Comparison

MIDI vs BendLab

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

Head to head
About

MIDI

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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.

About

BendLab

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BendLab is a simple, focused MIDI controller for Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheel on iPhone and iPad. TWO CONTROLS. MORE EXPRESSION. • Pitch Bend returns to center when released. • Mod Wheel (CC 1) holds its value or automatically returns to zero. • MIDI channel selection from 1 to 16. • Bluetooth MIDI connectivity with compatible devices and apps. • Sends to compatible MIDI outputs provided by the system, including wired connections when supported by your device, cables and adapters. • Portrait and landscape layouts. • Customizable control color, with blue as the default. • Automatically follows your device's language settings. MADE FOR PLAYING A minimal interface without ads, an account or a subscription. Open, connect and use the controls to add expression to your compatible virtual instrument, keyboard or music software. IMPORTANT BendLab sends MIDI messages; it does not generate sound. Your destination instrument or software must receive and respond to Pitch Bend and/or CC 1. Wired connectivity depends on each device's MIDI capabilities, cables and adapters. Bluetooth MIDI does not transmit Bluetooth audio. Support: contato@dedealbano.com Privacy: https://dedealbano.com/bendlab-politica-de-privacidade/

Screenshots

MIDI4 screens
BendLab3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MIDI at Free against BendLab's $2.99. BendLab's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On ads, in-app purchases 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

MIDI is free to download; BendLab costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 3 level
MIDI versus BendLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDIBendLab
PriceFree — better$2.99
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMichael HitzDaniel Albano

In-app purchases

None

MIDI

No in-app purchases

None

BendLab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDI free?
MIDI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BendLab free?
BendLab costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do MIDI or BendLab have ads?
Neither MIDI nor BendLab shows ads.

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