Comparison

mKer vs The Manetron

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

Head to head
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!

About

The Manetron

Experience authentic vintage tape keyboard sounds with realistic tape running animations. This app offers a collection of sampled instruments from a classic 70s model, complete with motor noise and built-in effects for a unique musical creation tool.

Highlights
  • Authentic 70s tape sampling sounds
  • Internal mechanism tape running animation
  • Motor noise and mechanical sound effects
  • 6 preset instrument sounds
  • Core MIDI and Core Audio compatible
  • Built-in Reverb & Delay effects
  • Scrollable keyboard with adjustable width
Features
Read full description

"The Manetron" is the vintage tape sampling keyboard App for iPhone/iPad/Apple Silicon Mac. Genuine sound sampled from the most famous white body tape sampling keyboard model number of M400S (serial number 419 & 728) manufactured in the 70's. You can see an internal mechanism (tape running animation) and can enjoy with eyes and an ear. Feel the live experience the motor noise mechanical sounds were recorded. Features: - 6 preset sound including Flute, 3violins (Strings), Cello, 8-voice Choir, Brass, Bungalow Bill ( Intro sound of The Beatles song "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill") - 35Kyes of sampled sounds from the M400S serial number 419 & 728 manufactured in the 70's. - Core MIDI compatible - Core Audio compatible - 8 sec PCM full sampling sounds each Key - Scrollable Keyboard with switchable key width - No loop sounds (real performance feeling) - 6 instrument sounds can be set as the favorite position of A,B,C position on setting screen - A+B, B+C mix sounds position - Built-in Reverb & Delay effects - The sound of motor mechanical noise - Tape running animation - Pitch control - Original sounds source are recorded by 96KHz/24 bits - Compiled under the supervision of Ken Miyajima (Kinzoku-Yebis, Damian Hamada's Creatures, Romanesco)

Screenshots

The Manetron4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: mKer at 4.5 against The Manetron's 3.8. mKer also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (64% vs 50%). The Manetron's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

mKer costs $3.99 and The Manetron $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 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: mKer has 22 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of mKer's written reviews are positive against 50% of The Manetron's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

mKer ships an update every 3 weeks, The Manetron every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
mKer versus The Manetron: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermKerThe Manetron
Price$3.99$3.99
Rating4.5 (22 ratings) — better3.8 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB150 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAxart Labs OUinsideout ltd.

Customer experience

mKer

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

The Manetron

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

mKer

No in-app purchases

None

The Manetron

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is mKer free?
mKer costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Manetron free?
The Manetron costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, mKer or The Manetron?
mKer is rated higher. mKer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while The Manetron averages 3.8 from 4 ratings.
Do mKer or The Manetron have ads?
Neither mKer nor The Manetron shows ads.
Which is updated more often, mKer or The Manetron?
mKer ships an update every 3 weeks, and The Manetron every 7 months. Most recently, mKer was updated on October 23, 2026 and The Manetron on October 24, 2026.

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