Cab ML vs MIDI Drum
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cab ML
This app generates custom impulse responses using a neural network, allowing interactive sound shaping. It also includes a poweramp and microphone reverb generator for further audio manipulation.
- Neural network impulse response generation
- Interactive tag-based sound shaping
- Poweramp with multiple options
- Microphone reverb generator
- AUv3 plugin support
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Cab ML is both a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin that provides a neural network for impulse response generation. By moving tags in a window you can change the impulse response in an interactive way. Underlying a neural network will generate an impulse response based on the position of the tags. Instead of trying out all your impulse response files through a classic impulse response loader, you can now find the right sound interactively by moving the marks until you like what you hear. Furthermore Cab ML also provides a poweramp with many options and a microphone reverb generator. The free version allows you to test Cab ML completely, but every minute the plugin will be silent for 3 seconds. To remove these limits there is a one time in-app purchase. You need an audio interface to connect your instrument to your Mac. Known audio interface brands for guitar or bass are for instance Focusrite or iRig. If you don't have an audio interface, you can use the AUv3 plugin in a DAW such as GarageBand or Logic Pro. Any (guitar/bass) sound you have recorded can be fed through the Cab ML audio unit.
MIDI Drum
Create and perform drum patterns with an 8-track sequencer. Connect to external instruments and apps via Bluetooth or USB MIDI. Share your creations and explore a library of user-made songs.
- 8-track drum sequencer
- User-friendly interface
- Live performance mode
- General MIDI sound source
- Bluetooth LE and USB MIDI support
- Song library for sharing
- Export Standard MIDI Files (paid add-on)
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Key Features: - 8-track drum sequencer - Simple, user-friendly interface - Display and edit 4 to 48 steps across 4 cycles on a single screen - Live performance with up to 6 toggleable blocks - Built-in sound source compliant with General MIDI - Compatible with electronic instruments via MIDI connection (e.g., Casiotone, PortaTone, InstaChord) - Connection options: Bluetooth LE MIDI or USB MIDI - Extend sound sources by connecting with other apps such as bs-16i - Can be operated via external MIDI devices, keyboards, and page-turning switches - Song library for sharing self-created data and downloading from other users - Export Standard MIDI Files (SMF) – available as a paid add-on *Loading data created by other users is free. *In-app purchases apply across all devices. Official Website (Japanese): https://instachord.com/product/midi-drum/ User Manual (English): https://kantan-music.notion.site/MIDI-Drum-Manual-5976bdeba4f04900851f0e3c9ae247d6 Song Library: https://instachord.com/community/drum-data/ Developer: bismark [https://www.bismark.jp/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Cab ML at 4.0 against MIDI Drum's 3.7. On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Cab ML sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and MIDI Drum sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Cab ML holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cab ML | MIDI Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (4 ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 63 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jan Maes | InstaChord Corp. |
Customer experience
Cab ML
MIDI Drum
In-app purchases
Cab ML
- Cab ML Activation$11.99
MIDI Drum
- Save in proprietary format$4.99
- Export as SMF$4.99
