# MIDIKeys - MIDI Controller — Send MIDI Data to Apps/Synths

> Virtual MIDI keyboard controller for sending messages to synths. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Eskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midikeys-midi-controller/id363609665 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.40/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 19 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 6 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-03-31
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midikeys-midi-controller/id363609665/reviews.md

## What is MIDIKeys?

MIDIKeys is a MIDI keyboard controller that can be used to send MIDI messages to synthesizer apps and hardware MIDI synthesizers.

MIDIKeys doesn't produce any sound on its own, it is for playing hardware or software VST-style MIDI synthesizers via MIDI hardware interfaces connected to the iPhone dock connector or virtual MIDI instruments like IK Multimedia SampleTank® for iOS or ThumbJam running in the background on your iPhone.

The entire range may be transposed up or down (up to a three octave limit) by touching the 8va -/+ buttons on the main screen.  Touching the display for the transpose value between the octave shift buttons resets the transpose to C3 (60).

Both fixed or variable note MIDI Note On event velocity based on touch position within the key are available as options on the settings page.

While playing, you may also optionally send real-time volume, expression, modulation, or wind controller MIDI messages by tilting the iPhone/iPod Touch to the right or left.

Set the transmit channel using the MIDI Channel slider. Any channel from 1-16 may be selected. Channel 1 is the default.

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, MIDIKeys will show up as an input option labeled "MIDIKeys" in apps that support virtual ports like Sonosaurus ThumbJam and MIDIBridge. "Omni" mode is selected by default.

Note-on events may be sent with either a fixed or variable velocity based on where you touch on the key. Set the maximum velocity using the Velocity slider. Any value from 0-127 may be selected. Default value is 100.

Select between fixed or variable velocity mapped to the touch position using the selector. When the velocity is mapped to touch, the minimum velocity is approximately 10% of the value set on the Velocity slider and the max is 100% of the value. Touching lower or higher on the key (area below the black keys only for the white keys) results in lower or higher velocity values sent in the MIDI Note On event for the key.  Black key highest velocity starts at the bottom of the key and gets lower as you touch higher.

MIDIKeys can send Volume, Expression, Modulation, or Breath Control message by tilting the device to the right or left.

Select a controller on the Tilt Controller selector. Default is no controller messages.

When a controller is enabled, tilting the device to the right or left will send the selected controller messages to the external device. Values increase as the device is tilted farther to the right.

You may set the tilt sensitivity using the Tilt Sensitivity slider. The range is from 1 to 4, with higher values being more sensitive. Default value is 1.5.

If you ever have "stuck" notes, you may touch the "Shhh" icon on the main screen to send a MIDI "All Notes Off" message and stop the sounds.

All settings are saved when exiting MIDIKeys and restored the next time it is run.

## Key features

- Virtual MIDI keyboard
- Send MIDI messages
- Octave transposition
- Adjustable velocity
- Tilt expression control
- Customizable MIDI channel

## Recent user reviews (10 of 19)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midikeys-midi-controller/id363609665/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Just two 13 year old reviews !!

*2024-12-16*

… and they’e totally contradictory

That needs to change

This looks like a very useable app … Thank You

### 5/5 — Works with iOS wireless MIDI over network

*2024-02-26*

Effective app that works as a MIDI keyboard to send MIDI notes to a Mac over WiFi using iOS’ network MIDI feature.

### 1/5 — No sound.

*2021-05-17*

It just doesn’t have any sound.

### 5/5 — Super, um mal zwischendurch etwas auszuprobieren

*2021-03-08*

Für eine kostenlose App wirklich cool. Auf das mindeste reduziert und funktioniert gut. Ich liebe es, mit der Tiltfunktion das Mod-Wheel zu steuern. Dafür wäre auf dem iPhone sonst kein Platz gewesen.

### 5/5 — WORKS GREAT

*2021-01-26*

In the reviews i see some people that complain about latency, however i think that is an issue that has now been fixed because i had no problem. I downloaded the app, then connected my phone to my MacBook, after that on your Mac you open audio midi settings and it should be an option for IPhone or Android. GarageBand immediately detected the device once enabling my iPhone as a midi device. Something I recommend as soon as downloading the app is to click the midi output logo and turn on fixed velocity, This makes the notes non pressure sensitive. A message for the developers, please make this app available for Ipad I would appreciate it so much!

