# Poly 2

> Generative polyrhythm sequencer for creating evolving musical patterns and melodies. (iPhone/iPad app by James Milton.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poly-2/id1477029326 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [James Milton](https://appshunter.io/developer/581503621)
- Category: Music, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 686 App Store ratings · 63 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.6 · 153 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-10-12
- Data updated: 2026-09-04
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poly-2/id1477029326/reviews.md

## What is Poly 2?

Poly 2 is a generative sequencer that creates evolving patterns and melodies based on the power of polyrhythms.

Check out the promo video: https://youtu.be/ovCXtBynEkw

Features:

- Up to 8 different sounds at any time
- Store up to 16 different configurations for each project
- A sampler that includes envelopes, filters, loop crossfading, an LFO and more
- Randomise capabilities
- Delay, reverb, distortion and EQ FX
- Over 100 samples included for free
- 13 premade collections of sounds
- 13 example projects
- AUv3 support, both MIDI and Audio
- Audiobus and IAA
- Ableton Link
- MIDI notes in / out, MIDI CC in / out and MIDI clock in
- Import your own samples via iOS Files or WIFI transfer

## Key features

- Generative polyrhythm sequencing
- Up to 8 simultaneous sounds
- Sampler with envelopes and filters
- Randomize capabilities
- Built-in delay, reverb, distortion, and EQ FX
- AUv3, Audiobus, and IAA support
- Import custom samples

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro mode | $11.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Poly 2?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Unique, creative, and powerful tool
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🎨 Excellent for ambient, experimental, and generative music
- 🎹 Great for drum grooves and rhythmic patterns
- 💻 Seamless integration with external hardware and software

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔇 Lack of sustain/voice ring-out when transport is stopped
- 📺 Small interface elements can be difficult to use on iPad
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with some third-party apps

**Commonly reported bugs**

- In-app purchase not working for some users
- MIDI connectivity issues with certain apps
- Crashes upon opening for some users

**Most requested features**

- Ability to preview samples before importing
- Autoslice/autochop functionality for samples
- Support for larger sample imports and automatic slot filling
- Granulizer effect
- Note repeat and vinyl effects
- More built-in effects and processing options
- Ability to create and arrange full songs
- M1 Mac compatibility

## Recent user reviews (10 of 63)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poly-2/id1477029326/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Old Reliable! :-)

*2026-02-19*

Rediscovered, again. And, again, I grow and Poly 2 grows with me!

Every time I think I’ve come to a limitation of Poly 2, it turns out that it was really mine. lol

Right now I’m listening to one of the moody’ish ambient music loops I’e ever heard.  ‘Swollen Pads’. I’ve made 6 variations of their original. So much fun on an iPhone 12 on iOS 17.6 and not a single problem and the ‘smartest’ iPhone music app ever! It’s as if I had given them both a features list as well as the perfect iPhone user interface, documentation, and sound quality. Right here in the ‘palm’ of my hand, watching the World translating it into sound.

### 4/5 — Unique & fun but some limitations

*2025-09-21*

I recently returned to the Poly 2 sequencer and it still stands out as a unique, creative tool. It’s a really fun app to explore. Customization took a little time to figure out, but I’m very happy with the overall design and development.

One issue  -which after 5+ years still hasn’t been addressed- is the lack of sustain/voice ring-out when the transport is stopped.

When playback is stopped—whether through the internal transport or an external hardware MIDI sequencer—the project’s voices do not sustain or ring out. I couldn’t find any updated preference settings to address this. Taking into consideration delay and reverb settings applied for each track, I would expect the voices from each of the eight tracks to sustain naturally when stopped or paused. To be candid, I had totally forgotten about this until I came back to the app. 

A limited workaround is to switch to an empty pattern, which lets the active patterns ring out. However, this is restrictive since one of the 16 pattern slots must be allocated for this purpose. Even then, it doesn’t fully solve the issue: if the transport is stopped mid-sustain, the entire project still cuts off instead of letting the tails fade naturally. You have to wait until all voices finish ringing out before stopping. This is worth noting for live performance or recording, unless you’re employing an alternative DSP option to compensate.

Lastly, as an alternative workaround that retains use of all 16 patterns, you could modify the patterns in real time by changing their playback length values to something other than INF in order to close out the set. It feels a bit counterintuitive, but it’s another option. Just wanted to pass this along.

It’s not a dealbreaker for me—I can now address it with an analog pedal or by syncing another FX app—but I wonder if the absence of this feature has impacted the app’s ability to attract or retain users. I realize it may be too late to submit this as a feature request, but overall, this is still a great, unique app and a real joy to work with. Well done, James! I still get a lot out of this app.

### 5/5 — Wonderful Workflow

*2025-04-30*

This is a great app. I never do reviews, but this is a lovely gem of software art. It opens up a completely novel and creative way of making music. Beautiful.

