bismark bs vs X Air Controller
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
bismark bs
This professional sampler allows you to load SoundFont and DLS libraries to create a vast collection of instruments. It functions as a powerful plug-in instrument within DAWs and offers extensive MIDI support for external controllers and virtual MIDI connections.
- AUv3 plug-in instrument
- Load SoundFont (.sf2) and DLS libraries
- Synthesizer engine with optional Hi-Res Engine
- Scalable on-screen keyboard with pitch bend and CC controllers
- USB and Bluetooth MIDI support
- 16-part multitimbral playback
- iCloud Drive synchronization
Read full descriptionHide full description
bismark bs-16i is a professional AUv3 SoundFont sampler for iOS and iPadOS. Use it as a powerful plug-in instrument inside your favorite DAWs. bs-16i is powered by a synthesizer engine adopted in professional and commercial audio equipment. With the optional Hi-Res Engine, it delivers extremely clean, low-noise sound using 100% floating-point audio processing. Load SoundFont (.sf2) and DLS libraries and access a vast collection of instruments. A General MIDI–compatible setup is included by default with "GeneralUser GS SoftSynth" by S. Christian Collins. AUv3 plug-in features: • Works as an AUv3 instrument in Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other compatible hosts • Automation-ready parameters • Designed for both iPhone and iPad workflows App features: • Scalable on-screen keyboard • Pitch bend wheel and CC controllers • Built-in SMF (Standard MIDI File) player • USB and Bluetooth MIDI support Connect external MIDI keyboards, controllers, and sequencers, or drive bs-16i from other apps using Virtual MIDI. Common (AUv3 and App) features: • 16-part multitimbral playback • Full support for standard MIDI messages • SoundFont, DLS, MIDI, and Scene files are managed in the “bs-16i” folder on iCloud Drive and automatically synced across all your iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. iCloud Drive and local storage can be selected for each Scene. Notes: • To load SoundFont or DLS files, sufficient free memory exceeding the file size is required. • This application collects the following information: device name, OS version, SoundFont/DLS file name, and Core MIDI interface name.
X Air Controller
This application provides comprehensive control over Behringer X Air and Midas M Air series digital mixers. Manage faders, mutes, EQ, compression, and more for each channel through an intuitive interface. It offers features like mixer scanning, settings synchronization, and customizable channel visibility.
- Control faders, mutes, and solos
- Adjust input, output, compression, and EQ
- Manage bus sends and channel settings
- Scan for mixers or manually enter IP
- Sync mixer settings
- Supports left/right hand modes
- Option to hide channels
Read full descriptionHide full description
Control your Behringer X Air mixer, including the XR12, XR16, and XR18. Also works with Midas M Air series. Simple and easy to use interface allows control of faders, mutes, solos, input, output, compression, eq, bus sends, channel name/color, and more for each channel. Some additional features include: •Easily find your mixer by using the scan function or you can manually enter the IP address if it is known •Sync by sending mixer settings from app to mixer or mixer to app •Supports left and right hand mode for iPad •Option to hide channels •Live update parameters made by other devices connected to the mixer If you have a minute and enjoy X Air Controller, please leave a review. It helps a lot and I appreciate hearing your feedback. Thank you!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: bismark bs at 3.8 against X Air Controller's 2.5. bismark bs also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 31%). X Air Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and price ($4.99 vs $7.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
bismark bs costs $7.99 and X Air Controller $4.99 up front. bismark bs sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. X Air Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.
bismark bs holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 124 and 66 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of bismark bs's written reviews are positive against 31% of X Air Controller's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | bismark bs | X Air Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (124 ratings) — better | 2.5 (66 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 62.3% of reviews — better | 31.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 124 — better | 66 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #180 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 10.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | bismark LLC | Nicholas Arduini |
Customer experience
bismark bs
X Air Controller
Bugs and requests
bismark bs
Reported bugs
49 issues- MIDI cutting out intermittently
- Copy-pasted MIDI data plays piano sound instead of selected instrument
- Notes sometimes not playing during playback or export
- Legacy edition not loading in GarageBand
- App crashes when loading projects with legacy edition
Show 44 moreShow fewer
- Refuses to open unit extension and crashes app
- Cannot load songs that use the legacy version
- Legacy version won't load, crashes GarageBand
- Cannot import MIDI song after last upgrade
- Projects made before upgrade are unusable
- App crashes
- Soundfonts disappear after opening the app
- New AUv3 or legacy AUv3 not working correctly
- New AUv3 stuck on default piano
- Legacy AUv3 doesn't access iCloud .sf2 files
- Notes disappearing in playback
- Imported soundfonts not displayed in settings but visible in edit
- App not opening after changing to a newer iPad
- Soundfonts only partially loaded from folder
- Notes sometimes fail to play, possibly velocity data issue
- Articulations not interpreted well, fixed attack type
- Stuck notes
- AUv3 not working in GarageBand, loading as 'Inter-app unit'
- App closing by itself on iPhone SE 2nd Gen
- Sound cuts out when merging tracks
- Sustain stuck, affecting app usage
- AUv3 version doesn't recall soundfonts
- Delay in sound output after pressing keys
- MIDI program change not working correctly on iOS 14
- Notes sometimes don't play in GarageBand
- Transpose not working
- Portamento setting not saving
- AUv3 not loading in BeatMaker, Nanostudio, etc. after update
- No sound when connecting to Yamaha ypg 235
- Busy Boy sound not found
- Latest update crashes on startup on iPad 4 (iOS 8.4.1)
- BS-16i drops audio in AUM
- Cubasis issue: BS resets to factory when stopping project
- App crashes in Beatmaker 3
- No MIDI out to Audiobus MIDI chain when playing MIDI file
- Cannot access 'INBOX'
- Tune option makes app sound like a toy
- Sustain getting stuck, especially on continuous effects
- App crashes during settings changes on iPad
- Sound cutting out during MIDI playback
- App crashes with large soundfonts
- MIDI stopped working after last update
- App crashes when using more than 16 notes
- UI changed, making instrument selection less intuitive
Requested features
12 requests- More features for sound design
- Affected filter cutoff by low velocity
- Envelope affected by cutoff
- Organ effects like 'Wah'
- Add a manual/documentation
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Improve UI/design
- Option to change theme color
- Split keyboard option
- MIDI learn for sliders/knobs
- Background Audio support
- Transpose button
- Scale keyboard to 17 keys on iPhone
X Air Controller
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
bismark bs
- 128 Polyphony$2.99
- Hi-Res Synthesizer Engine$4.99
- Compressor$4.99
X Air Controller
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is bismark bs free?
Is X Air Controller free?
Which has better reviews, bismark bs or X Air Controller?
Do bismark bs or X Air Controller have ads?
Which is updated more often, bismark bs or X Air Controller?
Other comparisons
