# Genome MIDI Sequencer

> Pattern-based MIDI sequencer for iPad controlling external gear and iOS apps. (iPhone/iPad app by White Noise Audio Software.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genome-midi-sequencer/id450475494 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [White Noise Audio Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/325451642)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 3.30/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 81 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.1 · 20 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-08-22
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genome-midi-sequencer/id450475494/reviews.md

## What is Genome MIDI Sequencer?

Musicians can start tearing it up in the studio with Genome MIDI Sequencer (GMS), a powerful pattern based MIDI sequencer for the iPad. With GMS you can control all of your MIDI gear and apps* - sequence single patterns or an entire 16 track song.

GMS features standard MIDI features like Clock Sync, CC messages, Program Changes and more. It works wonderfully for sequencing MIDI gear like drum machines and tabletop synths. General MIDI files can be exported and imported for integration with desktop apps (some limitations apply**).

GMS also works great for sequencing other iOS apps. It features Audiobus and Ableton Link integration. 

GMS supports any CoreMIDI compliant iPad interfaces such as the Griffin StudioConnect, Line6 MIDI Mobilizer II, iRig MIDI and others.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Though Genome now has a basic set of instruments, some MIDI gear or other music apps that support virtual midi connections are recommended for use with this app.

List of MIDI USB devices that do and do not work with the CCK: http://iosmidi.com/devices/

Features:
- CoreMIDI
- Network MIDI for sending MIDI to other iOS devices and Macs***
- New Instrument Rack with two built in instruments and effects
- Basic Audiobus support
- Ableton Link support
- Sends and Receives MIDI Clock Sync, Start and Stop events
- Also sends Note On, Note Off, Pitch Bend, Aftertouch, Channel Pressure and CC’s
- Pattern Based, pattern changes occur on bar boundaries so song stays in sync
- On screen keyboard interface
- Up to 16 simultaneous tracks, unlimited number of patterns
- Song / live modes
- Scales
- Supports background operation for multitasking
- Record incoming CC’s and Notes
- Undo / redo for most actions

Rated as a Killer App by Apps4iDevices - http://apps4idevices.com/read/genome-midi-sequencer.html

Computer Music gave it 4.5 Stars - http://www.musicradar.com/gear/tech/computers-software/mobile-apps/ipad-apps/genome-505059

* Apps must support virtual MIDI ports
** Supports exporting songs and patterns from GMS and importing MIDI loops (not complete multitrack songs).
*** Your local network conditions will affect performance. The Windows rtpMIDI driver is not officially supported at this time.

## Key features

- Pattern-based sequencing
- 16-track song sequencing
- CoreMIDI and Network MIDI support
- Audiobus and Ableton Link integration
- MIDI Clock Sync, CC, Program Changes
- On-screen keyboard and instrument rack
- Background operation

## Recent user reviews (10 of 81)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genome-midi-sequencer/id450475494/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Not Intuitive at all

*2025-04-09*

Bought it, couldn’t get anything out of it or my money back.  Beware

### 1/5 — Needs instructions

*2025-02-23*

I bought this because I needed a SIMPLE midi editor. I clicked on everything that I could find to import a midi file to no avail. I’m going to try one more time before I move on.

### 3/5 — Old software

*2020-12-21, version 2.0.3*

This software has not been updated since many years.
Not compatible with Apple files app

### 3/5 — Abandoned?

*2020-03-16*

This is a fun, useful app that needs some attention. Alas, like many smaller developers, it seems to be abandoned. To bad, with a little work, this app could have been truly great.

### 3/5 — Time Sig/meter

*2018-12-18*

This is a nice app. But like other apps I've tried, there seems to be on way to change the meter on just a single bar or pattern within a song.I hoped that maybe I was just not finding the right button...

To me being able to change the meter of a bar or pattern is almost just as important as everything else they've included in this software.I don't understand why they were would leave that out. It can't be a cost issue. Maybe there's an update or something.

