Comparison

Dagger synth vs MidiStep

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

Head to head
About

Dagger synth

This app offers a powerful analog modeling paraphonic synthesizer with a raw, big sound. It features advanced circuit modeling and an intuitive interface, providing extensive sound design possibilities for musicians.

Highlights
  • Monophonic and paraphonic modes
  • 2 rich oscillators with wave shape morphing
  • Spice mode for component simulation
  • Multiple low pass filter models
  • Multi-mode modulator
  • ADSR envelope generator
  • Randomize and preset options
Features
Read full description

Dagger is a compact and powerful analog modeling paraphonic synth with a big, raw analog sound. Thanks to advanced analog circuit modelling engine and meticulous attention to details, Dagger rivals the sound of the best desktop-class synthesizers. Dagger's user interface is simple, fast and intuitive, but it's possibilites will surprise you. You cannot get more for the money. Features • Monophonic and paraphonic mode (4 oscillator sections) • 2 rich oscillators with wave shape morphing and hard-sync • "Spice" mode to simulate faulty components • "Japanese style" naughty 12db high pass filter • 4 low pass filter models: Steiner parker, 2x transistor ladder and 1 diode ladder. (8x oversampled) • Amplifier with warm diode clipper • Multi-mode modulator (LFO, Decay envelope, VCO) • ADSR envelope generator • Modulation targets: oscillator waveform, pitch, phase, amplifier, filter cutoff Hit randomize button or use one of 60 built-in presets. User manual and audio demos available on www.beepstreet.com

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

Dagger synth2 screens
MidiStep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Dagger synth at $4.99 against MidiStep's $14.99. Dagger synth also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 81%). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Dagger synth costs $4.99 and MidiStep $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Dagger synth against 4.8 for MidiStep. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44 and 26 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Dagger synth's written reviews are positive against 81% of MidiStep's.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Dagger synth versus MidiStep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDagger synthMidiStep
Price$4.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.8 (44 ratings) — better4.8 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better81.3% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better26
Update frequency—Every 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeepStreet4Pockets.com

Customer experience

Dagger synth

All ratings43 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

MidiStep

All ratings25 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive81.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.8%

In-app purchases

None

Dagger synth

No in-app purchases

None

MidiStep

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Dagger synth free?
Dagger synth costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MidiStep free?
MidiStep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Dagger synth or MidiStep?
Dagger synth is rated higher. Dagger synth averages 4.8 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while MidiStep averages 4.8 from 26 ratings.
Do Dagger synth or MidiStep have ads?
Neither Dagger synth nor MidiStep shows ads.

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