# Sidecar MIDI Controller

> External keyboard and game controller MIDI interface for iOS music applications. (iPhone/iPad app by Secret Base Design.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar-midi-controller/id1073305840 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Secret Base Design](https://appshunter.io/developer/413007812)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 21 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 6 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-01-18
- Data updated: 2026-09-06
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar-midi-controller/id1073305840/reviews.md

## What is Sidecar MIDI Controller?

There are hundreds of great iOS synth apps, but playing them with on-screen keyboards can be a challenge.  Sidecar turns your ordinary QWERTY keyboard into a powerful MIDI controller.  The lower part of the keyboard is mapped piano-style, letting you play melodies with the physical keys -- much easier to keep your fingers in the right place, and to get the notes you want.  The app is configurable; you can have ten different set-ups, and switch between them quickly with a tap on the "QWERTY" row.  There are also ten configureable pads for each set-up, which you can trigger with the number keys.  Each pad can play a specific note, a chord, generate a program change message, or send a control code.  Because Sidecar operates in slide-over and side-by-side mode on the iPad, you can use your physical keyboard with any MIDI app, even if the other app is running in the background.

On screen, you have access to each of the pads -- map the knobs and sliders of your synth apps to MIDI CC messages, and then use Sidecar to adjust these sliders as you play.

Sidecar also provides a scale-configurable virtual keyboard.  Pick the scale you want, and then you can't hit a wrong note.  

In addition to external keyboards, Sidecar also supports many game controllers.  The app is now universal; while the iPhone doesn't support slide-over, you can still take advantage of the configuration options of the app.

* Easy MIDI Configuration
With ten separately configurable MIDI destinations you can quickly set up a set of assignments for each of the MIDI apps that you use.  Have a set of chords for Animoog, choose different presets for ToneStack, or assign pads to different samples for DM1.  Each MIDI destination has ten configurable pads, which can be assigned to chords, single notes, a program change message, or a controller change message.  For notes and chords, the touch position controls note velocity.  For controller change messages, the location of a touch on screen can be used to determine the controller value.

* QWERTY Keyboard Support
Toggle on support for the external keyboard, and you can switch between the ten MIDI destinations quickly (using the keys in the QWERTY row).  Toggle on or off any of the ten pads by pressing the number keys.  The two lowest rows of keys are mapped as a standard piano keyboard, providing a musical play surface with an ordinary text keyboard.  Note that QWERTY keyboards only send "key press" information to your iPad -- to silence a sounding note, you simply tap the space bar.

* AUv3 Support
Add the plug-in to your favorite DAW or looper, and Sidecar will give you easy access to multiple synths.  Many AUv3 hosts will also let you map the keyboard keys to the transport controls.

* Game Controller Ready
Sidecar also supports the iON iCade game controller, mapping the buttons of the iCade to the pads.  Because the iCade was designed for games, it sends button press and release information, which makes it easy to toggle on and off the pads.

* MIDI Relay
If you have an external MIDI controller, you can have it send MIDI events to Sidecar -- and these will be relayed to any of the ten MIDI destinations you select.  Use this to quickly switch from one synth to another.

*Control Background Synths
Because Sidecar sends MIDI messages, it can be used to control background synthesizers, sequencers, and effects apps.

Sidecar is designed to work along side your other iOS music apps.

## Key features

- QWERTY keyboard piano mapping
- Configurable pads for notes, chords, and messages
- Scale-configurable virtual keyboard
- Game controller support
- AUv3 plugin integration
- Slide-over and side-by-side mode compatibility

## Recent user reviews (10 of 21)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar-midi-controller/id1073305840/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Dev responded to email!

*2026-02-22*

UPDATE: emailed the developer and got a reply within a couple of hours - an update is underway to fix the issue! [original post: The standalone app works fine, but I cannot get the AU plugin to detect key input when running in AUM as host (I know the AU “window” has to be open etc. within AUM). This is with a non-Apple Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard that otherwise works very nicely with my iPad.]

### 5/5 — Fonctionement en arriere plan?

*2024-09-09*

Dommage pas possible de l’utiliser en arriere plan avec AUM…

### 1/5 — no garage band support

*2024-02-29*

Sadly no garage band support

### 5/5 — Does what it says AND WORKS, thanks for filling a niche

*2023-06-16*

Can make you qwerty into midi keyboard, nothing else worked until this.

