Comparison

shapesynth vs Tandem MIDI Canvas

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

shapesynth

Create unique retro-inspired sounds by drawing oscillator waveforms. This polyphonic synthesizer offers extensive modulation options, built-in effects, and recording capabilities. Seamlessly integrate with other music apps and hardware for a versatile creative experience.

Highlights
  • Draw custom oscillator waveforms
  • 16-voice polyphony
  • Arpeggiator and stereo delay
  • Resonant filter
  • Parameter modulation via keyboard, MPE, accelerometer
  • Tape recorder with infinite overdubs
  • Inter-app audio and AUv3 support
Features
Read full description

Shape is a polyphonic synthesiser allowing the user to draw the shape of the oscillator waveform. The first half of the oscillator is represented by 32 blocks and the second half is its mirror, generating all sorts of possible raw retroish sounds. 16 pages per oscillator allows to interpolate between different shapes. Add effects like arpeggio, stereo delay and a resonant filter and record your sounds on a classic tape. Modulate any parameter with keyboard, MIDI MPE or the device accelerometer. Connect to other apps with AudioBus, IAA, AUv3 and midi. +++ 16 voice polyphony +++ 2 oscillators, draw your own shape +++ 3 oscillator mixing functions (add, subtract or multiply) +++ Lfo modulation with ADSR: envelope, pitch, duty cycle, square, page or filter +++ Record on tape with infinite overdubs (save, load, import, export) +++ Arpeggiator +++ Stereo delay +++ Resonant filter (low, band and high pass) +++ Modulate any parameter using keyboard, MIDI MPE or accelerometer (Built in or Sphero) +++ Mini linear sequencer with euclidean rhythm +++ On screen 25 key stylophone style keyboard +++ AudioBus, Inter App Audio and AUv3 +++ Ableton link or AUv3 host sync +++ CoreMIDI, IAA MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, limited MPE and MIDI out +++ Audio Paste, files app drag’n drop or open with

About

Tandem MIDI Canvas

Design and build custom MIDI controllers on your iPhone or iPad. Save presets, perform with motion and snapshots, and collaborate in real-time with others. Features smart snapping, layout templates, and morphing between states.

Highlights
  • Build custom MIDI controller layouts
  • Save and recall presets
  • Perform with motion and snapshots
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Smart MIDI setup
  • Morphing between states
Features
Read full description

Tandem turns your iPhone or iPad into a customizable MIDI controller you can actually trust on stage. Build your own layouts in minutes, map them fast, save reusable presets, and perform with powerful features like snapshots, morphing, motion control, and real-time collaboration. Whether you’re producing in the studio, playing live, teaching, or building DJ performance layouts, Tandem gives you a fast, flexible way to create controllers that fit your workflow instead of forcing you into someone else’s. BUILD THE CONTROLLER YOU ACTUALLY WANT Create custom layouts with knobs, faders, XY pads, drum pads, buttons, toggles, momentary buttons, endless encoders, transport controls, and gyroscope-based motion. Start from a blank canvas or jump in quickly with templates for mixers, synth performance rigs, drum layouts, dashboards, and more. Save your setups as presets and reuse them whenever you want. FAST WORKFLOW, BUILT FOR REAL USE Tandem is designed to help you build quickly and perform confidently. Features include: • Smart snapping and responsive grids • Spacing tools for clean layouts • Focus Mode for precision editing • Fast MIDI Learn • Helpful hints and a replayable tutorial walkthrough • Smart MIDI setup so new controls can automatically map to unused assignments SHAPESHIFT YOUR PERFORMANCE This is where Tandem becomes more than a controller. Save up to 8 snapshots of an entire layout, including all control values. Instantly jump between states or smoothly interpolate between them using a Morph Driver. It’s perfect for live performance, evolving sound design, transitions, and expressive macro control. RANDOMIZATION YOU CAN PLAY Map Randomize to a button or pad and generate musical variation on demand. Great for experimentation, happy accidents, sound design, and live moments that feel alive instead of static. COLLABORATE IN REAL TIME With Tandem Mode, multiple devices can share and control the same layout together. Host or join a session and collaborate live across devices—ideal for bands, classrooms, writing rooms, rehearsals, and shared performance setups. Locally and Remotely via SharePlay! DJ AND PERFORMANCE READY Tandem isn’t just for synths and studio control. It can also power performance-oriented layouts for transport, mixing, browser access, FX control, looping, hot cues, waveforms, and more. Build focused pages for the way you actually perform. THEMES THAT LOOK GOOD AND HOLD UP ON STAGE Use high-contrast, stage-ready themes or create your own look. Tandem includes a redesigned Theme Maker plus import/export support for themes and preset packages so you can share setups and visual styles. FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY Connect with: • USB-C • Bluetooth MIDI • Wi-Fi Background processing helps keep MIDI flowing while you work. Tandem isn’t just a MIDI controller app. It’s a controller builder with performance features you usually only get from dedicated hardware—wrapped in a workflow that’s fast, modern, and easy to come back to. Design your ideal controller, save your favorite setups, morph entire layouts, and perform anywhere—solo or together.

Screenshots

shapesynth4 screens
Tandem MIDI Canvas4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: shapesynth at $4.99 against Tandem MIDI Canvas's $14.99. shapesynth also leads on ratings volume (24 vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). Tandem MIDI Canvas's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 65%). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

shapesynth costs $4.99 and Tandem MIDI Canvas $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for shapesynth against 5.0 for Tandem MIDI Canvas. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: shapesynth has 24 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of shapesynth's written reviews are positive against 100% of Tandem MIDI Canvas's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, Tandem MIDI Canvas every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
shapesynth versus Tandem MIDI Canvas: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametershapesynthTandem MIDI Canvas
Price$4.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.9 (24 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik SigthMitchell Cohen

Customer experience

shapesynth

All ratings24 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive65.1%
Neutral9.3%
Negative25.6%

Tandem MIDI Canvas

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

shapesynth

No in-app purchases

None

Tandem MIDI Canvas

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is shapesynth free?
shapesynth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tandem MIDI Canvas free?
Tandem MIDI Canvas costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, shapesynth or Tandem MIDI Canvas?
Tandem MIDI Canvas is rated higher. shapesynth averages 4.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Tandem MIDI Canvas averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do shapesynth or Tandem MIDI Canvas have ads?
Neither shapesynth nor Tandem MIDI Canvas shows ads.
Which is updated more often, shapesynth or Tandem MIDI Canvas?
shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, and Tandem MIDI Canvas every 5 weeks. Most recently, shapesynth was updated on November 1, 2026 and Tandem MIDI Canvas on October 30, 2026.

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