Comparison

Midi Echo AU vs MidiStep

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

Head to head
About

Midi Echo AU

This app creates repeating MIDI note effects, similar to audio echoes but for digital music signals. It allows for independent control of note-on and note-off messages, offering extensive customization for musical expression.

Highlights
  • Selectable echo types (fixed, ping pong, taper)
  • Adjustable number of echoes (0-20)
  • MIDI velocity reduction for quieter echoes
  • Define pitch interval for successive echoes
  • Tempo sync or mSec delay time
  • Set MIDI channel for echoes
  • Disable individual echoes
  • MIDI thru control
Features
Read full description

AUv3 Midi Fx - Midi Echo online manual here: http:/amssoftware.org/manual/MidiEchoManual.pdf Note : AUv3 midi apps need a compatible host (AUM,Audiobus 3, Cubasis, BM3 etc). So what is a midi echo? It is similar to the audio echo effect where copies of the original audio are repeated at regular time intervals but with some form of change (e.g. quieter). But unlike audio, midi is digital in nature (low resolution 8 bit mostly) and focused around the midi note on & off message used to control synths etc. This app acts on midi note-on independently from the note-off but when the note – off appears it echoes the release of the note-on in the same way the note-on was echoed (pitch interval etc) even if the UI controls have changed. UI Controls exist to allow you to: * Select the type of echo (fixed, ping pong, taper) * Vary the number of echoes (from 0 to 20) * Make echoes quieter by reducing the midi velocity * Define the pitch interval (semitone) of all successive echoes * Select the delay time between echoes either tempo sync or in mSec * Define the delay type (fixed, tempo, random 50, random 20) * Set the midi channel of echoes (1-16) so that other synths can select the echo only * Disable individual echoes - to allow you to play chords with a small or 0 delay * Set Midi thru to keep/remove the original note messages * Panic button to quickly turn off all notes * Setup control automation as all controls are AU Parameters

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Midi Echo AU1 screens
MidiStep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Midi Echo AU at $1.99 against MidiStep's $14.99. Midi Echo AU also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). MidiStep's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (81% vs 50%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Midi Echo AU costs $1.99 and MidiStep $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MidiStep holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Midi Echo AU's written reviews are positive against 81% of MidiStep's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Midi Echo AU ships an update every 6 weeks, MidiStep every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Midi Echo AU versus MidiStep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMidi Echo AUMidiStep
Price$1.99 — better$14.99
Rating3.5 (8 ratings)4.8 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews81.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings826 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeranthony saunders4Pockets.com

Customer experience

Midi Echo AU

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%

MidiStep

All ratings25 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive81.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.8%

In-app purchases

None

Midi Echo AU

No in-app purchases

None

MidiStep

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Midi Echo AU free?
Midi Echo AU costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MidiStep free?
MidiStep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Midi Echo AU or MidiStep?
MidiStep is rated higher. Midi Echo AU averages 3.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while MidiStep averages 4.8 from 26 ratings.
Do Midi Echo AU or MidiStep have ads?
Neither Midi Echo AU nor MidiStep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Midi Echo AU or MidiStep?
Midi Echo AU ships an update every 6 weeks, and MidiStep every 2 weeks. Most recently, Midi Echo AU was updated on October 15, 2026 and MidiStep on October 20, 2026.

Other comparisons