Xequence AU | Keys vs takeamidi
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Xequence AU | Keys
This app functions as a versatile MIDI keyboard controller within AUv3 hosts, offering expressive playing modes and customizable controllers. It's designed for music production enthusiasts to enhance their workflow with a responsive and resource-efficient interface.
- Scale-aware single or dual keyboard
- Adjustable key width and glide mode
- Velocity emulation
- Configurable MIDI CC touch ribbons
- Special controller modes (MPE-like)
- AU presets and state saving
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IMPORTANT: This app is targeted at music production enthusiasts and requires an AUv3 Audio Unit Host to run! It does not do ANYTHING on its own! Xequence AU | Keys is a comprehensive and expressive keyboard controller for use inside AU (Audio Unit) hosts like AUM, Cubasis, apeMatrix, etc. It features the same, widely acclaimed keyboard that users of Xequence, our advanced MIDI workstation, have grown to love. HIGHLIGHTS: - Fully scale-aware, very playable single or dual keyboard - Extremely fast and light on resources - Over 70 scales in 10 categories included - Freely adjustable key width - "Glide" mode for triggering keys by sliding between them - Velocity emulation (via vertical position on key) - Automatically adapts to nearly any plugin window size or aspect ratio - Unlimited instances - Full support for AU presets (and state saving / restoration) in the host - Configurable keyboard color and MIDI channel CONTROLLERS: - Any number of MIDI CCs (controllers) can be freely configured and shown as touch ribbons next to the keyboard - A number of standard controller numbers (such as 74 = Cutoff, 7 = Volume etc.) are included and can be set with a single tap SPECIAL CONTROLLER MODES: The following special modes can be set per controller and give an "MPE-like" feel while being compatible with non-MPE synths: - DEVICE ROTATION - controller moves according to device rotation - GATE - controller can be set to a default position, and then tapped anywhere to toggle it to that position and back (think "Trance gates" when used with eg. CC 7 / Volume) - KEY POSITION - controller moves when touching a keyboard key, depending on vertical position - KEY SLIDE - controller moves along when one or more fingers are moved vertically while holding any number of keys - The above modes can also be combined - Note that this is NOT MPE - controllers are always sent for all notes at once, not per individual note! Please report any issues via our website, we provide quick and comprehensive support!
takeamidi
This tool allows you to monitor, filter, and record MIDI input. It captures recent MIDI data into a buffer, which can then be exported as a MIDI file. You can also use it to filter various MIDI message types.
- MIDI monitoring
- MIDI filtering
- Live MIDI sampling
- Buffer recording (10s, 1m, 10m)
- MIDI file export
- Channel, System Common, Realtime, System Exclusive message support
- Standalone and AUv3 support
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“takeamidi” is a MIDI monitoring tool / MIDI filter / live sampler that allows you to quickly grab recent data as a MIDI file The application’s MIDI buffer contains recent 10 seconds / 1 minute / 10 minutes of MIDI input; The recording can be paused and cleared with appropriate buttons You can export the contents of the buffer by dragging a “file” icon in the lower left corner of the app window. Log window shows data of the selected time range You can use this app as a MIDI filter. It supports Channel, System Common, Realtime and System Exclusive messages to be displayed and / or filtered. Standalone and AUv3
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Xequence AU | Keys at 83% against takeamidi's 20%. Xequence AU | Keys also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.4). takeamidi's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 8 months) and price ($1.99 vs $2.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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
Xequence AU | Keys costs $2.99 and takeamidi $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Xequence AU | Keys holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Xequence AU | Keys's written reviews are positive against 20% of takeamidi's.
Xequence AU | Keys ships an update every 8 months, takeamidi every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Xequence AU | Keys | takeamidi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (19 ratings) — better | 4.4 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better | 20.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.2 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alexander Ewering | Alexey Nadzharov |
Customer experience
Xequence AU | Keys
takeamidi
In-app purchases
Xequence AU | Keys
No in-app purchases
takeamidi
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Xequence AU | Keys free?
Is takeamidi free?
Which has better reviews, Xequence AU | Keys or takeamidi?
Do Xequence AU | Keys or takeamidi have ads?
Which is updated more often, Xequence AU | Keys or takeamidi?
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