Comparison

MIDI Designer Pro X vs BendLab

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

Head to head
About

MIDI Designer Pro X

Create custom MIDI controllers for any MIDI-enabled hardware or software. Offers extensive customization, a large user-created layout library, and robust MIDI communication. Ideal for musicians and producers seeking a personalized control experience.

Highlights
  • Control any MIDI-enabled device
  • Network, Bluetooth, and USB MIDI
  • Extensive user layout library
  • Customizable control surfaces
  • Advanced MIDI transformation features
  • Ableton Link integration
Features
Read full description

MIDI Designer Pro X (MDPx) is the culmination of over a decade of improvement. We launched MIDI Designer Pro in 2012 and relaunched it in 2016 as MIDI Designer Pro 2. MDP2 was the first and only professional-grade MIDI controller built natively for iOS, earning critical acclaim. Since launch, over 80 updates have greatly expanded its capabilities. Our user-created library now covers 375+ MIDI targets across music hardware and software. In 2024, MDPx took a significant leap forward with the expressive "Spaceship" theme on iPad and Mac and major iPhone usability advances. It now adds AUv3 support in hosts such as AUM, Cubasis, and Logic. A new subscription model — Premium — allows even more users to use the App in their music-making and discover the App Store's best MIDI controller for themselves. CAPABILITIES • Control all MIDI-enabled hardware and software: keyboards, synths, effects, pedals, DAWs, plug-ins, DJ, VJ & lighting rigs, other iOS apps, robots, cruise ships, rail guns, particle accelerators • AUv3 MIDI Processor Extension: Host MDPx inside AUM, Cubasis, Logic, and other AUv3 hosts. • Solid MIDI Communications Infrastructure: Sets the industry standard for reliable and robust MIDI interactions over Network, Bluetooth and USB. • Active Community of Authors: A vibrant ecosystem supporting legacy and current music synthesizers, sound engines, DAWs, and all MIDI-controlled devices. • Extensive User Layout Library: More than 350 layouts for over 80 manufacturers, contributed by the Community. • Comprehensive Support: Whether you're just starting or tackling complex MIDI implementations, with the Community we are here to assist. • MIDI Designer's 'Superpowers': A suite of powerful features exclusive to MIDI Designer that we have developed over the last 10+ years, including: • Ableton Link and Link Control Loopers • Supercontrols and subcontrols as the basis for many features (with no scripting!): • Snap sub to value over time • Sequential subs • Subcontrol chaining • Button groups (radio buttons) with Bounceback™ • Steppers • Live Transpose • Group Presets • Named Ticks • Accelerometer • Simplified Sysex Messages with variables and bit changers • Snap to Value over Time • Global Presets • Pedalboards • Popup Panels (Show/Hide) • Two-up Page Layout for iPad/Mac • Streambyter Plugin by Audeonic for advanced MIDI transformation MDPx is easy to use, infinitely flexible and customizable, and battle-tested in performance. It's the only professional-grade MIDI controller built from the ground up for iOS to control ANYTHING via MIDI. dream | create | play COMMUNITY The MIDI Designer Community has built layouts for popular MIDI targets. Here are just a few: • Ableton Live • Air Music Tech: Xpand!2 • Arturia: Synclavier V, Analog Lab 4 • Audiofier: Riffendium • Chase Bliss: Mood MKII, Reverse Mode C, Thermae • Clavia: NORD LEAD 4 • DSI: Prophet 12 • Elektron: Octatrack MKII • E-MU: Planet Phatt • Eventide: Pitchfactor, Modfactor • Fractal: Axe-FX • Hauptwerk: St. Anne's Symphonic Organ • Kawai: K1, K1r • Korg: Volca Series, 707 • Line 6: POD X3, POD XT, POD HD500, POD Go • Meris: Enzo, Polymoon • M-Audio: Venom • Novation: MiniNova • Moog: Voyager, Animoog, Little Phatty, Slim Phatty, MF-104m Analog Delay • Omnisphere • Pigtronix: Infinity Looper • Roland: Jupiter-Xm, RD-2000, RD-88, FA-06/FA-07/FA-08, VG-99, JX-3P, JX-8P, MKS-30, MKS-50, MKS-80 • Sample Logic: Morphestra 2 • Sonokinetic: Noir • Soundiron: Steel Tones • TC Electronic: Nova Drive NDR-1 • ValhallaDSP: ÜberMod, VintageVerb, FreqEcho, Shimmer, Room • Yamaha: DX7 (TX7), TQ5, SY77 (TG77), DX21, Reface DX, AN200/PLG-100AN/AN1X FIND OUT MORE Web: midiDesigner.com/mdpx Community Layouts: midiDesigner.com/community Manual: midiDesigner.com/manual EULA: apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

BendLab

Read full description

BendLab is a simple, focused MIDI controller for Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheel on iPhone and iPad. TWO CONTROLS. MORE EXPRESSION. • Pitch Bend returns to center when released. • Mod Wheel (CC 1) holds its value or automatically returns to zero. • MIDI channel selection from 1 to 16. • Bluetooth MIDI connectivity with compatible devices and apps. • Sends to compatible MIDI outputs provided by the system, including wired connections when supported by your device, cables and adapters. • Portrait and landscape layouts. • Customizable control color, with blue as the default. • Automatically follows your device's language settings. MADE FOR PLAYING A minimal interface without ads, an account or a subscription. Open, connect and use the controls to add expression to your compatible virtual instrument, keyboard or music software. IMPORTANT BendLab sends MIDI messages; it does not generate sound. Your destination instrument or software must receive and respond to Pitch Bend and/or CC 1. Wired connectivity depends on each device's MIDI capabilities, cables and adapters. Bluetooth MIDI does not transmit Bluetooth audio. Support: contato@dedealbano.com Privacy: https://dedealbano.com/bendlab-politica-de-privacidade/

Screenshots

MIDI Designer Pro X4 screens
BendLab3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MIDI Designer Pro X at Free against BendLab's $2.99. BendLab's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download; BendLab costs $2.99 up front. MIDI Designer Pro X sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. BendLab asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MIDI Designer Pro X versus BendLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDI Designer Pro XBendLab
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.6 (269 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings269 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size205 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConfusion Studios LLCDaniel Albano

In-app purchases

14 purchases

MIDI Designer Pro X

Subscriptions10
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$1.991 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$3.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium Mac Only$4.491 Month
Show 7 more
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$4.491 Month
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$7.991 Month
  • MDPx Premium iPhone Only$19.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad Only$34.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium Mac Only$44.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium iPad, iPhone$44.991 Year
  • MDPx Premium Mac, iPad, iPhone$79.991 Year
One-time4
  • Extra Features Pack$4.99
  • Automatic Backups$4.99
  • Audeonic Stream Byter Plugin$4.99
Show 1 more
  • MDPx Premium Lifetime$199.99
None

BendLab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDI Designer Pro X free?
MIDI Designer Pro X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BendLab free?
BendLab costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do MIDI Designer Pro X or BendLab have ads?
Neither MIDI Designer Pro X nor BendLab shows ads.

Other comparisons