Comparison

StepPolyArp vs CC PAL

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

StepPolyArp

This app functions as a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and sequencer. It can generate melodic patterns from input or operate as a standalone sequencer. Save and sync unlimited presets with iCloud, featuring extensive customization for patterns and step controllers.

Highlights
  • Standalone app and AUv3 MIDI effect plugin
  • Arpeggiator and step sequencer modes
  • Programmable step matrix with transposition lines
  • Polyrhythmic step controllers
  • Internal sound bank
  • Ableton Link and MIDI sync support
  • Unlimited preset saving with iCloud sync
Features
Read full description

"StepPolyArp" is a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and step sequencer. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in. The application and the plug-in can operate as a step arpeggiator, automatically generating melodic patterns from played notes or chords, or as a step sequencer that does not require MIDI input to play. Unlimited presets can be saved locally and synchronized with iCloud. Each preset contains 16 patterns, 5 customizable polyrhythmic step controllers, and a 32-step event matrix with 11 polyphonic and polyrhythmic lines driving the arpeggiator engine. The application supports full internal and external MIDI connections for input and output, Ableton Link synchronization, and MIDI clock synchronization. An internal sound bank is included. The AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in supports multiple instances. A compatible host is required to run the plug-in. The host must support the Audio Unit v3 (AUv3) MIDI effect format. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on iOS: Logic Pro, Cubasis, Beatmaker, AUM, Audiobus, NanoStudio, Auria Pro, apeMatrix. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on macOS: Logic Pro 10.7 or later. Features: • Standalone application and AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in • Arpeggiator and step sequencer mode • 1 to 32-step programmable matrix • 11 configurable transposition lines • Polyrhythmic lines and clock dividers per line • Mute by line • Gate, velocity, probability, random pitch, random gate, and random velocity per event • 16 patterns by preset • Automatic pattern chaining • 8-octave resizable keyboard • Multitasking support • Stop "Audio Background" automatically after inactivity (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, or never) • Sample-accurate timing • Internal sound bank • Tap tempo • Receiving MIDI from external MIDI sources • Receiving external MIDI sync (MIDI clock) • Ableton Link support • Internal routing of inputs, outputs, and MIDI sync • Send MIDI to a virtual port usable as MIDI input by other "Core MIDI" compatible apps • Default velocity, modulation, pan, volume, aftertouch, and pitch bend step controllers • Customizable MIDI setup for step controllers • Arpeggiator and sequencer can conform to the selected scale • Predefined scales and possibility to create custom scales • 6 arpeggiator modes • 1 random mode • 1 chord mode • Randomization panel for generating random patterns with a large number of parameters to control the result • Preset manager with support for in-app purchase packs • "Program Change" support • Preset sharing via "AirDrop", "Mail", "Messages", and other supported services • Native iCloud support • "iCloud Drive" support in the "Files" app on iOS and "Finder" on macOS • Full support of "Windowed Apps" mode on iPad • Undo/Redo • Lockable keyboard (latch mode) Supported MIDI connections: • Virtual "Core MIDI" connections between applications • Any compatible MIDI interface • MIDI over Wi-Fi • MIDI over Bluetooth • Ableton Link (sync and transport)

About

CC PAL

This app allows users to create and control up to 16 customizable MIDI CC sliders. Record and loop slider movements or manually adjust CC values. It's designed to send MIDI messages to external hardware or software synthesizers.

Highlights
  • Create up to 16 customizable CC sliders
  • Record and loop slider movements
  • Customize MIDI channel, CC number, color, and name per slider
  • Store configurations/presets
  • Visualize recorded movements with a chart
  • Connect via Bluetooth MIDI
Features
Read full description

CC PAL is a MIDI CC controller which allows you to create up to 16 CC sliders. You can record movements for each slider and replay this in a loop. You can also just change the CC value by moving the slider. Each slider can be customized with a MIDI channel, CC number, color and name. You can create unlimited numbers of configurations. CC PAL comes with a couple of predefined configurations for some hardware devices like the KORG Volca FM, KORG Volca Beats, KORG minilogue XD, DSI Prophet Rev2. >> FEATURES - Create up to 16 customizable CC sliders - Store your sliders in configurations/presets/programs -- you name it - Set the MIDI channel and the CC number per slider - A little chart shows your recorded movements so you can easily see what kinds of movements are stored in a slider >> WHAT YOU CAN DO AND WHAT YOU CANNOT - You can send CC messages in a smart way to MIDI devices - For example you can control the resonance of a KORG Volca device with a unique recorded movement - You can control a MIDI-able iOS app like a software synthesizer - You cannot generate sound directly from this app. It just generates MIDI messages - Connect via Bluetooth MIDI to your DAW (e.g. Ableton) and map the sliders to specific parameters in devices

Screenshots

StepPolyArp3 screens
CC PAL3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CC PAL at $1.99 against StepPolyArp's $19.99. CC PAL also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). StepPolyArp's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 21 months) and ratings volume (48 vs 11). On rating, review sentiment, ads and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

StepPolyArp costs $19.99 and CC PAL $1.99 up front. StepPolyArp sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. CC PAL asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for StepPolyArp against 4.9 for CC PAL. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 11 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of StepPolyArp's written reviews are positive against 86% of CC PAL's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StepPolyArp ships an update every 2 months, CC PAL every 21 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
StepPolyArp versus CC PAL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStepPolyArpCC PAL
Price$19.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.8 (48 ratings)4.9 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.0% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings48 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 21 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLaurent ColsonDANIEL BRUEGGE

Customer experience

StepPolyArp

All ratings48 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive87.0%
Neutral6.5%
Negative6.5%

CC PAL

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

StepPolyArp

One-time2
  • Dance Horizons$4.99
  • Analog Sequence$4.99
None

CC PAL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StepPolyArp free?
StepPolyArp costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is CC PAL free?
CC PAL costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, StepPolyArp or CC PAL?
CC PAL is rated higher. StepPolyArp averages 4.8 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while CC PAL averages 4.9 from 11 ratings.
Do StepPolyArp or CC PAL have ads?
Neither StepPolyArp nor CC PAL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StepPolyArp or CC PAL?
StepPolyArp ships an update every 2 months, and CC PAL every 21 months. Most recently, StepPolyArp was updated on November 2, 2026 and CC PAL on November 4, 2026.

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