# RhythmBud - AUv3 MIDI FX — Audio Unit for creating rhythm

> MIDI effect app to create rhythmic patterns from incoming MIDI. (iPhone/iPad app by Cem Olcay.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmbud-auv3-midi-fx/id1484320891 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cem Olcay](https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 20 App Store ratings · 20 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 23 MB
- Languages: Turkish, American English
- Released: 2019-11-06
- Data updated: 2026-08-13
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmbud-auv3-midi-fx/id1484320891/reviews.md

## What is RhythmBud?

RhythmBud is a MIDI effect application that would transform incoming MIDI messages into the rhythmic pattern you will create on its editor. Supports AUv3 Audio Unit plugin, Audiobus, Inter-App Audio (IAA), Ableton Link and Core MIDI (Standalone).

It sits between a MIDI sender (external hardware or any MIDI controller/sequencer app) and a MIDI receiver (any audio app or external hardware). As long as you connect its MIDI input and output you are good to go.

It has a pretty easy-to-use timeline editor, where you can create rhythm patterns. You may add different effects for your every pattern by tapping them on the timeline, such as strumming effects, arpeggios, transposition, velocity manipulation, ratchets and so on.

When you are ready, press the play button and start the RhythmBud engine. As long as it receives MIDI notes, it will generate your rhythm pattern and send it to your assigned MIDI output port. Even if you change the playing note/chord, it will adapt instantly!

It has a neat feature called “Snapshots” where you can save the current RhythmBud configuration instantly and come back later. You may also control your snapshots via MIDI CC messages or Audio Unit Parameters. You can create a whole song with that feature in your project. It also supports “User Presets” in AUv3 mode.

Another great feature is the “Record Mode” where you can record a pattern by tapping the toolbar—like clapping your hands or snapping your fingers for creating a rhythm pattern! Press the “Done” button when you are done. 

If you are not happy, you can always undo/redo your actions as well. You can also quantize your pattern on different timing levels. If you want to clear everything and start over again, just press the clear button.

RhythmBud is using the open-source AudioKit framework under the hood. Also, it offers some other open-source frameworks as well. Check them out on GitHub!


AudioKit: https://github.com/AudioKit/AudioKit
MusicTheorySwift: https://github.com/cemolcay/MusicTheory
MIDIEventKit: https://github.com/cemolcay/MIDIEventKit
RBEditorViewController: https://github.com/cemolcay/RBEditorViewController

*** Disclaimer: This is not an audio app! It does not generate audio. This is a MIDI effect app that needs both MIDI input and MIDI output routing. It does not transform the MIDI until you creating a pattern and pressing the play button.

## Key features

- MIDI effect processing
- Timeline editor for rhythm patterns
- Strumming, arpeggios, transposition effects
- Snapshots for saving configurations
- Record mode for tapping rhythms
- Undo/redo functionality
- Quantization options

## Chart rankings

- #180 in Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 20)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmbud-auv3-midi-fx/id1484320891/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Little Groove machine

*2025-08-05*

This is best used to spice up a sequence. As implied in the name, it will give plenty rhythm and movement to a dry sequence of chords or notes by e.g. humanizing and plenty other quick clever tricks like ratchets etc

### 5/5 — Really neat

*2025-08-05*

Love the ability to place mini arms in a section

### 5/5 — Good App

*2025-08-02*

A great option to get some movement into your music! Easy to use and great results!

### 1/5 — Problem

*2024-09-30*

There are quite a few notes that don't come out during the loop.What should I do?

### 2/5 — Buggiest app ever tried on iOS

*2024-08-22*

Worse than Synthmaster! At least that one crashes and prevents you from wasting work & time. With this app it does random stuff, undo/redo buttons will either transform notes in useless ghost bars than don’t sound anymore (only some; randomly), or at times even delete the whole pattern although the last action was not that one. Too many bugs to report; and too obvious, often on fundamental functionality. That makes me assume sloppiness of developer and rush to cash in. You can’t ask money for something broken like this! This is not even a beta version. Unfortunately this app made me loose completely trust in the apps from this developer (although it’s pretty active and people seem to like their apps). I can just imagine the quality of all the other apps. I didn’t request a refund initially because I didn’t notice that the bugs were so many. It’s a pity, because there some effort put, the UI isn’t terrible, and the idea behind the app is good. Hope this will push the dev to look back on what/when gets released.

**Developer response:** This is one of my oldest apps and I'm not updating it anymore. I'm sorry about the problems due to its old age. It has nothing to do with my newer apps.

### 5/5 — Simple, Yet Powerful

*2024-01-15*

At first glance it seems like an app from the 90s, until play around with it.  Yes, Logic can do everything this can, but always feels complicated.  I got this making a simple bass line and some cool arpeggios in no time.  

