Comparison

MIDIculous Learning Software vs Steelpan Guide

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

Head to head
About

MIDIculous Learning Software

This music learning software allows users to play MIDI files with high-quality virtual instruments. It offers features to manipulate pitch, key, and tempo for various media, and enables teachers to create synchronized learning files for students.

Highlights
  • High-quality MIDI file player
  • Load and manipulate MIDI, Audio, and Video files
  • Create and share proprietary LMS/LMV learning files
  • Virtual instrument display with animated colorization
  • VST/AU/AAX plugin support
  • Resizable interface and detachable widgets
Features
Read full description

High Quality MIDI File Player: MIDIculous is the most feature-rich music learning software for students and teachers. At its core it is a high quality MIDI File Player where you can use the stock General MIDI soundest or you can use AUv3 apps already installed on your iPad. ————— Learning Tool for Musicians: If you upgrade to the Pro Expansion, you will gain the ability to load virtually any MIDI, Audio, and video file to be able to change the pitch, key, transpose, and loop in order to learn from the various different media sources. We recommend trying to find the MIDI file as this is the only file format that allows you to view the actual note data using our beautiful virtual instruments. ————— Proprietary LMV and LMS Files: LMV and LMS respectively stands for Live-MIDI-VIDO and Live-MIDI-Sync. Out of the box, MIDIculous can play these files for free. These are proprietary files that can contain a combination of MIDI, Audio, and/or video at the same time. So picture this super learning file that contains multi-channel MIDI and a video file all in one, where a student can see the video AND see the notes of the MIDI in sync at the same time, such that when the user wants to change the pitch, loop, or slow down the video to learn, all of the comments are precisely in sync with one another. A teacher who purchases the Pro version will be able to make this proprietary file and send this file to all of their students and the student can view this file using the FREE player. This makes for the most amazing supplemental tool and resource for their students. ———— Online Learning Display: With the most beautifully designed virtual instruments (Bass, Guitar, Drums, Keyboard, Organ) a teacher can display or project their screen through avenues such as Zoom, Ecamm, and OBS for a virtual seminar or session with their student. Allowing the student to see the animated colorization of instruments allows for a better teaching and learning experience. ———— The FREE Versions Allows: 1. FREE Version plays LMS and LMV files 2. Full MIDI Input and Instruments Display 3. Play Plugins through LMS/LMV Files The Pro Version Unlocks: 1. Play all supported media files 2. Detach Instruments and Widgets 3. Load as a Plugin in your DAW 4. Create LMS and LMV files for students ———— Main Highlights: • Completely new source code and architecture • Comes as a VST/AU/AAX Plugin • New Resizable Interface and widgets • All components detachable and colorable (Score, Chords, Instruments, Pedals) • Plugin Manager to Manage Plugins • Updated Animated Modwheels • Updated Animated 3-Foot Pedals (Sustain, Soft, Sostenuto) • Updated recognition of sharps, accidentals, and enharmonics  ———— Main Features • Vector based UI for crisp HD graphics • Resizable GUI and Distortion modes • Load MIDI Files with full sound, Sysex changes, tempo, and key signatures recognized • Load Audio Files • Load Video Files • Load LMS (Live-MIDI Sync) which is a MIDI and an Audio file in one file for detailed instructions from teachers with MIDI data.  • Load LMV (Live-MIDI Video) which is a Video and Audio file together for enhanced visual lesson with MIDI data.  • Change Pitch, Tempo for file or loop points for Audio, MIDI, and Video • High Quality Re-Pitch algorithm with adjustable re-pitching and slow-down modes • Score View • Solfege Notation with two international standard version options • Create Loop points • Save all settings and loop points to a .midiculous file • GM Sound source through OS • Set the Root Tempo and Root Key.  • Split keyboard options for MIDI Input and for MIDI file playback • Panic button for stuck notes • Dedicated MIDI input that can be mixed with MIDI notes.  • Viewable Sustain pedal view • Detachable objects with fully customizable colors • Keyboards to have multiple keyboard views • VST/AU/AAX Plugin Capable • MIDI Forwarding Options • Dedicated Plugin Manager to isolate crashed plugins

About

Steelpan Guide

Learn to play the steelpan with interactive lessons and fun games. This app guides beginners of all ages through notes, scales, and real songs, making music education accessible and engaging.

Highlights
  • Interactive steelpan with instant sound feedback
  • Step-by-step lessons on notes, scales, and melodies
  • Music games for note recognition practice
  • Learn to play real songs
  • Kid and Adult learning modes
Features
Read full description

Perfect for beginners, kids, and adults who want to understand music and steelpan quickly. Features Section Interactive Steelpan Tap notes and hear the sound instantly. Step-by-Step Lessons Learn notes, scales, intervals, and melodies. Fun Music Games Practice note recognition while playing. Learn Real Songs Play along with guided lessons. Kid Mode & Adult Mode Learning designed for all ages.

Screenshots

Steelpan Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MIDIculous Learning Software at Free against Steelpan Guide's $19.99. MIDIculous Learning Software also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0.0). Steelpan Guide's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 7 months). On ads 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

MIDIculous Learning Software is free to download; Steelpan Guide costs $19.99 up front. MIDIculous Learning Software sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Steelpan Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDIculous Learning Software ships an update every 7 months, Steelpan Guide every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MIDIculous Learning Software versus Steelpan Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDIculous Learning SoftwareSteelpan Guide
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.0.0
Further details — not scored
Size314 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMIDIculous LLCJenine Megwalu

Customer experience

MIDIculous Learning Software

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Steelpan Guide

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MIDIculous Learning Software

One-time2
  • MiDIculous Signature Keys$9.99
  • Pro Expansion$12.99
None

Steelpan Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDIculous Learning Software free?
MIDIculous Learning Software is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Steelpan Guide free?
Steelpan Guide costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do MIDIculous Learning Software or Steelpan Guide have ads?
Neither MIDIculous Learning Software nor Steelpan Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDIculous Learning Software or Steelpan Guide?
MIDIculous Learning Software ships an update every 7 months, and Steelpan Guide every 3 days. Most recently, MIDIculous Learning Software was updated on October 3, 2026 and Steelpan Guide on October 1, 2026.

Other comparisons