Comparison

Tongenerator 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

Tongenerator

Create deep basslines and atmospheric drones with this music creation tool. It features additive effects to generate unique and experimental sounds.

Highlights
  • Low end background generation
  • Drone creation
  • Additive FX
  • Sound experimentation
  • Mobile music production
Features
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Add low end backgrounds and drones, use additive FX to make it strange.

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

Tongenerator3 screens
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 at monthly against Tongenerator's every 20 months. ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 50%) and device support (3 vs 1). Tongenerator's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $5.99). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Tongenerator costs $2.99 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 — 4.6 for Tongenerator against 4.7 for ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 9 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Tongenerator's written reviews are positive against 67% of ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tongenerator ships an update every 20 months, ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 monthly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Tongenerator versus ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTongeneratorShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
Price$2.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.6 (5 ratings)4.7 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings59 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexey LinkovCem Olcay

Customer experience

Tongenerator

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Tongenerator

No in-app purchases

None

ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tongenerator free?
Tongenerator costs $2.99, 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, Tongenerator or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 is rated higher. Tongenerator averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 averages 4.7 from 9 ratings.
Do Tongenerator or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 have ads?
Neither Tongenerator nor ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tongenerator or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
Tongenerator ships an update every 20 months, and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 monthly. Most recently, Tongenerator was updated on November 3, 2026 and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 on November 3, 2026.

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