bismark bs vs BK Partner
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
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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.
BK Partner
Control your Roland BK-series instrument's sounds and accompaniments from your iPad. It mirrors the instrument's front panel for quick access to functions, tones, and rhythms. Supports Core MIDI and Roland Wireless Connection.
- Browse and select instrument tones
- Control musical accompaniments
- Duplicate instrument's front control panel on iPad
- Fast visual access to main functions
- Support for Core MIDI
- Support for Roland Wireless Connection
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This software application for iPad let you browse, select, and control the sounds ("Tones") and musical accompaniments ("Rhythms") of your Roland BK-series instrument. When using BK Partner you can: - Play your BK-series instrument while using your iPad as a duplication of its front control panel. This provides fast visual access to the BK's main functions, Tones, and Rhythms. Work with Core MIDI or Roland Wireless Connection (if supported by BK Instrument) *Note: The BK Partner can only display English texts.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: BK Partner at Free against bismark bs's $7.99. BK Partner also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 17.0). bismark bs's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (124 vs 6). On rating, review sentiment, 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
BK Partner is free to download; bismark bs costs $7.99 up front. bismark bs sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. BK Partner asks for nothing beyond the download.
BK Partner holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: bismark bs has 124 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of bismark bs's written reviews are positive against 61% of BK Partner's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
bismark bs ships an update every 3 weeks, BK Partner every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | bismark bs | BK Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (124 ratings) | 4.0 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.3% of reviews — better | 60.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 124 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 8.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | bismark LLC | Roland Corporation |
Customer experience
bismark bs
BK Partner
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
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- 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
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- 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
BK Partner
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
BK Partner
No in-app purchases
