Comparison

KQ Tixie vs Riffpad

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

Head to head
About

KQ Tixie

This app is a 4-operator FM synthesizer for iOS devices, recreating the iconic sounds of 1980s hardware. It offers a modern interface with MPE support and AUv3 compatibility, allowing for deep sound editing and layering up to eight sounds.

Highlights
  • 4-operator FM synthesis recreation
  • MPE and AUv3 support
  • Import SysEx data
  • Thousands of patches included
  • Layer up to 8 sounds
  • Real-time performance controls
  • Built-in effects
Features
Read full description

KQ Tixie is a 4-operator FM synthesizer for iPhone and iPad that faithfully recreates the sound and behavior of classic FM instruments from the 1980s. Experience the iconic character of vintage FM synthesis with a modern touch interface, MPE support, and AUv3 compatibility. FM synthesis generates sound mathematically rather than playing back recorded samples. 4-operator FM is not simply a smaller version of 6-operator FM. With fewer operators, sound design becomes more immediate and intuitive, making it easier to reach the sound you want without unnecessary complexity. Despite its streamlined architecture, 4-operator FM is capable of producing powerful basses, sparkling bells, rich electric pianos, cutting leads, and many of the iconic sounds that defined an era. KQ Tixie faithfully recreates the character and workflow that make 4-operator FM unique. It's not about having fewer operators—it's about a more refined design. 4-operator FM is another evolution of FM synthesis. Features - Faithful recreation of classic 4-operator FM synthesizers from the 1980s - Import SysEx data from supported hardware synthesizers and reproduce their sounds accurately - Includes thousands of patches - User-friendly sound editor designed for efficient patch creation and editing - Layer up to 8 sounds simultaneously - Supports MPE (Pitch-bend, Aftertouch, and MIDI CC#74) - Real-time performance controls for expressive sound shaping - Built-in effects inspired by the Yamaha V50 and Korg DS-8 - AUv3 Instrument support - iCloud support - Patches edited in KQ Tixie can be transferred to compatible DX-series synthesizers (excluding the DX7 and DX9), earlier EOS-series synthesizers, FB-01, Reface DX, and SEQTRAK. * - Users can download a VST3 Wrapper for supported Macs. *The Reface DX and SEQTRAK engines cannot reproduce the operator waveforms or feedback behavior. Choose KQ Tixie if you want: - The sound of Yamaha DX100, TX81Z, V50, FB-01. - 4-operator FM synthesis with all eight operator waveforms. - Built-in effects inspired by the Yamaha V50 and Korg DS-8. - Compatibility with SysEx data from supported hardware synthesizers. Compatible synthesizers include - Yamaha FB-01 - Yamaha DX21 / DX27 / DX100 / DX11 / V50 / TX81Z / WT11 - Yamaha EOS YS200 / YS100 / B200 / DS55 / TQ5 - Korg DS-8 / 707 Names of hardware synthesizers and manufacturers mentioned in this description are trademarks of their respective owners. The developer of this app is independent of those companies. This app and its accompanying description include AI-generated text.

About

Riffpad

Create melodies quickly on your iPhone or iPad with this MIDI sketchpad. Draw notes, loop ideas, and use it standalone or within other music apps. It offers touch-first gestures for easy note manipulation and MIDI export options.

Highlights
  • Thumb-first MIDI piano roll
  • Draw, loop, and sketch melodies
  • AUv3 MIDI Processor integration
  • Touch-first gesture controls
  • MIDI export and audio previews
  • Scale highlighting and quantize
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Riffpad is a thumb-first MIDI piano roll for sketching melodies fast on iPhone and iPad. Draw notes on the grid, loop ideas, and run patterns standalone or as an AUv3 MIDI Processor inside compatible iOS music host apps. Built for quick musical capture: - Place, move, resize, copy, paste, and delete notes with touch-first gestures - Load starter patterns for hooks, basslines, arps, and blank ideas - Keep melodies in key with scale highlighting, snap, and quantize controls - Loop short ideas, adjust tempo, and record simple live input - Send MIDI to external gear, other apps, or AUv3 instruments - Use the included AUv3 MIDI Processor in compatible host workflows - Export MIDI files and audio previews through the iOS share sheet - Import MIDI sketches when you want to keep developing an idea Riffpad keeps your patterns local. There are no accounts, feeds, ads, tracking SDKs, or cloud sync.

Screenshots

KQ Tixie3 screens
Riffpad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: KQ Tixie at every 3 days against Riffpad's monthly. KQ Tixie also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Riffpad's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 71%) and price ($5.99 vs $8.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

KQ Tixie costs $8.99 and Riffpad $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KQ Tixie ships an update every 3 days, Riffpad monthly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
KQ Tixie versus Riffpad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKQ TixieRiffpad
Price$8.99$5.99 — better
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#179 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyouta KiraPAUL GLENN VERNON

Customer experience

KQ Tixie

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Riffpad

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

KQ Tixie

No in-app purchases

None

Riffpad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KQ Tixie free?
KQ Tixie costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Riffpad free?
Riffpad costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do KQ Tixie or Riffpad have ads?
Neither KQ Tixie nor Riffpad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KQ Tixie or Riffpad?
KQ Tixie ships an update every 3 days, and Riffpad monthly. Most recently, KQ Tixie was updated on November 5, 2026 and Riffpad on November 5, 2026.

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