AudioLayer vs MIDI Tools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AudioLayer
This app is a powerful mobile multi-sampler for music production, offering advanced features for creating and manipulating complex instruments. It integrates seamlessly with iOS production environments and supports iCloud for easy collaboration and storage.
- Streaming Sample Engine (SSE)
- Hierarchical Layer and Zone editing
- Seamless Instrument Switching (SIS)
- Integrated audio sample recorder
- Auto Sampler for hardware synths
- AUv3 AudioUnit integration
- iCloud storage and collaboration
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AudioLayer satisfies the most sought after gap for contemporary music production on iOS devices. AudioLayer is a full featured open standard audio multi-sampler pushing the boundaries beyond what has been available even in the desktop music production worlds. And all this integrated in all relevant iOS production environments especially the emerging AUv3 AudioUnit standard. - SSE - Streaming Sample Engine - The ultra efficient Streaming Sample Engine SSE is capable of playing hundreds of voices of big multi-sampled instruments even in strictly resource limited applications like using multiple instances of AudioLayer in AudioUnit host environments. Innovative features like Sub Sample Looping for perfect loops even in the audible range extend the range of applications even further. - Multiple storage options - The consequent usage of the open file structure of the Files app makes organising even large sample libraries a breeze. Sample recordings and Instrument designs made with AudioLayer are seamlessly available across all your devices and desktop using either iCloud storage or external SSD. The iCloud option opens up new forms of collaborations with musicians all around the world to share your creations and work together. - Multi Scope Editing - To support the creation of complex multi-sampled instruments AudioLayer allows you to use a hierarchical structure of Layers and Zones each with it’s own sound manipulation parameters. A unique element of AudioLayer is the possibility to decide for each Zone at which Scope level your editing apply: For the all Zones in the Instrument, for the Layer only or individually for this Zone only. This opens a whole new world of creative options for sound mangling. For sound manipulation you can use a full set of Filters, Envelopes and LFOs to shape the pitch, timbre and level of the sound of each Zone. SIS - Seamless Instrument Switching The unique architecture of the Streaming Sample Engine allows for instant loading of even complex instruments and makes this switching from one Instrument to the next without cutting off the sound! And this includes of course also different effect settings - Easy Design Workflow - The built in audio sample recorder let you create Instruments on the fly in seconds. The Music Effect AudioUnit / Audiobus effect plugin of AudioLayer let you record multi-samples semi automatically directly inside your preferred host and instantly create an Instrument with the help of several Auto mapping options available. This includes file name based mapping of key ranges and velocities and automatic pitch detection. For the creatives we’ve also integrated a special “Single Cycle Waveform” detector making the use of this special files a breeze. - Auto Sampler feature for easy creation of Sample Instruments from hardware synthesiser. - Versilian Studio Sample Library ( VCSL/VSCO ) with excellent strings and orchestra samples for free download - Exchange libraries with XinematiX App Integration • Stand-alone App • Sample import for EXS24 and SFZ Format • AUv3 AudioUnit Instrument and Music Effect • Inter App Audio • Audiobus 3 Input/Effect with state saving support. • Audio recorder with share function. • Ableton Link compatible.
MIDI Tools
This application provides a suite of MIDI audio units for iOS, allowing users to manipulate MIDI messages within their DAW's effects chain. It offers tools for altering velocity, transposing keys, monitoring events, and routing MIDI to external hardware or internal buses.
