Comparison

Session Notes AU vs mKer

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

Head to head
About

Session Notes AU

This app integrates note-taking directly into your music production workflow, allowing you to manage lyrics, mix ideas, and session details within your DAW. Version 2.0 enhances writing tools, navigation, and data safety with features like iCloud sync and backups.

Highlights
  • Integrated DAW workflow
  • Markdown-aware writing
  • Keyboard accessory tools
  • Automatic iCloud sync
  • Backup and restore functionality
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone app
  • Customizable themes and fonts
Read full description

Session Notes AU keeps your lyrics, mix notes, set lists, production reminders, and session notes inside the same DAW workflow where you track, edit, rehearse, and mix. Instead of bouncing out to a separate notes app, you can keep the writing and the work in the same place. Version 2.0 turns Session Notes AU into a more capable production companion with better writing tools, better note navigation, a flexible editor layout, and a safer day-to-day writing flow. Built For Real Session Work - Keep notes inside your DAW workflow instead of breaking focus - Switch quickly between the note browser and the active note - Resize the editor and note list with a drag handle - Use a more polished note browser with clearer active-note focus Brand New Writing Tools In 2.0 - Markdown-aware writing support - Keyboard accessory tools for lists, checklists, links, undo, redo, find, stats, and quick structure helpers - List, checklist, numbered-list, and blockquote continuation - Indent, outdent, and paired insertion helpers - In-note Find with live match highlighting - Live document stats while you write - Autosave for existing notes while you work Safer Session Flow In 2.0 - Automatic iCloud sync across devices - Manual sync when you want more control - Backup to Files App - Restore from backup if needed - Safer handling for note changes across devices Also Included - AUv3 plug-in workflow plus standalone app - Save, Save As New Note, share, delete, and reorder actions - Multiple themes for different studio environments - Separate font and size controls for browser text, title text, and note body text - Comprehensive built-in in-app manual Session Notes AU is designed for musicians, producers, engineers, and performers who want notes to feel like part of the session, not a second app sitting off to the side.

About

mKer

A versatile MIDI step sequencer designed for music creation. It offers multiple outputs, extensive pattern and lane customization, and advanced step editing. Best used within an AUv3 host app for sound generation.

Highlights
  • 8 MIDI outputs
  • 64 Patterns with 16 Lanes each
  • Customizable Steps and Step Size per Lane
  • Advanced Step Parameters (Pitch, Velocity, Probability, etc.)
  • Flexible Editor with Step Entry Keyboard
  • 32 Clips with Repeat Functionality
  • Performance Tab with Assignable Sliders and Morphing
Features
Read full description

*** Note *** Although mKer can run as a stand-alone app, the recommended way to use it is as an AUv3 plugin from inside a suitable AU Host app that supports MIDI Processors such as AUM, Audiobus, Cubasis etc. Please also note that mKer is a MIDI app/plugin. That means that it does not produce sound itself - it needs to be connected to an audio source that can receive MIDI. mKer is a versatile, multi-output MIDI step sequencer with an extensive range of features. These include: - 8 MIDI outputs - 64 Patterns - 16 Lanes (aka tracks) per Pattern - Independent number of Steps (1-32) and Step Size (1/64-256 beats) per Lane per Pattern - Every step can play either a single note, an interval (2 notes) or a chord (3 or 4 notes) - Lane Step parameters: Play Cycles, Skip Cycles, Play Offset Cycles, Pitch, Velocity, Probability, Offset (can be used for ‘swing’ like effects), Repeat (rachet) and Gate - A flexible Editor that includes a step entry keyboard, parameter sliders and a variety of options and utilities designed for to make the workflow intuitive and fast - 32 Clips with 1-8 Steps per Clip, 1-128 repeats per step (every clip step has one pattern) - 3 Play Modes: Pattern, Clip, Sequence (all Clips) - A Performance tab with 10 fully assignable MIDI sliders, a 12-snapshot bank and morphing function between the snapshots... - MIDI step input and real-time recording - 12-track beat generator with six genres, density, intensity and GM beat mapping ... and more!

Screenshots

Session Notes AU4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: mKer at 4.5 against Session Notes AU's 4.1. mKer also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Session Notes AU's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $3.99). On review sentiment, 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

Session Notes AU costs $1.99 and mKer $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

mKer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Session Notes AU's written reviews are positive against 64% of mKer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Session Notes AU ships an update every 3 months, mKer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and August 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Session Notes AU versus mKer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSession Notes AUmKer
Price$1.99 — better$3.99
Rating4.1 (10 ratings)4.5 (22 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews63.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1022 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristian ThompsonAxart Labs OU

Customer experience

Session Notes AU

All ratings10 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral30.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral37.5%
Negative0.0%

mKer

All ratings20 ratings
Positive85.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral9.1%
Negative27.3%

In-app purchases

None

Session Notes AU

No in-app purchases

None

mKer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Session Notes AU free?
Session Notes AU costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is mKer free?
mKer costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Session Notes AU or mKer?
mKer is rated higher. Session Notes AU averages 4.1 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while mKer averages 4.5 from 22 ratings.
Do Session Notes AU or mKer have ads?
Neither Session Notes AU nor mKer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session Notes AU or mKer?
Session Notes AU ships an update every 3 months, and mKer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Session Notes AU was updated on September 5, 2026 and mKer on August 22, 2026.

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