MIDIWriter vs VU202 FX
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
VU202 FX
This audio effect plugin brings the character of a sampler engine to your iOS music production workflow. Apply gritty resampling, lo-fi textures, and unique tone shaping to drums, loops, vocals, and more within your AUv3 host.
- AUv3 audio effect integration
- Sampler engine character
- Four tone shaping modes (HIFI, STANDARD, LOFI, LOFI2)
- Flexible input routing (LEFT, RIGHT, MONO, STEREO)
- Six-slot effects chain
- Extensive list of available effects
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VU202 FX brings the sound and behavior of the free VU202 app into your AUv3 workflow. It uses the same VU202 engine, rebuilt as a compact audio effect for producers who want that crunchy sampler character directly inside their favorite iOS host. Run drums, loops, synths, vocals, or whole buses through the VU202 signal path. Shape the tone with four character modes: HIFI, STANDARD, LOFI, and LOFI2. Choose LEFT, RIGHT, MONO, or STEREO input routing, set pad-style volume, then build your own six-slot effects chain. Available effects include Pitch, Pitch Free, Filter LP, Filter HP, Filter BP, EQ Low, EQ Mid, EQ High, Comp, Drum Comp, Limit, Delay, Tape Delay, Flanger, Phaser, Reverb, Ring Mod, and Vinyl Sim. Use it for gritty resampling color, lo-fi drums, filtered breaks, unstable tape-style echoes, pitch-shifted textures, crushed mono grooves, animated modulation, vinyl wear, and simple SP-style tone shaping without leaving your AUv3 session. VU202 FX is not a generic clean effect. It is made to give your audio the attitude of the VU202 engine: direct, rough, musical, and fast to control.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: VU202 FX at 50% against MIDIWriter's 0%. VU202 FX also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.5). On price, ratings volume, 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
MIDIWriter costs $0.99 and VU202 FX $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VU202 FX 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 50% of VU202 FX's.
| Parameter | MIDIWriter | VU202 FX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 1.5 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 35 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Masayuki Akamatsu | Dariusz Chynek |
Customer experience
MIDIWriter
VU202 FX
In-app purchases
MIDIWriter
No in-app purchases
VU202 FX
No in-app purchases









