King Key vs MidiStep
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
King Key
This app provides high-quality one-shot keyboard samples, including vintage typewriters and modern synthesizers. It offers 9 instruments and 11 presets, usable as a standalone instrument or an AUv3 plugin within music production hosts.
- High-quality one-shot keyboard samples
- Vintage typewriter and MIDI keyboard sounds
- 9 instruments and 11 presets
- AUv3 plugin compatibility
- Standalone instrument mode
- Proprietary high-detailed sampling techniques
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In grand celebration of International Joke Day 2024, we at Caelum used our incredibly intelligent minds to bring you our first sampler; King Key. Gone are the days when you were left begging for high quality one-shot keyboard samples, now you can get King Key. Anywhere in the world you can now play the sounds of a keyboard, on your keyboard. We also blessed you with the sounds of a MIDI keyboard, a typewriter and 4 produced kits as our generosity knows no limits. Click, Clack, Svvvvt, B-ding, cha-cuh, fshhhh. With 9 instruments and 11 presets at your finger tips you can finally be the person your parents wanted you to be, a King Key one. Using proprietary high-detailed sampling techniques, which are sadly too complex for you to understand without demonstrative play-dough, we have captured the essence and spirit of a vintage Imperial typewriter, a Modal Cobalt8X and a Generic USB keyboard. We then took these beautiful, inspirational samples and produced them into some juicy, expressive kits for your pleasure. King Key is designed as an AUv3 plugin, meaning it works within iOS and iPadOS hosts such as Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis 3, AUM and Beatmaker 3. King Key also works as a standalone instrument.
MidiStep
Create complex rhythms and generative music with a powerful step sequencer. Control randomization for notes, chords, velocity, and more to generate unique, ever-changing musical patterns. Automate synth parameters with independent modulation lanes.
- User-controlled randomization for musical parameters
- Polyphonic chord playback per step
- Variable step sequence lengths
- Multiple linked patterns
- 8 independent modulation lanes
- Real-time modification of randomization
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MidiStep is a powerful and inspirational polyphonic step sequencer, and a dream for lovers of complex rhythms and generative music creation tools. The program uses sophisticated, user-controlled randomization to generate notes with a variety of parameters, including note values, note length, chords, patterns, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, and many more. You have complete control over what, when, and how much is randomized on a step-by-step basis. You can easily create patterns that have little to no variation, patterns that maintain a recognizable pattern but have some degree of variations to the notes, velocity, etc., all the way to patterns with extreme randomness with every pass – the degree of randomization is completely under your control for every parameter and for every step of a pattern. Features include per-step polyphonic chord playback, variable step sequence lengths for all parameters such as pitch, octave, velocity, note duration, beat divisions etc, and the capability to create multiple patterns which can be linked together in various ways. MidiStep also features 8 additional modulation lanes with independent play speeds. These can be used to automate parameters within your favourite synths. MidiStep uses sophisticated randomization settings for note values, note lengths, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, pitch bend and modulation. In addition, by setting different cycle lengths, step skips, step repeats, jumps, rewinds, cursor positions, pattern jumps, octave shifts, and many other parameters, you can create an infinite number of non-repeating sequences. The degree and types of randomizations for each of these parameters is up to you! Aleatoric music, also known as chance music, allows you to create patterns and entire compositions with user-controlled randomisation. The word 'aleatory' is derived from the Latin word 'alea' meaning dice. MidiStep allows you to turn on/off randomisation on a stepwise basis for almost all parameters, set the percent probability that the randomisation will occur, set min/max values, set exactly which parameters will be randomized, etc. The exact realization of the music will vary with each pass of the sequence, resulting in unique and captivating aleatoric renditions. All randomization controls can be modified in real-time. Features include: •Each of the 16 sequences can have unlimited types and degrees of randomness that you control. •8 independent sequencer lanes: Notes, Chords, Octaves, Velocity, Gate, Divider, Repeat, Delay. •8 independent Modulation sequencer lanes. •16 Patterns and 4 types of pattern switching, independent for each pattern. •Up to 16 steps per pattern, 16 patterns, and 16 cycles per pattern for a maximum sequence length of 4096 notes. •Independent sequencer length (1–16 steps) for each of the 16 lanes. •A Master step cursor independent of all other lanes. •Independent randomization parameters for each of the 16 lanes, with probability, min/max values, default values, skips, repeats, etc. •Unlimited variety of sequences, from slight variation to wildly different sequences on every pass. •126 scales and 126 chords – in every key, along with a scale and chord editor for you to create your own. •Chord complexity for 2–8 note chords, with notes specified or randomly generated. •Chord Articulation options – Block chords, Strum up/down, Arp up/down – with accent, length, speed, and random note order parameters. •Master lane and Chord lane previews. •Pattern Creator - automatic melody, chord, bass and drum backing. •Auto-scroll chord lane. •7-octave range for notes and chords (from C1–C8), with static and random octave offsets. •11 note lengths – from 1/32 note to 4 full measures, plus ties across notes, rests, repeated notes, and delays. •Two types of Swing with adjustable offset. •Humanize settings for note velocity and note timing. •Transposition of sequences using a keyboard – mono for single notes, and poly for chords.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: King Key at $1.99 against MidiStep's $14.99. King Key also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 81%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
King Key costs $1.99 and MidiStep $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for King Key against 4.8 for MidiStep. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 25 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of King Key's written reviews are positive against 81% of MidiStep's.
| Parameter | King Key | MidiStep |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (15 ratings) — better | 4.8 (25 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 81.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 15 | 25 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Caelum Audio Ltd | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
King Key
MidiStep
In-app purchases
King Key
No in-app purchases
MidiStep
No in-app purchases







