Comparison

Midi Studio vs MIDIWriter

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

MIDIWriter

This app transforms keyboard input into musical notes and sounds. Type characters to instantly generate MIDI messages, or input phrases to create musical sequences with adjustable tempo and looping. It includes a built-in sound engine and supports external MIDI devices and apps.

Highlights
  • Text to MIDI conversion
  • Built-in General MIDI sound engine
  • Phrase playback with tempo control
  • Drum mode with multiple kits
  • External MIDI output
  • Hardware keyboard support
  • Wi-Fi MIDI networking
Features
Read full description

[[ A STRANGE MUSIC TOOL FOR MANIAC MUSIC LOVERS! ]] MIDIWriter is a unique app that converts keyboard input into MIDI note messages. Each character you type instantly produces sound. You can also enter a phrase and play it back as a sequence with adjustable tempo and loop options. KEY FEATURES: Built-in Sound Engine: No external app required! MIDIWriter includes a built-in General MIDI sound engine with 128 instruments and 9 drum kits. Just type and hear the sound immediately. Phrase Playback: Enter any text and play it as a musical sequence. Adjust the tempo (1-480 BPM), enable loop mode, and let your words become music. Space characters can be used as rests. Drum Mode: Switch to drum mode to play percussion sounds. Choose from 9 GM drum kits including Standard, Room, Power, Electronic, 808/909, Jazz, Brush, and Orchestral. MIDI Output: Send MIDI to other apps or external devices. Configure MIDI channel (1-16), program change (0-127), and destination. Works with Virtual MIDI and MIDI Network Session. Can be used simultaneously with the built-in sound engine. Keyboard Support: Use the on-screen software keyboard, or connect a Bluetooth/USB hardware keyboard for a real typing experience. Supports Japanese input with proper IME handling. MIDI Network Session: Connect to Mac or other iOS devices over Wi-Fi to control CoreMIDI-compatible sound generators remotely. Dark Mode & Rotation: Full support for light and dark modes. Works in portrait and landscape orientations on both iPhone and iPad. Note: Playback stops when the app goes to background. Using the Built-in Sound: Simply launch MIDIWriter and start typing. Each key produces a unique sound based on its character code. Enable drum mode in Settings for percussion sounds. Using with External MIDI Apps (Virtual MIDI): 1. Open a CoreMIDI sound generator app. 2. In MIDIWriter Settings, turn on "MIDI Output" and select the destination. 3. Type any key to hear sound from the external app. Using with Mac (MIDI Network Session): 1. Connect iPhone and Mac to the same Wi-Fi network. 2. Open MIDIWriter on iPhone. 3. On Mac, open "Audio MIDI Setup" and configure Network MIDI. 4. Connect your iPhone to the session. 5. Open a CoreMIDI app on Mac and select the network session as MIDI input. 6. Type on MIDIWriter to play sounds on Mac. Credits: Built-in sound engine uses "GeneralUser GS" SoundFont by S. Christian Collins. https://schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php

Screenshots

Midi Studio4 screens
MIDIWriter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Midi Studio at 64% against MIDIWriter's 0%. Midi Studio also leads on rating (4.0 vs 1.5) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 35 months). MIDIWriter's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and price ($0.99 vs $1.99). 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 Studio costs $1.99 and MIDIWriter $0.99 up front. Midi Studio sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. MIDIWriter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Midi Studio holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Midi Studio has 65 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Midi Studio's written reviews are positive against 0% of MIDIWriter's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Midi Studio ships an update every 5 weeks, MIDIWriter every 35 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Midi Studio versus MIDIWriter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMidi StudioMIDIWriter
Price$1.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.0 (65 ratings) — better1.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews64.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings65 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 35 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size500 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVITALIY TARASYUKMasayuki Akamatsu

Customer experience

Midi Studio

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

MIDIWriter

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

MIDIWriter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

MIDIWriter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Midi Studio free?
Midi Studio costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is MIDIWriter free?
MIDIWriter costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Midi Studio or MIDIWriter?
Midi Studio is rated higher. Midi Studio averages 4.0 out of 5 from 65 ratings, while MIDIWriter averages 1.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Midi Studio or MIDIWriter have ads?
Neither Midi Studio nor MIDIWriter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Midi Studio or MIDIWriter?
Midi Studio ships an update every 5 weeks, and MIDIWriter every 35 months. Most recently, Midi Studio was updated on September 26, 2026 and MIDIWriter on September 8, 2026.

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