MidiStep vs FakeTake
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
FakeTake
This audio effect plugin creates the illusion of an overdubbed track using a combination of short delay, stereo processing, and modulation. It's designed to enhance instruments like guitar and vocals by adding depth and width to your mix.
- Automatic Double Tracker effect
- Adjustable delay time
- Modulation with drift control
- Variable stereo width
- Standalone and AUv3 host compatibility
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FakeTake Double Tracker Plugin (AUv3) FakeTake is an audio effect plugin that can run standalone, or in any AU compatible host application such as Logic or GarageBand. Overview FakeTake is a tribute to the old "automatic double tracker" studio trick. The idea is that ADT creates the illusion of the same part, overdubbed again (a "fake take") which can work great with many instruments, especially guitar and vocals. There are various approaches for achieving this effect, but most use a short delay, a bit of stereo processing and possibly some modulation applied to the delay. FakeTake uses all three! Parameters Active - Toggles the effect On or Off. Delay - Sets the base delay time of the "fake take". Low settings can be thought of as "tighter", and higher values, "looser", going up to almost a slap-back echo effect. Drift - Varies the amount of delay time modulation. This is applied to the original and processed signal. At zero, no modulation is applied to the dry signal. Spread - Varies the stereo width of the ADT effect. At maximum, the original and delayed signals are panned hard-left and hard-right respectively. At zero, both are dead-centre. Spread can also be used to create space in a mix. For example, apply spread to a guitar track to leave room for vocals in the middle. If the name sounds familiar, FakeTake is an improved and simplified version of the FAKE TAKE ADT module developed for Voltage Modular by Waverley Instruments. Please do take a look at my other AudioUnits on the App Store if you can spare the time. Supporting paid apps allows me to release free ones as a little thankyou from time to time. For more info and support please visit: www.waverley-instruments.com/robjackson
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: FakeTake at Free against MidiStep's $14.99. FakeTake also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 81%). MidiStep's advantage is ratings volume (26 vs 7). On rating, ads, 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
FakeTake is free to download; MidiStep costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
FakeTake holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of MidiStep's written reviews are positive against 100% of FakeTake's.
| Parameter | MidiStep | FakeTake |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (26 ratings) | 5.0 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 81.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 26 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 4Pockets.com | Rob Jackson |
Customer experience
MidiStep
FakeTake
In-app purchases
MidiStep
No in-app purchases
FakeTake
No in-app purchases









