Comparison

ShimmerVerb vs Midi Chief

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

Head to head
About

ShimmerVerb

This app creates massive, lustrous reverbs with parallel pitch shifters for ethereal, shimmering soundscapes. It offers advanced feedback control and performance-oriented features like a "Ribbon" macro and "HotSwitch" for dynamic sound shaping.

Highlights
  • Massive lustrous reverb with parallel pitch shifters
  • Infinitely feedbackable signal for cascading reverbs
  • Adjustable feedback frequencies via cross-over network
  • Playable "Ribbon" performance macro
  • Instant parameter switching with "HotSwitch"
  • "Freeze" button for smeared textures
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone app
Read full description

ShimmerVerb combines a massively lustrous reverb with parallel pitch shifters to add ethereal layers making any signal, well, "shimmer." Oftentimes, producers would achieve the effect by using Eventide pitch shifting hardware such as the H910, H949, or H3000 or other rack mount units in combination with a reverb. This production technique was popularized by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno on U2's The Unforgettable Fire. Now, this iconic sound has been refined and extended with a modern, unified interface that is great for adding dreamy ambiance to guitars, keys, synths, samples, and vocals. In typical Eventide fashion, features have been added such as the ability to infinitely feedback the signal, resulting in cascading reverbs that smear into oblivion. Feedback can be further fine-tuned by specifying which frequencies are fed back through the low/mid/high cross-over network. ShimmerVerb shines via its playable, performance-based parameters. "The Ribbon" is an easy to program performance macro allowing users to morph between two settings with one control. Desktop users can plug in a MIDI keyboard and gain tactile command over this function via the modulation wheel. Ribbon mappings are great for Feedback swells, moving the Pitch knobs, or changing the Size for a massive detuning result. ShimmerVerb also boasts a HotSwitch for calling up another state of parameters inside the same preset. Use this for changing octaves, turning off/on the pitch shifters, or simply turning the Mix up or down while crafting your performance. Finally, the Freeze button allows you to make smeared textures out of single voices, full pads, or percussive elements resulting in metallic "shimmers." Features: - Unique reverb plug-in with parallel pitch shifters on the reverb tail. - Easily pitch with perfect fourths, fifths, and octaves. - Micropitch tuning available around perfect intervals. - Four octaves of pitch shifting (from two octaves down to two octaves up). - Delay pitched signals up to one second or sync them to your DAW's tempo. - Feedback determines how much delayed signal is fed back into the input of the reverb. - Low, Mid, and High cross-over network determines which frequencies are fed back. - FREEZE holds the current state of the reverb in a smeared texture. - The RIBBON allows for real-time modification of several parameters at once. - HOTSWITCH allows for instant switching between two sets of parameters within one preset. - Available as an Audio Units AUv3 plug-in and Standalone App.

About

Midi Chief

Connect and control your music setup with universal MIDI connectivity. Supports both USB and Bluetooth MIDI devices, offering enhanced control for select Bluetooth gear. Designed for musicians of all levels to manage rigs and focus on performance.

Highlights
  • Universal MIDI connectivity
  • USB MIDI device support
  • Bluetooth (BLE) MIDI device support
  • Specialized support for select Bluetooth devices
  • Responsive and intuitive performance interface
  • Central MIDI control hub for iOS
Features
Read full description

Universal MIDI Connectivity Easily connect and control your setup with support for both MIDI USB devices and Bluetooth (BLE) MIDI devices—giving you flexibility whether you're in the studio or on stage. Smart Bluetooth Integration Go beyond standard MIDI control. Midi Chief provides specialized support for select Bluetooth devices, including: Tonex Plug Tonex Pedal Neural DSP Nano Cortex Enjoy enhanced control and deeper interaction tailored specifically for these devices. Note: Tonex One is currently not supported. Tonex One+ will be supported soon. Built for Performance Whether you're tweaking tones, switching presets, or managing complex rigs, Midi Chief delivers a responsive and intuitive experience so you can stay focused on your music. Simple. Powerful. Reliable. From beginners to professionals, Midi Chief is your central hub for MIDI control on iOS.

Screenshots

ShimmerVerb3 screens
Midi Chief4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Midi Chief at $7.99 against ShimmerVerb's $14.99. Midi Chief also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 78%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). ShimmerVerb's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.2). 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

ShimmerVerb costs $14.99 and Midi Chief $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShimmerVerb ships an update every 6 weeks, Midi Chief every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ShimmerVerb versus Midi Chief: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShimmerVerbMidi Chief
Price$14.99$7.99 — better
Rating4.6 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.2
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB110 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEventideMarcos Gennari Patroni

Customer experience

ShimmerVerb

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral22.2%
Negative0.0%

Midi Chief

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

ShimmerVerb

No in-app purchases

None

Midi Chief

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ShimmerVerb free?
ShimmerVerb costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Midi Chief free?
Midi Chief costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ShimmerVerb or Midi Chief have ads?
Neither ShimmerVerb nor Midi Chief shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShimmerVerb or Midi Chief?
ShimmerVerb ships an update every 6 weeks, and Midi Chief every 3 weeks. Most recently, ShimmerVerb was updated on October 25, 2026 and Midi Chief on October 24, 2026.

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