# ScaleBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Keyboard — Play +110 Scales and Chords

> AUv3 MIDI keyboard and transformer for playing scales and chords. (iPhone/iPad app by Cem Olcay.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalebud-2-auv3-midi-keyboard/id1605842538 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cem Olcay](https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 13 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 25 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2022-02-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalebud-2-auv3-midi-keyboard/id1605842538/reviews.md

## What is ScaleBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Keyboard?

While maintaining the core functionality of ScaleBud, ScaleBud 2 adds a lot more features. 

- More than 110 scales (2.5x more than the original ScaleBud),
- Ability to create custom scales and sharing them with the other bud apps like SnakeBud and MelodyBud,
- Unlimited keyboard rows with different key/scale/chord configs,
- Advanced MIDI keyboard mapping; ability to splitting the MIDI keyboard and controlling multiple ScaleBud 2 keyboard rows,
- Ability to round off-scale notes to the nearest note in the scale while playing the MIDI keyboard (always play in the scale),
- Unlimited number of pattern pages and ability to change them with MIDI CC messages,
- The Scale Finder AU to find the scales containing the notes you need, and more. 

ScaleBud 2 can work as an AUv3 Audio Unit plugin with the host apps like AUM, Cubase, Nanostudio, Beatmaker, apeMatrix or it can work as a standalone app. 
You can use the ScaleBud 2's keyboard rows for controlling your audio app. You need to route ScaleBud 2's MIDI output to your audio app's MIDI input. 
ScaleBud 2 also act as a MIDI transformer, if you connect a MIDI keyboard to ScaleBud 2, so you can control any of your ScaleBud keyboard row with your hardware MIDI keyboard. 
You can assign different MIDI channels, MIDI input ranges and you can transpose the incoming MIDI note's octave when you use ScaleBud 2 as a MIDI transformer. 
So, you can play always in scale, or you can play chords with just one keyboard key press.
You can also split your MIDI keyboard with the "MIDI input range" settings of your ScaleBud keyboard rows and control multiple keyboard rows from your hardware MIDI keyboard. 
For example, you can play chords on the left side of your MIDI keyboard and you can play notes with the right side of your MIDI keyboard. 

ScaleBud 2 is a MIDI app so it does not produce any sound on its own. You need additional audio apps for controlling them with ScaleBud 2. You need an Audio Unit host app such as AUM, Cubase, Nanostudio, Beatmaker, apeMatrix in order to use ScaleBud 2 as an AUv3 plugin.

## Key features

- Over 110 scales and chords
- Custom scale creation and sharing
- Unlimited keyboard rows
- Advanced MIDI keyboard mapping
- MIDI transformer functionality
- AUv3 plugin support

## Chart rankings

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

## Recent user reviews (10 of 13)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalebud-2-auv3-midi-keyboard/id1605842538/reviews.md

### 2/5 — DOES NOT SAVE PATTERNS

*2026-06-09*

Having spent hours creating chord or note patterns only to find that each pattern has reverted to C major when reloading an AUM session despite the key showing D or whatever I set it to. FIX THIS ISSUE PLEASE, MOST ANNOYING!! Time wasting because of this issue

### 5/5 — the intuitive Scaler 2

*2025-08-05*

its like Scaler 2 but a lot cheaper and quicker and more intuitive

### 5/5 — Always on scale

*2025-08-02*

Never hit a note off scale. I use a lot with apps like AUM.

### 5/5 — Umfassender MIDI-Scale-Filter & Harmonizer

*2025-08-02*

Scale Bud 2 ist ein vielseitiges AUv3-MIDI-Tool zur Echtzeit-Quantisierung und Harmonisierung von MIDI-Noten. Unterstützt benutzerdefinierte Skalen, MIDI-Routing, externe Controller und Polyharmony. Ideal für kreative Setups, Live-Performance und Skalenbasiertes Komponieren. Stabil, durchdacht, effizient – unverzichtbar im mobilen Workflow.

### 3/5 — Saving configuration

*2025-05-23*

I like the Bud apps so far but I didn't find a way to save my configurations on this one so far so any work is lost when closing the app.

### 3/5 — Can’t save work in stand alone app

*2024-10-05*

Nice app but kind of worthless for live use as you can’t save your work in the standalone version. It could really be an asset if this was corrected. It reverts back to the original settings every time you close and reopen the app. Will this be corrected in an future update?

### 4/5 — It is good but things can be improve

*2023-12-22*

I use it with PatternBud+BrainBud. It is able to change the key. However, this only subject to the on screen keyboard of ScaleBud, but not my own midi keyboard (actually it is a 4x4 Drum pad, mapping with note 1/3/5/7 of different octave making sound like a chord)

For example, when I am hitting a C3 note in every beat, the BrainBud changes from C Major scale to G major scale. As a result, my notes C3 is still keeping as C3, but not transposed to G3 which is i expected to be. That means the C3 is not mapped to the First note of the scale and so on. 

