Comparison

AirBending vs AudRig

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AirBending

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a hands-free MIDI and OSC controller using just your hands. Control music software, synthesizers, or play built-in instruments with expressive gestures. Supports wireless connection to computers and hardware.

Highlights
  • Hands-free MIDI and OSC control
  • Use iPhone/iPad camera for tracking
  • Wireless connection to Mac and hardware
  • Built-in AUv3 instrument hosting
  • Customizable hand mapping and scales
  • Works with popular DAWs and DJ software
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad camera into a hands-free MIDI and OSC controller. No extra hardware, no wearables. Just move your hands to control any DAW, software synthesizer, DJ software, or virtual instrument with natural, expressive gestures — or play the instruments already installed on your device through the built-in Audio Unit host. Use the front camera to control your own setup, or flip to the back camera and let your audience join the performance. Try it free for 14 days. ** Control Any Setup, On Stage or Across the Network ** Send MIDI and OSC data wirelessly to your Mac, connect directly to class-compliant hardware synthesizers over USB-C, or play any installed AUv3 instrument right on your device. With built-in RTP-MIDI and OpenSoundControl (OSC) support, your iPhone or iPad becomes a wireless controller for your entire studio network — browse and connect to Macs, modular rigs, or any networked device without a single cable. Each preset stores its own independent OSC destination, so switching between songs means switching your entire routing automatically. ** Front or Back Camera, Your Choice ** Track your own gestures with the front camera while performing, or switch to the back camera to track someone else. Point it at your audience and let them control effects, visuals, or sounds with their hands. ** Perform Confidently in Any Lighting ** Automatic low-light detection and GPU-accelerated frame enhancement keep hand tracking reliable on dark stages, dim studios, and moody live sets — where other camera-based tools struggle. ** Smart Presets with Custom Hand Mapping ** Assign up to 4 parameters per preset across two axes and both hands. Map horizontal movement to pitch across any musical scale, vertical movement to dynamics, filter cutoff, resonance, volume, or pitch bend. Save unlimited presets for different songs, instruments, or performance setups. ** Custom Scale Builder ** Go beyond standard major and minor scales — chromatic, major and minor pentatonic are built in, or select any combination of notes to create custom scales, experimental modes, or unique melodic sequences tailored to your music. ** Works with Your Favorite Music and Performance Software ** AirBending integrates directly with Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, GarageBand, FL Studio, Traktor, Serato DJ, rekordbox, Resolume, VDMX, and any MIDI or OSC compatible app. Choose any MIDI channel from 1 to 16 per preset and assign independent CC numbers to each hand and axis for precise control. Hand tracking uses Apple's Vision framework for ultra-low latency and jitter-free control signals. ** Simple, Fair Pricing ** Start with a full-featured 14-day free trial — no account required. When it ends, unlock everything forever with a single one-time purchase, or keep playing in a free limited mode (one hand, one preset, one camera). No subscriptions. Key Features: - Hand tracking MIDI and OSC controller for iPhone and iPad - Built-in AUv3 instrument hosting — play installed synth apps directly from your gestures - Front and back camera support for self-tracking or audience interaction - Real-time gesture recognition with smoothing for stable control - RTP-MIDI wireless network MIDI with Bonjour peer discovery - USB MIDI for class-compliant synthesizers and hardware - OpenSoundControl (OSC) support with per-preset routing - Enhanced low light hand tracking for stage and studio - Custom scale and note selection, plus chromatic and pentatonic scales - Notes, control changes, and pitch bend output - Unlimited preset saving and recall - Works with any MIDI or OSC compatible DAW, DJ, or VJ app - No additional hardware required - Free 14-day trial, then a one-time unlock or a free limited mode Note: AirBending controls other software via MIDI and OSC, and can also play Audio Unit instruments installed on your device.

About

AudRig

This app allows music creators to stream their audio files from cloud storage and audition mixes with advanced tools. It offers features like A/B comparison, waveform visualization, and EQ to help refine sound.

Highlights
  • Cloud storage integration (Dropbox, iCloud)
  • A/B mix comparison
  • Waveform visualization
  • Adjustable playback speed
  • Frequency filters
  • Per-track equalizer
  • Sample-accurate looping
Features
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AudRig is a professional music player for producers and composers - stream your own tracks from Dropbox or iCloud Drive and audition your mixes with precision tools. Connect your Dropbox or iCloud Drive account and browse your own audio library. Your files stay where they are, and AudRig keeps a local cache for offline listening. Add shared folders to get instant access to your collaborations. Use AudRig as your reference listening tool - load your latest mix alongside a reference track and switch instantly to hear exactly where you stand. **COMPARE YOUR MIXES** A/B mode lets you switch seamlessly between up to three tracks. Let automatic gain match even out the levels, and use Trial mode to evaluate mixes without bias - you won't know which is which until you reveal the result. **HEAR EVERY DETAIL** Waveform visualization gives you a clear view of your audio. Adjust playback speed anywhere from 0.5× to 2.0×. Slow down to catch a detail, find the right tempo feel, or practice along. Frequency filters let you isolate and compare specific bands. Mono mode collapses the stereo field to check phase and balance. Loop mode lets you set start and end points. **SHAPE YOUR SOUND** EQ mode gives you a visual per-track equalizer - dial in the curve you want to hear and audition your mix exactly as intended. **CHECK YOUR LOOPS** Loop mode is built for sample-accurate, seamless looping, making AudRig the perfect tool for checking that your track loops as intended without gaps or clicks. **FIND FILES INSTANTLY** Search your library by filename across folders - no manual browsing required. **TAKE IT TO THE CAR** AudRig supports CarPlay - browse your folders and play your library from the car screen. Set up an A/B comparison on your phone and it carries over, one row per slot, ready to switch between. **PREMIUM FEATURES** A/B comparison, loop mode, blind test mode, playback speed, frequency filters, EQ mode, unlimited offline-sync and mono mode are available as a one-time in-app purchase. No subscription. **TRY BEFORE YOU BUY** All premium features are available to try a limited number of times.

Screenshots

AirBending4 screens
AudRig4 screens

Verdict

The call

AirBending and AudRig are too close to call on the numbers: across 9 compared parameters — price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AirBending sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and AudRig sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for AirBending against 5.0 for AudRig. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AirBending ships an update every 3 weeks, AudRig fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
AirBending versus AudRig: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAirBendingAudRig
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNanas Sound OUMartin Mellstrom

Customer experience

AirBending

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

AudRig

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AirBending

One-time1
  • AirBending Full Access$12.99
1 purchases

AudRig

One-time1
  • AudRig All$9.99

Questions

Is AirBending free?
AirBending is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AudRig free?
AudRig is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AirBending or AudRig?
AirBending and AudRig are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do AirBending or AudRig have ads?
Neither AirBending nor AudRig shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AirBending or AudRig?
AirBending ships an update every 3 weeks, and AudRig fortnightly. Most recently, AirBending was updated on September 20, 2026 and AudRig on September 7, 2026.

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