# SAND: Audio MIDI Sequencer — Record & Make Music, Host AUv3

> Grid-based AUv3 and MIDI sequencer for music creation. (iPhone/iPad app by Matteo Caldari.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Matteo Caldari](https://appshunter.io/developer/325826466)
- Category: Music
- Price: Free with in-app purchases (on sale, was $9.99)
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 86 App Store ratings · 66 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 53 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2022-11-22
- Data updated: 2026-08-17
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684/reviews.md

## What is SAND?

Have SAND in your pocket. Create music anywhere. Sketch your ideas, compose with MIDI and audio clips, host your favorite plugins. All designed for creative flow, whether you're at home or on the go.

SAND is a music sketchpad for AUv3, MIDI, and audio clips—built so you can try ideas quickly, without setup getting in the way.

Please note: SAND does not generate sound on its own—it relies on AUv3 plugins you can find on the App Store. Try SAND free for 14 days; in-app purchases unlock features after the trial.

GRID SEQUENCER

Arrange MIDI and audio clips on a grid to build your ideas.
Copy, duplicate, merge, combine, and drag-and-drop clips to shape your project.
Quick clip tools: quantize, length, legato, transpose from the clip menu.
Render MIDI clips as audio by dropping them onto an audio track.

MIDI TRACKS

Work with instrument and MIDI tracks in your projects.
Load an instrument and unlimited audio and MIDI effects on each track.
Hide tracks and assign custom icons to keep sessions organized.
Save tracks as templates for future projects.

Edit MIDI in a piano-roll clip editor: quantize, legato, split, duplicate, copy, and paste.
Build chords with the chord selector.
Adjust note position, pitch, duration, and velocity.
Handle bars edit position and pitch on the note.
Use an adjustable grid or free placement.
Scale highlighting helps you stay in key.

Record with an optional count-in or from the first note.
Quantize recordings for tighter timing.

AUDIO TRACKS

Add dedicated audio tracks alongside your MIDI material.
Import audio into clips from other apps or the clip import flow, with preview before committing.
Record audio into clips with per-track input settings and track arming.
Set loop or one-shot playback, beat-aligned or immediate start, and optional clip BPM.
Looping clips follow project tempo.
The audio editor supports copy, paste, crop, gain adjustment, normalize, silence, fades, reverse, pitch, stretch, and split. With automatic or manual preview.

PLUGIN HOST

Host AUv3 instruments, audio effects, and MIDI processors.
Control parameters and presets, and save default states for new instances.
Record notes and MIDI from plugin interfaces, and capture output from MIDI plugins.
Mark plugins as favorites for faster access.

SONG MODE

Arrange clips in sections with independent lengths, played back seamlessly in order.
Launch every clip in a section at once, sections work as scene launchers.
Set a different time signature per section when needed.

AUTOMATION

Automate volume, pan, effect parameters, and MIDI for dynamic changes across your tracks.

MASTER TRACK

Apply effects globally across the project.
Use the master track's clip to generate bass lines and chord progressions.

MIDI ROUTING

Record from external MIDI devices, including hardware synths.
Send MIDI out for real-time playback and route MIDI between tracks.
Use SAND as a virtual MIDI input and output.

MIDI MAPPING

Map a MIDI controller to control the app with a flexible, customizable layout.
"Shift" mappings extend what a single controller surface can do.

PROJECT VERSIONS

Save and restore named snapshots of a project—experiment freely, then return to an earlier state.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Rename projects and branch copies with Save As…. (iOS 18+) Start new work from project templates. (iOS 18+)

SYNC

Sync with other apps and DAWs using Ableton Link.

ON-SCREEN KEYBOARD AND PADS

Record with a velocity-sensitive on-screen keyboard. Choose scale and root to limit keys to a scale, and adjust visible keys to match how you play. Play and record beats with on-screen drum pads.

IMPORT / EXPORT

Export clips as audio or MIDI. Export projects as Ableton Live sets. Record performances and export audio, including stems for separate processing.