### 2/5 — Please Update

*2017-11-27*

Essential Midi sequencing app hat has all the right features. UI can be more intuitive or a better manual. 

Biggest problem so far: METRONOME can not be set to all tempos.  Right now I NEED 95 BPM and it will not do it. Keeps going back to 94.

Can’t get Song Mode to work and play pattern sequences.  That’s a problem because I won’t be able to record the work I’ve don’t         

Please fix for ios11 and iPad Pro then I’ll give 5 stars

### 5/5 — iOS MIDI-sequencing gem

*2017-11-23*

As far as iOS sequencers go, Genome has a great piano roll editor and—unlike more expensive apps like modstep and Gadget—global undo/redo and MIDI file export *per clip.*

I like using it in AUM as a “quick-sketch” sequencer while I work out songs.  The UI is comfortable to work with on a touchscreen, and the sequencer is extraordinarily fully-fully featured (it even supports grooves).  The MIDI capabilities are especially good: if things need to move somewhere else, Genome can export songs, parts, or clips as individual MIDI files.

### 5/5 — My Favorite Sequencer

*2017-11-03*

OK, I don’t have a rack of hardware synths—but I like to pretend I do!  I have been using this app to sequence virtual synths on my Mac. I mostly use Propellerhead Reason, but also Apple’s Main Stage.  Genome MIDI Sequencer (GMS) executes Virtual MIDI on the iPad expertly, but resource limitations of my iPad Air mean I can only get about four synths/instruments running—but GMS has 16 tracks!  I can get around this a little by using a multi-instrument app like bs-16i or SampleTank, but they have little flexibility in sound design and control—and GMS is a monster controller. But with Reason on the Mac I can easily get 16 instruments loaded, and with effects on all of them. (So, Reason is my pretend rack of synths.) 

I like the GMS piano roll editor the best. One can draw in a sequence or record one and edit it expertly. This app does so much so well it is too much to sing all its praises. Please read the description and the manual on the apps web page—it does all that!

There are a few things I wish it had, so I’ll list some of them. 
(1) There is no polymetric capability, meaning each track must have the same time signature. Workaround: for 4 against 5, use 4/4 and make a 5 measure pattern for the 5 beat part. 
(2) There is no 2/4 time, which would also give one 6/8 (compound time) thanks to the triplet feature. This is a problem with long polymetric sequences as noted in the workaround above—especially with three or more time signatures. Workaround: set the Song mode to 1 step = 1 bar, then you can escape the loop whenever you want. Otherwise, GMS will repeat the patterns until they all finish at the same time. 
(3) There is no polyrhythmic capability. Workaround: set “time in ticks” and zoom in to 128th notes and meticulously count out your beat divisions—use the Euclidean algorithm to pad the note lengths. It should be close enough. 

I would like to do sequencing for my Reason projects while away from the Mac, so the following two suggestions would help. 
(4) Sometimes I have a drum part composed and wish I could switch to another app/drum machine.  This can be easy if both apps support General MIDI mapping. But Garage Band is different, and Reason’s Kong is different still. So, I would like to be able to create drum maps. (I guess this also entails a drum editor.) Then, when changing drum sources one would only need select the corresponding drum map. 
(5) Sometimes I have a note track I wish I could switch to a different synth or other instrument, but just temporarily for mobile composing. This can be easy if both instruments are assigned to the same pitches. But many synth parts/instruments are programmed at different octaves. So, it is an obstacle when there are many patterns in a track.  If it is only one or two patterns it isn’t such a big deal as one can just transpose them in the editor. So, a per track octave shift would be nice—just like on a MIDI keyboard.

### 5/5 — Best Sequencer

*2017-07-23*

In my search of the app store for a midi sequencer for external hardware this app proves to be the most capable and versital. Most other apps are either too limited to things like single channel or simple step sequencers, or try to be a full production daws with libraries of built in loops and instruments that I have no interest in. This app is perfect for people who want to create actual compositions on multiple peices of external hardware. The 16 tracks of pattern based sequences that can be arranged into songs is an extremely powerful tool for both live performance and studio creation.

