Comparison

MIDI Layers vs AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer

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

Head to head
About

MIDI Layers

This app allows musicians to intelligently route MIDI data, enabling complex keyboard splits, layered instruments, and seamless scene switching for live performances. Create up to 12 scenes with numerous layers, each with customizable MIDI output and note remapping.

Highlights
  • Up to 127 layers per scene
  • 12 scenes per preset
  • 16 output ports and channels
  • Remote scene switching
  • Layer mutes and mute groups
  • Scales per scene
  • Per-layer velocity curves
Features
Read full description

MIDI Layers is an AUv3 MIDI plugin designed to allow sophisticated routing of MIDI data in hosts such as AUM or Cubasis. Have you ever wanted to play multiple instruments from a single master keyboard during a live performance? Would you like to be able to set up keyboard splits, crossfade layers or create an ensemble of layered instruments? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then MIDI Layers may be your solution. Layers allows you to create up to 12 scenes, each with up to 127 layers, spanning your entire master keyboard. These scenes allow you to seamlessly switch between various layer mappings at any time during a performance. Each layer controls the MIDI output, which can be routed to one of MIDI Layers 16 output ports and 16 channels. So if you have 5 layers in your scene, each layer is able to divert MIDI key input to 5 destinations, allowing you to control 5 instruments from one master keyboard. Layers can overlap, meaning you can create an ensemble of two or more instruments. Layers can also have cross fades so that you can fade from one instrument to another across a specified range. You can also control the velocity curves of a layer if you need to emphasize note velocity at a certain set of octaves. Each layer can also be remapped so that you can target a different key range on the destination instrument. This allows you to have several single note layers that can target specific drum machine samples for instance. You can assign a song per scene, or have several scenes containing parts of the same song. Switching scenes is simple, using the on screen scene buttons, via AU parameters, or you can even add a special control layer to a scene which can then be triggered via your master keyboard. It is also possible to assign a Program Changes to a layer. When you switch scenes, each layer can fire off its own program change to your destination instruments. Each scene can be assigned its own scale, which enables you to play using only the white notes so say goodbye to wrong notes. Finally, layers can be assigned to mute groups, allowing you to quickly turn on/off groups of layers with a single key or button press. Features: ○ Up to 127 layers per scene. ○ 12 scenes per preset. ○ Supports 16 output ports and 16 channels. ○ Remote switching of scenes using MIDI or AU. ○ Supports layer mutes and mute groups. ○ Named scenes with large scene selection mode. ○ Supports scales per scene which can be played using white notes only. ○ Each layer can define a Program Change that is sent when scenes are switched. ○ Supports per layer velocity curve. ○ Supports per layer remapping of notes on output. ○ Each layer can have a cross fade settings assigned. ○ Definable Master Keyboard size (6, 7, 8 or 10 octave). ○ Scene and mute control layers. ○ Provides default custom layouts. Please Note: This product will not work with GarageBand since it cannot load AUv3 MIDI plugins.

About

AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer

Organize, explore, and share your AUv3 plugin collection with this comprehensive tool. Discover new plugins, track favorites, and manage your library efficiently across devices. Features include advanced search, filtering, and community sharing.

Highlights
  • AUv3 plugin organization by group, category, and features
  • Search and filter by device compatibility and keywords
  • Track favorites and create wishlists
  • Community sharing of plugin collections
  • Mac and iOS versions with universal purchase
  • Keyboard extension for quick plugin searches
Features
Read full description

AUBE keeps your AUv3 collection organized and ready to explore. Browse a constantly updated catalog, discover and launch your plugins, and quickly find what you need, all in one place! Get a clear overview of your AUv3 plugins, whether they’re installed on your device or offloaded. Browse the AUv3 plugin catalog and discover plugins you're interested in. With a simple, intuitive interface, AUBE organizes your AUv3 plugins by group, category, and features, making it easy to find the right plugin for your creative needs. You can search quickly using keywords, filter by device compatibility, or browse related plugins within the same group. Instantly launch, preview, and test your installed AUv3 plugins. Easily track your favorites, wishlist, and custom tags across devices, share your collection with friends, explore new plugins by importing their selections, and create custom badges to showcase your top picks on social media. It also supports iPad multitasking, allowing you to work side by side with other apps. It includes a convenient keyboard extension for fast plugin searches directly within your AUv3 host apps. With AUBE, managing and discovering AUv3 plugins has never been easier. • Provides full catalog browsing with over 1.8k AUv3 plugins • Database updates are included with the one-time purchase • AUv3 host for instantly exploring and testing your installed plugins* • Preview effects, instruments, and MIDI plugins • Export parameter trees and run plugin validation tests • Widget Extension: Get your AUv3 plugin stats, always in view • Keyboard Extension: Search and locate your AUv3 plugins inside hosts that have a text search field** • "Wishlist" to track plugins you want to acquire • Community Sharing: Share your collection with friends or browse others' collections • Precise filtering to view only plugins compatible with your device • Browse related plugins within the same group or category • Quick launch actions and split-screen support for working with multiple apps, including the App Store • Export installed AUv3 plugins to CSV • Universal Purchase: Includes the Mac version (**keyboard extension and *AUv3 hosting are currently iOS only) Check the documentation at fredantoncorvest.com/AudioUnitBoxExplorer.html for more information

Screenshots

MIDI Layers4 screens
AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

MIDI Layers and AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 93% of AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer's written reviews are positive against 57% of MIDI Layers's. MIDI Layers's advantage is price ($12.99 vs $19.99) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On rating, 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

MIDI Layers costs $12.99 and AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for MIDI Layers against 4.6 for AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 22 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 57% of MIDI Layers's written reviews are positive against 93% of AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDI Layers ships an update fortnightly, AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MIDI Layers versus AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI LayersAUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer
Price$12.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (13 ratings) — better4.6 (22 ratings)
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews93.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1322 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer4Pockets.comFrederic Corvest

Customer experience

MIDI Layers

All ratings13 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer

All ratings22 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral4.5%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%

In-app purchases

None

MIDI Layers

No in-app purchases

None

AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDI Layers free?
MIDI Layers costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer free?
AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDI Layers or AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer?
MIDI Layers is rated higher. MIDI Layers averages 4.7 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer averages 4.6 from 22 ratings.
Do MIDI Layers or AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer have ads?
Neither MIDI Layers nor AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDI Layers or AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer?
MIDI Layers ships an update fortnightly, and AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, MIDI Layers was updated on September 21, 2026 and AUBE 2 Audio Unit Box Explorer on September 26, 2026.

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