mLFO vs ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
mLFO
This app provides 16 programmable MIDI LFOs with extensive features for music production. It offers multiple parameters per LFO, independent output, and a wide rate range. It can be used as a standalone app or as an AUv3 plugin within compatible host applications.
- 16 programmable MIDI LFOs
- Multiple parameters per LFO
- Independent output and MIDI channel
- Wide rate range
- Custom shape creation (free and ADSR)
- 4 trigger modes including random retrigger
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*** Note *** Although mLFO 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, such as AUM, AudioBus, Cubasis etc. mLFO AUv3 is a set of 16 programmable MIDI LFOs with a extensive set of features: - Multiple parameters per LFO, including variability. - Independent output and MIDI channel per LFO. - Wide rate range, from 1/128 to 130442 beats. - 9 factory and 16 user shapes. - Custom shapes: free and ADSR. - 4 trigger modes, including random retrigger (every incoming note triggers a random LFO). - MIDI Thru. mLFO uses parts of the following copyrighted material, the use of which is hereby acknowledged. LICENCES AudioKit The MIT License (MIT) Copyright (c) 2016 Aurelius Prochazka Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 at 4.7 against mLFO's 4.5. ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 also leads on price ($3.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). mLFO's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 67%). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
mLFO costs $5.99 and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 9 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of mLFO's written reviews are positive against 67% of ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
mLFO ships an update every 2 months, ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | mLFO | ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (19 ratings) | 4.7 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Axart Labs OU | Cem Olcay |
Customer experience
mLFO
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
In-app purchases
mLFO
No in-app purchases
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is mLFO free?
Is ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 free?
Which has better reviews, mLFO or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
Do mLFO or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, mLFO or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
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