MIDI Layers vs PhaseX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
PhaseX
This app offers a stereo phaser audio effect with three classic modes: MXR Phase 90, Phase 45, and Shin-ei Uni-Vibe. It allows for versatile sound shaping with simple parameters, providing classic and modern phaser sounds, including stereo phasing/vibrato as an alternative to chorus effects.
- Stereo phaser audio effect
- Three classic modes (MXR Phase 90, Phase 45, Uni-Vibe)
- Simple, versatile parameters
- Modern phaser sound extensions
- Stereo phasing/vibrato alternative to chorus
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PhaseX is an interpretation of classic phaser effects with beautiful stereo sound. It offers 3 basic modes: MXR Phase 90, Phase 45 and Shin-ei Uni-Vibe. Its simple parameters offer standard phaser sounds as well as great modern extensions, making it versatile yet self-explanatory. Choose between typical classic phasing, more gentle Uni-Vibe feeling or the more subtle, less dominant (underestimated) phase 45 sound. "Modify" the classics with the feedback setting and, as special cherry on your cake, discover stereo phasing/vibrato as a nice alternative to chorus effects, avoiding the chorus/flanger inherent "fuzziness" of attack transients.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: PhaseX at $5.99 against MIDI Layers's $12.99. PhaseX also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). MIDI Layers's advantage is ratings volume (13 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13 vs 17.6). On update cadence, 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
MIDI Layers costs $12.99 and PhaseX $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
PhaseX holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MIDI Layers has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
MIDI Layers ships an update fortnightly, PhaseX every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MIDI Layers | PhaseX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $5.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (13 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 13 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 4Pockets.com | mattoncino software |
Customer experience
MIDI Layers
PhaseX
In-app purchases
MIDI Layers
No in-app purchases
PhaseX
No in-app purchases