## Key features

- Grid-based MIDI sequencing
- AUv3 plugin hosting
- External MIDI device support
- Advanced clip editing
- Track and effect management
- Song mode for arrangement
- MIDI routing and mapping

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14-day trial | Free | one-time |
| Unlock | $9.99 | one-time |
| 14 Days Trial | Free | one-time |
| Audio Tracks | $9.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 66)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-audio-midi-sequencer/id1642467684/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Wird besser und besser…

*2026-06-26*

Tolles UI und tolle Features um Songs unterwegs zu kreieren.
Sogar mit nur einer Hand. Der Road Plan 
sieht interessant aus. SAND hat definitiv Potenzial.
Was mich noch nervt ist, dass jedesmal die Record Funktion anspringt sobald man in das Midi Instrument oder sein geladenes FX geht.
Und das SAND keine Einstellung hat: SAND Immer in der Übersicht öffnen.

### 4/5 — Update 3.0. Alles auf Anfang.

*2026-06-13*

Tolles UI und tolle Features um Songs unterwegs zu kreieren.
Sogar mit nur einer Hand. Der Road Plan 
sieht interessant aus. SAND hat Potenzial.
Scheint auch stabiler geworden zu sein.
Was mich aber wirklich nervt ist, dass jedesmal die Record Funktion anspringt sobald man in das Midi Instrument oder sein geladenes FX geht.

### 4/5 — Update 3.0. Alles auf Anfang.

*2026-06-10*

Tolles UI und tolle Features um Songs unterwegs zu kreieren.
Sich mit nur einer Hand. Der Road Plan 
sieht sehr interessant aus. SAND hat großes Potenzial.

### 5/5 — Just got better

*2026-06-09*

Ive always liked this app its well thought out and it just got better

### 1/5 — We ain’t doing too hot with sands will change review

*2026-03-31*

The integration with other apps seems off on my end. Has not working. The record does not pick up data on my end and even in a pre-save ideas from 1 app to another. Sands has not crashed,  no!!! Just idk what to do to develop my workflow my person is after. We can correspond email and send u data of the problem.


Ps if can long press in the the window of sequence track  could help or maybe not.

**Developer response:** Hi! I’m not sure I understand correctly the issues you’re having, can you please send me an email with more details to support@getsand.app ? Thanks!

### 1/5 — Auv3 interfaces don’t scale well at all.

*2026-03-27, version 2.1.2*

How do I cancel the free trial before I’m charged?! It doesn’t show in my subscriptions.

### 1/5 — Not clearly explained here

*2026-02-01, version 2.1.2*

That this is a paid app. Find out after download.

### 4/5 — A lot of potential - not yet there

*2025-12-06*

I play with it once in a while just to notice that it is improving but not quite intuitive to use yet, for me to actually make music with. Note editing, snapping/quantization is still somewhat awkward and buggy.
On the other hand it has a well organized main interface. And for mainly using it with a hardware controller where midi editing and tweaking is not the focus, this is a great tool, especially because almost everything is mappable.

### 5/5 — Trying again as on endless simpler seq. hunt …

*2025-11-23, version 2.1.2*

I wanted to remove ALL *’s, as this isn’t a review. I’m at a loss as to why Sand wont run within AUM any more! ?
I were very curious as to your most recent update from 6 days ago. I’m positive that I have run Sand within AUM before. Now though? Sand isn’t recognized within the latest AUM, within the latest iPad 9 iOS, in any way!
??
I went to ask my MSoft AI assistant if it were able to verify Sand and AUM compatibility and AI said fully compatible!
AI suggested my rebooting my iPad which I did. I have had that solve other past problems.

I’m stumped man.

Another problem, I thought to run Sand as the host for everything. The first APP that I tried were my new fave drum machine - Fingerlabs DM1.
Sand, wouldn’t recognize it, in any way. ???

It has been days worth of finding a new (already bought, as well) drum machine AND sequencer that will work together for composing late 70’s to early 90’s inspired electronic tunes on the iPad only.
Song, format. 
Early retired. Lowwwwwww budget.

I’m open to any thoughts sir. Though I’ve had grumpies twice in the past with Sand I really do like the functional idea OF it for a simple to use sequencer! ☺️ 
🫡✌🏻✌🏾🇨🇦

### 5/5 — Most usable studio on a small screen

*2025-11-23*

I have been playing with music on IOS for a LONG time, released multiple albums produced on iPads, etc.. 

I primarily produce on hardware now but I just got a new iPhone and wanted to see what can be done on the smaller screen.

This is perfect.  I can utilize all the old plugins I’ve collected through the years in new fast, creative ways and it works and looks GREAT on my little iPhone screen. 

Really good app.

## Frequently asked questions about SAND

### What does SAND do?

SAND is a grid-based music sequencer designed for creating music with AUv3 plugins and external MIDI devices. It allows you to arrange MIDI clips, manipulate them, add effects, automate parameters, and even sync with other music apps.

