# touchscaper — a touch-based soundscaper

> Touch-based iPad instrument for intuitive music creation and soundscaping. (iPhone/iPad app by Rob Jackson.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchscaper/id1250344299 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Rob Jackson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1072346998)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 147 App Store ratings · 73 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 359 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-08-26
- Data updated: 2026-07-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchscaper/id1250344299/reviews.md

## What is touchscaper?

Touchscaper is an instrument designed for anyone who wants to make music on their iPad simply by touching the screen.  You don’t have to be a serious musician to enjoy touchscaper, but if you are, touchscaper is highly configureable under the hood.

Main features:

• Multi-touch based interface with “radar”, “ribbon” and keyboard surfaces
• Touch the screen to play a note, move your fingers to change the sound
• Semi-generative engine selects the “good notes” for you
• Touch movement can control volume and pan for each individual note
• Total control over chords, keys and scales (fully chromatic)
• Multiple chords can be generated from keys and scales to create “scenes”
• Chord "navigator" helps you create inspiring chord progressions
• 40 built-in sounds can be combined in 2 layers to create “instruments”
• Built-in sounds include samples from moodscaper, pianoscaper, numerous analog synths and guitars
• Comes with preset example scenes and instruments
• Random instrument generator function with one tap of a button
• Hold and orbit modes for hands-free evolving soundscapes
• Ribbon style keyboard with touch vibrato
• Chord looper with Ableton Link support
• Arrangement view for longer / more complex chord progressions
• 16 step probability-based sequencer for touch, drums, percussion and synth automation
• "jam grid" sequencer view for live performances
• Supports file sharing for scenes and instruments
• Built-in effects including ping-pong delays, reverb, limiter and EQ
• Supports IAA (Inter-App Audio) as a generator
• Control other music apps using MIDI out and CCs with optional MPE support

There are several demo videos in circulation which should give you a better idea of what touchscaper can do - just search for “touchscaper”.

*** Please note that this app is now in maintenance mode / updates for bug fixes only. This is due to the heavy dependency on deprecated technology such as IAA ***

## Key features

- Multi-touch interface with radar, ribbon, and keyboard surfaces
- Semi-generative engine for note selection
- Full control over chords, keys, and scales
- Layerable built-in sounds and effects
- Chord navigator and looper with Ableton Link
- Sequencer for touch, drums, and synth automation
- Inter-App Audio and MIDI out support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 73)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchscaper/id1250344299/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Love this app

*2025-11-17, version 1.6.2*

Makes creating beautiful music super easy

### 5/5 — A Delightful and Unique Musical Instrument

*2025-07-28, version 1.6.2*

This is a truly beautiful iPad instrument. 
Possibly my favourite instrument app in the AppStore. 
(I have a LOT of music apps ;) )
Fun to play on its own, and also as a controller of other synth and drum apps. 
Not perfect, but so very very close.

### 5/5 — Hipnotizante, y tiene mucho más de lo que parece

*2025-07-09, version 1.6.2*

Ver algún tutorial en YouTube, es imprescindible para usarla, y es una gran App para pasar un tiempo agradable, generar progresiones de acordes, secuenciar ritmos, introducir variabilidad, y combinarlo con hipnotizantes pulsaciones en tiempo real para añadir movimiento y strums, con varios “ribbons” para combinar sonidos adicionales.

La App lo tiene todo y sonidos de gran calidad, aunque también se pueden enviar datos MIDI a Apps de terceros y exportar las creaciones.

### 2/5 — AUv3 Version Please!

*2025-05-08, version 1.6.2*

I love everything about this softsynth except it’s not compatible with AUv3. Please update this so I can get more use out of it.

### 5/5 — Todo un descubrimiento.

*2025-05-01, version 1.6.2*

Impresionado por la sencillez y a la vez lo completo que es. Para cuando una versión nueva AV3. Enhorabuena y gracias por todos tus programas. Bravo.

### 5/5 — Very good app for ambient sounds!

*2024-08-12, version 1.6.1*

This app has been carefully thought out and allows anyone who can touch a screen make incredible sounds/songs! It is very deep too, if you want to explore the finer details and possibilities, and add the amazing sounds/tracks to other songs if you make music.
I enjoy immensely the expressive, tactile nature of this multi-purpose app, and I believe the low price could fairly be much more.
I feel certain that people with limited mobility or limited understanding of music will also enjoy the joy of expression and sounding great too. I wish I had found this long ago and would urge anyone to get it. Very well done to the Developer, and thank you.

