# Pulseq — A multi-stage MIDI sequencer.

> Multi-stage MIDI sequencer for electronic music production with advanced pattern creation. (iPhone/iPad app by Joe Topjian.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pulseq/id6782395526 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Joe Topjian](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 14 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-08-08
- Data updated: 2026-09-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pulseq/id6782395526/reviews.md

## What is Pulseq?

Pulseq is a multi-stage MIDI sequencer built for techno, acid, and experimental electronic music. It drives your external synths and AUv3 plugins over MIDI. Made up of 1-16 "stages", each stage carries its own note, velocity, gate behavior, and length. Chain scenes together into full arrangements.

Use Pulseq as a standalone app or as an Audio Unit MIDI effect inside your host.

SEQUENCING

Build patterns from 1 to 16 stages. Each stage sets its own note, velocity, gate mode, and length in pulses. Let a stages hold for two or three pulses, and hear the loop come alive.

PITCH & SCALES

Pitch comes from each stage's note, guided by root and scale. Seventeen scales are available. Snap Notes to Scale keeps emitted notes in key; turn it off and stored notes play exactly as entered.

GATE MODES & RHYTHM

Gate mode is the character of each stage: Off, Single (one trigger per stage), Multi (retriggers every pulse, or every 2nd, 3rd, or 4th), Prob (fires by chance), Long (holds to the end), and Prog (a pattern you draw across up to 16 steps). Add Swing from 0 to 100%, shape Gate Length from tight and clipped to legato, and turn on per-stage Glide with global Portamento.

PLAY & SPLIT MODES

Play mode sets direction: Forward, Ping-Pong, Random, and Fixed. Split mode changes form: run a single lane, alternate lanes A and B by repeat counts (Serial, to build AAAB patterns), or run both lanes at once on two MIDI channels (Parallel) with an independent B clock multiplier.

CC MODULATION

Up to eight CC lanes drive filter cutoffs, mod wheels, or any destination that accepts MIDI CC. Lane values are per-stage, and every new lane starts with Don't Send so adding one can never surprise attached hardware.

CLOCK & TRANSPORT

When hosted, Pulseq follows the host transport and clock. Standalone, an internal tempo from 20 to 300 BPM drives playback, with clock divisions from 1/1 down to 1/32 plus triplet and dotted options. Apply Changes controls when live edits take effect: Immediate, Next Pulse, or Next Bar, for deterministic performance.

SCENES & CHAIN

Sixteen scene slots capture the full musical setup: stages, root, scale, tempo, split, and CC lanes, while leaving your user configuration intact. String scenes into a complete track with the Chain editor: set per-step lengths, loop the whole chain, and hand scene changes to the timeline.

STANDALONE & AUV3

Use Pulseq as a standalone app or as an AUv3 MIDI effect. It runs in AUv3 hosts such as AUM, Drambo, Logic, and Cubasis.

## Key features

- Multi-stage sequencing (1-16 stages)
- Pitch and scale control with 17 scales
- Flexible gate modes and rhythm shaping
- Multiple play and split modes
- Up to eight CC modulation lanes
- Scene chaining for full track arrangements
- Standalone and AUv3 plugin support


## Frequently asked questions about Pulseq

### What kind of music is Pulseq best suited for?

Pulseq is specifically designed for techno, acid, and experimental electronic music. Its multi-stage sequencing and advanced rhythmic controls make it ideal for creating complex and evolving patterns characteristic of these genres.

### Can Pulseq be used with external hardware synthesizers?

Yes, Pulseq can drive external synths over MIDI. Its comprehensive MIDI output capabilities allow you to control a wide range of hardware instruments, making it a versatile tool in your studio setup.

### Does Pulseq work as an AUv3 plugin?

Yes, Pulseq functions as an Audio Unit MIDI effect (AUv3). This means you can integrate it directly into compatible iOS DAWs like AUM, Drambo, Logic Pro for iPad, and Cubasis, alongside your other audio plugins.

### How does Pulseq handle song arrangement?

Pulseq allows you to chain multiple scenes together into full track arrangements using its Chain editor. You can set per-step lengths, loop the entire chain, and manage scene changes within the timeline for complete control over your song structure.

### What are the rhythmic capabilities of Pulseq?

Pulseq offers a variety of gate modes (Off, Single, Multi, Prob, Long, Prog) and rhythm shaping options, including swing from 0 to 100% and adjustable gate length. It also supports per-stage glide and global portamento for expressive note control.

### How is Pulseq priced?

Pulseq is a paid application, available for a one-time purchase price of $3.99. This grants you full access to all its features without any additional in-app purchases or subscriptions.

### What devices does Pulseq support?

Pulseq is compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices. Its interface is designed to adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring a good user experience on both platforms.

### How often is Pulseq updated?

Pulseq was last updated on August 25, 2026, with version 1.1.0. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, this indicates ongoing development and support for the application.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.1.0 — 2026-08-25

Pulseq 1.1.0 has the following improvements:
- Improved AUv3 interface for iPhone devices

### 1.0 — 2026-08-08

No release notes.

## More apps by Joe Topjian

- [GridStep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258)
- [Lattice](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lattice/id6756826552)
- [Rivet 01 - Console](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-01-console/id6758555219)
- [Rivet 02 - Room](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-02-room/id6758566292)
- [Rivet 04 - Comb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-04-comb/id6758967505)
- [Rivet 03 - Verb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-03-verb/id6758967715)

All apps by Joe Topjian: https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112

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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 2026-09-10.*