Textquencer Sequencer & Synth vs Scale and SticKey
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Textquencer Sequencer & Synth
Create music by typing text. Each letter corresponds to a note in a chosen scale, allowing for unique melodic sequences. Customize character mappings and randomize note velocities for dynamic compositions.
- Text-to-note sequencing
- Custom character mapping
- Scale-based note generation
- Velocity and gate randomization
- Internal synth (standalone)
- AUv3 plugin support
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Textquencer is a text-based MIDI sequencer. Each letter's alphabetical index is mapped to the note in the scale you are working. For example in C-major scale, Letter A (index = 1) is Note C (first note in the scale) Letter B (index = 2) is Note D (second note in the scale) Letter C (index = 3) is Note E (third note in the scale) Letter H (index = 8) is Note C but an octave higher and so on. You can create custom character mapping for emojis, punctuation, symbols or any letters in any language. A custom character can mapped to - A specific MIDI note or, - A specific note in the scale like the first note in the scale, the third note in the scale etc. Unless a character is custom mapped, a letter in English alphabet or a number, it will be a rest in the sequencer. Also, you can randomise the velocity and gate lengths in each step if you want, You can enable it on the settings menu and set a randomization min-max range. Please note that Textquencer 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.
Scale and SticKey
This app simplifies music theory by visualizing concepts like modes, scales, and chords through an interactive 'Note Team' system. Users can explore different musical structures, listen to scales and progressions, and understand key signatures and tonal centers.
- Interactive Note Team (TM) system
- Visualizes modes, key signatures, scales, and chords
- Explore different scale types (pentatonic, blues, bebop)
- Listen to scales and chord progressions
- Understand tonal centers and key names
- Play individual Roman numeral chords
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Scale and SticKey makes understanding music theory simple and enjoyable by synthesizing 5 theoretical concepts (modes, key signatures, scales, chord progressions, and solfa) into the concept of building a Note Team (TM). To get started (clicking the help '?' icon in the app menu will walk you through these steps): 1. Spin the solfa wheel or drag the solfa slider to put 'do' on a new position. 2. Drag the players around the outside of the wheel so that every player lines up with one of the seven solfa positions. (If you get stuck, click the central circle with the '?' to have the app move the players for you.) 3. Once every player is on a solfa position, you have formed a Note Team (TM)! The team captain has an arrow pointing at his solfa symbol, the key signature is shown in the center of the wheel, and the key is named at the top of the screen. 4. To change modes, either double-click on a new solfa name or use the arrows under the key name at the top of the screen. Each time you change modes, you are changing the tonal center (or tonic), which means your team has a new captain. The key name always begins with the name of the team captain. 5. Listen to the scales by clicking the play arrow under the key name. Change the type of scale by selecting a new icon under the key name. Options include: 7-note (heptatonic), 5-note(pentatonic), 6-note (blues), 8-note (bebop) and raised 7th (harmonic or melodic minor) scales. 6. Listen to chord progressions by clicking the arrow under the chord progression. Change the progression style by selecting a new icon under the chord progression, or switch to a new progression using the previous / next arrows next to the play button. 7. Switch to the chords view in the menu to play individual Roman numeral chords. 8.Return all elements to their original positions by clicking the reset button in the menu.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Scale and SticKey at 5.0 against Textquencer Sequencer & Synth's 4.6. Scale and SticKey also leads on price ($2.99 vs $4.99). Textquencer Sequencer & Synth's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On review sentiment, 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
Textquencer Sequencer & Synth costs $4.99 and Scale and SticKey $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Scale and SticKey holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textquencer Sequencer & Synth has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Textquencer Sequencer & Synth ships an update monthly, Scale and SticKey every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Textquencer Sequencer & Synth | Scale and SticKey |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $2.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 80 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cem Olcay | Laura Gabrielson |
Customer experience
Textquencer Sequencer & Synth
Scale and SticKey
In-app purchases
Textquencer Sequencer & Synth
No in-app purchases
Scale and SticKey
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Textquencer Sequencer & Synth free?
Is Scale and SticKey free?
Which has better reviews, Textquencer Sequencer & Synth or Scale and SticKey?
Do Textquencer Sequencer & Synth or Scale and SticKey have ads?
Which is updated more often, Textquencer Sequencer & Synth or Scale and SticKey?
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