# X/Y PAL — MIDI X/Y pad controller

> X/Y pad MIDI controller for managing up to 8 parameters per pad. (iPhone/iPad app by DANIEL BRUEGGE.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xy-pal/id1469271950 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [DANIEL BRUEGGE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528292926)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.3 · 7 MB
- Released: 2019-10-06
- Data updated: 2026-08-07
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xy-pal/id1469271950/reviews.md

## What is X/Y PAL?

X/Y PAL is your handsome X/Y pad MIDI controller. Control up to 8 parameters per pad. Each parameter can be configured:

- set MIDI Channel and control change message,
- set the CC value range,
- set a color and a name
- pick the MIDI output device and
- inverse the CC value mapping.

On the iPad up to 4 pads can be visible in landscape mode and up to 2 in portrait mode. On the iPhone there can be 2 pads visible and controlled at once.

Pick CC value mappings from a list of predefined devices to help create your custom pads.

CC value change is visualized using bars on the side of each pad.

** CONFIGURE PARAMETERS **

- configure the X/Y Pads in the settings section
- configure each of the 8 parameters by clicking on the sidebar in the settings section
- pick from a predefined list of devices to easily set the CC value and name or just set some custom name and CC value
- set the color of the parameter by clicking on the color button
- inverse the CC value mapping by selecting the inverse button for the parameter
- select the MIDI output for each parameter
- configure the CC value range for each parameter.

## Key features

- X/Y pad MIDI controller
- Control up to 8 parameters per pad
- Customizable MIDI channel and CC messages
- Configurable CC value range
- Parameter naming and coloring
- MIDI output device selection
- Visualized CC value changes

## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xy-pal/id1469271950/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Not AUv3

*2026-04-23*

Works as advertised and well laid out.

Sadly, AUv3 is missing. I would love to use more than one instance inside AUM.

### 5/5 — Easy and Right

*2024-10-24*

Both XY and CC are the easiest, most direct apps to use for sending internal or external MIDI. XY has so many options you can get yourself in trouble. The chaos you can create with it is amazing, and it is fully capable of taking hardware synths to the reset graveyard. It’s like having six extra hands. Or 14 if you stack 2 and go two handed. Absolutely the best CC controller I’ve found. Everything you want it do, no design work, no fluff. Just MIDI.

### 3/5 — 3 Years Since the Last Update Shows

*2023-08-01*

I hate to by overly criticall of a $2 app. It's still a bargain, looks good etc.

But, the drop down menus are broken on my up to date ipad pro. it's not particularly intuitive to set up (though it is simple once you figure it out).

But it's $2 so whatevs :)

### 5/5 — Life saver!!

*2023-02-24*

Thank you! Just what I needed and when I needed it!!

### 5/5 — Thanks for developing

*2022-02-19*

Just what I need and more. X/Y pad functionality for a device I already own. Looking forward to some modulation and UI magic, but very grateful for what it is.

### 4/5 — Finally

*2021-09-04*

I've been looking for a straightforward x/y MIDI utility for ages and this is nearly perfect. The wealth of preset cc's is awesome as well. The one thing I'd like is if one could define the bounce back value. Using this for VSTs that have x/y pads, the "center" or no-modulation position is often 64 instead of 0. Still fantastic!

### 5/5 — Both CC and XY pal

*2021-04-23*

Both of Daniel’s apps are the bees knees. I witnessed a friend using them with gear last night and instabought when I woke up this morning.

Lol ,you know it’s good when it’s the first thing on a producers mind when he wakes up!

### 5/5 — A lot of fun!

*2020-12-19*

I’ve been using X/Y pal to control plugin synths in Ableton, having 4 X/Y pads is a really fun way of controlling a synth. Works nicely with u-he Hive’s 4 X/Ys. Would be nice to be able to record and loop gestures in app and choose different locations for SnapBack, lots of potential for development. Keep up the good work 😀

### 4/5 — Love it

*2019-12-02*

So glad I found this app! I was able to get things setup and running quickly as opposed to many other apps with create your own X/Y MIDI surface. The ability to layer is awesome and being able to switch on/off just “X” or “Y” makes midi learn a breeze! Finally thank you!! You can save individual hot keys (quick buttons) and full group (pad) presets. Send to different MIDI channels or devices. You can even inverse the values per control. The included blue tooth control works great without noticeable latency.

