Comparison

EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin vs ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3

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

Head to head
About

EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin

Create multi-layered evolving soundscapes and automatic musical accompaniment. This tool features a sophisticated synthesizer and sequencing engine with four independent lanes, allowing for complex sound design and real-time performance control. It supports MIDI input, audio samples, and harmonic sound generation.

Highlights
  • 4 independent sequencer lanes
  • Up to 64 steps per sequence
  • MIDI keyboard input
  • Audio sample layering
  • Harmonic sound generation
  • Real-time performance controls
  • ARP function
Features
Read full description

Evolver is a performance tool for creating multi-layered evolving sequences of sound. At its most basic think of evolver as a 4 lane sequencer which creates automatic accompaniment from notes and chords as you play on your MIDI keyboard, but it can also be used to create elastic evolving soundscapes where audio samples seamlessly merge into one another to create highly complex and original sounds. At the heart of evolver is a sophisticated wave synthesizer and sequencing engine which can create dramatic hard hitting transitions of sounds or merge sounds to create seamless transitions that evolve in time to the beat. It has 4 sequencer lanes which can run independently and mixed together using the real-time controls or over MIDI. When you play a chord on your MIDI keyboard for instance, each of the 4 sequencer lanes will take those MIDI notes and translate them into a musical sequence of sounds which are combined together and synced to create a form of automatic accompaniment. Evolver can load its own multi-layer patches or import them directly from Chameleon. These patches can be layered using the 4 sequencer lanes or split over a virtual keyboard. You can assign key zones, transpose them, assigned MIDI channels and velocity levels, set latch options etc. You can also load in your own one shot samples and lay them end on end to create evolving atmospheres or backing soundscapes. These samples can be looped or be free running with definable start/end and loop points using our non destructive editor. We also included a third sound source which lets you build sounds on the fly by overlaying harmonics to create anything from traditional sine, square, triangle, saw waves to complex detuned oscilators. These can be used in conjunction with multi-samples or one-shot-samples within the same sequencer lane. You can even randomize a complete sequence of harmonic sounds which when pieced together create some very unique and dynamic voices. Each sequencer lane can be up to 64 steps in length, each step has independent timing, pitch, volume, gate, probability, sample source etc. so the scope of what is achievable is vast. Each sequencer lane has its own ADSR, VCF and LFO which operates on all sounds within its lane, as well as being able to change the underlying settings for each sound source. Evolver also includes an ARP function which can be run in one of the default modes or you can define your own fingering patterns to be used to enhance your playing style. Create your own sequences, lay down your MIDI notes in your DAW and have Evolver automatically play along to your chord sequences, automatically locking to the host tempo. Sequencer events can be fixed or transposed allowing you to create percussive and drum backing using a single lane. Key Features: • 4 sequencer lanes • Up to 64 notes per sequence. • Each note can be fixed or transposed. • Timing and note probability. • 3 different sound source types (multi-sample, one-shot samples and harmonic) . • Add your own loops to a sequence. • Built in ARP function. • Import your own samples and mutli-sample patches. • Chameleon Support. • 5 different effect types (reverb, delay, phaser, flanger and chorus). • 8 band EQ. • .Latch Feature to hold chords/notes. • Create independent key zones with transposition and MIDI channels. • Paramter Automation from your DAW. • Control mixing and sequencer enable buttons using MIDI. • Built in Sampler. • Multiple Import options (including an experimental SFZ format). • iTunes and Files App importing of samples into the audio pool. • Files App Drag & Drop Support • Comprehensive Help pages included. Please Note: Not all features are currently compatible with Auria.

About

ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3

This app generates random MIDI sequences using a shift register chip, inspired by a popular eurorack module. It offers extensive control over scales, octaves, velocity, and MIDI CC modulation, allowing for complex and evolving musical patterns.

Highlights
  • Random looping generative MIDI sequencing
  • 16-bit shift register logic
  • Adjustable chaos for sequence variation
  • Over 110 scales plus custom scales
  • MIDI CC generation and modulation
  • Unlimited pattern pages
  • Manual trigger function
Features
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ShiftBud is a random looping generative MIDI sequencer based on the eurorack module Turing Machine by Tom Whitwell.  It works based on the 16-bit shift register chips where it shifts its value on each sequencer step. However, you can lock the sequence in a desired length if you fully rotate the chaos knob to the left or right. If you introduce low amount of chaos, then the sequence "flips" occasionally and generate beautiful sequences. You can also produce random values if set higher amount of chaos.  The MIDI note generation can be in more than 110 scales plus your custom ScaleBud 2 scales. You can set the octave range, velocity or velocity randomness as well. You can set the higher and lower bounds on MIDI Control Change generation as well as the CC number you want to control. It's very useful on modulating synth parameters and you can even modulate the ShiftBud's AU parameters as well. You can also set a ramping value for a smoother change. With the 0% ramping, you can use it like a "sample and hold" module. With the manual trigger function, you can use another sequencer or keyboard to trigger ShiftBud's next note. You can create unlimited pattern pages on the lower left corner of the app and you can select the pattern with MIDI CC messages as well. Please note that ShiftBud is a MIDI app. The standalone version has an optional internal synth where you can enable or disable on the settings menu. The AUv3 plugin requires an audio app for output. For the AUv3 functionality, it needs to be hosted within an app such as AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, Logic Pro, Nanostudio, Drambo, or apeMatrix.

Screenshots

EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin4 screens
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 at $5.99 against EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin's $14.99. EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin's advantage is ratings volume (35 vs 9). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin costs $14.99 and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin against 4.7 for ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 9 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 72% of EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin's written reviews are positive against 67% of ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin ships an update every 3 weeks, ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 monthly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin versus ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEvolverFX AUv3 Audio PluginShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
Price$14.99$5.99 — better
Rating4.7 (35 ratings) — better4.7 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews72.2% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings35 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1313.0
Further details — not scored
Size861 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer4Pockets.comCem Olcay

Customer experience

EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin

All ratings35 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral8.6%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral13.9%
Negative13.9%

ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin

No in-app purchases

None

ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin free?
EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 free?
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin is rated higher. EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin averages 4.7 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 averages 4.7 from 9 ratings.
Do EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 have ads?
Neither EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin nor ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin ships an update every 3 weeks, and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 monthly. Most recently, EvolverFX AUv3 Audio Plugin was updated on November 3, 2026 and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 on November 3, 2026.

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