bismark CtrlSlide vs midigarden
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
bismark CtrlSlide
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bismark CtrlSlide is a touch-based MIDI controller that allows you to send Control Change (CC) and Program Change (PC) messages to external MIDI devices or apps. With an intuitive multi-slider interface, CtrlSlide makes it easy to adjust MIDI parameters in real time. Whether you're controlling hardware synthesizers, virtual instruments, or exploring MIDI behavior, this app provides a flexible and reliable control surface at your fingertips. Designed for musicians, producers, and sound designers, CtrlSlide supports various MIDI connection methods including USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and virtual MIDI routing (depending on your device and operating system). Key Features: • Send MIDI Control Change (CC) and Program Change (PC) messages • Customize multiple sliders for flexible real-time control • Connect to external MIDI devices or other apps • Supports USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and virtual MIDI • Includes predefined CC numbers for quick setup • Clean, responsive interface optimized for touch Use CtrlSlide to fine-tune your synths, experiment with sound design, or enhance your live performance setup — all from your iPhone or iPad.
midigarden
Transform your device into a touch-based synthesizer. Play melodies and chords on a responsive grid, load custom sound patches, and control parameters live. Ideal for live performance, sketching ideas, and sound design.
- Touch grid with multiple scales
- Retrospective looper
- Custom Pure Data patch loading
- Live parameter control
- Built-in synthesizers
- Optional camera background
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midigarden is a touch-based synthesizer that turns your iPhone or iPad into a musical instrument. Play melodies on an 5x8 grid mapped to musical scales. Each pad triggers notes with 8-voice polyphony, letting you play chords and melodies with your fingers. FEATURES • Touch Grid - Play notes on a responsive grid. Choose from multiple scales including major, minor, pentatonic, and chromatic. • Retrospective Looper - Captures what you just played, even if you weren't recording. Never lose a good take. • Custom Patches - Load your own Pure Data patches via the Files app. The app automatically wraps them with voice allocation and mixing. • Live Parameters - Every knob and slider in your patch becomes a touchable control. Drag to adjust in real-time. • Built-in Synthesizers - Ships with patches ready to play, physical models, fm and drum synths. • Camera Background - Optional live camera feed behind the grid for screen-recorded performances. PURE DATA POWERED Under the hood, midigarden runs Pure Data patches - the same open-source audio engine used by professional musicians and sound designers worldwide. Create patches on your computer and load them into the app. PERFECT FOR • Live performance and jamming • Sketching musical ideas • Learning synthesis • Use iOS screen capture with background camera to make performance videos that capture the mood and environment • Sound design experiments No music theory required. Just touch and play.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: midigarden at Free against bismark CtrlSlide's $1.99. bismark CtrlSlide's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On 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
midigarden is free to download; bismark CtrlSlide costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | bismark CtrlSlide | midigarden |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | bismark LLC | William Sharkey |
In-app purchases
bismark CtrlSlide
No in-app purchases
midigarden
No in-app purchases








