Comparison

MXBus vs Play Ocarina

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

Head to head
About

MXBus

This app empowers musicians to control their own monitor mixes directly from their iOS device when using Behringer X32/X-Air or Midas consoles. It offers features like stereo channels, namable groups, and automatic console discovery for a streamlined sound check and live performance adjustment.

Highlights
  • Monitor mix control for musicians
  • Supports Behringer X32/X-Air and Midas consoles
  • Stereo channels for screen real-estate
  • Namable groups and automatic console discovery
  • Control send levels for channels, aux tracks, and effects
  • Reorder channels within groups
  • Springboard and Lock Screen widgets
Features
Read full description

MXBus is a monitor mixing app for all Behringer X32 and X-Air mixing consoles that allows musicians on stage to control their own monitor mix with their iOS device. It also supports the Midas versions of these mixers (M32* and M-Air) It features stereo channels to save screen real-estate, namable groups and automatic console discovery. Musicians can control the send levels into their monitoring mix bus for all channels aux tracks and effects returns. You can even reorder the channels within your groups to your liking. It makes the sound check painless and allows you to adjust the mix during the gig. Some key differentiating Features: • Linked channels are treated as a stereo channel to save screen space.  • Double tapping a fader knob sets it 0. • Double tapping the panning control on a stereo channel pans the signal hard L/R. Another double tap reverses the panning. • NEW: Springboard and Lock Screen widgets for quicker access. And as always: The app is built with data privacy in mind - no adds, no tracking! The PRO pack unlocks even more features like: • Decayed meters with peak memory • Compression meters • Gate LEDs • Channel mute buttons (X32) • Group mute buttons (X32) • Unlimited groups • Scenes • Bus EQ • Bus Compressor

About

Play Ocarina

This app transforms your device into a playable ocarina, offering multiple fingering configurations and two play modes: touch or breath control. Enjoy authentic sound synthesis and customizable visual effects for a realistic musical experience.

Highlights
  • Multiple ocarina configurations
  • Touch and microphone breath control
  • Authentic sound synthesis
  • Full chromatic range
  • Customizable visual effects
  • Light, Dark, and System modes
Features
Read full description

Play Ocarina turns your iPhone or iPad into a playable ocarina. Cover and uncover the holes with your fingers just like a real instrument — or blow into the microphone to play with breath control. Choose from six configurations: • New User — labeled note buttons (E4–B5), perfect for beginners • 4-Hole — classic, simple fingering • 6-Hole — expanded range with lower notes • 8-Hole — full chromatic scale • 10-Hole — extended high range • 12-Hole — the complete ocarina experience Features: • Two play modes: tap with your fingers or blow into the microphone • Authentic sound synthesis with a warm, breath-like ocarina tone • Full chromatic range across all hole types • Real-time note name display as you play • Magic stardust visual effects on button presses (optional) • Customizable button press color • Light, Dark, and System appearance modes • Optimized for both iPhone and iPad Whether you're learning to play or just want a beautiful instrument in your pocket, Play Ocarina is for everyone.

Screenshots

MXBus4 screens
Play Ocarina4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MXBus at Free against Play Ocarina's $0.99. MXBus also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (121 vs 2). Play Ocarina's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads 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

MXBus is free to download; Play Ocarina costs $0.99 up front. MXBus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Play Ocarina asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MXBus holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MXBus has 121 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MXBus versus Play Ocarina: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMXBusPlay Ocarina
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.2 (121 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews71.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings121 — better2
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndreas KeldenichAlexandr Garlock Development House LLC

Customer experience

MXBus

All ratings120 ratings
Positive80.8%
Neutral6.7%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive71.0%
Neutral12.9%
Negative16.1%

Play Ocarina

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

MXBus

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • Faders moving/sliding on their own without user input
  • App crashes when changing aux channels
  • Mute button switches to channel info screen
  • Scene saving not working properly (iOS 26)
  • Mix recall/fader recall feature broken after updates
Show 13 more
  • Glitchy fader behavior when locking/unlocking phone
  • Inverted fader behavior (turning down turns up)
  • Random channel muting/unmuting
  • Connection failures with error codes (Error 49, Error 65)
  • App not saving changes on iOS 26
  • Bus EQ affecting all buses instead of individual ones
  • Pan controls not functioning in Pro version
  • Bus labels showing blank on M32
  • Scenes not loading saved mix-bus selection
  • Network permission not requested on first launch (iPad)
  • App not recognizing mixer on certain network configurations
  • Compatibility issues with iOS 15.6.1 and iPadOS versions
  • Scenes lost after iOS/app upgrades

Requested features

15 requests
  • Panning control for individual channels
  • Support for Behringer Wing consoles
  • Individual group controls for sends
  • Main L/R mix access
  • FX send control from channels
Show 10 more
  • Compression and advanced EQ on channels
  • Mute status indicator from console
  • Custom channel ordering/arrangement
  • Demo mode for training
  • Android version of the app
  • Support for Allen & Heath SQ, QU, CQ boards
  • Support for Soundcraft Ui24r
  • Offline scene editing capability
  • More mute groups
  • Mackie DL version

Play Ocarina

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

MXBus

One-time1
  • MXBus PRO Package$2.99
None

Play Ocarina

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MXBus free?
MXBus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Play Ocarina free?
Play Ocarina costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MXBus or Play Ocarina?
MXBus is rated higher. MXBus averages 4.2 out of 5 from 121 ratings, while Play Ocarina averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do MXBus or Play Ocarina have ads?
Neither MXBus nor Play Ocarina shows ads.

Other comparisons