# VJ-XY — live visual instrument — play video and vfx with midi

> Live MIDI-sequenced visual instrument for creating and performing dynamic visual sets. (iPhone/iPad app by Juan Sampera.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vj-xy-live-visual-instrument/id6768501068 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Juan Sampera](https://appshunter.io/developer/1515874105)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $24.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 41 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-05-28
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vj-xy-live-visual-instrument/id6768501068/reviews.md

## What is VJ?

VJ-XY is a live visual instrument for your midi controller.
prepare. connect. perform.

no footage required to start. build your sets on iPad, iPhone or Mac*. connect your midi controller over bluetooth or USB-C midi. play notes to launch clips and sweep vfx live as your track moves. send clean visuals to an external display while the iPad stays in your hands.

— prepare —
create scenes and order them into a set. import your own videos, photos, and animated gifs. layer stills and gifs into canvas clips, a single 16:9 visual built from arranged, scaled, rotated layers. no footage required to start.
use the built-in matrix clips, or draw and animate your own frame by frame on a 64×36 light grid. share the clips you draw. 

— connect —
pair your midi controller over bluetooth or USB-C midi. set each scene to a midi channel. notes from F3 upward trigger clips. cc1 to cc4 control four vfx slots, live.

— perform —
launch clips by playing notes. trigger canvas layers live. sweep vfx by moving cc. let your controller's patterns and scenes drive clip changes as the song progresses. mix between clips with transitions. blend layers and clips against a chosen background color. VJ-XY is your control surface; the external display is the room.
what's inside

· import videos, photos, and animated gifs
· layered canvas clips
· built-in matrix clips
· draw and animate your own matrix clips
· share matrix clips as files
· vfx with custom presets
· blend modes and background color
· loop modes and transitions
· launch and sequence clips with midi
· bluetooth and USB-C midi
· external display output

VJ-XY produces visuals only. it stays muted, so your audio setup is untouched.
sets are not shared across devices.
one-time price, no subscription. you buy it, you own it. 

made by thx.
support@thinkthx.com

## Key features

- Import custom videos, photos, and GIFs
- Layered canvas clips
- Built-in matrix clips
- Real-time VFX control
- MIDI controller integration (Bluetooth/USB-C)
- External display output
- Scene and set preparation

## Chart rankings

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

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vj-xy-live-visual-instrument/id6768501068/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great visualizer for midi work

*2026-08-02*

Vj-Xy fills a very needed space for an app that can put visuals to your music in a way that allows for creativity and ease of use. I was up and running quickly, able to figure out how to map everything and making cool stuff within 5 minutes. If you are a graphic artist/midi based performer this is a must have! Favorite feature is canvas clips being able to use gifs with transparent backgrounds on top of other scenes similar to animated stickers on ig reels.

### 5/5 — Nice Vjay app!!

*2026-06-15*

Please add support gif files

**Developer response:** v1.1 now supports gifs! And with the canvas clips you can combine multiple gifs and images and trigger them individually.

## Frequently asked questions about VJ

### What is VJ-XY?

VJ-XY is a live visual instrument that allows you to create and perform visual sets using a MIDI controller. You can import your own media or use built-in clips to trigger scenes and apply visual effects in real-time.

### How do I connect my MIDI controller to VJ-XY?

You can connect your MIDI controller to VJ-XY via Bluetooth or USB-C MIDI. Once connected, you can map MIDI notes to trigger clips and CC messages to control visual effects.

### Can I use my own videos and images with VJ-XY?

Yes, VJ-XY supports importing your own videos, photos, and animated GIFs. You can also layer these assets to create custom canvas clips.

### Does VJ-XY have ads?

No, VJ-XY does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application with a one-time purchase price.

### What devices is VJ-XY compatible with?

VJ-XY is available for iPad and iPhone. Sets created on one device are not shared across different devices.

### How much does VJ-XY cost?

VJ-XY is available for a one-time purchase price of $24.99. There are no subscriptions required.

### Can VJ-XY output visuals to an external screen?

Yes, VJ-XY is designed to send clean visuals to an external display, allowing you to perform live without obstructing your device screen.

### How often is VJ-XY updated?

The latest version of VJ-XY is 1.1, which was last updated on June 16, 2026. This indicates recent development activity.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4 — 2026-08-21

new experiments: play in key. tap the notes you know to find a scale, save it to a scene, and play your controller key through VJ-XY, in key, with notes snapping to the scale.

also: new full-screen canvas editor, pick what notes clips get assigned to match your controller's starting note, clip swapping, and a performance timer to help you stay on track.

### 1.3 — 2026-07-30

· draw and animate your own matrix clips, frame by frame, play them as loops and share them with others as .vjxy files.
· eight new built-in matrix clips.
· a rebuilt matrix engine for smoother playback, transitions, and previews.

### 1.2 — 2026-07-08

v1.2 — perform mode gets more in your hands: browse and jump between clips live, lock the controls in place, and control your OP-XY's mixer and fx straight from VJ-XY (new in experiments). plus clone scenes and sets, and a clearer MIDI connections process.

### 1.1 — 2026-06-16

v1.1 a splash of color and movement.
introducing canvas clips: layer stills and animated gifs into a single 16:9 visual. arrange, scale, rotate. trigger each layer live.
matrix clips now take any color you choose for background and dots. pick the color behind your video clips. blend your layers and footage against it.

also new:
· support for animated gifs
· new mirror vfx for a kaleidoscope effect. 
· change photo timing
· blank matrix clip for the quiet moments
· cleaner perform mode.

and performance and bug fixes.

### 1.0 — 2026-05-29

No release notes.

## More apps by Juan Sampera

- [Happy Buckets - Budget planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/happy-buckets-budget-planner/id1515874106)
- [Moods](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moods/id6749946474)

All apps by Juan Sampera: https://appshunter.io/developer/1515874105

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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.*