Comparison

CueMix 5 vs Side Stage Audio Tools

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

Head to head
About

CueMix 5

Control MOTU's 828 and UltraLite-mk5 audio interfaces with this app. Adjust settings, monitor live inputs, and apply DSP-driven effects like reverb and EQ. Create custom monitor mixes for each output, even using your device as a standalone mixer.

Highlights
  • Access MOTU 828/UltraLite-mk5 settings
  • DSP mixing and effects processing
  • Monitor live inputs on analog outputs
  • Create unique monitor mixes per output
  • Apply reverb, EQ, and dynamics effects
  • Standalone mixer control
Features
Read full description

CueMix™ 5 provides fast and easy access to all of the settings in MOTU’s popular, award-winning 828, UltraLite-mk5 and OctaLite audio interfaces (and other MOTU Gen5 products), which include DSP mixing, effects processing and best-in-class analog audio quality for mobile and studio audio recording. Use CueMix 5 to adjust basic device settings and to monitor live inputs directly on any analog output pair with the unit’s on-board DSP-driven mixing. Create a separate, unique monitor mix for each output (monitor outs, phones, etc.) Apply on-board effects, including reverb, 4-channel parametric EQ and dynamics processing to inputs and mix busses. Use the 828, UltraLite-mk5, or OctaLite as a stand-alone mixer and control everything CueMix™ 5 software running on your iPad™ or iPhone™. From studio to stage, MOTU interfaces deliver exceptional sound quality, state-of-the-art operation and rock-solid performance.

About

Side Stage Audio Tools

Features
Read full description

Description Side Stage Audio Tools is a utility app for playback engineers and show operators. It provides tools for preparing playback assets without building them manually inside a DAW. Generate audio files, MIDI clips, and timecode references for use in live playback systems. All tools work offline. Data is stored locally. Tools Show notes Timestamped notes stored on device. Delay and level converters Accurate conversion of delay, dB, and voltage values. Playback cue generator Generate cue audio and export as WAV. Sine tone generator Generate test tones for system checking and troubleshooting. Timecode tools Frame and time conversions, offset calculations, and LTC WAV export. MIDI clip generator Generate MIDI clips for device changes in playback systems (e.g. Quad Cortex, SPD-SX / SPD-SX Pro). Output • WAV export for cues and LTC • MIDI clip export for playback automation • Files suitable for direct import into playback systems

Screenshots

CueMix 54 screens
Side Stage Audio Tools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CueMix 5 at Free against Side Stage Audio Tools's $14.99. On update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

CueMix 5 is free to download; Side Stage Audio Tools costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CueMix 5 ships an update every 2 months, Side Stage Audio Tools every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
CueMix 5 versus Side Stage Audio Tools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCueMix 5Side Stage Audio Tools
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating2.7 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews30.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMOTU Inc.Peter Fealey

In-app purchases

None

CueMix 5

No in-app purchases

None

Side Stage Audio Tools

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CueMix 5 free?
CueMix 5 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Side Stage Audio Tools free?
Side Stage Audio Tools costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do CueMix 5 or Side Stage Audio Tools have ads?
Neither CueMix 5 nor Side Stage Audio Tools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CueMix 5 or Side Stage Audio Tools?
CueMix 5 ships an update every 2 months, and Side Stage Audio Tools every 4 months. Most recently, CueMix 5 was updated on November 11, 2026 and Side Stage Audio Tools on November 5, 2026.

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