As far as the UI goes, I found it to be very intuitive and easy to navigate despite a lot of the critisms from others. Of course, a quick reference to the manual is necessary every now and then to understand a button or a setting, but the basic workflow is very easy to understand.

tldr: best midi sequencer for external midi gear on the app store. All functionality, no fluff.

### 1/5 — Nope

*2017-06-13*

This is the least user friendly music app I've ever attempted to use. The documentation didn't help much. All I was looking for was a sequencer that I could use with Audiobus to trigger my iOS synths. Trying to find something simple now that I wasted money on this pretty, but useless (to me, anyway), sequencer.

## Frequently asked questions about Genome MIDI Sequencer

### What does Genome MIDI Sequencer do?

Genome MIDI Sequencer (GMS) is a powerful pattern-based MIDI sequencer designed for the iPad. It allows musicians to control external MIDI gear and other iOS music applications, enabling them to sequence single patterns or entire 16-track songs.

### What are the key features of Genome MIDI Sequencer?

Key features include pattern-based sequencing with up to 16 simultaneous tracks, support for CoreMIDI and Network MIDI, integration with Audiobus and Ableton Link, and the ability to send and receive various MIDI messages like Clock Sync, Notes, and CCs. It also offers an on-screen keyboard and an instrument rack with built-in instruments and effects.

### How much does Genome MIDI Sequencer cost?

Genome MIDI Sequencer is a paid application. The exact price can be found on the App Store listing. There are no advertisements or in-app purchases mentioned, indicating a one-time purchase for the full functionality.

### What devices is Genome MIDI Sequencer compatible with?

GMS is designed for the iPad and supports any CoreMIDI compliant iPad interfaces. This includes popular interfaces like the Griffin StudioConnect, Line6 MIDI Mobilizer II, and iRig MIDI. It also supports Network MIDI for connecting to other iOS devices and Macs.

### What are common use cases for Genome MIDI Sequencer?

Common use cases include sequencing external MIDI hardware like drum machines and tabletop synthesizers, controlling other iOS music apps via virtual MIDI connections, and integrating with desktop music production workflows by exporting and importing General MIDI files. It's also useful for live performance setups utilizing Ableton Link.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.3 — 2016-10-18

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

* Fixes a bug with chord drawing
* Fixes a bug with the Ableton link menu causing issues with the pattern editor

### 2.0.2 — 2016-08-14

* Ableton Link support - Link settings are located under the config panel
* Updated Audiobus version
* Bugfixes

### 2.0.1 — 2015-09-20

- Added new 'preview' button whenever you select some notes in the pattern editor (so you can hear a part that you are working on).
- Now when you press the 'fit to view button' and you have notes selected, it will just zoom in on those notes.
- Fixed MIDI Exporting
- Now when you change the length of the pattern while the song is playing, genome will restart the pattern so that it stays in sync with the other patterns, instead of allowing it to continue playing and be 'off' by a bar.
re-added ‘edit’ option for sequencer long tap menu
- Updated to latest Auduiobus version - 2.2.1

### 2.0.0 — 2015-03-31

- New 'longest pattern' song mode
- New Instrument Rack with built in instruments and effects
- Audiobus
- Fixed hanging notes issue on pattern switch
- Dozens of internal fixes
- A Metronome
- Usability improvements to the pattern editor

### 1.1.3 — 2013-02-08

- Bug fix: Importing a file with a .MIDI extension would cause Genome to crash.
- Bug fix: Fixed issue where 'LastSong' could get corrupted when force-closing Genome
- Bug fix: Background Mode setting was not properly saved from the config panel
- Bug fix: Emailing a file always sent the file as an audio/wav file and named it 'audio'. Now uses the proper mime type and file name.

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## More apps by White Noise Audio Software

- [bleep!BOX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleepbox/id325451639)

All apps by White Noise Audio Software: https://appshunter.io/developer/325451642

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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 2026-06-10.*