Comparison

Midi Studio vs NS MIDI Player

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

Head to head
About

Midi Studio

This app acts as a modular MIDI control surface, allowing users to remotely control software and hardware via Wi-Fi or USB. It offers various touch controls like faders, knobs, and XY pads for music production and studio setups.

Highlights
  • Modular MIDI control surface
  • Wi-Fi and USB connectivity
  • Faders, knobs, buttons, XY pads
  • Customizable layouts (Pro version)
  • CoreMidi message support
  • Velocity sensitive keys
Features
Read full description

Warning: This app is a Midi controller and does not include a sound engine or synth. -----------REVIEWS----------- Midi Studio is a fantastic midi controller app that do not provide a sound but to control the sound in the studio. It's pretty unique and should be the one stand out from the crowd. - Best10Apps.com! #Midi Studio is rated as a killer app by Apps4iDevices.com! #Midi Studio was rated as App-of-the-Week by iDesignSound.com! -----------ABOUT----------- Midi Studio is a modular MIDI control surface for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad.

It supports sending CoreMidi messages over a Wi-Fi network using the UDP protocol for sending and receiving MIDI messages.

The application allows to remote control and receive feedback from software and hardware that implement the MIDI protocols such as Apple Logic Pro/Express, Ableton Live, Max for Live, Cubase, Pro Tools, FL Loops and many others.

The interface provides a number of different touch controls to send and receive messages:

Faders / Rotary controls / Encoder controls / Push buttons / Toggle buttons / XY pads / LEDs / Labels, etc. !!!WARNING, by default app not include "Ability to create custom layouts". This feature available only through built-purchase or you can buy a "Midi Studio Pro" version. Midi Studio Features: -[Ability to create custom layouts] -[CoreMidi] -[WI-FI] -[USB adapters, like "Apple camera connection kit", etc], with original Apple's pc to iPhone/iPod cable it will not work! -[True Velocity Sensitive ] (with the force of impact) -[Modulation] -[Drums] -[Faders] -[Knobs] -[Buttons] -[Touch pads] -[Two Keyboards] -[Different Keys Size] -[Custom Key Scale] - (Like: Major, Minor, Klezmer, etc...) iPAD VERSION INCLUDE: -Keyboard Layout - free -Drums Layouts - free -Drums 4x4 - free -All XY Pads - free -Live Pad - free -Mixer - free -Ability to create custom layouts - Built-in purchase only -CD PLAYER layout - Built-in purchase only -VINYL PLAYER layout - Built-in purchase only -DJ MIXER layout - Built-in purchase only -Surface and Transport Layouts (DAW CONTROL) - Built-in purchase only -Live Drums Layout - Built-in purchase only Transport and Surface Layouts works with: -Generic mode -Logic Pro -Live -Cubase/Nuendo -HUI / PRO TOOLS -Reason -Reaper -FL Studio iPHONE/iPOD VERSION INCLUDE: -Keyboard Layout - free -Drums Layouts - free -XY Pads - free -Mixer - free -Ability to create custom layouts - Built-in purchase only -Live Drums Layout - Built-in purchase only For more info visit: www.wiksnet.com

About

NS MIDI Player

This application allows users to play MIDI files on their Apple devices. It supports various MIDI formats, custom sound fonts, and synchronized lyrics. Advanced features like audio export and MIDI output connection are available via a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Play standard MIDI files (.mid, .midi, .kar)
  • Support for custom SoundFonts (.sf2, .dls)
  • View time-synced lyrics
  • Connect to MIDI outputs
  • Export MIDI as audio
  • Queue multiple songs
  • Background audio and AirPlay support
Features
Read full description

NS MIDI Player is a simple MIDI player for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Features include: - Free! - No ads, subscriptions, or data collection - Play standard MIDI files (SMF) with file extensions .mid, .midi, and .kar - GM and GS standards supported with the default SoundFont - Use custom SoundFonts with file extension .sf2 or .dls - View time-synced lyrics - Connect to MIDI outputs with Core MIDI* - Export MIDI files as audio* - Queue multiple songs to be played in order* - "Open with" from other apps, such as Safari - Integrated with the Files app (iOS and iPadOS) - Supports drag-and-drop - Supports Quick Look previews - Share MIDI files directly from the app - Supports background audio and AirPlay - Lock screen and Control Center controls with scrubbing - Gapless repeat mode - Playback speed control with tap tempo - Customizable reverb - Transpose* Note: Features marked with an asterisk (*) require upgrading to the full version before they can be used. This is a one-time purchase shared across all of your devices and helps support further development. All other features are free. Included FluidR3Mono GM SoundFont is licensed under the MIT License. Included Sample MIDI file is "Hard Times" from http://www.soundswell.co.uk/pages/swmids.htm and is in the public domain. This app and its creator are not affiliated with the creators of these files in any way.

