VAMonoMkII vs Memory MIDI
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VAMonoMkII
This app is a virtual analog bitimbral synthesizer for iOS and macOS. It offers two 8-voice synthesizers with extensive modulation, classic analog filter models, and built-in effects. Create and export music with its sequencer and audio visualization tools.
- Virtual analog bitimbral synthesizer
- Dual oscillators with variable waveforms
- Transistor Ladder and Sallen-Key filter models
- Built-in effects suite (delay, reverb, chorus, etc.)
- 16-bar sequencer with piano roll and automation
- Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
- Ableton Link and MIDI 2.0 compatibility
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VAMonoMkII is a virtual analog bitimbral synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features two 8 voice synthesizer, effects, sequencer and audio visualization tools. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. The bitimbral synthesizer consists of two synthesizer, which features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, resonant high pass and low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators features continuously variable wave shape and wide variety of modulation. The filters are modeled on Transistor Ladder filter circuit and the Sallen-Key filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. The sequencer features piano roll and parameter automation editor to program 16 bar pattern per clip. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. - Main Features - Virtual analog bitimbral synthesizer Two type of Lowpass filter, Transistor Ladder model and Sallen-key model. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Operate as monophonic or polyphonic. Patch points for modulation. Support MIDI 2.0 User Interface built by SwiftUI for improved performance. Built-in Sequencer. 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 8 clips. Piano Roll and Parameter automation. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. 360 bitimbral presets and more. - System Requirements - A13 Fusion or above is recommended. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension. Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices.
Memory MIDI
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Memory MIDI turns your iPhone into a MIDI controller for Ableton Live — and your Apple Watch into a knob. Play and control your set straight from your phone: drum pads, faders, sliders, an XY pad and transport buttons under your fingers, while MIDI flies to your Mac over Wi-Fi, USB or Bluetooth. No audio interface, no firmware, no extra hardware. The app uses standard Apple MIDI built into macOS. WHAT'S INSIDE • Multi-touch drum pads — hit several notes at once, just like a real controller • Faders and sliders for volume, sends, or any parameter you map with Cmd+M • XY pad to control two parameters at once • Mixer, Performance and Buttons screens for live control • Transport: Play, Stop, Record and locators, plus a lyrics notepad • Apple Watch: the Digital Crown becomes a MIDI knob — several knobs, each with its own CC, color and range • Built-in presets plus a custom layout builder: add controls, assign MIDI numbers, rename, save • Control values survive an app restart • Automatic reconnect and a Panic (Note Off) for stuck notes THREE WAYS TO CONNECT • Wi-Fi — Apple Network MIDI (RTP-MIDI), no cables • USB cable — enable iPhone in Audio MIDI Setup on your Mac • Bluetooth MIDI — no Wi-Fi needed Step-by-step instructions for each are right on the Connection screen. QUICK START OVER WI-FI 1. On your Mac open Audio MIDI Setup → MIDI Network Setup 2. Create a session, enable it and connect your iPhone 3. In Ableton Live: Settings → Link, Tempo & MIDI — turn on Track and Remote for the network input 4. Map controls with Cmd+M — and play Memory MIDI is built to be a simple, honest tool for live performance and production: minimal setup, maximum control. This app is supported by ads. Requires an iPhone on iOS 26 and a Mac with a DAW. The Apple Watch knob requires watchOS 26.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Memory MIDI at Free against VAMonoMkII's $14.99. Memory MIDI also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 11 months). VAMonoMkII's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 26.0). On 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
Memory MIDI is free to download; VAMonoMkII costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VAMonoMkII ships an update every 11 months, Memory MIDI every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VAMonoMkII | Memory MIDI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryo Togawa | Dmitrii Bondarchuk |
In-app purchases
VAMonoMkII
No in-app purchases
Memory MIDI
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is VAMonoMkII free?
Is Memory MIDI free?
Do VAMonoMkII or Memory MIDI have ads?
Which is updated more often, VAMonoMkII or Memory MIDI?
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