Comparison

MIDIx vs StepLoom

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

Head to head
About

MIDIx

This app uses physics simulations to generate expressive MIDI data. Control parameters through object movement or create generative note sequences. It's a unique tool for musicians seeking organic and evolving soundscapes.

Highlights
  • Physics-driven MIDI CC generation
  • Generative MIDI note sequencing
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Customizable physics scenes
  • Built-in scale library
  • Real-time modulation
  • Universal app for iOS and Mac
Features
Read full description

MIDIx brings a new dimension to MIDI control. Instead of programming sequences or drawing automation, you let physics do the work. Objects bounce, fall, orbit, and collide — and every movement becomes expressive MIDI data in real time. MIDIx is a universal app for iPhone, iPad and Mac, and supports AUv3 so you can use it as a plugin directly in your favorite host. Organic CC Controller The CC page gives you 8 independent physics scenes, each generating two MIDI CC values — X and Y — from the motion of a physical object, for up to 16 simultaneous CC streams. Each axis maps directly to its CC value, creating smooth, organic modulation that no LFO can replicate. Each output can be assigned to any MIDI CC parameter — or to a parameter of another scene, enabling complex modulation chains where one physics engine drives the behavior of another. Hit Freeze to instantly hold the current motion in place, perfect for locking in a value during a performance. Generative MIDI Sequencer The Notes page transforms physics into melody. Add as many objects as you want to the scene — each one bounces freely and triggers a MIDI note every time it hits the wall. Shape the motion with additional objects — Static, Bumper, Planet, and Repulsor — to create richer, more unpredictable interactions. Build evolving, generative patterns that shift organically over time. No two performances are ever the same. Define your harmonic space and select individual notes to craft any scale you need. Tap Scale Library to instantly load a preset scale: Major, Minor, Pentatonic, and many more. Features: • 8 physics scenes generating up to 16 MIDI CC streams (X and Y per scene) • Generative MIDI note sequencer with unlimited objects • Continuous or Trigger play mode, adjustable update frequency • Freeze button to instantly hold the current motion • Adjustable min/max range per scene to fine-tune CC output • Assign any CC or scene parameter as a modulation source • Static, Bumper, Planet, and Repulsor objects for richer motion • Built-in Scale Library with custom scale editing • Adjustable root note, base octave, octave count, and note duration • Notes custom mode (select the notes you want) • Preset import & export • Randomizer • Undo support • Built-in user guide • Background audio support • Full MIDI support & MIDI Mapping • Full AUv3 support — standalone or as a plugin in your favorite host • Universal app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team

About

StepLoom

Create electronic music with a touch-friendly groovebox. Quickly sketch beats, basslines, and melodies using a step sequencer, piano-roll editing, and arrangement views. Supports AUv3 plugins for expanded sound design.

Highlights
  • Touch-friendly beat and melody workflow
  • Step sequencer and piano-roll editing
  • Timeline, Session, and Flow arrangement views
  • AUv3 instrument and effect plugin support
  • Mixer controls for sound shaping
  • MIDI input and external clock sync
  • Export audio, stems, or MIDI
Features
Read full description

StepLoom is a fast, touch-first electronic music sketchpad for making beats, loops, basslines, and melody ideas on iPhone and iPad. It gives you the focus of a compact groovebox without the weight of a full DAW, so you can start a rhythm, shape a synth line, try an AUv3 instrument, arrange patterns, and keep moving while the idea is fresh. Create drum patterns with a step sequencer, write melodic parts with piano-roll style editing, stack chords, add legato, adjust BPM, mix tracks, and switch sounds. Add Sample tracks by importing audio or recording directly in the Tracks view, then use the waveform editor to trim, reverse, normalize, tune, and shape One-shot or Loop playback. The project Media Library keeps custom audio available for reuse and arrangement. Turn loops into songs with three complementary arrangement views: shape Patterns and audio clips on the Timeline, launch quantized Patterns and Scenes in Session, or build visual paths and probability rules in Flow. Draw or record automation for mixer controls and supported AUv3 parameters. When you want to go beyond the built-in sounds, add AUv3 instrument or effect plugins, choose exposed plugin presets, open compatible plugin interfaces, and activate Plugin Sound directly from the sound picker. Optional iCloud sync keeps compatible projects and project media available across your Apple devices. StepLoom continues to work locally when sync is disabled. StepLoom is built for quick electronic music drafts: open the app, tap a grid, hear the result, and turn a loop into a structured idea. Main features: - Touch-friendly beat and melody workflow - Drum, melody, and custom Sample tracks - Step sequencer with playback highlight and loop control - Piano-roll style melody editing with chords and legato - Audio import and microphone sample recording - Waveform sample editor with trim, reverse, normalize, gain, tuning, One-shot, and Loop controls - Project Media Library for reusable custom audio - Timeline editing with drag, resize, layers, sections, loop ranges, and multi-selection - Quantized Pattern and Scene launching with Session performance recording - Blueprint-style Flow rules with Next, Jump, Random, Stop, and probability - AUv3 instrument and effect plugin slots - Plugin preset reading for AUv3s that expose factory presets - Plugin Sound option for playing tracks through AUv3 instruments - Mixer and AUv3 parameter automation - Mixer controls for volume, pan, EQ, filter, drive, meters, master gain, and limiter - MIDI input and external clock sync options - Optional iCloud project and media synchronization - Export full songs or the current pattern as audio, stems, or MIDI - Adaptive iPhone and iPad layouts StepLoom is for producers, beatmakers, songwriters, and electronic music learners who want a focused place to capture musical ideas before moving into a larger DAW.

Screenshots

MIDIx4 screens
StepLoom4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: StepLoom at $3.99 against MIDIx's $8.99. StepLoom also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 days). MIDIx's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume 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

MIDIx costs $8.99 and StepLoom $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for MIDIx against 5.0 for StepLoom. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIDIx ships an update every 8 days, StepLoom every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MIDIx versus StepLoom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIDIxStepLoom
Price$8.99$3.99 — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFingerlab宁 徐

Customer experience

MIDIx

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

StepLoom

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

MIDIx

No in-app purchases

None

StepLoom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIDIx free?
MIDIx costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is StepLoom free?
StepLoom costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIDIx or StepLoom?
MIDIx and StepLoom are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do MIDIx or StepLoom have ads?
Neither MIDIx nor StepLoom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIDIx or StepLoom?
MIDIx ships an update every 8 days, and StepLoom every 2 days. Most recently, MIDIx was updated on October 10, 2026 and StepLoom on October 17, 2026.

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