Screenshots

Midi Studio4 screens
NS MIDI Player2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NS MIDI Player at Free against Midi Studio's $1.99. NS MIDI Player also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (84% vs 64%). Midi Studio's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 17.5). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

NS MIDI Player is free to download; Midi Studio costs $1.99 up front. Midi Studio sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and NS MIDI Player sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NS MIDI Player holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 65 and 196 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Midi Studio's written reviews are positive against 84% of NS MIDI Player's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Midi Studio ships an update every 5 weeks, NS MIDI Player every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Midi Studio versus NS MIDI Player: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMidi StudioNS MIDI Player
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (65 ratings)4.5 (196 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.4% of reviews84.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings65196 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size500 MB130 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVITALIY TARASYUKNitin Seshadri

Customer experience

Midi Studio

All ratings65 ratings
Positive75.4%
Neutral4.6%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews177 reviews
Positive64.4%
Neutral8.5%
Negative27.1%

NS MIDI Player

All ratings196 ratings
Positive88.8%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews90 reviews
Positive84.4%
Neutral5.6%
Negative10.0%

User reviews

Midi Studio

From 65 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎛️ Versatile MIDI controller with multiple layout options
  • 🚀 Low latency wireless MIDI connection over WiFi
  • 💡 Velocity-sensitive keyboards and drum pads
  • 🎹 Works seamlessly with popular DAWs (Logic, Ableton, Reason, Reaper)
  • 👍 Easy to set up and intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 💸 Expensive in-app purchases for custom layouts ($15-$23)
  • 📦 Extremely large app size (500MB+) for a MIDI controller
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • 📚 Poor documentation and unclear setup instructions
  • 🚫 No customer support or unresponsive support team

NS MIDI Player

From 196 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
  • 🎵 Excellent sound quality with soundfont support
  • 💰 Free version available with core functionality
  • 🎧 Custom soundfont compatibility
  • 📱 QuickLook/QuickView integration for quick previews

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
  • ⏱️ Slow loading times for large MIDI files
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • ❌ Limited free version functionality
  • 💸 Premium features behind paywall ($7.99-$22)

Bugs and requests

Midi Studio

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App crashes on startup or during use
  • MIDI keyboard and drum pads frequently break or become unresponsive
  • Dropped MIDI events during performance
  • Connectivity issues between iOS devices
  • In-app purchase store causes crashes
Show 7 more
  • Developer website shows revoked certificate
  • Latency issues on WiFi connections
  • UI quirks when editing layouts
  • Device slowdown when app is running
  • Inconsistent drum pad transposition (two semitones instead of one)
  • Crashes on specific iOS versions (iOS 11.3.1 reported)
  • iPhone performance issues (crashes on iPhone, works on iPad)

Requested features

12 requests
  • Bluetooth MIDI support as alternative to WiFi
  • MIDI learn function for easier configuration
  • IAA (Inter-App Audio) or Audiobus support
  • Editable drum pad layouts with half-step intervals
  • Configuration profiles for switching between instruments
Show 7 more
  • LED feedback on fader positions
  • Full-screen optimization for larger devices
  • Comprehensive user manual and tutorials
  • Standalone sound generation capability
  • USB connection option for lower latency
  • System message options
  • Preset configurations for popular DAWs included by default

NS MIDI Player

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes frequently during normal use
  • Settings menu causes crashes
  • Export/conversion button force closes app
  • Soundfont file picker fails to open
  • Audio initialization errors with some soundfonts
Show 9 more
  • App freezes after several minutes of use
  • Some MIDI files only play with default soundfont
  • Reverb and echo instruments play at incorrect volumes
  • App stops playing when sent to background
  • File extension case sensitivity (.mid vs .MID)
  • Large MIDI files (1.2MB+) fail to load or load extremely slowly
  • Soundfont compatibility issues with newer formats
  • Audio output issues despite correct system settings
  • App reappears on iPad after deletion from Mac

Requested features

16 requests
  • Playlist creation and management
  • Instrument selection/replacement per channel
  • Background playback with screen off
  • Auto-play all files in folder
  • Pitch adjustment capability
Show 11 more
  • MIDI file browser within app
  • Visual feedback (piano roll, notes, chords)
  • Support for additional formats (MMF, MXMF, PMD, MLD)
  • DLS level 1 support
  • Drag and drop from Finder
  • File deletion button
  • Track history/recently played list
  • Persistent soundfont loading
  • Loop sections of MIDI files
  • External control via Bluetooth
  • Batch file processing

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Midi Studio

One-time10
  • Live Drums Layout$0.99
  • CD Player Layout$0.99
  • Vinyl Player Layout$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Buy ready-made layout$1.99
  • Buy Control$1.99
  • DJ Mixer Layout$1.99
  • Buy Gold Layout$4.99
  • Daw Control Layouts$4.99
  • Buy Premium Layout$9.99
  • Create Custom Layouts$14.99
5 purchases

NS MIDI Player

One-time5
  • Thanks$0.99
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
Show 2 more
  • NS MIDI Player (Full Unlock)$7.99
  • Large Tip$9.99

Questions

Is Midi Studio free?
Midi Studio costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is NS MIDI Player free?
NS MIDI Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Midi Studio or NS MIDI Player?
NS MIDI Player is rated higher. Midi Studio averages 4.0 out of 5 from 65 ratings, while NS MIDI Player averages 4.5 from 196 ratings.
Do Midi Studio or NS MIDI Player have ads?
Neither Midi Studio nor NS MIDI Player shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Midi Studio or NS MIDI Player?
Midi Studio ships an update every 5 weeks, and NS MIDI Player every 3 months. Most recently, Midi Studio was updated on September 26, 2026 and NS MIDI Player on September 22, 2026.

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