# MIDIHayden - Control Surface — Concertina MIDI Controller

> iPad control surface for Hayden concertina MIDI synthesizers. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Eskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midihayden-control-surface/id375667582 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 40 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-06-10
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midihayden-control-surface/id375667582/reviews.md

## What is MIDIHayden?

MIDIHayden is a 53-button Hayden Concertina CoreMIDI control surface for the iPad.

MIDIHayden doesn't produce any sound on its own, it is for playing hardware or software VST-style MIDI synthesizers via CoreMIDI hardware interfaces connected to the dock connector or virtual MIDI instruments running on your device such as my "Celtic Sounds" MIDI sound module app.

The layout is based on the full 53-button R. Morse Beaumont with the addition of an extra D# on the LHS. This makes it possible to play all of the commonly available Hayden concertina variations on the app.

IMPORTANT: Since you may want to play chord with four or more fingers on the screen at the same time, before playing, disable "Multitasking Gestures" on your iPad (in the Settings app, under the General section, turn the Multitasking Gestures switch to the off position).

To play, simply touch the buttons. Buttons light up when playing.

Multiple buttons may be touched at the same time to play chords.

You may slide between the buttons.

Touch the '?' icon to show the note names for each button.

Touch the MIDI connector icon to show the MIDI controls.

You may select the volume, MIDI channel, attack velocity, and semitone transposition (+/- 12).

Use the "MIDI Port" switch to choose between "Omni" sending MIDI data to all CoreMIDI apps or "Virtual Port" sending to a named CoreMIDI virtual output port. When the "Virtual Port option is selected, MIDIHayden will show up as an input option in apps that support virtual ports like Sonosaurus ThumbJam. "Omni" mode is selected by default.

All MIDI settings are saved when MIDIHayden quits and restored the next time it is run.

Touch the '!' icon at the upper left to quiet any "stuck" notes if they occur.

Thank you to Don Taylor for the graphics!

Icon image based on a beautiful R. Morse Beaumont Hayden Concertina

## Key features

- 53-button Hayden Concertina layout
- CoreMIDI control surface
- Customizable MIDI settings
- Virtual MIDI instrument support
- Chord playing with multi-touch
- Note name display

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midihayden-control-surface/id375667582/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Outstanding

*2010-06-19*

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I'm playing VSTs in Ableton Live using the iPad. And unlike the rinky-dinky little keyboards in some other apps that mistakenly try to imitate a piano-style keyboard on a surface that's completely unsuited for it, this interface gives you access to a full range of notes so you can do some serious playing. The Jammer concept also has an interesting history I was unfamiliar with before but now intend to delve into.

I had it up and running in 10 minutes. You need to install some extra software but there are clear instructions on the website and I had no problems with them.

It's actually worth buying an iPad just for this app! That's how good it is.

## Frequently asked questions about MIDIHayden

### What is MIDIHayden?

MIDIHayden is a 53-button virtual control surface for the iPad designed to emulate a Hayden concertina. It allows you to control hardware or software MIDI synthesizers.

### Does MIDIHayden produce sound on its own?

No, MIDIHayden does not produce any sound. It functions solely as a controller, sending MIDI data to external hardware or virtual instruments.

### What kind of concertina layout does MIDIHayden use?

MIDIHayden features a 53-button layout based on the R. Morse Beaumont Hayden Concertina, with an added D# on the left side for enhanced playability of common variations.

### How can I play chords with MIDIHayden?

You can play chords by touching multiple buttons simultaneously. For optimal chord playing with four or more fingers, it's recommended to disable 'Multitasking Gestures' in your iPad's settings.

### What MIDI settings can I adjust in MIDIHayden?

You can adjust volume, MIDI channel, attack velocity, and semitone transposition (+/- 12). All MIDI settings are saved and restored automatically.

### How does MIDIHayden connect to other apps?

MIDIHayden can send MIDI data to all CoreMIDI apps using 'Omni' mode or to specific virtual ports in apps like Sonosaurus ThumbJam when 'Virtual Port' is selected.

### What is the price of MIDIHayden?

MIDIHayden is available for a one-time purchase of $4.99.

### Does MIDIHayden have ads?

No, MIDIHayden does not contain advertisements.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1 — 2021-09-17

Bug fixes.

Upped the base iOS version to 13.0

### 3.0 — 2018-08-30

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

iJammer has been updated and re-released as MIDIHayden

MIDIHayden is a 53-button Hayden Concertina CoreMIDI control surface for the iPad.

MIDIHayden doesn't produce any sound on its own, it is for playing hardware or software VST-style MIDI synthesizers via CoreMIDI hardware interfaces connected to the dock connector or virtual MIDI instruments running on your device such as my "Celtic Sounds" MIDI sound module app.

The layout is based on the full 53-button R. Morse Beaumont with the addition of an extra D# on the LHS. This makes it possible to play all of the commonly available Hayden concertina variations on the app.

IMPORTANT: Since you may want to play chord with four or more fingers on the screen at the same time, before playing, disable "Multitasking Gestures" on your iPad (in the Settings app, under the General section, turn the Multitasking Gestures switch to the off position).

### 2.0 — 2012-11-06

iJammer now only supports CoreMIDI-compatible interfaces or virtual MIDI instruments like IK Multimedia SampleTank® for iOS running on your iPad.

Note: This version no longer supports the pre-CoreMIDI DSMIDI-WiFi server based wireless MIDI any more. If you're want to keep using DSMIDI-WiFi, please don't update to this new version.  (But you really should, the CoreMIDI version is so much more useful in so many ways and works with so many more devices and software synths for iOS...)

This version also fixes a major touch position bug on Retina display equipped iPads.

Q: I just updated my iPad to iOS 6.0.1 and I'm stuck at the help screen!

A: Apple messed up the restoration of the Mute/Orientation switch state after the update. Please visit http://www.tradlessons.com/ios601mutefix.html or the app's website for a simple fix.

### 1.1 — 2010-07-19

Found and fixed potential startup crash issue.

### 1.0 — 2010-06-10

No release notes.

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## More apps by Michael Eskin

- [Concertina - Anglo Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/concertina-anglo-concertina/id343270484)
- [Regulators for Uilleann Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/regulators-for-uilleann-pipes/id348529289)
- [JustDrones - Tunable Just Intonation Drones](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/justdrones-tunable-just-intonation-drones/id348861427)
- [Englitina - English Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/englitina-english-concertina/id349451473)
- [Uilleann - Pocket Irish Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uilleann-pocket-irish-pipes/id353684178)
- [Canntina - MacCann Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canntina-maccann-concertina/id360579654)

All apps by Michael Eskin: https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369

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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.*