Comparison

World Controller vs Ringo Beats

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

Head to head
About

World Controller

Features
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World Controller was written to solve a particular problem I encountered in live performance. I needed a way to choose a Digital Performer chunk simultaneously on multiple computers, AND select a corresponding MainStage patch to play live parts against a track. Specifically, World Controller uses a wireless network MIDI session to control Digital Performer and MainStage at the same time. Any Mac Laptop on the same wifi network that subscribes to the wireless MIDI session (set up in Audio MIDI Setup) can respond to commands sent from World Controller, perfect for simultaneous control of multiple computers in a redundant playback situation. You can create a set list that can be edited and re-ordered any way you like. Each set list item provides a button to select a particular Digital Performer chunk, and another button to select a MainStage patch. There are also transport controls for Digital Performer playback as well (sent as Patch change commands to the DP Remote Commands), allowing you to start, stop and rewind the current chunk to zero. This app is optimized for use with these two pieces of software, and it is the missing link for me that enables seamless playback in a complex live performance situation. More features will come in subsequent versions, but right now, all the commands sent wirelessly are patch change commands on channels 15 and 16 (MainStage and DP respectively). Any musician on stage can now run the app and be connected via peer to peer networking to get live updates of the set list. Everybody see the same list and sees what song is cued up to be played next. There's nothing else out there that does this one specific thing!

About

Ringo Beats

This app generates unique drum patterns using chaotic systems and AI. Explore diverse sound kits and real-time visualizers. Export your creations as MIDI files for further editing.

Highlights
  • AI-driven beat generation
  • Multiple chaotic systems
  • 8 distinct drum kits
  • Live policy grid control
  • Real-time chaos visualization
  • MIDI file export
  • AUv3 instrument and MIDI processor
Features
Read full description

Ringo Beats writes its own drum parts. Three chaotic systems propose hits — a Lorenz attractor drives kick, snare and clap, a Hénon map flickers the hi-hats, a logistic map detonates fills. A per-voice Markov policy then decides what actually plays, learning from its own output and rewarding patterns that groove. Chaos proposes, the policy disposes. Slide BLEND to choose who wins. No pre-made patterns and nothing loops. Every run is new. WHAT YOU GET • 10 kits — two sampled, a vintage CR-78 and a real rock kit with velocity layers and round robins, and eight synthesised: Neon 808, Dust & Wood, Glitch Lab, Techno Bunker, Trap Haze, Boom Bap, Industrial, Bit Arcade • 8 voices: kick, snare, clap, closed hat, open hat, tom, ride and crash • Live policy grid — watch hit probability build across 16 steps, and tap any cell to lock it on or off • Chaos scope — the attractors driving your beat, drawn in real time • Deep control: tempo, swing, blend, heat, density, Lorenz rho, chaos R, fills, humanise, per-voice mixer • Record a take and export it as a standard MIDI file to the Files app • Sends MIDI to other apps on your device: pick Ringo Beats as a MIDI input in AUM, Cubasis or Drambo, no Audio Unit needed TWO AUDIO UNITS Ringo Beats ships as an instrument AUv3 and as a MIDI processor AUv3, so it can either play its own drums or sequence any other instrument in your host. Both follow your host's transport and tempo — hit play in AUM, GarageBand, Logic, Cubasis or Zenbeats and it locks to the grid. One install registers both. PRICING The app is free and complete: every kit, every control, unlimited MIDI export. Using the Audio Units inside other apps is a single one-time purchase. Try them first — each AUv3 session plays for two minutes before it asks.

Screenshots

World Controller1 screens
Ringo Beats3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: World Controller at none against Ringo Beats's 1. World Controller also leads on iOS requirement (12 vs 15.0). Ringo Beats's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 months). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Ringo Beats sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. World Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

World Controller ships an update every 6 months, Ringo Beats every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
World Controller versus Ringo Beats: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWorld ControllerRingo Beats
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVandalay IndustriesSoft Brew Mobile

In-app purchases

None

World Controller

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Ringo Beats

One-time1
  • Unlock AUV3 Instrument & Midi$1.99

Questions

Is World Controller free?
World Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ringo Beats free?
Ringo Beats is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do World Controller or Ringo Beats have ads?
Neither World Controller nor Ringo Beats shows ads.
Which is updated more often, World Controller or Ringo Beats?
World Controller ships an update every 6 months, and Ringo Beats every 9 days. Most recently, World Controller was updated on October 19, 2026 and Ringo Beats on October 16, 2026.

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