Comparison

KQ Tixie vs DAW Controller

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

DAW Controller

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Your sleeping iPhone becomes a wheel and fader controller for your DAW. Digital pianos and synths often have no Pitch Bend or Modulation wheel. Dedicated hardware is hard to find, and small keyboards with wheels tend to feel awkward or fiddly to set up. DAW Controller is a pure MIDI controller built to fill exactly that gap. ■ Six controls Pitch Bend / Modulation / Expression / Main Volume / Breath / Custom CC. Big wheels let you send nuance with a fingertip. ■ Three ways to your DAW Network MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, and USB. No OSC bridge, no extra conversion — it reaches your Mac DAW (Cubase and others) directly. ■ Haptics you can feel on a desk Solid haptic feedback that comes through even with the phone lying flat. ■ Fits your hands Manual portrait/landscape switch, a left- or right-side control panel in landscape, and fader looks (metal / color / matte). ■ Nothing extra No ads. No subscription. Buy once. Try it first, and if you like it, pay once — for good. DAW Controller — to be your obbligato.

Screenshots

KQ Tixie3 screens
DAW Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DAW Controller at Free against KQ Tixie's $8.99. KQ Tixie's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence and ads 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

DAW Controller is free to download; KQ Tixie costs $8.99 up front. DAW Controller sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. KQ Tixie asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KQ Tixie ships an update every 3 days, DAW Controller every 6 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
KQ Tixie versus DAW Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKQ TixieDAW Controller
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyouta KiraYasuhiro Misawa

In-app purchases

None

KQ Tixie

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

DAW Controller

One-time1
  • DAW Controller (Buy Once)$11.99

Questions

Is KQ Tixie free?
KQ Tixie costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DAW Controller free?
DAW Controller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do KQ Tixie or DAW Controller have ads?
Neither KQ Tixie nor DAW Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KQ Tixie or DAW Controller?
KQ Tixie ships an update every 3 days, and DAW Controller every 6 days. Most recently, KQ Tixie was updated on November 5, 2026 and DAW Controller on November 5, 2026.

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