### 5/5 — Lovely app

*2025-01-12, version 2.5*

Enjoyed so many hours on this app, brilliant user interface that invites experimentation and exploration. My only gripe would be the sample importing tool could be better, feeling clunky compared to other apps. The ability to preview samples before importing them would help a lot when dealing with large sample packs on iPad. Doesn’t affect anything once you have the right samples loaded so I can only give this 5 stars.

### 5/5 — wow!

*2024-11-04*

one of my fav music making apps. i really love it!

### 5/5 — This is the BEST application ever created

*2024-11-04*

I just installed Poly 2 last night, forgot about it immediately, and then opened it a couple of hours ago after stumbling upon a YouTube video of Oscilloscope Music (did not know that existed, although I use an Oscilloscope App). Anyway, this is EXACTLY the kind of application I was looking for and hoping existed. As a percussion ensemble composer and arranger with 20 years of drumline and pit behind me, I’m ready to bow out gracefully and start something new. 

That being said, I’m still familiarizing myself with navigating the interface, (quite a bit going on, haha), but I’m sure rereading the help tab as I go will…help. lol. 

I’d like to make a YouTube demonstration/explanation instructional video for the creator with their permission. (Monetize my video, you keep the revenue to pay you for creating the app)

### 5/5 — Fc.

*2024-10-10*

Fcj

### 5/5 — Encore

*2024-10-09*

C’est bon la musique

### 5/5 — Beautiful

*2024-04-06, version 2.5.1*

A work of art, so unique and surprisingly powerful once you get to grips with it. You can really build up some great progressions.

### 5/5 — Innovate, inspirational, amazing

*2024-02-11, version 2.5*

A unique touch interface encourages live performance, a nice internal synth with FX and midi in/out for even greater versatility.  I use it to drive my hardware synths and a midi keyboard to trigger the built-in ARP.

Buy it, learn it, use it!

## Frequently asked questions about Poly 2

### What does Poly 2 do?

Poly 2 is a generative sequencer that creates evolving musical patterns and melodies. It utilizes the power of polyrhythms to generate unique sonic content, offering a wide range of sound manipulation and creative possibilities for musicians.

### What are the key features of Poly 2?

Key features include the ability to use up to 8 different sounds simultaneously, store up to 16 configurations per project, and a versatile sampler with envelopes, filters, and loop crossfading. It also boasts randomization capabilities, built-in FX like delay and reverb, and support for AUv3, Audiobus, and IAA.

### How is Poly 2 monetized?

The application is free to download and use, but it offers in-app purchases. This model allows users to try the core functionality and then purchase additional features or content if desired.

### What platforms is Poly 2 compatible with?

Poly 2 supports AUv3, which means it can be used as an audio effect or instrument plugin within compatible iOS music applications. It also integrates with Audiobus and Inter-App Audio (IAA), allowing for seamless audio routing between different music apps on iOS devices.

### Can I use my own sounds with Poly 2?

Yes, you can import your own samples into Poly 2. The app allows for sample import via iOS Files or through WIFI transfer, giving you the flexibility to incorporate your personal sound library into your generative sequences.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.5.2 — 2025-09-04

Fixed a bug that would prevent playback when using the app as an AU MIDI FX

### 2.5.1 — 2024-04-02

Fixed a crash that sometimes happened when loading the AUv3 on iOS 17

### 2.5 — 2022-07-26

Exported projects will now contain samples
Drag and drop now works from within Drambo
Drag and drop into the user samples list now works with folders
The maximum export length has been increased from 256 to 512 beats

### 2.4 — 2022-07-20

iPhone - Fixed the paging control on the FX and Mixer screens.
Increased the rate at which the tempo changes when holding the arrows down.
You can now double tap the tempo label to enter a number with the keyboard.

### 2.3 — 2022-07-18

Drag and drop support - Drag audio files straight onto the the sampler or into the user samples list.
Fixed some visual bugs on iOS 15

## Apps similar to Poly 2

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Drum Pad Machine - Beat Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965) | 4.6 (674,050) | Free | Music |
| [Tize: Music & Beat Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tize-music-and-beat-maker/id1130726632) | 4.5 (16,054) | Free | Music |
| [Launchpad - Music & Beat Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launchpad-music-and-beat-maker/id584362474) | 4.8 (34,772) | Free | Music |
| [World Piano Notes & Drum Beats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/world-piano-notes-and-drum-beats/id1457405203) | 4.6 (3,200) | Free | Music |
| [Drum Pads 24 Beat Maker Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pads-24-beat-maker-music/id667945907) | 4.7 (12,402) | Free | Music |
| [Groovebox - Beat Synth Studio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/groovebox-beat-synth-studio/id1242847278) | 4.7 (4,735) | Free | Music |

## More apps by James Milton

- [MV08](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mv08/id1249831244)

All apps by James Milton: https://appshunter.io/developer/581503621

## Related topics

[arpeggiator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/arpeggiator) · [step sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/step-sequencer) · [sound design](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sound-design) · [Patterning](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/patterning) · [generative music](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/generative-music) · [granular synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/granular-synthesizer) · [brian eno](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/brian-eno) · [sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sequencer)

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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 2026-09-04.*