# Particle Music — Physics-driven MIDI instrument

> Physics-driven generative music sandbox with particle collisions creating notes. (iPhone/iPad app by Steve Joslin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/particle-music/id528887805 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Steve Joslin](https://appshunter.io/developer/495079273)
- Category: Music, Games, Music
- Price: $0.99 with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 4 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-05-31
- Data updated: 2026-09-06
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/particle-music/id528887805/reviews.md

## What is Particle Music?

Particle Music is a generative music sandbox where physics makes the song. Drop colored particles into a glass playground, tilt your device — or let auto-motion drive them — and every collision becomes a note.

A particle's size picks its pitch on the active scale. Its color is yours. Its voice comes from the layer it lives in. Scatter shaped bumpers across the scene to deflect, accent, detune, filter-sweep, randomize, or echo the sounds that strike them, and a simple still life turns into a composition that keeps unfolding.

Four independent layers stack SATB-style, each with its own waveform (morph freely between sine, triangle, square, and saw), subtle pitch drift for choral breath, filter tilt, reverb send, and an octave shift so voices can sit in different registers.

What's inside:
• Up to 32 particles across 4 voice layers
• 6 musical scales plus full Scala (.scl) microtonal import
• 6 bumper shapes with spin modes and per-shape audio effects
• Per-layer timbre morph, drift, filter, reverb, and octave
• Physics you can feel — gyroscope control, edge bounce, collisions, friction, restitution
• Preset snapshots to save a configuration and return to it later
• Reverb presets from small room to cathedral

There's no timeline, no grid, no tutorial telling you what to do. Build a configuration, watch it play, change one thing, watch it play differently. Use it as a quiet background for focus, an ambient companion, or a toy to spark ideas for music made somewhere else.

Particle Music is a result of research in the Visual Arts

## Key features

- Physics-driven particle collisions for sound generation
- Adjustable particle size for pitch control
- Customizable particle colors and voice layers
- Configurable bumper shapes with audio effects
- Four independent voice layers with waveform morphing
- Support for 6 musical scales and microtonal import
- Gyroscope control and physics simulation

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $0.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Particle Music Pro | $9.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/particle-music/id528887805/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Doesn't work

*2013-05-29*

Don't bother.  The black screen is far from fascinating.

### 5/5 — Great concept

*2012-09-19*

Keep up the good work. 
Looking forward to more apps from you!!!

### 4/5 — Good day dream

*2012-06-14*

I got lost in a sound track similar to the space odyssey 2001 climax scene.

## Frequently asked questions about Particle Music

### What is Particle Music?

Particle Music is a generative music sandbox where physics-driven particle collisions create musical notes. You can drop colored particles into a playground, and their interactions generate sound based on size, color, and layer settings.

### How does Particle Music generate sound?

When particles collide with each other or with bumpers, they trigger notes. The size of a particle determines its pitch on the active scale, its color can be customized, and its voice is determined by the layer it resides in.

### What musical scales does Particle Music support?

Particle Music supports 6 built-in musical scales and also allows for full Scala (.scl) microtonal import, offering extensive flexibility for composing in various tuning systems.

### Can I control the physics in Particle Music?

Yes, the app features physics you can feel, including gyroscope control for tilting the device, edge bounce, collisions, friction, and restitution. You can also scatter shaped bumpers to influence particle paths and sound.

### What are the voice layers in Particle Music?

There are four independent voice layers that stack SATB-style. Each layer has its own waveform (sine, triangle, square, saw), subtle pitch drift, filter tilt, reverb send, and octave shift for different registers.

### How much does Particle Music cost?

Particle Music is a paid application, available for $0.99. There are no advertisements or subscriptions associated with its purchase.

### What devices is Particle Music compatible with?

Particle Music is compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices. It has an age rating of 4+.

### How often is Particle Music updated?

The latest version of Particle Music is 2.0, which was last updated on September 3, 2026. This indicates a history of development and potential for future updates.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 2.0 — 2026-09-03

A complete overhaul.

Particle Music has been rebuilt from the inside out — a new physics scene, a new audio engine, and a new way to play.

Voices that sound different:
• Four independent layers, each with its own timbre — dial freely between sine, triangle, square, and saw
• Subtle pitch drift per layer for natural choral breath
• ±3 octaves per layer so voices can occupy different registers
• Per-layer filter tilt and reverb send

Physics that feel alive:
• Six bumper shapes, each with its own sound effect — accent, detune, pitch random, filter sweep, delay
• Spin modes: auto, free, or off — add motion to the room
• Collisions, edge bounce, friction, and restitution all tunable
• Gyroscope or auto gravity

Music that bends:
• Six built-in scales plus Scala (.scl) microtonal import — bring any tuning in
• Per-scene key, reverb preset, and chord mode
• Preset snapshots save and recall your configurations

A cleaner interface, a richer sound design palette, and a lot more room to play.

### 1.0.0 — 2012-05-31

No release notes.

## More apps by Steve Joslin

- [Study Tips](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-tips/id528269160)
- [8Demons](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8demons/id908486557)
- [TrailBound Pack Planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trailbound-pack-planner/id6758329120)
- [Labyra](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/labyra/id6760366785)

All apps by Steve Joslin: https://appshunter.io/developer/495079273

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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 2026-09-06.*