Prism MIDI Sequencer vs Note to Be
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Prism MIDI Sequencer
This app is a powerful 16-track MIDI step sequencer designed for iOS devices. It allows users to create complex musical patterns with high resolution, elastic timing, and per-step control. It integrates with external synths and samplers, offering extensive features for melody, harmony, and drum sequencing.
- 16-track AUv3 MIDI step sequencer
- High resolution and elastic timing
- Per-step control and step FX
- Scale modes and flow modes for tonal tracks
- 16 mini-sequencers per drum track
- LFOs, arpeggiator, and generative tools
- Scene and mute profile performance modes
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Prism is a 16-track AUv3 MIDI step sequencer for iPhone and iPad that turns sparks of inspiration into living, breathing music. It’s built for touch and flow—pair it with your favorite synths, samplers, drum apps, and gear. Key Features ------------- [ Sequencing Engine ] ---------------------- - High resolution: 1/32 steps, up to 512 trigs/pattern, swing, polyphony, micro-timing per step - Elastic timing: per-sequence lengths plus smooth speed changes for real polyrhythm/polymeter - Per-step control: parameter locks and Step FX - Playback modes: Standard, Overlap, Trig Legato, Drone - Capture everything: live record with quantize, retroactive recording (always listening), and tap-in steps - Human feel & probability: Chance, Every, Hold, Range, Accent [ Tonal Tracks (Melody & Harmony) ] ------------------------------------ - Always in key: scale modes across the app (use built-in scales or create your own) - Note input modes: Poly, Chord Simple, Chord Multi, Chord Blocks - Flow modes (musical logic): Standard, Peek, Echo, Melt, Mirror - Per-Trig Step FX: Velocity, Pitch, Ratchet, Strum - Multi-Seq: 4 independent sequencers per tonal track to weave interlocking parts - Import and edit .MIDI files [ Drum Tracks (Kits & Samplers) ] ---------------------------------- - 16 mini-sequencers per drum track with independent settings, FX, and controls - Modular linking, advanced layering, and Drum↔Tone interactions for shared timing tricks - Drum profiles for fast kit routing and universal connectivity - Per-Trig Step FX (drum): Velocity, Length, Ratchet, Flam [ Modulation, Generative & Creative Tools ] ------------------------------------------- - 6 LFOs per track (track-tied and CC-tied) for tempo-synced movement and evolving patterns - Per-track/pattern 16-step Arpeggiator—from classic to experimental - Harmonizer and Hue Sequencer for chord color and phrase rotation - Tape-style MIDI Slicer & Looper (per track/pattern) for instant remixing - Smart randomizers: one-tap generation for drum patterns, sequences, and fx. [ Performance, Workflow & UI ] ------------------------------ - Scenes, mute profiles, and bar looper to play, capture, and perform. - Fast edits: copy, paste, multi-select, quick duplicate - Multi-touch keypad matrix & sequencer for hands-on control - Light & Dark themes - Host-aware saving (internal presets + AUv3 state) [ Hardware & Host Integration ] ------------------------------- - Deep, bi-directional control for Novation Launchpad (Pro, Mk3, Mini, X) and Launchkey Mini MK4 with LED feedback & mappings - External MIDI in/out/thru, per-track channel routing - AUv3 works in leading hosts (e.g., AUM, Logic Pro for iPad) [ Timing & Specs ] ------------------- - High-precision engine: 480 PPQN for tight playback at any tempo - iPhone & iPad AUv3 (MIDI-only; no built-in sounds) ---------- Find more info at sites.google.com/view/prism-midi-sequencer/home Happy creating, y’all. —A Mortal Mage
Note to Be
This app offers advanced MIDI quantization for iOS musicians. It allows precise control over note selection, octave flexibility, and MIDI CC integration for crafting harmonious compositions and dynamic live performances. Supports microtonal scales and multi-synth setups.
- Customizable note and octave selection
- MIDI CC to note conversion
- Multi-synth channel assignment
- Live performance toggles
- Microtonal scale support (Scala Library)
- MPE polyphonic playback
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Take full control of your MIDI experience with Note to Be—the powerful iOS app designed to transform how you interact with your music. Whether you're working with a MIDI keyboard, sequencer, or MIDI CC input, Note to Be ensures your notes are perfectly quantized to the nearest selected note, allowing you to craft precise, harmonious compositions with ease. Key Features: - Customizable Note Selection: Choose individual notes from any octave, or apply your selection across the full -1 to +8 octave range. - Octave Flexibility: Work within the entire octave spectrum, selecting and unselecting notes with a simple tap. - MIDI CC Integration: Use MIDI CC from hardware controllers or apps like ShiftBud to convert control changes into quantized notes. Easily create chord voicings and dynamic live performances. - Multi-Synth Support: Assign different MIDI channels to multiple synths, allowing each to respond to the quantized MIDI output independently. - Live Performance Enhancement: Engage the 'all notes' toggle to instantly apply note selections across all octaves or quickly select notes in a specific key and scale. - Microtonality: Select a microtonal scale from the Scala Library with +5000 microtonal scales, or import your own to the iCloud folder. Play the MPE supported synths polyphonically. With Note to Be, your music becomes a canvas, and every note is a brushstroke. Unlock new creative possibilities and refine your sound with the precision of MIDI quantization, right from your iOS device. Note to Be is a MIDI app and does not produce any sound on its own. You need a MIDI input source and an audio output destination in order to work with Note to Be. The AUv3 plugin requires an AUv3 host app such as AUM, Logic Pro for iPad, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, Nanostudio, apeMatrix, Audiobus etc.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Note to Be at $3.99 against Prism MIDI Sequencer's $19.99. Note to Be also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Prism MIDI Sequencer's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 50%) and ratings volume (33 vs 7). On rating, update cadence, 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
Prism MIDI Sequencer costs $19.99 and Note to Be $3.99 up front. Prism MIDI Sequencer sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Note to Be asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Prism MIDI Sequencer against 4.9 for Note to Be. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 7 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Prism MIDI Sequencer's written reviews are positive against 50% of Note to Be's.
Prism MIDI Sequencer ships an update every 2 weeks, Note to Be every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.
| Parameter | Prism MIDI Sequencer | Note to Be |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (33 ratings) | 4.9 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 33 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 71 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tyler Quatraro | Cem Olcay |
Customer experience
Prism MIDI Sequencer
Note to Be
In-app purchases
Prism MIDI Sequencer
- LFO Extension$4.99
- Step FX$4.99
- Multi-Sequencer [Tone Tracks]$4.99
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- Launchkey Mini MK4 Control$4.99
- Euclidean Sequencer Extension$4.99
Note to Be
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Prism MIDI Sequencer free?
Is Note to Be free?
Which has better reviews, Prism MIDI Sequencer or Note to Be?
Do Prism MIDI Sequencer or Note to Be have ads?
Which is updated more often, Prism MIDI Sequencer or Note to Be?
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