### 4/5 — great functionality for smart folio and other ipad keyboards! but no QWERTZ

*2023-01-21*

Hi, I was looking for exactly this type of functionality to use the smart folio ipad keyboard for playing midi notes. Sadly, I have a german layout, so the note c is not next to the X, but in between T and U … QWERTZ

Please add an option for QWERTZ keyboards to use Y instead of Z as an input for the lower c :)

### 1/5 — Does not work on ipad pro M1

*2022-05-21*

Unable to make it work with M1 ipad pro and the apple keyboard folio

### 5/5 — Excellent!

*2022-02-06*

The “Missing Link” of the IOS midi controller devices!

### 1/5 — Useless app for me

*2021-09-12*

I could not assign arrow key QWERTY for midi
WiFi audio streaming does not work at all

### 5/5 — So cool! Works great with the magic keyboard

*2021-07-19*

Great app and developer got it working instantly with synth apps and after a few minutes clicking around had it going with gadget as well. iPad Pro m1 14.5  11” // gadget 2, Animoog, model d, all gadgets.

### 5/5 — Perfect 10

*2021-02-25*

I no longer have to faff around to go from one app to another and can finally control Gadgets transport controls outside of the app. I can even switch to AUM without having to assign a valuable key on my tiny midi keyboard.

I kept telling myself, now if only it could do this and then I’d find that feature in there somewhere. 

I don’t need any of the IAA features, or the midi keyboard, I just needed it to trigger the transport controls in other apps like gadget and flick me around my iPad quickly, without having to buy a NanoKontrol Studio for £120.

Now I can play around in Gestrument Pro and hit record in gadget when I’m ready, improving my workflow and preventing frustration (which usually kills any creativity I had brewing).

Thanks guys!

Edit: if I could make a request, it would be to be able to rename the keyboard mappings, so that I can know what each tab is for, instead of remembering that ‘q’ is for AUM for example. 

I’d also like to have presets I could save and then load. Right now you have 10 slots, each with 10 midi mappings, which sounds like a lot, until you have multiple AUM projects each with their own mappings and things start to get claustrophobic. It would also be nice to save these presets to the cloud for safe keeping.

Finally, to be able to use my Bluetooth keyboard to trigger midi when the app is not in focus (off screen) would be amazing, but I think Apple doesn’t allow for that. I recognise that these are all huge asks and that this is an old app and besides its already so useful as it is!

You can pair this with something like Mosaic from Bram Bos and you’d have a midi powerhouse, but this app is so much easier to use and great on its own :)

Thanks again!

## Frequently asked questions about Sidecar MIDI Controller

### How does Sidecar turn a QWERTY keyboard into a MIDI controller?

Sidecar maps the lower rows of your QWERTY keyboard to function like piano keys for playing melodies. It also allows number keys to trigger ten configurable pads, each capable of sending specific MIDI messages.

### Can I use Sidecar with any MIDI app on my iPad?

Yes, Sidecar supports slide-over and side-by-side modes on iPad, allowing you to use your physical keyboard with any MIDI app, even when it's running in the background.

### What is the price of Sidecar MIDI Controller?

Sidecar MIDI Controller is available for a one-time purchase of $4.99.

### Does Sidecar MIDI Controller support game controllers?

Yes, Sidecar is game controller ready and supports many game controllers, mapping their buttons to the app's pads for control.

### How often is Sidecar MIDI Controller updated?

The app was last updated on February 24, 2026, indicating recent development and support.

### What devices is Sidecar MIDI Controller compatible with?

Sidecar MIDI Controller is a universal app compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.

### What is the age rating for Sidecar MIDI Controller?

The app has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### Can Sidecar help me play in tune?

Yes, Sidecar provides a scale-configurable virtual keyboard. Once you select a scale, you are prevented from hitting any wrong notes, aiding in musical accuracy.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.9 — 2026-02-24

Keyboard focus was not handled correctly as an AUv3 plug-in and recent versions of iOS.  This bug should be fixed in the new release.

QWERTY keyboard velocity for chords will now follow the in-app velocity slider correctly.

### 1.8 — 2022-11-07

The AUv3 now supports sending MIDI on all 16 channels, and can send either PC or CC messages.  The AUv3 plug-in also now displays the MIDI messages being generated.

### 1.7 — 2022-01-08

iOS now supports Bluetooth keyboard key release detection, allowing the emulated keyboard to track both up and down actions.  We've also added support for AUv3; control multiple synths, loopers, and even the transport control from within your AUv3 host, all from your QWERTY keyboard.

### 1.6 — 2021-08-02

Sidecar MIDI Controller is now universal; use the app on both your iPad and your iPhone.

### 1.5 — 2016-08-22

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Sidecar now features a configurable MIDI keyboard; play the entire range of keys, and select different scales.

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## More apps by Secret Base Design

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All apps by Secret Base Design: https://appshunter.io/developer/413007812

## Related topics

[secret base design](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/secret-base-design)

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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 2026-09-06.*