### 1/5 — wont connect

*2020-12-26*

wont connect to anything

### 5/5 — Epic keyboard

*2020-06-14*

This is literally like the only working midi keyboard that you can download from the app store. there’s some latency but not too bad, i can still work with it. so far i’ve only used this on garageband so if you use garageband this keyboard will work for you. btw there are other drawbacks such as the keyboard not fitting completely in your screen, but who cares this is the ONLY midi keyboard that you can download that works so epic keyboard

i know, i didn’t proofread my review

but this is an epic keyboard if you don’t wanna go out and buy a real keyboard like me

### 5/5 — Helped me rest my midi

*2018-12-26*

Simple by useful app

### 5/5 — This is awesome accordion app

*2018-10-07*

This is awesome app for accordion I recommend it

### 1/5 — Not happy

*2016-01-15*

Just bought this to help with Sibelius not input.  It crashes every time I open it in my iPhone.

## Frequently asked questions about MIDIKeys

### What is MIDIKeys?

MIDIKeys is a virtual MIDI keyboard controller for iPhone and iPod Touch. It allows you to send MIDI messages to external synthesizer apps or hardware, but does not produce sound on its own.

### Can MIDIKeys be used with hardware synthesizers?

Yes, MIDIKeys can send MIDI messages to hardware MIDI synthesizers via interfaces connected to the iPhone dock connector.

### How does MIDIKeys handle note velocity?

MIDIKeys offers both fixed and variable note velocity options. Variable velocity is based on touch position within the key, with adjustable maximum velocity.

### Can I control expression with MIDIKeys?

Yes, you can send real-time volume, expression, modulation, or wind controller MIDI messages by tilting your iPhone or iPod Touch.

### Does MIDIKeys have ads?

No, MIDIKeys does not contain advertisements.

### What is the age rating for MIDIKeys?

MIDIKeys has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### How often is MIDIKeys updated?

MIDIKeys was last updated on June 28, 2018, with version 4.0.1. The release date was March 31, 2010.

### What is the user rating for MIDIKeys?

MIDIKeys has a user rating of 3.3 stars based on 15 ratings.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0.1 — 2018-06-28

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

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

Added first note transpose display on main screen. Touching the displayed value resets the first note transpose to C3 (60).

Reversed the key position to velocity mapping direction for the black keys.

### 3.1 — 2018-06-09

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 3.0.1 — 2016-02-17

Minor bug fixes.

### 3.0 — 2016-02-09

Added virtual MIDI port support.

Updated for iOS 8 and 9.

Added native iPhone 5/6 screen size support.

### 2.0 — 2012-11-07

Added CoreMIDI support for hardware MIDI interfaces and virtual MIDI synths such as IK Multimedia SampleTank or Sonosaurus ThumbJam running on the iPhone or 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...)

## Apps similar to MIDIKeys

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [KeyPad MIDI Controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keypad-midi-controller/id6758680165) | 5.0 (9) | Free | Music |
| [Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-midi-controller-pro/id6449652509) | 4.4 (10) | Free | Music |
| [Midi Controller - Remote & USB](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-controller-remote-and-usb/id1470513354) | 4.1 (42) | Free | Music |
| [Scale Numbers Piano](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scale-numbers-piano/id1270369797) | 4.2 (12) | Free | Music |
| [MIDI Recorder with E.Piano](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-recorder-with-epiano/id1448577506) | 4.6 (63) | Free | Music |
| [MIDI Designer Pro X](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midi-designer-pro-x/id492291712) | 4.6 (266) | Free | Music |

## 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

## Related topics

[keypad midi controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/keypad-midi-controller) · [isotope midi keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/isotope-midi-keyboard) · [midi keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/midi-keyboard) · [doris by dgapps](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/doris-by-dgapps) · [partydiscovery](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/partydiscovery) · [midi controller pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/midi-controller-pro) · [sampletank](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sampletank)

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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 2026-08-31.*