Senode vs PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Senode
This app offers a unique approach to music creation using a generative node-based sequencer. It allows for complex, probabilistic sequencing and real-time performance control. Integrate with other music apps or control external hardware for a versatile creative experience.
- Generative node-based sequencing
- Probabilistic steps
- MIDI control and binding
- AUv3 plugin integration
- Ableton Link sync
- Integrated subtractive synthesizer
- Real-time performance control
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SENODE is an innovative music app based on the idea of finite state machines. It works like a polyphonic modular step sequencer with probabilistic steps. This app is perfect for generative music and complex sequencing setups. Senode syncronizes its clock to Ableton Link or integrates as AUv3 plugin. All actions are MIDI bindable, so the steps can be triggered in real time from drum pads, sensors or other apps – a real live-performance instrument! "Senode is something quite different when it comes to sequencing" - Create Digital Music "I highly recommend Senode to everyone who is interested in generative music. It's such a fun app to work with!" - haQ attaQ "A Killer App!" - A4iRebirth CREATE COMPLEX SEQUENCES WITH RANDOMIZATION The core of Senode is a graph of nodes connected by edges. You decide if Senode acts like a simple vending machine or a complex pinball game. Each node triggers a sound when activated, while edges determine the direction of travel. Instruments are controlled by emitters which send their tokens onto the graph and generate MIDI signals. That means, you can compose a generative music piece for a whole orchestra using the graph notation and a couple of emitters! It gets more interesting if you add random directions or emit multiple tokens at different time positions. GRAPHICAL MULTI-TOUCH INTERFACE Compose and perform your music live using the intuitive multi-touch interface. Create, drag and connect nodes with multiple fingers. The on-screen keyboard helps you to visualize and edit notes easily. INTEGRATED SYNTHESIZER The standalone app contains a simple but powerful subtractive synthesizer with main OSC (sine, saw, square, noise), sub OSC (sine), 1-pole lowpass filter, stereo reverb and ADSR envelope. Try the demo patches to get inspired! MIDI CONTROL AND STEP RECORDING Use the step record function to create new nodes on the fly, from single notes or using the chord detection. Use a drum kit, wearable sensors or any other MIDI device to control the steps of Senode. Enjoy the unique experience of being your own clock! CONTROL MUSIC APPS AND EXTERNAL DEVICES Senode is the perfect sequencer for all MIDI-capable apps. Play in sync with other apps using Ableton Link. Integrate with your favourite DAW using the AUv3 plugin (in-app purchase required). If you connect a MIDI interface, you can even control your hardware synths with the app. REALTIME CONTROL Senode is made for live music performance. There are no default "beats" or "bars" and all actions are performed in real time. Tokens can be quantized to a clock (16th resolution) and support catch-up, which means you can hit all functions like a drummer "on the spot" and stay in sync, even if you're too early or a little late. By the way, the really cool stuff will happen if you break free from 4/4 bar schemes, start your sequences on off-beat timings or create crazy polyrhythmic cycles... KEY FEATURES - innovative non-linear graphical sequencer with draggable multi-touch interface - standalone app and AUv3 MIDI plugin (in-app purchase required) for iPad and iPhone - unlimited notes or chords per step with velocity, legato or fixed-length notes - unlimited number of steps and directions: cycles, randomized, round-robin, one-shot - multi-timbral patches with polyphonic emitters - live arpeggiator mode with hold and monophonic option - integrated polysynth with sine, square, saw and noise OSC, ADSR, filter, reverb - real-time sequencer control with clock sync and catch-up quantization - scene handling for creating song arrangements - MIDI device input and output - velocity-sensitive binding support for all sequencer operations like step, emit, tick, trigger or clear - tempo and start/stop synchronization using Ableton Link - step recording with chord detection - copy and paste functionality - transpose and clock divide functions - comes with tutorial and example patches that you can instantly play See senode.org for more details.
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer
Create complex musical sequences with multiple polyrhythmic tracks. Control note, velocity, gate, and MIDI CC parameters with independent step lengths and rates. Route MIDI output to your favorite synths and AUv3 hosts.
- Multitrack polyrhythmic MIDI sequencing
- Note and MIDI CC tracks
- Configurable step lengths per mode
- Independent track rates
- Assignable MIDI channels
- Ramp value for CC smoothing
- AUv3 plugin support
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PolyBud is a multitrack polyrhythmic AUv3 MIDI sequencer. You can add multiple note or MIDI CC tracks to the each pattern. The note tracks has the note, velocity, gate, ratchet, probability and randomisation modes. You can set different step lengths to the each mode which would introduce polyrhythmic variations immediately. Another great feature is the each track can run in a different rate which is great for creating unique polyrhythmic sequences. Also, you can assign different MIDI channels to the each track so that you can control multiple synths within a single PolyBud pattern. The MIDI CC tracks is great for modulating the synth parameters. You can introduce polyrhythmic modulations by setting the different step lengths and different rates to your MIDI CC tracks. Also, you can set a ramp value for smoothing up the CC value changes per step. If you set the ramp value to 0% then you can have the classic sample and hold modulation. PolyBud is a MIDI app and it don't produce any sound of its own. You need to route PolyBud's MIDI out to your audio apps in order to run PolyBud. For the AUv3 plugin, you need an AUv3 host app such as AUM, Cubase, NanoStudio, ZenBeats, BeatMaker, apeMatrix etc.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer at none against Senode's 3. PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 68%) and price ($5.99 vs $12.99). Senode's advantage is ratings volume (35 vs 9) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On 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
Senode costs $12.99 and PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer $5.99 up front. Senode sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer asks for nothing beyond the download.
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Senode's written reviews are positive against 100% of PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer's.
Senode ships an update every 5 months, PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Senode | PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $5.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (35 ratings) | 4.9 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 67.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 35 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sebastian Arnold | Cem Olcay |
Customer experience
Senode
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer
In-app purchases
Senode
- AUv3 pluginFree
- Small Tip$1.99
- Generous Tip$4.99
PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Senode free?
Is PolyBud Polyrhythmic Sequencer free?
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