KQ Sampei 26 vs MIDI Scribe
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
KQ Sampei 26
This powerful sampler synthesizer allows musicians to load and switch between various sound set formats, including SoundFont and DLS. It offers multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels and supports standard and RIFF MIDI files, making it ideal for music production and live performance.
- Supports SoundFont, Compressed SoundFont, and DLS formats
- Multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels
- Plays Standard and RIFF MIDI Files with loop support
- AUv3 plugin for GarageBand, AUM, and more
- Micro-tuning with AnaMark TUN files
- Load on Demand / Streaming mode for large sound sets
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KQ Sampei is a powerful sampler synthesizer for iOS that allows you to load and switch sound sets with ease. It supports multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels, giving you rich flexibility for music production and live performance. Key Features - Supports SoundFont (sf2), Compressed SoundFont (sf3), and Downloadable Sound (DLS) formats - Multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels with high polyphony depending on device performance - Compatible with GM, GS, XG, and MPE MIDI message sets - Plays Standard MIDI Files (SMF) and RIFF MIDI Files with multiple ports and loop support - AUv3 for use with GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and other apps - Micro-tuning with AnaMark TUN files for alternate tuning systems - Load on Demand / Streaming mode for handling large sound sets beyond device RAM limits - Supports external and virtual MIDI connections - Includes “GeneralUser GS v1.471” sound set with prepared modifiers - No user data collection beyond what iOS/iPadOS inherently collects Perfect For - MIDI/DTM users who want to play old SMF/GS/XG files - Musicians using SoundFont or DLS libraries - Mobile producers looking for a plugin synth with deep customization - Users needing micro-tuning or alternate temperament support Tips - For best compatibility with other SoundFont players, use Engine V3 and disable Custom GS Controllers, Slow LPF, and Smooth Volume Level. - With large sound sets, streaming mode is recommended. Machine generated text is included in this application and description.
MIDI Scribe
This app automatically records practice sessions from MIDI instruments, segmenting takes by breaks or specific MIDI commands. Review and organize your recordings with a piano roll, star favorites, and export them as MIDI files. It prioritizes user privacy with no ads or data collection.
- Automatic take capture
- Configurable idle time for new takes
- Manual take control via MIDI commands
- Piano roll for reviewing takes
- Starring favorite takes
- Configurable retention policy for unstarred takes
- Export as MIDI files
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MIDI Scribe is a free productivity app for capturing and organizing practice takes from your MIDI-capable musical instrument. Run it while you practice, and it will automatically start new takes after every session break, with a configurable auto-take idle time, as well as support for specific MIDI commands (such as a middle or left piano pedal press) to manually start and end takes. A piano roll is provided to review and scrub individual takes. Star the takes that you want to keep indefinitely, while unstarred takes are cleaned up over time based on a configurable retention policy. All takes can be exported as MIDI files for use in other programs. MIDI Scribe is completely private. Connect your instrument, capture your takes, and keep everything securely on your device . No ads, no analytics, no snooping on your usage, and nothing ever leaves your device unless you export it. MIDI Scribe is completely free and open source for you to enjoy.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MIDI Scribe at Free against KQ Sampei 26's $9.99. MIDI Scribe also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
MIDI Scribe is free to download; KQ Sampei 26 costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MIDI Scribe holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | KQ Sampei 26 | MIDI Scribe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 39 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryouta Kira | James Ranson |
In-app purchases
KQ Sampei 26
No in-app purchases
MIDI Scribe
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is KQ Sampei 26 free?
Is MIDI Scribe free?
Which has better reviews, KQ Sampei 26 or MIDI Scribe?
Do KQ Sampei 26 or MIDI Scribe have ads?
Which is updated more often, KQ Sampei 26 or MIDI Scribe?
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