MIDI vs NovoNotes Duo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MIDI
This app provides a portable MIDI keyboard and controller for musicians, allowing them to play notes, trigger drum samples, and control parameters. It connects wirelessly or via USB to popular DAWs and synthesizers without extra software.
- Play MIDI notes with piano keys
- Trigger drum samples with drum pads
- Control pitch bend with a slider
- Adjust parameters with rotary knobs
- Connect via Bluetooth, USB, or Network MIDI
- Compatible with major DAWs
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MIDI Controller App is a Midi Keyboard designed to easily fit in the musician's pocket and still can be used in big music studio. Use the piano keys to play midi notes, trigger drum samples using drum pads, apply pitch bend and modulation with sliders and control midi cc (control change) with rotary controller knobs. MIDI controller does not required any additional software or drivers and can connect to any DAW including Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Studio One, FL Studio, Bitwig Studio, Reaper, Garageband etc. Just connect it either via Bluetooth or with just a USB cable in IDAM mode. Overview: - Trigger MIDI notes using piano keys - Trigger Drum Samples using MIDI Drum Pads - Pitchbend control using pitchbend slider - Mod and Vibrato control suing modulation slider (CC1) - Control parameters using 8 control knobs (CC1 to CC8) - Change octave and keyboard size Midi Connectivity: - Inter App MIDI - Inter App connectivity with iOS apps - USB MIDI - IDAM (Inter Device Audio MIDI) connectivity with USB cable - BLE MIDI - Bluetooth connectivity (wireless) - Network MIDI You can use MIDI Learn feature available in most of Digital Audio Workstations and Synthesizers to link the control knobs easily. Also you can adjust pitch bend sensitivity in your instrument to use the pitch bend slider according to the requirement. Midi Controller app works best with iOS and macOS.
NovoNotes Duo
This app extends your desktop Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with mobile device capabilities. Use your smartphone or tablet as a MIDI controller or run mobile audio plugins directly within your Mac's music production software.
- Use mobile audio plugins on Mac DAW
- Integrate AUv3 plugin ecosystem
- Transform smartphone into MIDI controller
- Supports MPE for expressive performances
- Real-time control for live performance
- Mobile controller for on-the-go use
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NovoNotes Duo is an app that supports music production on your desktop DAW. It is composed of "mini-apps" that extend the functionality of your DAW on the Mac. The currently available mini-apps include the following, with plans to expand in future updates. 1. SideRack Server "SideRack" is software that allows audio plugins running on mobile devices, such as iPads and iPhones, to be used from a desktop DAW. This product makes it possible to easily integrate the innovative AUv3 plugin ecosystem and the touch interface experience into a professional music production environment. SideRack consists of two components: the "SideRack Plugin," which is inserted into the DAW on a Mac, and the "SideRack Server," which operates on a mobile device. It quickly transfers audio and MIDI signals inputted into the SideRack Plugin from the DAW to the SideRack Server via a USB cable for processing. To install the SideRack plugin, please visit our website: https://novo-notes.com/side-rack 2. MIDI Controller "MIDI Controller" transforms your smartphone or tablet into a MIDI controller for your desktop DAW. This mini-app supports MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression), enabling detailed and expressive performances. Compatible with a wide range of DAWs, it’s ideal for real-time control during live performances, music production in your home studio, or as a mobile controller on the go.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: NovoNotes Duo at 100% against MIDI's 29%. NovoNotes Duo also leads on price (Free vs $3.99) and rating (4.8 vs 4.1). MIDI's advantage is ratings volume (33 vs 8) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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
NovoNotes Duo is free to download; MIDI costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NovoNotes Duo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of MIDI's written reviews are positive against 100% of NovoNotes Duo's.
MIDI ships an update every 12 months, NovoNotes Duo monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MIDI | NovoNotes Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (33 ratings) | 4.8 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 33 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yugal Sharma | MAGNETICA STUDIO INC. |
Customer experience
MIDI
NovoNotes Duo
In-app purchases
MIDI
No in-app purchases
NovoNotes Duo
No in-app purchases





