MIDI vs Ensemble Jammer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MIDI
This app helps you discover, test, and troubleshoot MIDI devices like controllers and synths. It allows you to send specific MIDI commands and monitor incoming messages with timestamps for verification.
- Discover USB, Bluetooth, and RTP MIDI devices
- Send specific MIDI commands (Notes, CC, System Common, Real-Time)
- Monitor inbound MIDI with live, timestamped log
- Filter MIDI messages by command type
- Verify pitch bend and high-resolution CCs
- Test custom hardware and software MIDI implementations
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MIDIProbe is a pocket MIDI utility for iPhone and iPad that helps you discover, test, and troubleshoot MIDI devices (e.g., controllers, synths, mixers). Pick which endpoints to send to or listen to, fire off the exact MIDI commands you need, and watch a live, timestamped log to verify every message. • Discover USB, Bluetooth, and RTP network MIDI devices, and see detailed info like IDs, serial numbers, and transport type before selecting send/receive targets. - Send MIDI fast with interactive cards: - Notes, Control Change (CC), Program Change, Aftertouch, Pitch Bend; - System Common (Song Position Pointer, Song Select, Tune Request); - Real-Time (Start/Stop/Continue, Clock, Active Sensing, Reset); • Monitor inbound MIDI with a live log or grouped-by-command view, with filters for command types, clear controls, and timestamps. Typical use cases: • Reverse-engineer mixer control quickly: You have an X32 mixer and want to use a floorboard to mute/unmute channels. Connect both to MIDIProbe, discover the right endpoints, and watch which channel/CC/value combinations actually toggle mutes—then verify your floorboard sends the exact same messages before you risk it live. • Map a foot controller to a multi-FX unit: You want to configure a floorboard to switch presets/settings on your multi-effects processor. Use MIDIProbe to identify which Program Changes or CCs trigger the functions you need, then confirm the outgoing messages match your intended mapping. • Confirm keyboard controller channel routing: Check whether your keyboard is transmitting on the correct MIDI channel (or accidentally sending Omni), and verify splits/layers are hitting the channels your synth or app expects. • Validate DAW controller templates: Debug pad controller mappings for Ableton/Logic/Cubase—see exactly which notes/CCs each pad/knob/fader is sending, catch duplicated CC numbers, and confirm bank switching. • Troubleshoot “why doesn’t it respond?” fast: If your synth/module isn’t reacting, use MIDIProbe to confirm whether it’s receiving anything at all, whether the messages are on the wrong channel, or whether you’re sending the wrong command type. • Verify pitch bend and high-resolution CCs: Check pitch bend ranges and whether devices send 14-bit (MSB/LSB) pairs correctly for smooth parameter changes. • Build and test custom hardware/software: If you’re developing MIDI controller firmware or a MIDI iOS/macOS app, use MIDIProbe as your “known good” sender/receiver to test parsing, edge cases, and message timing. If you’re into this kind of thing, MIDIProbe is for you.
Ensemble Jammer
Collaborate with musicians in real-time, regardless of location. This app ensures everyone plays in harmonic sync, allowing for creative freedom without hitting wrong notes. Explore various instruments and jam sessions, performances, or open-ended musical exploration.
- Real-time sync with Scale Navigator Dashboard
- Instruments adapt to scale or chord automatically
- Smooth transitions when harmony changes
- BPM sync for sequencers
- Works on iPhone and iPad
- Free to use
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Ensemble Jammer is a multiplayer music app where everyone plays in harmonic sync. One person sets the scale and chord in Scale Navigator Dashboard. Everyone else joins from their phone or tablet. As the harmony changes, each instrument follows—so you can focus on playing. HOW IT WORKS • Create an ensemble in Scale Navigator Dashboard • Join it in Ensemble Jammer on your phone or tablet • Play together as your instruments follow the shared scale and chord Follow the chord, explore the scale, or build melodies, textures, and rhythms. Each player chooses their own part while sharing the same harmonic world. INSTRUMENTS Explore touch and motion instruments that respond to the current harmony: • Touch Harp — swipe melodies and arpeggios • X/Y Lead — expressive synth control • Melody Maker — a step sequencer that stays in key • Tanpura Drone — evolving harmonic texture • Venn Instrument — play chords through overlapping regions • Sample Sequencer — samples retune automatically • Sample Looper — loops shift with the harmony • Tilt and Compass — play by moving your device CONNECT AND PLAY Join an ensemble online, enter a private rehearsal room with a code, or connect to a nearby Scale Navigator host over Bluetooth without internet access. Set up Bluetooth MIDI and Network MIDI directly from the MIDI tab. Use Ensemble Jammer for jam sessions, performances, teaching, or solo exploration. FEATURES • Shared scale, chord, and tempo from Scale Navigator Dashboard • Support for custom scales and chords • Instruments adapt to the scale or chord automatically • Smooth transitions when harmony changes • BPM sync for sequencers • Adjustable receive delay for playing along with video streams • Works on iPhone and iPad • Free to use Part of the Scale Navigator system.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MIDI at 5.0 against Ensemble Jammer's 4.3. Ensemble Jammer's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MIDI holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ensemble Jammer has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | MIDI | Ensemble Jammer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.3 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 75.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Michael Hitz | Nathan Turczan |
In-app purchases
MIDI
No in-app purchases
Ensemble Jammer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MIDI free?
Is Ensemble Jammer free?
Which has better reviews, MIDI or Ensemble Jammer?
Do MIDI or Ensemble Jammer have ads?
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