Santoor HD vs ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Santoor HD
Experience the traditional Santoor instrument with realistic sound and touch controls. Play individual notes, create vibrate effects by sliding, and even play semitones. Record and playback your musical creations with loop and fast-forward options.
- Realistic Santoor instrument simulation
- Individual string touch for notes
- Vibrate effect with horizontal sliding
- Semitone playback option
- Record and playback functionality
- Loop and fast-forward playback
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Played the Harp? Try the Santoor - A Traditional Musical Instrument. Supports touching individual strings to play notes as well as sliding horizontally across a string for VIBRATE effect. Fade out your vibrate effect by sliding your finger to the edge of the Santoor. Now also includes the option to play semitones! ***** Ranked in the top 7 and top 25 in the India APP STORE in the Music category for iPad and iPhone respectively. *****Ranked in the top 31 in the Greece APP STORE in the Music category for iPad. ***** Ranked in the top 45 in the US APP STORE in the Music category for iPad. FEATURES * Hi Quality Retina Display Optimized Graphics * Studio Quality Sounds. Realistic Vibrate Effect with tuned strings across two octets. New option to also play Semitones * Fast, Fluid Touches and Sounds. Recognizes multiple touches with both hands * Features sliding across a string for VIBRATE effect. * Slide along a string to the edges for a unique fade out effect. * Switch to play Semitones to truly play out all of your melodies! (Pro Version) * Record And Playback your own creations * Options to Loop playback of recordings and also to play them at Fast Forward Speeds Questions/suggestions/bugs? Email us at: thesoftwarekitchen@gmail.com To fun times with "Santoor HD"!!
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
This app generates random MIDI sequences using a shift register chip, inspired by a popular eurorack module. It offers extensive control over scales, octaves, velocity, and MIDI CC modulation, allowing for complex and evolving musical patterns.
- Random looping generative MIDI sequencing
- 16-bit shift register logic
- Adjustable chaos for sequence variation
- Over 110 scales plus custom scales
- MIDI CC generation and modulation
- Unlimited pattern pages
- Manual trigger function
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ShiftBud is a random looping generative MIDI sequencer based on the eurorack module Turing Machine by Tom Whitwell. It works based on the 16-bit shift register chips where it shifts its value on each sequencer step. However, you can lock the sequence in a desired length if you fully rotate the chaos knob to the left or right. If you introduce low amount of chaos, then the sequence "flips" occasionally and generate beautiful sequences. You can also produce random values if set higher amount of chaos. The MIDI note generation can be in more than 110 scales plus your custom ScaleBud 2 scales. You can set the octave range, velocity or velocity randomness as well. You can set the higher and lower bounds on MIDI Control Change generation as well as the CC number you want to control. It's very useful on modulating synth parameters and you can even modulate the ShiftBud's AU parameters as well. You can also set a ramping value for a smoother change. With the 0% ramping, you can use it like a "sample and hold" module. With the manual trigger function, you can use another sequencer or keyboard to trigger ShiftBud's next note. You can create unlimited pattern pages on the lower left corner of the app and you can select the pattern with MIDI CC messages as well. Please note that ShiftBud is a MIDI app. The standalone version has an optional internal synth where you can enable or disable on the settings menu. The AUv3 plugin requires an audio app for output. For the AUv3 functionality, it needs to be hosted within an app such as AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, Logic Pro, Nanostudio, Drambo, or apeMatrix.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 at none against Santoor HD's 1. ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Santoor HD's advantage is review sentiment (85% vs 67%) and ratings volume (157 vs 9). 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
Santoor HD costs $2.99 and ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 $5.99 up front. Santoor HD sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 asks for nothing beyond the download.
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Santoor HD has 157 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of Santoor HD's written reviews are positive against 67% of ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Santoor HD ships an update every 3 months, ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Santoor HD | ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (157 ratings) | 4.7 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 84.9% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 157 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Software-Kitchen | Cem Olcay |
Customer experience
Santoor HD
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
Bugs and requests
Santoor HD
Reported bugs
8 issues- App crashes immediately upon opening
- Freezes on startup screen with stuck audio
- Black screen with continuous sound on launch
- Incompatible with iOS 10.2 and later versions
- Popup keyboard fails to appear when saving recordings
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- App becomes unresponsive and requires force close
- Strange noise and visual glitches during startup
- Recording feature doesn't function properly
Requested features
10 requests- iOS 11+ compatibility and regular updates
- Note labels on strings for non-harp players
- Ability to layer and edit recorded tracks
- Audio input/output functionality
- Better pitch control options
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- Improved rhythm buttons with customization
- Remove or reduce aggressive monetization
- Better note selection precision
- Export recorded songs functionality
- Semitone access without paywall
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Santoor HD
- Santoor HD - No Ads$3.99
ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Santoor HD free?
Is ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 free?
Which has better reviews, Santoor HD or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
Do Santoor HD or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Santoor HD or ShiftBud Generative MIDI AUv3?
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