# Drone FX

> Generates ambient music, drones, and soundscapes with auto, manual, and hybrid modes. (iPhone/iPad app by michael gieson.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-fx/id499500746 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [michael gieson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1041263792)
- Category: Music, Entertainment, Music
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 4.06/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 44 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 88 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2012-02-08
- Data updated: 2026-07-07
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-fx/id499500746/reviews.md

## What is Drone FX?

Enjoy ambient music? How about some nice background drones as you work? Looking for unique soundscapes to lay down as a music bed for that film?

Generate ambient music, drones and unique soundscapes with ease.

Drone FX has the following modes of operation:

- Auto (Generative music in all it's glory)
- Manual (For the musician in you)
- Hybrid (Auto + Manual)

Users can play along with soundscapes generated in auto mode, or create ambient music without automation using the built-in keyboard(s).

If you're into modern relaxing music check out Drone FX.

## Key features

- Generative music creation
- Manual music composition
- Hybrid auto/manual modes
- Built-in keyboard
- Unique soundscapes
- Ambient music generation

## Recent user reviews (10 of 44)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-fx/id499500746/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Toy

*2023-01-16, version 1.2.5*

This is a toy. It will not integrate with a DAW. There is no way to record. An exercise it futility. Nice sounds, great control, all worthless if you want to use this as an instrument and record it. I will delete this after I write this review.

### 5/5 — please update me! Oh you did. Cool.

*2021-03-07, version 1.2.5*

Some time later:

I’ve been a bit distracted and didn’t even realize this had been updated to 64-bit until yesterday. I listened to a new mix all night long while I slept. This is one of the coolest sampler mixers available on iOS and I agree with others who are saying that it could be made into something indispensable for those of us who like to drone. 

But maybe it is exactly what the dev(s) want(s) it to be.  I’m fine with it either way, although I would still dearly love to be able to add my own samples to it. I’ve missed it terribly since my old iPad died. Very very very nice to have it back!

For the popping that others are hearing: so far I have been able to eliminate that by turning the levels down and/or increasing attack time. Or even changing the octave: some of the samples that begin with loud transients will clip at full volume in one octave but not in the other two. Of course the timbre changes as well in another octave, but not always in unhappy ways. 
 
This app has quirks. But I still love it. 

Some time a little while ago:

Oh how I would love an update for DroneFX! The mixer interface is simply wonderful, and if I could put custom samples in and get audio out through Audiobus or even Inter-App Audio, this app would have everything I need it to have. MIDI would be a plus, but maybe just extra-chord tones on the keyboards would do. Even with nothing but chord notes to work with, the mixer is surprisingly flexible while remaining pretty to look at and easy as pie to operate. 

As-is, DroneFX is still one of my favorite ambient dedicated sound composition apps. Lots of samples come with it and it is easy to change them up using the timing and envelope controls. I will use it till my iPad refuses to light up for me anymore. Recording through audio out is not the worst thing to have to do, but I would like to be able to capture inspiration even while trapped under all the cats.

I would not change a thing about the interface.  Absolutely worth the download with or without it, but some interconnection would be swell.

### 3/5 — Too Much Distortion/Clipping

*2020-04-17, version 1.2.5*

I love the idea of this app. But the distortion/clipping make the audio unusable without another audio program to fix it the popping, clicking and crackling sounds. I’ll probably have to end up using Audacity and GarageBand to fix the audio. I wanted something a little more effective, efficient and convenient.

### 5/5 — A great app that needs updating!

*2020-01-07, version 1.2.5*

I’m not going to ask the developer to add everything that everyone else has asked for already, but please, bring this app up to speed. I will send you the money to make these changes if that is what you need. This app could be a goldmine!

### 5/5 — Still my original and favorite drone music app❣️

*2019-10-31, version 1.2.5*

Would really, REALLY, like it to play in the background and be an AUv3 compatible.
—-
Yeah it doesn’t play in the background, bla bla bla, and it’s pretty much a ‘stand alone’ app but it still creates wonderful drones and I was ticked that this develop was able to figure out how to add that❣️ It still resides on my iPad’s Home screen...🤓👍

### 1/5 — Popping sounds

*2018-05-03, version 1.2.5*

Just got this. Using an iPad Pro first gen (12.9 screen size). Was excited to try this app but there are way too many popping sounds between the instrument transitions. Was hoping I could record these drone sounds for music production but the popping renders them useless and also annoying. It’s very distracting once you start to focus on the many pops and crackles.

