moodscaper SE vs MidiStep
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
moodscaper SE
Create atmospheric soundscapes with a unique generative instrument. Explore ambient electric guitar, modular synth, and orchestral sounds. Features include a sleep timer, variable dynamics, and real-time auto-accompaniment.
- Generative atmospheric sample-based instrument
- Simple user interface
- Sleep timer
- Scale-based moods
- Variable dynamics
- Three loopers with sync
- Auto-accompaniment
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Moodscaper SE is a "Special Edition" of the moodscaper app that comes loaded with three alternative mood sample sets comprising ambient electric guitar, massive mellow modular sounds and an extraordinary orchestra! Moodscaper SE is also an easy to use instrument for creating epic-sounding pads and effects as part of a larger iPad-based music-making setup. Main features: · Unique generative atmospheric sample-based instrument · Simple user interface · Sleep timer · Three scale-based moods - light, sad and dark · Variable dynamics - from mellow and sparse to full-on drama! · Three loopers with optional sync · Provides tasteful auto-accompaniment to your playing in realtime or in loops · Hints displayed on keys that should sound good with root notes or chords · Samples are randomly stacked for a bigger sound with more variation · Effects section with filter, dual-delay and reverb · Effects tweaks can be recorded in loopers · Additional 20 key instrument for each mood · IAA support (as a generator) with no special setup required For more information, a downloadable manual, demos and support, please visit website via the support URL. Thanks and happy moodscaping! *** Please note that this app is now in maintenance / bug fixes only mode as it relies on "deprecated" (by Apple) technology such as IAA. ***
MidiStep
Create complex rhythms and generative music with a powerful step sequencer. Control randomization for notes, chords, velocity, and more to generate unique, ever-changing musical patterns. Automate synth parameters with independent modulation lanes.
- User-controlled randomization for musical parameters
- Polyphonic chord playback per step
- Variable step sequence lengths
- Multiple linked patterns
- 8 independent modulation lanes
- Real-time modification of randomization
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MidiStep is a powerful and inspirational polyphonic step sequencer, and a dream for lovers of complex rhythms and generative music creation tools. The program uses sophisticated, user-controlled randomization to generate notes with a variety of parameters, including note values, note length, chords, patterns, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, and many more. You have complete control over what, when, and how much is randomized on a step-by-step basis. You can easily create patterns that have little to no variation, patterns that maintain a recognizable pattern but have some degree of variations to the notes, velocity, etc., all the way to patterns with extreme randomness with every pass – the degree of randomization is completely under your control for every parameter and for every step of a pattern. Features include per-step polyphonic chord playback, variable step sequence lengths for all parameters such as pitch, octave, velocity, note duration, beat divisions etc, and the capability to create multiple patterns which can be linked together in various ways. MidiStep also features 8 additional modulation lanes with independent play speeds. These can be used to automate parameters within your favourite synths. MidiStep uses sophisticated randomization settings for note values, note lengths, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, pitch bend and modulation. In addition, by setting different cycle lengths, step skips, step repeats, jumps, rewinds, cursor positions, pattern jumps, octave shifts, and many other parameters, you can create an infinite number of non-repeating sequences. The degree and types of randomizations for each of these parameters is up to you! Aleatoric music, also known as chance music, allows you to create patterns and entire compositions with user-controlled randomisation. The word 'aleatory' is derived from the Latin word 'alea' meaning dice. MidiStep allows you to turn on/off randomisation on a stepwise basis for almost all parameters, set the percent probability that the randomisation will occur, set min/max values, set exactly which parameters will be randomized, etc. The exact realization of the music will vary with each pass of the sequence, resulting in unique and captivating aleatoric renditions. All randomization controls can be modified in real-time. Features include: •Each of the 16 sequences can have unlimited types and degrees of randomness that you control. •8 independent sequencer lanes: Notes, Chords, Octaves, Velocity, Gate, Divider, Repeat, Delay. •8 independent Modulation sequencer lanes. •16 Patterns and 4 types of pattern switching, independent for each pattern. •Up to 16 steps per pattern, 16 patterns, and 16 cycles per pattern for a maximum sequence length of 4096 notes. •Independent sequencer length (1–16 steps) for each of the 16 lanes. •A Master step cursor independent of all other lanes. •Independent randomization parameters for each of the 16 lanes, with probability, min/max values, default values, skips, repeats, etc. •Unlimited variety of sequences, from slight variation to wildly different sequences on every pass. •126 scales and 126 chords – in every key, along with a scale and chord editor for you to create your own. •Chord complexity for 2–8 note chords, with notes specified or randomly generated. •Chord Articulation options – Block chords, Strum up/down, Arp up/down – with accent, length, speed, and random note order parameters. •Master lane and Chord lane previews. •Pattern Creator - automatic melody, chord, bass and drum backing. •Auto-scroll chord lane. •7-octave range for notes and chords (from C1–C8), with static and random octave offsets. •11 note lengths – from 1/32 note to 4 full measures, plus ties across notes, rests, repeated notes, and delays. •Two types of Swing with adjustable offset. •Humanize settings for note velocity and note timing. •Transposition of sequences using a keyboard – mono for single notes, and poly for chords.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: moodscaper SE at $1.99 against MidiStep's $14.99. moodscaper SE also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). MidiStep's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 12 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On review sentiment, 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
moodscaper SE costs $1.99 and MidiStep $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
moodscaper SE holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of moodscaper SE's written reviews are positive against 81% of MidiStep's.
moodscaper SE ships an update every 12 months, MidiStep every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | moodscaper SE | MidiStep |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (16 ratings) — better | 4.8 (25 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews — better | 81.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 25 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 764 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Rob Jackson | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
moodscaper SE
MidiStep
In-app purchases
moodscaper SE
No in-app purchases
MidiStep
No in-app purchases









