MSC Show Control vs Stage Director
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MSC Show Control
This utility app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a remote control for show control software and lighting consoles that support MIDI Show Control. It allows for easy cue triggering and management with large, accessible buttons, ideal for live show environments.
- Remote control for lighting consoles
- Supports MIDI Show Control (MSC)
- Large buttons for live use
- Network MIDI (RTP-MIDI) connectivity
- Configurable MSC device ID
- Live message readout
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MSC Show Control turns your iPhone or iPad into a remote for any lighting console or show software that accepts MIDI Show Control (MSC) — Vista, QLab, MagicQ, grandMA2, Onyx, and more. Free to use. If it earns its place in your show kit, there's an optional tip jar — it unlocks nothing, it just keeps the app maintained. Set up your cuelists and cue shortcuts once, connect to the machine running your show, and fire cues from big, glove-friendly buttons built for live use. FEATURES • GO, STOP, RESUME and RELEASE per cuelist, plus a grid of one-tap cue shortcuts • Works over Apple network MIDI (RTP-MIDI): automatic discovery of hosts on your network, or connect manually by IP • grandMA2 “MSC over Ethernet” (UDP) transport • Per-server MSC device ID, configurable command format • Live hex readout of every message sent — see exactly what went on the wire • Cue numbers are sent exactly as you type them, decimals included • Screen stays awake during your show; no accounts, no ads, no analytics, no paywall WORKS WITH Any MSC-capable receiver. macOS hosts work out of the box via Audio MIDI Setup’s Network session. Windows hosts work with the free rtpMIDI driver. Built by a church tech, for everyone who runs cues from the booth.
Stage Director
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Stage Director is a previsualization app that lets you complete the staging of plays, operas, musicals and dance shows before rehearsal begins. ■ Stage & Mise-en-scene · 60+ 3D props: structures, furniture, instruments, sound gear, backdrops, effects and decor · Opera staples (throne, banquet table, fireplace, grandfather clock) plus walls and columns in European or modern styles, with window options · Rotate and resize props, and stack them with layers (a chair on a platform) · Upload a photo to use as the stage backdrop ■ Actor Blocking · Move an actor and start / arrival markers appear automatically on the timeline · Drag the markers to fine-tune the real performance timing · Each actor has an independent track, so edits never interfere · Organize cast members with seven rainbow-colored groups ■ Lighting Design · Place spot, moving, wash and back lights · Store brightness, color, pan and position per point so lights change and travel over time · Reflected live in both the 2D and 3D stage ■ Timeline Editing · Video-editor style layer timeline · Trim entrance and exit ranges, record movement keyframes · Upload background music and the total duration is set to the track length · Preview built-in sound effects (thunder, waves, birds, bells and more) and place them at any moment ■ Script & Scene Management · Save and switch between scenes by act/scene or page · Import a script and it splits into blocks by blank lines with estimated timings · Lines appear beside the 2D editor and below the 3D preview ■ Sharing & Collaboration · Export as PNG images or 2D and 3D videos · Co-edit in real time over the same Wi-Fi using an invite code · 20 levels of undo
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stage Director at none against MSC Show Control's 3. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. MSC Show Control sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Stage Director asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | MSC Show Control | Stage Director |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brink Inspired Media | Jiman Park |
In-app purchases
MSC Show Control
- Espresso$1.99
- Latte$4.99
- Coffee for a week$9.99
Stage Director
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MSC Show Control free?
Is Stage Director free?
Do MSC Show Control or Stage Director have ads?
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