Comparison

Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) vs Harmonic Explorer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Midiflow Motion (Audiobus)

Control effect parameters in other music apps by moving your device. Fine-tune MIDI commands like volume or modulation to your desired motion range for expressive control. Supports multiple parameters and apps simultaneously through Audiobus 3.

Highlights
  • Control effect parameters with device motion
  • Use device rotation (X/Y axis)
  • Adjust motion and output value ranges
  • Send any MIDI command (pitch-bend, CC, custom)
  • Control multiple parameters/apps simultaneously
  • Integrates with Audiobus 3
Features
Read full description

This MIDI sender app for Audiobus 3 lets you control effect parameters of other apps – in a way that no touch screen can replace – by moving the device. Set any kind of MIDI command like volume or modulation as output and fine-tune it to the exact motion range you want to perform with. You can even control multiple effects simultaneously. + Use device rotation around the X or Y axis + Adjust the range of motion for controlling a parameter + Adjust the range of output values + Send virtually any MIDI command (e.g. pitch-bend, any Control Change like modulation or expression, and even custom MIDI messages) + Control multiple parameters and/or multiple apps at the same time by inserting this app multiple times in Audiobus NOTE: This app requires Audiobus 3. Insert it into one or more MIDI sender ports to control the synth apps in the MIDI output ports of the respective pipelines. THE IPAD IS YOUR CONTROLLER Without a doubt, the iPad's touch screen is a revolutionary tool for musicians. However, it also comes with sensors that can track how you move your device around two axes. Using those sensors to control effect parameters allows you to perform with a huge amount of expression. CONTROL ALL KINDS OF PARAMETERS Many synth apps allow you to "remotely" control their parameters via MIDI messages. For that purpose, Midiflow Motion can send virtually any MIDI command to those apps, through Audiobus. Just select from the list of available parameters and the app starts sending messages when you move the device. Not only can you use basic Control Changes for "volume" or "modulation", you can also use double-precision commands (LSB + MSB), RPN/NRPN commands or custom MIDI messages. If you want to play notes, you might want to add Midiflow Scales behind this app in the Audiobus MIDI routing in order to map the notes to a scale. ADJUST MOTION RANGE The range selector at the bottom allows you to narrow down the motion range in which you want to control the parameter. The maximum range goes from -90 to +90 degrees. Use either the slider or the learn buttons to adjust the range according to your needs. CONTROL MULTIPLE PARAMETERS You can insert Midiflow Motion in Audiobus multiple times. That way, you can send multiple MIDI commands simultaneously. Each of them can be configured independently. For example, you can control the cutoff of a synth by rotation around the x-axis, and use the y-axis for the resonance parameter. It is like an x/y-pad, but with the whole iPad as the controller. You can also control parameters of different synths at the same time.

About

Harmonic Explorer

Features
Read full description

Harmonic Explorer is a unique musical instrument built for sonic discovery. Tap into a grid of harmonic tones, pan across four octaves, and sculpt sound with layered controls that invite both casual play and deep experimentation. From soft, violin-like purity to rich metallic textures and spatial choruses, Harmonic Explorer offers a wide expressive range. Adjust harmonic gains, spread tones into lush chords, or reduce everything down to a single precise frequency. Key Features: - Intuitive multi-touch interface with four full octaves - Portrait and Landscape mode fully supported - Harmonic tone generation with per-voice amplitude control - Dynamic chord spread control — from single tones to shimmering triads - Built-in reverb with selectable acoustic spaces (from Room to Cathedral) - Randomize and Reset for playful experimentation or clean slates - Route Picker to send audio directly to Bluetooth or external devices - Designed for real-time performance and sound exploration - Fully offline — no ads, no tracking, no accounts, no interruptions Whether you're a composer looking for new inspiration, a student learning sound design, or just curious about the nature of harmonic structure, Harmonic Explorer offers a fresh way to hear and shape music. Sculpt tones. Discover timbres. Explore harmonics.

Screenshots

Midiflow Motion (Audiobus)4 screens
Harmonic Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Harmonic Explorer at $0.99 against Midiflow Motion (Audiobus)'s $1.99. Midiflow Motion (Audiobus)'s advantage is iOS requirement (10.2 vs 15.6). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) costs $1.99 and Harmonic Explorer $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) ships an update every 11 months, Harmonic Explorer every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) versus Harmonic Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMidiflow Motion (Audiobus)Harmonic Explorer
Price$1.99$0.99 — better
Rating2.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 7 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.2 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohannes DoerrPhilippe Zay

In-app purchases

None

Midiflow Motion (Audiobus)

No in-app purchases

None

Harmonic Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) free?
Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Harmonic Explorer free?
Harmonic Explorer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) or Harmonic Explorer have ads?
Neither Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) nor Harmonic Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) or Harmonic Explorer?
Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) ships an update every 11 months, and Harmonic Explorer every 7 months. Most recently, Midiflow Motion (Audiobus) was updated on September 30, 2026 and Harmonic Explorer on September 21, 2026.

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