### 5/5 — Hey, ! Hello,!?

*2018-02-10, version 1.2.5*

Where are you,!?!! Do you realize at all what you have here...?? 
Ok. I just can’t help but be perplexed. On the one hand I’m thinking ‘well, maybe this guy is super busy, he’s gotta go to work and live his life and pay the bills just like everyone else, this could just be his side project...just something he screws around with for fun, when he’s lucky enough to have some down-time’.... but then that just doesn’t seem to sit right with me when I consider the treasure trove of samples, and the lengths one must have gone to develop this app THIS FAR. I don’t get it, It’s so frustrating, I’m just like; ‘C’mon man! You are literally inches from the finish-line!, what’s up?.!’
If you just implemented coreMIDI, made this an IAA, or hell... even just a standalone. Made it MPE compatible so musicians could use it.... you would be the ONLY GAME IN TOWN!, number one! Moodscaper, AutoPads, Coresound Pads.... couldn’t hold a friggin’ candle to Drone FX. I would pay $15 to $20 for this app if I could use Midi to control it, and if I could open it in Audiobus or AUM, GarageBand, etc.
The potential is insane, there IS A HUGE market of people looking for what this app ALMOST offers: Musicians, songwriters, worship leaders, ambient soundtrack/guided meditation producers.... Again, this thing is an amazing library of ambient/pad instruments. DON’T STOP NOW! C’MON! 
....if you don’t care or have moved on, then let us know. I have been closely following the development of AutoPad, and if that should be the case I think that my encouragement and support might better serve the guy who has been working so hard programming that App. 
As soon as AutoPad finds a way to go coreMIDI and makes his pads polyphonic or multitimbral, he’ll have moved into the territory you should have had. 

-  I hope we see more from Drone FX, I really do.
        Brad Musicman McMahon
        Chattanooga, Tennessee

### 4/5 — Love this!...but

*2017-11-26, version 1.2.5*

This is a wonderful drone app. I agree with many of the previous reviews, the two big features missing from this app are IAA/Audiobus and background play.
 Those two features would definitely bring this app to another level.

### 4/5 — Great app.. just needs IAA/Audiobus

*2017-07-05, version 1.2.5*

I was thrilled to stumble upon this app a few days ago. It desperately needs IAA support and background ability , though, as it would be nice to be able to use it in conjunction with other apps and be able to record it right on the iPad.

### 3/5 — No IAA, Audiobus, or background play.

*2017-07-04, version 1.2.5*

Still a great app with great sounds, but the lack of background play and all those necessary tidbits are a bummer.

## Frequently asked questions about Drone FX

### What is Drone FX?

Drone FX is an application designed to help users generate ambient music, drones, and unique soundscapes. It offers different modes to cater to both casual listeners and musicians looking to create relaxing music or sound beds for media.

### What modes does Drone FX offer?

Drone FX provides three modes of operation: Auto for generative music, Manual for direct composition using built-in keyboards, and Hybrid which combines both auto and manual functionalities.

### Is Drone FX suitable for musicians?

Yes, Drone FX is suitable for musicians, especially those interested in ambient and modern relaxing music. The Manual and Hybrid modes allow for direct control and composition using the built-in keyboards.

### What devices does Drone FX support?

Drone FX currently supports iPads. It was released on February 8, 2012, and its latest version is 1.2.5, last updated on May 19, 2017.

### How much does Drone FX cost?

Drone FX is a paid application, priced at $2.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscriptions associated with this app.

### Does Drone FX have ads?

No, Drone FX does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application that offers an ad-free experience.

### What is the age rating for Drone FX?

Drone FX has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. The app focuses on music generation and soundscape creation.

### How often is Drone FX updated?

The latest version of Drone FX, 1.2.5, was released on May 19, 2017. While the app has not been updated recently, it remains functional for its intended purpose of ambient music generation.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2.5 — 2017-05-19

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

First-time users... be patient, this is slow drone music.

- iOS 11 ready (64-bit)

### 1.1.11 — 2012-03-27

- Retina display compatible (iPad 3)
- Fixed iTunesArtwork for correct icon on retina display (iPad 3)
- timpani hit needs to be longer.
- Leveled and cleaned up audio
- Fixed save/load position for far right strip
- Increased between songs fade out to 24000
- Highlight current progression dot
- Added new category "Textures" - 113 new sounds (339 samples)
- Added a few extra bowed/strings sounds
- Corrected and/or deleted crumby samples
- Now over 300 unique sounds (903 samples)
- Added "Reset All Sliders" button to quickly get back to default slider positions.
- Added "Auto Mode selects from:" preference to choose what sounds are used.
- Retooled progression counting
- Retooled pan and pitch
- Retooled chord selection algorithm

### 1.0.80 — 2012-02-08

No release notes.

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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 2026-07-07.*