In Theory vs takeamidi
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
In Theory
This app provides a unique interval-based MIDI keyboard with over 110 scales. It allows for flexible chord creation by toggling additional intervals and notes from different octaves. It integrates with external MIDI keyboards and sequencers for advanced music production.
- Interval-based MIDI keyboard
- Over 110 built-in scales
- Customizable chord voicing
- MIDI keyboard input support
- MIDI CC message control
- AUv3 plugin compatibility
- Visual scale and note display
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In Theory is an interval based MIDI keyboard app with more than 110 scales. It has a keypad at the bottom with the interval buttons like +2, +1, 0, -1, -2 which would change the current note. Zero means the current note, +1 means the note after the current note, +2 means two notes after the current note, -2 means two notes before the current note in the scale and so on. Above the keypad, you can toggle additional intervals in the scale for creating chord voices. You can also select the notes from an octave above and an octave below for creating rich, extended chords. You can use your MIDI keyboard to play In Theory as well. The middle C4 key on your MIDI keyboard triggers the 0 (zero) button on the app's keypad. The white notes after the C4 note would trigger the positive buttons, the white notes before the C4 note would trigger the negative notes on the keypad. You can also toggle the chord intervals with MIDI CC messages. You can set a MIDI CC number and a MIDI Channel for toggling the chord intervals from the settings menu. If you send a MIDI CC value between 0-62, you can toggle the chord intervals respectively. With the MIDI capabilities, you can also sequence the app with a MIDI sequencer app like PolyBud, ShiftBud, MelodyBud etc. In Theory has more than 110 scales built-in. You can also use the custom scales you made in ScaleBud 2 app as well. The key and scale could be changed externally from a MIDI controller in AUv3 plugin with the AU parameters. The circular display on the UI will show you where you are in the scale. Also, when you play a note, you will see the every playing note on the screen with the root note and the chord intervals. Please note that In Theory is a MIDI app and does not produce any kind of sound on its own. You need to connect the MIDI output of the app to an audio app's MIDI input. For the AUv3 plugin you'll need an AUv3 host app such as AUM, Cubase, Nanostudio, apeMatrix etc.
takeamidi
This tool allows you to monitor, filter, and record MIDI input. It captures recent MIDI data into a buffer, which can then be exported as a MIDI file. You can also use it to filter various MIDI message types.
- MIDI monitoring
- MIDI filtering
- Live MIDI sampling
- Buffer recording (10s, 1m, 10m)
- MIDI file export
- Channel, System Common, Realtime, System Exclusive message support
- Standalone and AUv3 support
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“takeamidi” is a MIDI monitoring tool / MIDI filter / live sampler that allows you to quickly grab recent data as a MIDI file The application’s MIDI buffer contains recent 10 seconds / 1 minute / 10 minutes of MIDI input; The recording can be paused and cleared with appropriate buttons You can export the contents of the buffer by dragging a “file” icon in the lower left corner of the app window. Log window shows data of the selected time range You can use this app as a MIDI filter. It supports Channel, System Common, Realtime and System Exclusive messages to be displayed and / or filtered. Standalone and AUv3
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: In Theory at 100% against takeamidi's 20%. In Theory also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). takeamidi's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $4.99). On ratings volume, 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
In Theory costs $4.99 and takeamidi $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
In Theory holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of In Theory's written reviews are positive against 20% of takeamidi's.
In Theory ships an update weekly, takeamidi every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | In Theory | takeamidi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | 4.4 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 20.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 11 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cem Olcay | Alexey Nadzharov |
Customer experience
In Theory
takeamidi
In-app purchases
In Theory
No in-app purchases
takeamidi
No in-app purchases