I hope this can be achieved as this help as it help generating pattern with any controller with non piano keyboard layout

### 3/5 — Save State?

*2023-11-18*

How do I save the state in stand alone mode?
I go through the process of setting up rows, but everything is lost when when the app is close.  

Is this by design?

### 1/5 — BUG SCALER 2

*2022-10-20*

Don’t work in iPhones XR, only chord mode, impossible mono mode, very complete visual

**Developer response:** Hello, you can email me the problem you are having or you can refer to one of the youtube tutorials on how to setup the app. Thanks.

### 4/5 — Best of its kind

*2022-03-03*

I’ve tried several scale quantisation apps and this one is by far the most comprehensive.It works flawlessly with theArthurian Keystep 32.The mapping and velocity curve is just perfect.
I just wish that the random velocity setting would be applied to any incoming midi notes, wether from an external physical keyboard or from a midi sequencer, not just from the internal keyboard of the app. 
I also wish that the quantisation of a scale would be laid across consecutive keys or pads on a physical control surface. That is to say instead of repeating notes on consecutive keys (as a result of applying the round-off setting),Each note on a scale should be laid immediately after the previous note,In order to avoid dummy keys. This would be especially useful when playing with a pad based controller, so that we don’t end up with a bunch of repeated notes. I happen to be far more skilled playing on pads than on a traditional keyboard, therefore this setting would help me a lot, otherwise I end up with way too many repeated notes on a 4 x 4 or 2 x 4 pad grid (The Akai LPD8 has only eight pads, and if the round-off note setting is applied half of them will be repeated notes.

## Frequently asked questions about ScaleBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Keyboard

### What is ScaleBud 2?

ScaleBud 2 is a MIDI app that functions as an AUv3 Audio Unit plugin or a standalone application. It allows users to play over 110 scales and chords, create custom scales, and transform MIDI input.

### Does ScaleBud 2 produce sound on its own?

No, ScaleBud 2 does not produce any sound on its own. It requires additional audio apps or an Audio Unit host app like AUM or Cubase to control sounds.

### How does ScaleBud 2 work as a MIDI transformer?

When used as a MIDI transformer, ScaleBud 2 can control any of its keyboard rows with a hardware MIDI keyboard. You can assign different MIDI channels, input ranges, and transpose octaves for flexible control.

### Can I split my MIDI keyboard with ScaleBud 2?

Yes, you can split your MIDI keyboard using the 'MIDI input range' settings in ScaleBud 2. This allows you to control multiple keyboard rows from different sections of your hardware MIDI keyboard.

### What are the benefits of ScaleBud 2 over the original ScaleBud?

ScaleBud 2 offers significantly more scales (over 110), the ability to create and share custom scales, unlimited keyboard rows, advanced MIDI mapping, and the Scale Finder AU for identifying scales.

### What is the price of ScaleBud 2?

ScaleBud 2 is available for a one-time purchase of $6.99.

### What devices is ScaleBud 2 compatible with?

ScaleBud 2 is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.

### How often is ScaleBud 2 updated?

ScaleBud 2 was last updated on September 2, 2024, indicating regular maintenance and potential feature additions.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0 — 2026-08-04

This version 
- Updates and optimizes the audio engine 
- Adds a built-in sampler to the standalone app 
- Adds online manual to the settings menu

### 1.9 — 2024-09-02

This version updates the support section on the settings menu.

### 1.8 — 2024-06-28

- Performance updates and minor fixes.

### 1.7 — 2023-05-29

This version adds support for running the app on Apple Silicon Macs.

### 1.6 — 2023-04-19

This version adds support for saving AU presets in the AUv3 plugin. 
The saved preset will be shared between multiple AU hosts.

## Apps similar to ScaleBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Keyboard

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Piano Chords and Scales](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-chords-and-scales/id714086944) | 4.8 (9,159) | Free | Music |
| [Piano Chords, Scales Companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-chords-scales-companion/id598574333) | 4.8 (1,315) | Free | Music |
| [Note Quest: Learn Piano Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-quest-learn-piano-music/id1176943393) | 4.5 (609) | Free | Music |
| [Perfect Piano - Learn to Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/perfect-piano-learn-to-play/id942937409) | 4.5 (8,262) | Free | Music |
| [Real Piano electronic keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-piano-electronic-keyboard/id1580138240) | 4.5 (4,088) | Free | Music |
| [Piano Keyboard App: Play Songs](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-keyboard-app-play-songs/id1171389552) | 4.5 (13,054) | Free | 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)
- [RhythmBud - AUv3 MIDI FX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmbud-auv3-midi-fx/id1484320891)
- [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

[scalebud 2 auv3 midi keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/scalebud-2-auv3-midi-keyboard)

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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 2026-08-27.*