- MIDI message manipulation within DAW effects chains
- 8 AUv3 MIDI audio units
- Velocity and aftertouch alteration
- Key transposition and range restriction
- MIDI event monitoring and reporting
- Tempo-synced trigger blocking
- External and internal MIDI routing
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MIDI Tools is a suite of AUv3 MIDI audio units for iOS that lets you manipulate the MIDI messages inside your DAW’s effects chain, creating complex or otherwise impossible MIDI routings or effects. The app contains 8 MIDI audio units in a single package, which can be loaded in compatible hosts (BeatMaker 3, Cubasis 2, AUM, ApeMatrix etc.). Make sure your host is capable of loading, transmitting to, and receiving MIDI from audio unit MIDI effects. They’re intended to augment existing MIDI processing capabilities, or in scenarios where a host doesn’t provide the required functionality out of the box. 1) MIDI Curve: Alter velocity or aftertouch values (0-127) in a controlled or random manner. 2) MIDI Key Zone: Transpose and restrict the playable key range. Perform velocity fades across various pitch ranges. Generate polyphonic chord fade effects. 3) MIDI Monitor: Monitor MIDI events in an effects chain, with detailed reports. 4) MIDI De-Ghost: Tempo synced trigger block, useful for hardware pad controllers that double-trigger, or removing ghost notes. It can also be used creatively to generate polyrhythms and gate-shifting effects. 5) MIDI Route: External MIDI routing capabilities. Route MIDI to external hardware, loopback to other tracks or banks. Record MIDI audio units generator output in DAWs which lack the ability to perform complex in-app MIDI routing. 6) MIDI Bus: Internal MIDI busing capabilities, designed for DAWs which lack the ability to perform complex in-app MIDI routing. 7) MIDI Latch: Enable latching and sustain capabilities, in any DAW that supports MIDI audio units. 8) MIDI Clone & Filter: Clone and filter incoming MIDI across different channels, in any DAW that supports MIDI audio units.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MIDI Tools at $4.99 against AudioLayer's $12.99. MIDI Tools also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). AudioLayer's advantage is ratings volume (179 vs 22) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads 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
AudioLayer costs $12.99 and MIDI Tools $4.99 up front. AudioLayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MIDI Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.
MIDI Tools holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioLayer has 179 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of AudioLayer's written reviews are positive against 70% of MIDI Tools's.
AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, MIDI Tools every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AudioLayer | MIDI Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (179 ratings) | 4.7 (22 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | 70.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 179 — better | 22 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 242 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Victor Porof |
Customer experience
AudioLayer
MIDI Tools
Bugs and requests
AudioLayer
Reported bugs
17 issues- App crashes on startup (splash screen)
- Reverb and chorus effects cause sound to disappear
- Pitch resets to -24 after stopping Logic Pro playback
- Layer voice polyphony controls not working properly
- SFZ batch import distributes samples incorrectly across layers
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- EXS24 import fails for complex instruments (pianos, drum kits)
- MIDI source names display as 'Unknown Name'
- Plugin window resizing required to access all controls
- Sample end marker positioning doesn't work in all view sizes
- Soundfont import module shows as missing despite purchase
- App becomes unresponsive when loading complex instruments
- Control Change 11 (Expression) not received
- Autosampler function button missing after update
- Settings not saved properly as AUv3 plugin
- Instrument loading defaults to first instrument in host
- Click/pop noises in sustain loops
- Inter-Audio (IAA) compatibility broken
Requested features
17 requests- Time-stretching/pitch-shifting capability
- Program Change MIDI support
- Undo/Redo functionality
- GigaSampler .gig library support
- Soundfont SF2 import (now paid feature)
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- MIDI learn for real-time parameter control
- Expression (CC11) and other CC support
- Multi-output support for individual zone routing
- Batch import and file management improvements
- Instrument selection screen persistence in MIDI mode
- Bit reduction effect for vintage sampler emulation
- Better local file management and folder organization
- Modulation wheel pitch control
- Transposition features
- Disk streaming for larger libraries
- Macro/customizable GUI support
- Purge unused samples function
MIDI Tools
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AudioLayer
- SoundFont Import$3.99
MIDI Tools
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AudioLayer free?
Is MIDI Tools free?
Which has better reviews, AudioLayer or MIDI Tools?
Do AudioLayer or MIDI Tools have ads?
Which is updated more often, AudioLayer or MIDI Tools?
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