midiGATEs vs ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
midiGATEs
This app introduces randomness to MIDI note streams, selectively muting notes to create sparser, more dynamic musical patterns. It offers multiple modes for controlling muting probability based on note, scale, or sequence position.
- Random MIDI note muting
- Four distinct muting modes
- Gate On/Off Repeats for dynamic control
- Note-specific muting percentages
- Sequencer-based muting patterns
- CoreMIDI and AUv3 support
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midiGATEs midi probability is an Audio Unit v3 MIDI Effect and CoreMIDI capable app. midiGATEs listens to MIDI input and based on random chance mutes some of the incoming notes to make a busy, repetitive stream of notes a little more interesting and sparser. It has four modes: Gate Mode - One set percentage to be muted for all notes. Also includes Gate On Repeats (when a note passes through unmuted, also pass through X more notes after) and Gate Off Repeats (when a note does not pass through the gate, also mute the next X notes) to make things a little more interesting. Note Mode - Each note in the scale (C, C#, D etc) has its own percentage chance to mute incoming notes. Sequencer Mode - Every eight notes has a different percentage chance to be muted. Can also change the sequence length to be less than eight. Thru Mode - Nothing is muted, normally not used but there if you need it. If midiGATEs is inserted as an AUv3 MIDI effect in a supported host such as Audiobus or AUM it should setup and work automatically. If you wish to use it without an Audio Unit host you can toggle the CoreMIDI input and output and use it that way.
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
This app generates random MIDI sequences using a shift register chip, inspired by a popular eurorack module. It offers extensive control over scales, octaves, velocity, and MIDI CC modulation, allowing for complex and evolving musical patterns.
- Random looping generative MIDI sequencing
- 16-bit shift register logic
- Adjustable chaos for sequence variation
- Over 110 scales plus custom scales
- MIDI CC generation and modulation
- Unlimited pattern pages
- Manual trigger function
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ShiftBud is a random looping generative MIDI sequencer based on the eurorack module Turing Machine by Tom Whitwell. It works based on the 16-bit shift register chips where it shifts its value on each sequencer step. However, you can lock the sequence in a desired length if you fully rotate the chaos knob to the left or right. If you introduce low amount of chaos, then the sequence "flips" occasionally and generate beautiful sequences. You can also produce random values if set higher amount of chaos. The MIDI note generation can be in more than 110 scales plus your custom ScaleBud 2 scales. You can set the octave range, velocity or velocity randomness as well. You can set the higher and lower bounds on MIDI Control Change generation as well as the CC number you want to control. It's very useful on modulating synth parameters and you can even modulate the ShiftBud's AU parameters as well. You can also set a ramping value for a smoother change. With the 0% ramping, you can use it like a "sample and hold" module. With the manual trigger function, you can use another sequencer or keyboard to trigger ShiftBud's next note. You can create unlimited pattern pages on the lower left corner of the app and you can select the pattern with MIDI CC messages as well. Please note that ShiftBud is a MIDI app. The standalone version has an optional internal synth where you can enable or disable on the settings menu. The AUv3 plugin requires an audio app for output. For the AUv3 functionality, it needs to be hosted within an app such as AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, Logic Pro, Nanostudio, Drambo, or apeMatrix.
Screenshots
Verdict
midiGATEs and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of midiGATEs's written reviews are positive against 67% of ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3's. midiGATEs also leads on price ($3.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (11.4 vs 13.0). ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
midiGATEs costs $3.99 and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for midiGATEs against 4.7 for ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 9 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of midiGATEs's written reviews are positive against 67% of ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3's.
midiGATEs ships an update every 3 months, ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | midiGATEs | ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (13 ratings) — better | 4.7 (9 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.4 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Arthur Kerns | Cem Olcay |
Customer experience
midiGATEs
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
In-app purchases
midiGATEs
No in-app purchases
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is midiGATEs free?
Is ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 free?
Which has better reviews, midiGATEs or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
Do midiGATEs or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, midiGATEs or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
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