For the price it’s worth it just to create ideas.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work in GarageBand at all..

*2023-07-05*

Is it supposed to not work in GarageBand? I thought I could use this as an audio unit extension effect but it only works as a standalone IAA plugin. Feels like I wasted money on this cause I can’t even get it working. :/

**Developer response:** Garageband doesn't support AUv3 MIDI plugins. You can use AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubase or Logic Pro.

### 5/5 — Fascinating rhythm

*2023-01-21, version 1.3.1*

The vital thing to understand with RhythmBud, is that it is a MIDI effect app, which transforms the incoming MIDI, so it needs a MIDI source app like ChordBud. Without input there is no sound. Once you have that input, you can send it from Rhythm to control anything else that accepts midi input. Then there is a world of rhythmic possibilities!

### 4/5 — Ties and slurs

*2022-07-06*

Need ties and slur option to completely get that flow

### 4/5 — Just some tiny improvements needed

*2021-05-30*

This App is fun, not only, but especially to create some interesting poly-rhythms. I set AUM up with long Pianochords in Atom2 and used RhythmBud afterwards to trigger those chords.

What this App needs in my opinion:
1. I wish I could set the amount of bars (like a loop lenght) within which I want to record. Happens too often that I want to record 4 bars but end up with 4.1 bars especially since ...
2. ... there is no metronom. Or some moving "play bar" which would indicate where you are right now.
3. Snap-to-grid for the end of the loop.

Cheers

## Frequently asked questions about RhythmBud

### What is RhythmBud?

RhythmBud is a MIDI effect application that transforms incoming MIDI messages into rhythmic patterns you create in its editor. It requires both MIDI input and output routing to function.

### How much does RhythmBud cost?

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

### What devices does RhythmBud support?

RhythmBud is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.

### Can I create rhythms by tapping?

Yes, RhythmBud features a 'Record Mode' where you can record a pattern by tapping, similar to clapping or snapping your fingers.

### How often is RhythmBud updated?

The latest version, 1.3.1, was released on May 29, 2021. It is built using open-source frameworks like AudioKit.

### What kind of effects can I add to patterns in RhythmBud?

You can add various effects to each pattern, including strumming, arpeggios, transposition, velocity manipulation, and ratchets.

### Can I save my RhythmBud configurations?

Yes, RhythmBud has a 'Snapshots' feature that allows you to save current configurations instantly and recall them later. These can also be controlled via MIDI CC messages.

### Is RhythmBud suitable for beginners?

RhythmBud has a pretty easy-to-use timeline editor, making it accessible for users looking to experiment with MIDI rhythm generation.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.1 — 2021-05-29

Minor fixes.

### 1.3.0 — 2020-08-21

Fixes a crash happening in AUv3 mode when a snapshot is long-pressed.
Snapshot CC numbers start with #1 instead of #0.

### 1.2.1 — 2020-01-09

This version fixes the "long-press to delete" crash on the iPad AUv3 version.

### 1.2.0 — 2020-01-07

HUGE 2020 Update!!!

RhyhtmBud gets an awesome UI update! 
You will be able to see the note orders, ratchets, velocity and transpose settings inside your rhythm boxes.

### 1.1.1 — 2019-11-15

This version fixes the long-press gesture bug in AUv3 mode.

## Apps similar to RhythmBud

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Rhythm Pro: tempo trainer.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythm-pro-tempo-trainer/id1604438442) | 4.7 (62) | $4.99 | Music |
| [EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/evolverfx-auv3-audio-plugin/id1507897381) | 4.7 (35) | $14.99 | Music |
| [Tails - Dual Reverb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tails-dual-reverb/id6444164617) | 4.9 (14) | $9.99 | Music |
| [Ruismaker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ruismaker/id1122156899) | 4.8 (57) | $4.99 | Music |
| [BLEASS Motion FX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-motion-fx/id1551643475) | 4.8 (12) | $4.99 | Music |
| [TB BitJuggler](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-bitjuggler/id1538555185) | 4.4 (15) | $6.99 | Music |

## More apps by Cem Olcay

- [FretBud - Chord & Scales AUv3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fretbud-chord-and-scales-auv3/id1234224249)
- [ScaleBud - AUv3 MIDI Keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalebud-auv3-midi-keyboard/id1409125865)
- [StepBud - AUv3 MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1453104408)
- [ArpBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Arpeggiator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arpbud-2-auv3-midi-arpeggiator/id1500403326)
- [ChordBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordbud-2-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1526221230)

All apps by Cem Olcay: https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853

## Related topics

[kebarp auv3 midi arpeggiator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kebarp-auv3-midi-arpeggiator) · [arpbud 2 auv3 midi arpeggiator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/arpbud-2-auv3-midi-arpeggiator)

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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 2026-08-13.*