dLive MixPad vs StaffPad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
dLive MixPad
This tool offers wireless mobile control for a digital mixing system, allowing engineers to adjust sound from anywhere in a venue. It enables simultaneous control of independent functions with multiple devices, ideal for live sound mixing and channel processing.
- Wireless mobile control for dLive systems
- Adjust fader levels, mutes, and pan
- Control Aux/FX sends and routing
- Manage Preamp Gain, Pad, and 48V
- Access channel processing (HPF, EQ, Comp)
- Full signal metering and RTA function
- Customizable channel strips and scene recall
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dLive MixPad is an engineer’s mixing tool providing wireless mobile control for the Allen & Heath dLive digital mixing system. It gives you the freedom to walk the room or stage and control the sound right where it is needed. dLive MixPad and the dLive Surface can work together to provide simultaneous control of independent functions, for example one engineer using the Surface to mix front-of-house sound, and another using the iPad to mix monitors on stage. Several iPads can be connected, each providing independent control. dLive MixPad is intended for working with the live mix and channel processing. Things you can control: - Fader levels, mutes, pan - Aux and FX sends, routing and Pre/Post switching - FX Tap Tempo, Global Tap Tempo - Matrix sends, routing and Pre/Post switching - DCAs and assignments - Preamp Gain, Pad and 48V - Trim and Polarity - HPF, Gate/Ducker/Expander, PEQ, NEQ, Comp/Ducker, Delays - RTA function - Channel names and colour - PAFL select - Full signal metering - 3 Custom strips for personalised channel layout - Library and Scene recall dLive MixPad is not intended for system setup. The following functions are not available at the iPad: - FX parameter control - Input source, insert and output patchbay - Channel ganging - Aux source routing options - Show store and recall - Scene Recall Filters and Safes edit - Talkback - System configuration, options and preferences - User Profile management and permissions Requirements An Allen & Heath dLive mixing system with a suitable wireless router or access point connected to one of its Network ports. This version of MixPad can connect to a dLive mixing system running: - dLive Firmware V2.10 or subsequent V2.1x maintenance releases. - dLive Firmware V2.00 or subsequent V2.0x maintenance releases, when the Firmware compatibility mode setting is enabled. This can be found in the iOS Settings / dLive MixPad. You will need to shut down (force quit) the app and restart it for changes to take effect.
StaffPad
Compose music effortlessly on your iPad with intuitive handwriting input and advanced notation tools. Convert your playing into sheet music, record and edit audio directly on the score, and utilize powerful playback with professional sample libraries. Seamlessly share your work with others using the companion reader app.
- Handwriting music notation with Apple Pencil
- Convert audio recordings to notation
- Record and edit audio on score
- Professional playback with sample libraries
- Seamless sharing via ScoreSync
- Import/export MusicXML and MIDI
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MADE FOR COMPOSERS ------------------------- StaffPad is designed for composers who want to write music effortlessly, using music notation and audio. Write your music using Apple Pencil, and the app will transform your writing into beautifully typeset notation that can be edited, played back, printed and shared. Record or import audio directly onto your score and edit it intuitively with Apple Pencil. Magically convert your real piano playing or existing recordings into notation using advanced on-device machine learning. Add video, smart symbols and use world leading sample libraries and mix your score with a suite of studio effects. From basic idea to a full film score; StaffPad is the easiest, most powerful and most intuitive way to compose music on iPad. WRITE NATURALLY ------------------- Write your score with the fluidity of natural handwriting. Use touch and Apple Pencil to quickly edit your notation. Transpose, repeat and structure your score with intuitive gestures and tools. Customise the tempo with a unique tempo staff (or import a tempo map from a MIDI file), add chords either manually or automatically with the chord staff. You can even copy music written in StaffPad into other apps, simply using the normal copy and paste functions. HEAR YOUR MASTERPIECE ---------------------------- With a groundbreaking playback engine and over 55 included instruments, StaffPad is ready to perform your written piece instantly. Add industry-standard sample libraries, adapted and customised for StaffPad, from some of the world's leading sample developers. This is a leap forward for composers working at the highest levels. SHARE WITH SCORESYNC --------------------------- Once you're ready to perform or record your work, tap the ScoreSync button in StaffPad and your score is instantly shared across a Wi-Fi network to any device running the free StaffPad Reader app (available in the App Store). The Readers present each individual musical part beautifully formatted, update in realtime with any changes you make to your score, handle automatic page turns, and play back in perfect time with a synchronised metronome, for capturing the perfect recording every time. IMPORT AND EXPORT --------------------------- StaffPad imports and exports MusicXML and MIDI files for easily working with other music apps. You can also export your playback as WAV, AAC or MP3. You can import audio files into your score, with support for most major audio formats. WORK WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO -------------------------------- For the first time, you can seamlessly mix audio with your notated score. Record directly onto the score canvas using your device's in-built microphones, or import loops, Tempo map freeform/rubato performances using the tempo staff. Add shine to your production with a suite of studio quality DSP effects, and polish with precise automation. PIANO AND MIDI CAPTURE --------------------------- Record your real piano and convert it into notation. Don't have a real piano? Don't worry - you can connect a USB or Bluetooth MIDI keyboard and record your performance in realtime, converting to notation as you play. PRINT / PDF ------------ As well as digital parts via ScoreSync, StaffPad will automatically format and print parts or export PDFs for you. Customise the paper size, bar number styles, number of bars per line, scaling, margins, multi-bar consolidation and more. StaffPad automatically formats the score for consistent presentation.
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: dLive MixPad at Free against StaffPad's $49.99. dLive MixPad also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). StaffPad's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.4) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). On review sentiment, ads 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
dLive MixPad is free to download; StaffPad costs $49.99 up front. StaffPad sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. dLive MixPad asks for nothing beyond the download.
StaffPad holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StaffPad has 647 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 42% of dLive MixPad's written reviews are positive against 40% of StaffPad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
dLive MixPad ships an update every 5 months, StaffPad fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.
| Parameter | dLive MixPad | StaffPad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $49.99 |
| Rating | 3.4 (11 ratings) | 4.0 (647 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.7% of reviews — better | 39.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 647 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 1.0 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Allen & Heath Limited | StaffPad Ltd. |
Customer experience
dLive MixPad
StaffPad
Bugs and requests
dLive MixPad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
StaffPad
Reported bugs
5 issues- Inability to recognize certain note values
- Eraser function unreliable
- Inconsistent behavior when writing accidentals
- Crashes when attempting to create new scores
- Syncing and file management issues
Requested features
5 requests- Improved handwriting recognition
- More flexible note input options
- Cross-staff notation support
- Customizable UI and layout
- Better collaboration and sharing features
In-app purchases
dLive MixPad
No in-app purchases
StaffPad
- Toy GlockenspielFree
- StaffPad Essential GuitarsFree
- Muse StringsFree
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- Muse ChoirFree
- Muse WoodwindsFree
- Muse PercussionFree
- Muse BrassFree
- Muse HarpFree
- Muse KeysFree
- Muse Guitars Vol. 1Free









