Comparison

MixSurface vs Orphic DJ

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

Head to head
About

MixSurface

Features
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MixSurface is a wireless control surface for the REAPER digital audio workstation. Set it up once and mix, tweak, and perform from your iPhone or iPad. REQUIRES REAPER running on your Mac or PC on the same local network, plus a small free extension. MixSurface is a remote controller, not a copy of REAPER. No REAPER handy? Tap Try Demo on the connect screen and explore the app with a simulated session, no setup required. * FADERS THAT FEEL GREAT Faders, pan, mute, solo and metering, with touch response tuned for real mixing: fast, precise and smooth under your fingers. Bank across every track, or group them into custom layers you switch in a tap. * SENDS ON FADER, INCLUDED FREE Flip the whole mixer into send mode and ride one destination across every channel, the classic console monitor-mix workflow. Pin the buses you reach for most so they are always one tap away. * BUILT-IN EQ ADAPTERS A multi-touch parametric EQ, pre-mapped to popular EQ plugins. Drag bands on the curve, pinch to set Q, and read live values straight from REAPER, with no per-plugin setup. * CUSTOM TEMPLATES Control any plugin with knobs and faders that read and write in real time, including gain-reduction metering for compressors that report it. Use the built-in templates, or map your own in seconds with listen mode: touch a control in REAPER and it binds. * GLOBAL CONTROL SURFACES Build your own pages from plugin controls, transport and one-tap REAPER actions, then make them global so they follow you into every project. * AUTOMATION AND TRACK SETUP Read and write automation from the surface, with each fader showing the automation value rather than just the trim. Name tracks, set colours, choose record inputs and set monitoring without going back to the computer. * KEEP THE VIEWS IN STEP Show only the tracks REAPER is showing, or drive REAPER's mixer from a layer you tap. Run several phones and tablets on one session and they all stay in sync. * FREE, PLUS ONE PURCHASE The mixer, track layers and Sends on Fader are free, forever. One purchase, no subscription, unlocks Channel Details, the multi-touch EQ, plugin control, custom templates and the global Control View. Family Sharing supported. Built for people who run REAPER and want a control surface that just works. Requires REAPER 7 or later on macOS or Windows, the free MixSurface extension, and a shared local network (Wi-Fi or wired). MixSurface connects over your local network only, with no account and no cloud. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Cockos Incorporated. "REAPER" is a trademark of Cockos Incorporated.

About

Orphic DJ

Features
Read full description

Orphic DJ is an interactive album you shape with four knobs. Twist Energy, Complexity, Mood, and Space to reshape the music in real time. Open the DJ module to drop effects and ride the mix. Underneath, it composes itself endlessly, so every performance is a piece that never repeats. No streaming. No library. No playlists. Just four knobs and music you play. WHAT YOU CONTROL Four knobs shape the entire mix: • Energy: from calm ambient drift to a driving beat • Complexity: from sparse and minimal to rich and layered • Mood: from bright and uplifting to dark and moody • Space: from intimate and dry to vast and reverberant WHAT'S INSIDE • 11+ original vibes • 12+ live visualizations • 8 generative tracks • 5 mixer controls • 4 ambiance knobs • 2 turntables āˆž infinite music MADE FOR EVERY MOMENT • Focus & study: steady, distraction-free instrumental music for deep work • Relax & sleep: a built-in timer fades you off to sleep • House parties: open the DJ module, layer effects, drop changes live • Drives & commutes: music that never repeats and never needs a signal Completely free. No account, no network, no ads, no in-app purchases, no tracking. Your music never leaves your device. Tune into orphic.fm for more from Orpheus.

Screenshots

MixSurface4 screens
Orphic DJ4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Orphic DJ at none against MixSurface's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. MixSurface sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Orphic DJ asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MixSurface ships an update every 6 days, Orphic DJ every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
MixSurface versus Orphic DJ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMixSurfaceOrphic DJ
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB45 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperSoulful MusicJay Balcher

In-app purchases

1 purchases

MixSurface

One-time1
  • Unlock REAPER Features$29.99
None

Orphic DJ

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MixSurface free?
MixSurface is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Orphic DJ free?
Orphic DJ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MixSurface or Orphic DJ have ads?
Neither MixSurface nor Orphic DJ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MixSurface or Orphic DJ?
MixSurface ships an update every 6 days, and Orphic DJ every 5 days. Most recently, MixSurface was updated on October 24, 2026 and Orphic DJ on October 24, 2026.

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