Some minor issues keeping me from giving it a fifth star.... Settings and adjustments autosave and there’s no undo which is cool on the fly but may cause confusion if something’s changed accidentally.
The lowest CC value range “00” actually jumps to 127. So it's:  127-1<127. Changing it from zero to one sorted it for my needs but was a headache at first.
On the iPhone the lower value rages were hard to move and see the value so even simply changing to “01” was a struggle. Cycling through custom CC is also cumbersome on both iPad and iPhone again on the iPhone it’s hard to control the scroll. I accidentally changed MIDI output “many” times trying to cycle through the Custom presets (and it auto saved before I realized). 
I like being able to change button colors however tapping to change doesn’t work well for me. I would rather see all colors including current selected and maybe add alpha numeric for future releases. I WISH IT HAD a snap function (it does not) with toggle. And lastly, It does work on older devices running ios11 however would be cool if it could run on even older devices. I’d have this app running everywhere &  It would look handsome lol
Nice job
Keep up the great work!!!!
Thanks

**Developer response:** Thanks for this detailed review and for using the X/Y pal. 
I will take care of your wishes.. :)

## Frequently asked questions about X/Y PAL

### What devices does X/Y PAL support?

X/Y PAL is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. The number of visible pads varies by device and orientation, with up to 4 on iPad landscape and 2 on iPhone.

### How many parameters can I control with X/Y PAL?

You can control up to 8 parameters per X/Y pad. Each parameter can be individually configured for MIDI channel, CC message, value range, color, and name.

### Is X/Y PAL free to use?

No, X/Y PAL is a paid application. It is available for a one-time purchase price of $1.99.

### Does X/Y PAL have ads?

No, X/Y PAL does not contain advertisements. As a paid app, it offers an ad-free experience for users.

### How often is X/Y PAL updated?

The app was last updated on April 15, 2024, indicating active development and support. Previous updates have been released to improve functionality and compatibility.

### What is the age rating for X/Y PAL?

X/Y PAL has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in music production.

### Can I customize the MIDI CC value mapping in X/Y PAL?

Yes, you can configure the CC value range for each parameter. Additionally, you can choose to inverse the CC value mapping if needed.

### What do users like about X/Y PAL?

Users appreciate X/Y PAL's functionality and flexibility, as reflected in its high rating of 4.8 stars from 8 ratings. The ability to customize numerous parameters and visualize changes is a key strength.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.2.3 — 2024-04-15

- bug fix

### 1.2.2 — 2020-06-07

Hi MIDI fans. The X/Y PAL has been updated.

Besides couple of improvements and bug fixes we have added a requested feature: “Bounce Back”.

This allows a axis value to bounce back to MIDI CC value 0 when the finger is lifted. The thumb-cursor stay where it was before, but the value jumps back. This allows to bounce back some axis-values, but keep the value for the rest for example. We will add some other bounce back strategies in the future.
New predefined devices

## Couple of devices has been added to the “predefined devices” drop-down.

- Evolver
- JX-3P Kiwitechnics
- JX-3P Organix
- Model:Samples
- Prophet Rev2
- samuelbecker Virus TI
- SH-201
- Subsequent-25
- Waldorf Blofeld
- Waldorf Microwave II
- Behringer Crave

These "device presets" include all the known MIDI CC mappings for these devices.

### 1.1 — 2019-10-07

- minor fixes
- name typo

### 1.0 — 2019-10-06

No release notes.

## Apps similar to X/Y PAL

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shiftbud-generative-midi-auv3/id1616169031) | 4.7 (9) | $5.99 | Music |
| [Crystal Synth XT](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystal-synth-xt/id408288370) | 4.9 (20) | $4.99 | Music |
| [isxynth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isxynth/id6450951503) | 3.7 (3) | $7.99 | Music |
| [WiDI - MIDI Studio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widi-midi-studio/id1420223879) | 4.4 (8) | $1.99 | Music |
| [JAX MIDI Control Pad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jax-midi-control-pad/id6482661296) | 5.0 (2) | $5.99 | Music |
| [Skym](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skym/id1546169685) | 4.3 (18) | $7.99 | Music |

## More apps by DANIEL BRUEGGE

- [CC PAL](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cc-pal/id1468684956)

All apps by DANIEL BRUEGGE: https://appshunter.io/developer/1528292926

---

*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 2026-08-07.*