SpaceCraft Granular Synth vs MidiStep
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
Transform any sound into a playable musical instrument using granular synthesis. Create unique textures, soundscapes, and rhythms from your voice, ambient noise, or built-in samples. Record audio, load files, and save your sonic creations.
- Granular synthesis engine
- Record audio via microphone
- Load audio files from storage
- Create textures and soundscapes
- Arpeggiated rhythm generation
- Save and recall presets
- MIDI and MPE support
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With SpaceCraft (MIDI, MPE, AUv3, IAA) you can transform any sound into a playable musical instrument via Granular Synthesis. You can create textures, soundscapes and arpeggiated rhythms from sounds such as your voice, ambient noise or the high quality built-in audio samples. Tap the 'Input' button (top left) to record audio via your device's microphone or load a file from your device (access* to iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Audioshare*** etc.). Experiment with turning everyday sounds into unusual instruments. Save your creations and corresponding samples via presets. Also, tap the 'rec' button (top right) to record your performance (maximum 20 minutes). This is used in standalone only as the AUv3 host can be used to record the output. Supports AUv3 and IAA (recommended to use in the effects slot to allow live input audio recording). * NOT COMPATIBLE with GarageBand as AUv3 (but can be loaded as Inter App Audio (IAA) or via an effects insert in the GarageBand sampler, with no MIDI capability) ** iOS11 and above provides equivalent folder access to the built-in iOS 'Files' app. Note that iOS10 and below has limited access to folders (no Audioshare folder access for iOS10 and below) *** Access to Audioshare files is done via the iOS files app
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: SpaceCraft Granular Synth at $9.99 against MidiStep's $14.99. SpaceCraft Granular Synth also leads on chart position (#192 vs unranked) and ratings volume (151 vs 26). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and 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
SpaceCraft Granular Synth costs $9.99 and MidiStep $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for SpaceCraft Granular Synth against 4.8 for MidiStep. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SpaceCraft Granular Synth has 151 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of SpaceCraft Granular Synth's written reviews are positive against 81% of MidiStep's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SpaceCraft Granular Synth | MidiStep |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (151 ratings) | 4.8 (26 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 86.4% of reviews — better | 81.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 151 — better | 26 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #192 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 103 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mark Watt | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
MidiStep
Bugs and requests
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
Reported bugs
13 issues- App crashes when loading files from nested Dropbox folders
- Audio glitches and heavy crackling on older iPad models
- Unexpected background audio drone when app not in use
- AudioShare compatibility issues across different iOS versions
- App resets to factory settings on reopening
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- Live sampling mode latency and unintuitive behavior
- Red playhead sometimes extends beyond range selector
- Inconsistent audio input behavior in live sampling
- No audio output in DAW hosts on some iOS versions
- Crashes when multiple instances launched simultaneously
- File import failures on iOS 9 and 10
- Dropbox access limited to iCloud only on some devices
- Recording duration limitations on iPhone (1 minute vs advertised 20 minutes)
Requested features
20 requests- Background audio playback support
- Preset and project state saving functionality
- Faster and more flexible LFO with additional waveforms
- Wider grain selection windows for precise control
- Built-in delay effect
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- Amplitude envelopes for each oscillator
- Panning and multi-channel routing options
- Sample name display in UI
- Ableton Link support
- Rest notes in sequencer via double-tap
- Ability to feed synth output to another synth in real-time
- More reverb length options
- CC automation recording in DAWs
- Bluetooth MIDI support
- Custom color scheme options
- Broader grain readout curve options
- Wider parameter control ranges
- True IAA instrument support (not just effect)
- Streamlined file import and management
- More included presets
MidiStep
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
No in-app purchases
MidiStep
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SpaceCraft Granular Synth free?
Is MidiStep free?
Which has better reviews, SpaceCraft Granular Synth or MidiStep?
Do SpaceCraft Granular Synth or MidiStep have ads?
Which is updated more often, SpaceCraft Granular Synth or MidiStep?
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