SoundGrid vs MIDI Drum
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SoundGrid
Create melodies and unique compositions with a powerful matrix sequencer. Easily share your music, browse creations from others, and record your performances. Offers advanced features for experienced users and is simple enough for beginners.
- Matrix sequencer with up to eight 16x16 layers
- Song Mode for automatic pattern playback
- Live Play Mode for performances
- Draw mode for multi-touch sound manipulation
- Over 20 high-quality stereo sample instruments
- Real-time sound effects
- Share, browse, download, and rate user creations
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SoundGrid is powerful yet easy to use matrix sequencer for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, allowing to create melodies in a moment and wherever you are. It was inspired by famous Tenori-on by Yamaha and popular ToneMatrix web app (http://bit.ly/tonema). Even if you have never composed music, you will find SoundGrid simple and exciting to play with and will start creating unique compositions in minutes with just the tips of your fingers. Then easily share them with other users and in turn browse, download and rate their creations. You can also record tracks and live performances to audio file, upload it directly to SoundCloud or export to a computer. For more experienced users SoundGrid offers advanced features and has everything you need to create longer and rich compositions and live performances. Listen to tracks created in SoundGrid - http://soundcloud.com/groups/soundgrid and on http://www.mifki.com/soundgrid/#sg . Follow @mifki on Twitter for news and updates. = FEATURES = ** Up to eight 16x16 matrix layers with up to 8 patterns per layer with different melodies - Song Mode to automatically play one pattern after another - Live Play Mode made specially for live performances - Draw mode to play sounds as you multi-touch or draw over the screen ** Various instruments - More than 20 instruments available with high-quality stereo samples - Download and install additional instruments right from the app for FREE (no additional in-app purchases) - Web Console to create instruments with your own samples ** High quality fast audio engine - Real-time sound effects: Amp Envelope, Delay and Lowpass/Highpass/Bandpass/Notch resonant filter - True 128 note polyphony with all effects turned on (on iPhone 4, older devices have lower limits) ** Share your compositions with other users, browse, download and rate their creations ** Adjustable project tempo, adjustable looping range for each pattern, pattern randomization, switchable musical scales, patterns copy/paste ** Easily load projects with graphical previews = REVIEWS = 5/5, "the creme de la creme of matrix sequencer apps" - SlapApp.com 4.2, "Whether you are an advanced musician or just someone who enjoys easily creating your own unique tunes, you should definitely pick this one up." - AppVee.com
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 in-app purchases: SoundGrid at none against MIDI Drum's 2. SoundGrid also leads on ratings volume (30 vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). MIDI Drum's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ads and device support 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 Drum sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. SoundGrid asks for nothing beyond the download.
SoundGrid holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SoundGrid has 30 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SoundGrid ships an update every 3 months, MIDI Drum every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SoundGrid | MIDI Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (30 ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 68.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 30 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MIFKI PTY LTD | InstaChord Corp. |
Customer experience
SoundGrid
MIDI Drum
In-app purchases
SoundGrid
No in-app purchases
MIDI Drum
- Save in proprietary format$4.99
- Export as SMF$4.99