### 5/5 — Amazing Instrument

*2024-06-05, version 1.6.1*

This thing is a true musical instrument and its become my absolute favourite synthesizer instrument on iOS

### 5/5 — Amazing app

*2024-02-01, version 1.6.1*

Truly amazing and so deep, there’s a lot to learn but that makes it all the more rewarding

### 1/5 — Logic for iPad issue

*2024-01-24, version 1.6.1*

The entire reason I purchased this app was to use as an auv3 MIDI instrument in login for iPad. However it doesn’t show up as an available audio unit in the list for both logic or garage band. Would be 5 stars otherwise. However this is very disappointing. If there is a guide on how to get it working with logic that would be great. Otherwise if it can be updated to allow this integration that would be appreciated too.

### 1/5 — I would love to love this.

*2024-01-08, version 1.6.1*

I cannot get any midi connectivity to work. I’ve read the manual and watched a few videos. (One guy kept complaining how he’d never use midi and it’s a hassle but he still got it up and running in no time). I’ve tried old apps and new apps and mpe and Omni and many other options and I never get anything. I’ve enabled link and disabled link. I just don’t know what else to try. I’ve followed videos step by step with the same apps (even the same voices). Maybe my iPad is too new or the app is too old?

## Frequently asked questions about touchscaper

### What is Touchscaper?

Touchscaper is a touch-based musical instrument for iPad that allows users to create music by interacting with the screen. It features a semi-generative engine to assist with note selection and offers extensive control over musical parameters like chords, keys, and scales.

### What are the main features of Touchscaper?

Key features include a multi-touch interface with various surfaces, a semi-generative engine, full control over chords and scales, layered built-in sounds, a chord navigator and looper with Ableton Link support, and a sequencer for automation. It also supports Inter-App Audio and MIDI out.

### How much does Touchscaper cost?

Touchscaper is a paid application. The description does not mention any in-app purchases or subscription models, indicating a one-time purchase price.

### What are the compatibility requirements for Touchscaper?

Touchscaper is designed for iPad. It utilizes deprecated technology like Inter-App Audio (IAA), which may affect compatibility with newer iOS versions or devices. The app is currently in maintenance mode for bug fixes only.

### Who is Touchscaper intended for?

This app is for anyone interested in creating music on an iPad using a touch interface. It is suitable for both beginners who want an intuitive way to make sounds and experienced musicians who can leverage its deep configurability and advanced features.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.2 — 2025-01-30

Updated Support URL

Added note about bug fix / maintenance mode.

### 1.6.1 — 2021-05-27

• Updated Ableton Link SDK

This update should fix sync issues or cases where touchscaper is not being recognised by other Link-enabled apps and vice versa.

PLEASE NOTE: The first time you enable Link, you may see a permissions alert asking for confirmation to allow touchscaper to access your network.  This is solely to support Link and is basically how Link enables apps to communicate.

### 1.6.0 — 2021-05-03

• new "touch" keyboard option for main instruments
• MIDI controller option to toggle between min / max values
• option to randomise MIDI note velocities from main instrument view

Please see the updated user guide for more details.  There are also some new videos on the "Rob Jackson Music Apps" YouTube channel.  Hope you find these new features useful.  -Rob

### 1.5.6 — 2021-02-06

• You can now also change chords via the small buttons in the main floating chord view
• Fixed a sequencer gate length issue where steps would occasionally not sound via MIDI

### 1.5.4 — 2020-07-11

• Fixed issue with default MIDI CCs not being sent when default values were set to max
• Fixed issue with MIDI CC range calculations not covering entire range
• Fixed issue with touch sequencer events not being generated for certain chords :-/

Many thanks to a couple of regular "power users" for spotting these issues and letting me know - much obliged guys!

## Apps similar to touchscaper

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [MidiStep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midistep/id6680182647) | 5.0 (22) | $14.99 | Music |
| [StaffPad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staffpad/id1442074103) | 4.0 (563) | $49.99 | Music |
| [Pure Piano - Grand Piano App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pure-piano-grand-piano-app/id1336486618) | 4.8 (234) | $29.99 | Music |
| [Pure Strings Instrument & AUv3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pure-strings-instrument-and-auv3/id6743003730) | 4.8 (36) | $29.99 | Music |
| [Progressions](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/progressions/id1634378516) | 4.2 (30) | $14.99 | Music |
| [Dorico - Compose Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dorico-compose-music/id1556625090) | 4.6 (2,059) | Free | Music |

## More apps by Rob Jackson

- [moodscaper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moodscaper/id1088768073)
- [pianoscaper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pianoscaper/id1177444402)
- [moodscaper SE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moodscaper-se/id1247452905)
- [guitarscaper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitarscaper/id1316544251)
- [moodscaper LE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moodscaper-le/id1435065372)

All apps by Rob Jackson: https://appshunter.io/developer/1072346998

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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 2026-07-03.*