MIDI FX vs MIDI Drum
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MIDI FX
This app allows you to control and process MIDI signals for music creation. It offers features like harmonization, transposition, and sequencing, enabling you to control external or virtual synthesizers and create complex musical arrangements.
- MIDI signal processing
- Harmonize and Transpose
- Sequencer for synths
- Delay and Looper
- Filter notes by velocity
- Internal instruments
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Buy once and get the iOS and Mac apps (with Family Sharing) Control your MIDI signals and process them in any combination of ways: Harmonize, Transpose, Arpeggiate, etc... Or use the Sequencer to play any external or virtual synth. Use a MIDI interface to unlock the power of the app to control multiple synths with one keyboard, play one note and generate chords, basslines, etc... Use the delay/looper or filter notes based on velocity or other parameters to send to different synths/effects. A MIDI workstation in your pocket (or your iPad/Mac) You can also use some internal instruments (drums sampler, piano or synth) if you are away from your MIDI gear, and sequence whole songs inside the app, or use other synth apps as input/output for MIDI FX. Your imagination is the limit!
MIDI Drum
Create and perform drum patterns with an 8-track sequencer. Connect to external instruments and apps via Bluetooth or USB MIDI. Share your creations and explore a library of user-made songs.
- 8-track drum sequencer
- User-friendly interface
- Live performance mode
- General MIDI sound source
- Bluetooth LE and USB MIDI support
- Song library for sharing
- Export Standard MIDI Files (paid add-on)
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Key Features: - 8-track drum sequencer - Simple, user-friendly interface - Display and edit 4 to 48 steps across 4 cycles on a single screen - Live performance with up to 6 toggleable blocks - Built-in sound source compliant with General MIDI - Compatible with electronic instruments via MIDI connection (e.g., Casiotone, PortaTone, InstaChord) - Connection options: Bluetooth LE MIDI or USB MIDI - Extend sound sources by connecting with other apps such as bs-16i - Can be operated via external MIDI devices, keyboards, and page-turning switches - Song library for sharing self-created data and downloading from other users - Export Standard MIDI Files (SMF) – available as a paid add-on *Loading data created by other users is free. *In-app purchases apply across all devices. Official Website (Japanese): https://instachord.com/product/midi-drum/ User Manual (English): https://kantan-music.notion.site/MIDI-Drum-Manual-5976bdeba4f04900851f0e3c9ae247d6 Song Library: https://instachord.com/community/drum-data/ Developer: bismark [https://www.bismark.jp/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MIDI FX at 5.0 against MIDI Drum's 3.7. MIDI FX also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, 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
Both are free to download. MIDI FX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and MIDI Drum sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
MIDI FX holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively.
MIDI FX ships an update every 9 days, MIDI Drum every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MIDI FX | MIDI Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.7 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 263 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jorge Arroyo | InstaChord Corp. |
Customer experience
MIDI FX
MIDI Drum
In-app purchases
MIDI FX
- Unlock app$9.99
MIDI Drum
- Save in proprietary format$4.99
- Export as SMF$4.99
