Comparison

Mid vs ListenAid

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

Head to head
About

Mid

This app offers unique stereo transformations, allowing for smooth, continuous intervals between L/R and M/S representations. It enables new modulation possibilities and can be used as a width-preserving panner or to transform any stereo effect into an M/S one.

Highlights
  • Continuous mid-side interval
  • Width-preserving panning
  • Spatial modulation effect
  • Transform stereo effects to M/S
  • Lossless stereo field preservation
  • Tempo sync capable LFO
  • Paired mode for effect modulation
Features
Currently charting
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Ever wonder what lies between the L/R and M/S representations? Mid-Side Continuum extends the definition of mid-side encoding to create a smooth, continuous interval allowing in-between values and gradual changes. Channel mode switches can now be turned into faders, opening up new modulation possibilities as well. The algorithm used by the plugin is a true extension of the mid-side encoder/decoder concept and doesn't involve any cross-fading or other artificial constructs. The plugin can be used in two ways: • In standalone mode, as a width-preserving panning effect, or a special modulation effect for spatially balanced sounds • In paired mode, allowing other effects to operate anywhere between L/R and M/S modes, with modulation options available FEATURES: • Provides a new kind of spatial modulation effect for stereo signals • Can be used as a panner that doesn't squash wide components (existing ambience, reverb, stereo FX), strongly panning narrow parts at the same time • A great companion for delays or delay-based effects: explore adding space or change the panoramic character without re-configuring delay taps • Turn any stereo effect or effects chain into a M/S one (or any graduation on the L/R - M/S curve), by sandwiching them between a pair of Mid-Side Continuum instances • Unlike panning, stereo panning, or binaural panning, Mid-Side Continuum preserves the exact geometry of the stereo field by using a lossless transform • Higher rates of change can be used to create additional kinds of effects (chorus, warble/flutter), depending on the width characteristics of the original input • A tempo sync capable LFO is available to add automatic modulation; the LFO phase can be offset to allow precise timing control and alignment THE PANNER FOR REVERB-RICH SOUNDS: Panning high-ambience and reverb-rich sounds need no longer result in squashed stereo images. The exact, full width of the stereo field is preserved when using Mid-Side Continuum as a panning tool. Unlike binaural panning, the overall stereo frequency response is kept maximally flat, thanks to the used algorithm's audio engineering-focused feature set. In fact, Mid-Side Continuum's algorithm is a lossless, completely reversible one (based on True Pan's technology). WRAP ANY EFFECT TO CHANGE / MODULATE THEIR STEREO MODE: Two Mid-Side Continuum instances can be conveniently linked in a way that the second one cancels out the transformation, restoring the original sound. Once linked, the second plugin will automatically re-align if parameters are changed in the first one, without missing a single sample. Between these two points, any number of audio effects can be inserted, all of which will receive the transformed signal instead of the original L/R one. This setup can be used in multiple ways: either to just turn any stereo plugin into a M/S one, or to modulate the stereo field of the wet signals (while keeping the dry signal intact) without the need for setting up additional routing, thus keeping tracks neatly self-contained. VERSATILE EXTENSION TO DELAY-BASED EFFECTS: • Alter stereo delay patterns or turn a mono multi-tap delay into a stereo one on the fly • Instead of having to choose from the two, explore any setting between L/R and M/S delay modes to select the best-fitting stereo response • Remove excessive L/R slappiness without losing any stereo width by spatially equalizing the delay output, filling in directions not populated by L/R taps • Improve the clarity of the mid channel / mono mix when combining panned delays with shorter notes or more rhythmic passages • Lessen any "clockwork-like" quality of panned delays that may be experienced with some instruments or passages • Change or fine-tune delay patterns that emerge in the mono mix when using stereo delays PLEASE NOTE: • An Audio Unit v3 compatible host app is required to use this plugin

About

ListenAid

Features
Read full description

ListenAid - intuitive & clean realtime audio spectrum analysis. ListenAid is an acoustic visualization tool optimized for live sound engineering and system tuning (leveraging transfer functions and multi-resolution processing), delivering maximum performance through Metal and Accelerate hardware acceleration. Audio Engine & Core DSP • Lock-Free Processing (RingBuffer): non-blocking, zero-dropout audio. • Low-Level Math (vDSP): minimal CPU load • Real-Time Transfer Function: Live reference vs. live channel division: instantly shows frequency responses differences 5 different Analysis models: • STFT: Standard Short-Time Fourier Transform. • CWT: Continuous Wavelet Transform for high-frequency time resolution; optimized via integral images. • CQT: Constant-Q Transform with variable smoothing. • QTAM: Amplitude demodulation in the frequency domain. • Multi-Resolution: Concurrent Low, Mid, and High FFT windows for low-end frequency and high-end time resolution. Metal GPU Rendering • Spectrogram is GPU-offloaded; maintains 60 FPS even at massive bin sizes • Phase Reassignment: Analyzes frame phase differences, shifts energy to exact sub-bin frequencies to sharpen visual traces • Simultaneous FFT Traces: Concurrently plots Live, Reference, and Secondary traces with customizable colors and opacities • Dynamic Viewport (ViewportMath): Continuous pan and zoom Analytical Tools & Precision • Sub-Bin Peak Detection: Calculates precise peak frequencies using FFT phase correction or logarithmic-parabolic interpolation • Pitch Conversion (FrequencyConverter): translates frequency peaks to notes, showing cent deviations (with adjustable concert pitch) • Weighting & Tilt: A- and C-Weighting filters; adjustable display tilt • Smoothing & Averaging: Exponential, RMS, LUFS, Leq or Peak Hold averaging; psychoacoustic fractional octave smoothing (1/96 to 1 full octave). System Tests & Signal Generation • Sine Generator: Artifact-free oscillator with amplitude fade envelopes; outputs up to the Nyquist frequency • Channel Control (SystemTestManager): Routes the generator or loop player via Normal, Solo L/R, or Phase Invert • Loop Playback: Imports and loops custom audio files to test spaces using known reference tracks Workflow & Connectivity • Multipeer Control (MultipeerManager): fully remote-control another instance at the mixing desk (volume, mute, generator, playback) • Smart Routing: AudioEngine safely intercepts hardware changes and manages BT profiles • Preset System: Instantly save and recall all DSP and UI configurations via slots A, B, and Y.

Screenshots

Mid1 screens
ListenAid4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ListenAid at weekly against Mid's every 14 months. ListenAid also leads on price ($3.99 vs $5.99). Mid's advantage is chart position (#189 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (12.1 vs 17.6). 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

Mid costs $5.99 and ListenAid $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mid ships an update every 14 months, ListenAid weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Mid versus ListenAid: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMidListenAid
Price$5.99$3.99 — better
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#189 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.1 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperquantovoxMichael Reisigl

In-app purchases

None

Mid

No in-app purchases

None

ListenAid

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mid free?
Mid costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ListenAid free?
ListenAid costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Mid or ListenAid have ads?
Neither Mid nor ListenAid shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mid or ListenAid?
Mid ships an update every 14 months, and ListenAid weekly. Most recently, Mid was updated on October 13, 2026 and ListenAid on October 9, 2026.

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