### How do I make sound with SAND?

SAND itself does not generate sound. It acts as a host for AUv3 plugins, which you can find on the App Store. You load these instrument or effect plugins into SAND to produce sound and shape your compositions.

### Can I use my MIDI keyboard with SAND?

Yes, SAND fully supports external MIDI devices. You can connect and record notes from any MIDI keyboard or controller, and even route MIDI from one track to another or use SAND as a virtual MIDI input/output.

### Is SAND compatible with other music apps?

SAND can sync with other music production apps and DAWs using Ableton Link. This allows for seamless integration and collaborative workflows with your existing music setup.

### What are the in-app purchases for SAND?

While the core functionality of SAND is available, in-app purchases likely unlock additional features, presets, or advanced tools to enhance your music-making experience. Specific details on what is included in each purchase would be available within the app.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.0.5 — 2026-07-01

- fixed purchases not available when offline

### 3.0.4 — 2026-06-25

3.0.4:

- bug fixes and performance improvements


3.0:

AUDIO TRACKS *(in-app purchase)*

- Dedicated audio tracks and audio clips in the grid
- Import audio with preview; record into clips with per-track input and arming
- Loop / one-shot playback, beat or immediate start, optional clip BPM; looping clips follow project tempo
- Audio editor: edit, fades, normalize, reverse, pitch, stretch, split—with automatic or manual preview
- Render MIDI clips to audio by dropping them on an audio track

AND MORE

- Drum pads
- Project Versions—save and restore project snapshots
- Favorite plugins
- Hidden tracks and customizable track icons
- New editing tools in the MIDI editor
- Project templates, Rename, and Save As… *(iOS 18+)*
- Apple Silicon Mac support
- Bug fixes

### 3.0.3 — 2026-06-19

3.0.3:

- Fixed chords from MIDI plugins not recorded correctly
- Fixed MIDI input not filtering by channel if device is 'any'
- Fixed crash related to memory issues
- Fixed crash when adjusting selection while playing
- Fixed loop markers in  One Shot clips


3.0:

AUDIO TRACKS *(in-app purchase)*

- Dedicated audio tracks and audio clips in the grid
- Import audio with preview; record into clips with per-track input and arming
- Loop / one-shot playback, beat or immediate start, optional clip BPM; looping clips follow project tempo
- Audio editor: edit, fades, normalize, reverse, pitch, stretch, split—with automatic or manual preview
- Render MIDI clips to audio by dropping them on an audio track

AND MORE

- Drum pads
- Project Versions—save and restore project snapshots
- Favorite plugins
- Hidden tracks and customizable track icons
- New editing tools in the MIDI editor
- Project templates, Rename, and Save As… *(iOS 18+)*
- Apple Silicon Mac support
- Bug fixes

### 3.0.2 — 2026-06-15

AUDIO TRACKS *(in-app purchase)*

- Dedicated audio tracks and audio clips in the grid
- Import audio with preview; record into clips with per-track input and arming
- Loop / one-shot playback, beat or immediate start, optional clip BPM; looping clips follow project tempo
- Audio editor: edit, fades, normalize, reverse, pitch, stretch, split—with automatic or manual preview
- Render MIDI clips to audio by dropping them on an audio track

AND MORE

- Drum pads
- Project Versions—save and restore project snapshots
- Favorite plugins
- Hidden tracks and customizable track icons
- New editing tools in the MIDI editor
- Project templates, Rename, and Save As… *(iOS 18+)*
- Apple Silicon Mac support
- Bug fixes

### 3.0.1 — 2026-06-12

AUDIO TRACKS *(in-app purchase)*

- Dedicated audio tracks and audio clips in the grid
- Import audio with preview; record into clips with per-track input and arming
- Loop / one-shot playback, beat or immediate start, optional clip BPM; looping clips follow project tempo
- Audio editor: edit, fades, normalize, reverse, pitch, stretch, split—with automatic or manual preview
- Render MIDI clips to audio by dropping them on an audio track

AND MORE

- Drum pads
- Project Versions—save and restore project snapshots
- Favorite plugins
- Hidden tracks and customizable track icons
- New editing tools in the MIDI editor
- Project templates, Rename, and Save As… *(iOS 18+)*
- Apple Silicon Mac support
- Bug fixes

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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 2026-08-17.*
