documents folder.
Also, they include some bug fixes and improvements.

### 5.0.7 — 2026-05-04

Fixed an issue where apps could not load scenes generated by AUExtension.

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## More apps by bismark LLC

- [bismark bs-spectrum](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-bs-spectrum/id327802142)
- [bismark MagicBoard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-magicboard/id376525955)
- [bismark MagicBoard Mini](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-magicboard-mini/id388634980)
- [bismark DamperPedal - CC#64](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-damperpedal-cc64/id524122745)
- [bismark LeftHanded](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bismark-lefthanded/id601767831)

All apps by bismark LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1213793300

## Related topics

[bismark](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bismark) · [bismark m16](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bismark-m16) · [soundcraft ui16](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/soundcraft-ui16)

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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 2026-08-26.*