GeoShred Control vs BrightStaves Viewer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GeoShred Control
This app functions as a MIDI/MPE controller for music creation, offering an expressive playing surface and intelligent pitch rounding. It can control other synthesizers and software, with optional upgrades for advanced instrument modeling.
- Expressive playing surface
- Intelligent pitch rounding
- Diatonic keyboard
- MIDI and MPE support
- Arpeggiator
- Support for world scales and temperaments
- Customizable control surface
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GeoShred Control Version 7 GeoShred Control is a standalone MIDI/MPE controller based on GeoShred. Important: GeoShred Control is a MIDI/MPE controller. It does not make sound and does not include a built-in audio engine. It is designed to control external synthesizers, apps, plug-ins, and hardware instruments. It can also be upgraded*** to the functionality of GeoShred Pro. If you already own GeoShred Pro (green icon), you do not need GeoShred Control, because GeoShred Pro already includes MIDI. GeoShred Control can also be used to control GeoShred Studio for macOS. Perform external MIDI and MPE instruments with GeoShred’s expressive playing surface. Move seamlessly between fretless and diatonic playing using GeoShred’s isomorphic keyboard and groundbreaking intelligent pitch rounding. GeoShred Control is especially expressive with instruments that support MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression). It is a powerful iPad and iPhone performance controller, and it can also operate as an AUv3 plug-in that sends MIDI. GeoShred Control includes an arpeggiator, backing tracks, alternative tunings, world scales and temperaments, and 3D Touch on supported devices. It can be upgraded*** to the functionality of GeoShred Pro, including GeoShred’s powerful physically modeled string instruments. Awards include: • 2nd Place Winner, 2022/2025 MIDI Innovation Award for Software • Gold Medal Winner, 2019 Denny Award • Winner, 2019 Guthman New Musical Instrument Award • Winner, 2017 Electronic Musician Editor’s Choice Award GeoShred Control Features • Send/Connect so GeoShred for iOS/iPadOS can control GeoShred Studio for macOS • Fluidly expressive playing surface • Intelligent pitch rounding • Diatonic keyboard mode where every key is in the scale • MIDI and MPE support • MIDI over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Virtual MIDI, and digital interfaces • MIDI configuration presets • iCloud preset synchronization • 3D Touch on supported iPhones • Customizable control surface mapped to MIDI controls • Backing tracks from the Music library • Built-in arpeggiator • Alternative tunings • Support for world scales and temperaments, including Indian ragas, Arabic scales, and Balinese scales • Easy preset sharing • Upgrade path to the functionality of GeoShred Pro If upgraded*, GeoSWAM and Naada instruments may be purchased and performed from the GeoShred keyboard, MPE controllers, conventional MIDI controllers, and wind controllers. We are dedicated to delivering the highest level of musical instrument experience for our customers worldwide. If you enjoy GeoShred Control, please leave a review on the App Store. Questions? Contact us at support@moforte.com Minimum Requirements iOS 13 or later is required for AUv3 support and GeoSWAM and Naada instruments. * GeoShred Control must be upgraded to the functionality of GeoShred Pro in order to purchase GeoSWAM and Naada instruments. ** Due to App Store limitations, previously purchased individual instrument IAPs cannot be applied to the purchase of a collection IAP. *** The Pro upgrade is to the functionality of GeoShred Pro. The app remains GeoShred Control, but gains all Pro features and becomes functionally identical to GeoShred Pro.
BrightStaves Viewer
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BrightStaves Viewer is a focused PDF sheet music reader for iPad, built for rehearsals, church services, concerts, and serious practice. It gives musicians more than a standard PDF viewer: clear score display, fast page navigation, rehearsal marks, repeats, annotations, set lists, pitch reference, metronome, timer, and AirTurn pedal support. PREPARE YOUR SCORE Crop margins, enlarge the music, choose half-page, full-page, or two-page view, and save display settings for each piece. MARK YOUR MUSIC Add expression marks, dynamics, tempo indications, articulation, highlights, drawings, rehearsal marks, sections, title, composer, copyright notes, and other custom information. NAVIGATE LIKE A MUSICIAN Jump quickly by pages, thumbnails, sections, rehearsal marks, and custom transitions. Set up Repeats, Segno, Da Capo, and other jumps directly inside the PDF score. BUILD REHEARSAL AND CONCERT LISTS Arrange pieces in the exact order you need. Use full PDF files or selected page ranges from larger collections. Each piece keeps its own markings and PitchAid settings. SHARE THE INTERPRETATION Send lists and markings to other musicians so everyone works from the same rehearsal plan. Only markup is transferred — PDF files are not copied. USE PRACTICAL REHEARSAL TOOLS PitchAid works as a digital pitch pipe. The built-in metronome, stopwatch, and timer help you keep tempo, check duration, and manage rehearsal time. BrightStaves Viewer is designed for choir conductors, singers, instrumentalists, church musicians, ensembles, teachers, and music publishers who work seriously with PDF sheet music.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: GeoShred Control at Free against BrightStaves Viewer's $14.99. GeoShred Control also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 38 months) and device support (3 vs 1). BrightStaves Viewer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On ads 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
GeoShred Control is free to download; BrightStaves Viewer costs $14.99 up front. GeoShred Control sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. BrightStaves Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.
GeoShred Control ships an update every 2 weeks, BrightStaves Viewer every 38 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GeoShred Control | BrightStaves Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (123 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 123 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 38 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 863 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Wizdom Music LLC | Vladimir Shelkov |
Bugs and requests
GeoShred Control
Reported bugs
10 issues- No sound in free version
- App crashes DAW
- MIDI port selector not working
- CC1 sends CC4 instead
- UI animation framerates are low
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- Bluetooth MIDI not sending to Mac
- Latest update removed sound libraries
- Purchase pending issues
- No controller in installed app
- Cannot restore purchased sound libraries
Requested features
5 requests- Chords with Harmonica
- More freedom in the free version
- More detailed instructions for Control
- More presets for other synths
- Discount offers for add-on instruments
BrightStaves Viewer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
GeoShred Control
- GeoCello$14.99
- GeoFlute$14.99
- GeoTenorSax$14.99
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- GeoViolin$14.99
- GeoPizzBass$14.99
- Naada Carnatic Violin$14.99
- GeoShred Control Upgrade$24.99
- Artiphon promotion$31.99
- GeoSWAM Collection I$74.99
- GeoSWAM Collection I & II$119.99
BrightStaves Viewer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is GeoShred Control free?
Is BrightStaves Viewer free?
Do GeoShred Control or BrightStaves Viewer have ads?
Which is updated more often, GeoShred Control or BrightStaves Viewer?
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