MIDIWriter vs Sync³ Remote
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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[[ 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
Sync³ Remote
This iPad app emulates the original Synclavier® Velocity-Pressure Keyboard interface with modern touch controls. It connects to your Synclavier³ installation via custom MIDI messages, offering full hardware integration. Multiple iPads can be used simultaneously for expanded studio control.
- Recreates Synclavier® Velocity-Pressure Keyboard interface
- Modern touch-screen technology
- Custom MIDI message communication
- Complete Synclavier® hardware integration
- Timbre design and Digital Memory Recorder panels
- Supports multiple iPad control stations
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Sync³ Remote, formerly Synclavier® Touch, is an iPad app that faithfully recreates the original Synclavier® Velocity-Pressure Keyboard button interface using modern touch-screen technology. Sync³ Remote communicates with your Synclavier³ installation using custom MIDI messages. The integration with the Synclavier® hardware is complete - touching a button on the iPad lights the button on the VK for example. The VK buttons are organized in two panels - one for Timbre design, one for controlling the Digital Memory Recorder. And, two - or more - iPads could be used simultaneously to set up multiple remote control stations within your studio. This latest build operates Synclavier³ using the Synclavier Knob attached to the iPad.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sync³ Remote at 100% against MIDIWriter's 0%. Sync³ Remote also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (5.0 vs 1.5). MIDIWriter's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
Sync³ Remote is free to download; MIDIWriter costs $0.99 up front. Sync³ Remote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MIDIWriter asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sync³ Remote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of MIDIWriter's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sync³ Remote's.
MIDIWriter ships an update every 35 months, Sync³ Remote every 31 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MIDIWriter | Sync³ Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 1.5 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 35 months | Every 31 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Masayuki Akamatsu | Synclavier Digital Corporation Ltd |
Customer experience
MIDIWriter
Sync³ Remote
In-app purchases
MIDIWriter
No in-app purchases
Sync³ Remote
- Synclavier® Touch Full Feature$79.99
Questions
Is MIDIWriter free?
Is Sync³ Remote free?
Which has better reviews, MIDIWriter or Sync³ Remote?
Do MIDIWriter or Sync³ Remote have ads?
Which is updated more often, MIDIWriter or Sync³ Remote?
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