Comparison

AirMotion vs MidiStep

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

Head to head
About

AirMotion

Features
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AirMotion is the latest generation of MIDI breath and motion controller. This controller is the world's first wireless controller that can be quickly configured via your smartphone to send MIDI control change messages to your musical instrument. MIDI control change messages are sent when breathing into the device or moving the head to bring extreme realism and expression to their studio recordings or live performances. AirMotion was made with a passion for detail and a strong focus on durability, this cutting-edge design goes far beyond what is technically possible with other controllers available on the market.

About

MidiStep

Create complex rhythms and generative music with a powerful step sequencer. Control randomization for notes, chords, velocity, and more to generate unique, ever-changing musical patterns. Automate synth parameters with independent modulation lanes.

Highlights
  • User-controlled randomization for musical parameters
  • Polyphonic chord playback per step
  • Variable step sequence lengths
  • Multiple linked patterns
  • 8 independent modulation lanes
  • Real-time modification of randomization
Features
Read full description

MidiStep is a powerful and inspirational polyphonic step sequencer, and a dream for lovers of complex rhythms and generative music creation tools. The program uses sophisticated, user-controlled randomization to generate notes with a variety of parameters, including note values, note length, chords, patterns, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, and many more. You have complete control over what, when, and how much is randomized on a step-by-step basis. You can easily create patterns that have little to no variation, patterns that maintain a recognizable pattern but have some degree of variations to the notes, velocity, etc., all the way to patterns with extreme randomness with every pass – the degree of randomization is completely under your control for every parameter and for every step of a pattern. Features include per-step polyphonic chord playback, variable step sequence lengths for all parameters such as pitch, octave, velocity, note duration, beat divisions etc, and the capability to create multiple patterns which can be linked together in various ways. MidiStep also features 8 additional modulation lanes with independent play speeds. These can be used to automate parameters within your favourite synths. MidiStep uses sophisticated randomization settings for note values, note lengths, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, pitch bend and modulation. In addition, by setting different cycle lengths, step skips, step repeats, jumps, rewinds, cursor positions, pattern jumps, octave shifts, and many other parameters, you can create an infinite number of non-repeating sequences. The degree and types of randomizations for each of these parameters is up to you! Aleatoric music, also known as chance music, allows you to create patterns and entire compositions with user-controlled randomisation. The word 'aleatory' is derived from the Latin word 'alea' meaning dice. MidiStep allows you to turn on/off randomisation on a stepwise basis for almost all parameters, set the percent probability that the randomisation will occur, set min/max values, set exactly which parameters will be randomized, etc. The exact realization of the music will vary with each pass of the sequence, resulting in unique and captivating aleatoric renditions. All randomization controls can be modified in real-time. Features include: •Each of the 16 sequences can have unlimited types and degrees of randomness that you control. •8 independent sequencer lanes: Notes, Chords, Octaves, Velocity, Gate, Divider, Repeat, Delay. •8 independent Modulation sequencer lanes. •16 Patterns and 4 types of pattern switching, independent for each pattern. •Up to 16 steps per pattern, 16 patterns, and 16 cycles per pattern for a maximum sequence length of 4096 notes. •Independent sequencer length (1–16 steps) for each of the 16 lanes. •A Master step cursor independent of all other lanes. •Independent randomization parameters for each of the 16 lanes, with probability, min/max values, default values, skips, repeats, etc. •Unlimited variety of sequences, from slight variation to wildly different sequences on every pass. •126 scales and 126 chords – in every key, along with a scale and chord editor for you to create your own. •Chord complexity for 2–8 note chords, with notes specified or randomly generated. •Chord Articulation options – Block chords, Strum up/down, Arp up/down – with accent, length, speed, and random note order parameters. •Master lane and Chord lane previews. •Pattern Creator - automatic melody, chord, bass and drum backing. •Auto-scroll chord lane. •7-octave range for notes and chords (from C1–C8), with static and random octave offsets. •11 note lengths – from 1/32 note to 4 full measures, plus ties across notes, rests, repeated notes, and delays. •Two types of Swing with adjustable offset. •Humanize settings for note velocity and note timing. •Transposition of sequences using a keyboard – mono for single notes, and poly for chords.

Screenshots

AirMotion4 screens
MidiStep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AirMotion at Free against MidiStep's $14.99. MidiStep's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On ads, in-app purchases 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

AirMotion is free to download; MidiStep costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AirMotion ships an update monthly, MidiStep every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
AirMotion versus MidiStep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAirMotionMidiStep
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating—4.8 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—81.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—25 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPapritech ltd4Pockets.com

In-app purchases

None

AirMotion

No in-app purchases

None

MidiStep

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AirMotion free?
AirMotion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MidiStep free?
MidiStep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do AirMotion or MidiStep have ads?
Neither AirMotion nor MidiStep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AirMotion or MidiStep?
AirMotion ships an update monthly, and MidiStep every 2 weeks. Most recently, AirMotion was updated on September 19, 2026 and MidiStep on September 18, 2026.

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