Comparison

MD_Buddy vs Wind Chimes

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

Head to head
About

MD_Buddy

Features
Read full description

--- MD Buddy - Ableton Setlist Controller MD Buddy puts your entire Ableton Live set in the palm of your hand. See every song, every section, and exactly where the playhead is - all in real time from your iPad. And now, your whole team can follow along too. Designed for worship teams, live performers, and anyone running Ableton backing tracks, MD Buddy lets the music director stay in control without touching the computer. Jump to any section on the beat, mute individual tracks per song, and keep the service moving without missing a note. REAL-TIME PLAYBACK TRACKING MD Buddy mirrors Ableton's playhead live - current song, current section, tempo, and bar number update as the music plays. A progress bar shows exactly where you are inside each section so you always know what's coming. JUMP TO ANY SECTION Tap any section button to cue Ableton to jump there. Jumps respect Ableton's Launch Quantization so they always land on the beat - no awkward cuts, no off-time transitions. OBSERVER MODE - YOUR WHOLE TEAM, IN SYNC Every other musician can now open MD Buddy on their own iPad or iPhone and follow the set live - current section, progress, tempo - without touching anything. No vocal cues, no guessing when the bridge repeats or the outro's coming. A green border shows at a glance which device is actually in control, and Settings lists everyone currently connected by name. TRACK MIXER Toggle individual Ableton tracks on or off directly from the iPad. Want to drop the drums for a quieter moment or bring in extra instrumentation? Tap once. Mute presets save automatically per song and restore every time you navigate back to that song. AUTOMATIC SETUP MD Buddy finds the bridge app on your Mac automatically - no IP address, no manual configuration. Connect via Wi-Fi or plug in a USB-C cable for a rock-solid stage connection independent of the venue's network. Save named Trusted Connections in Settings for an instant one-tap reconnect anywhere Bonjour discovery is blocked. SETLIST CONTROL Drag songs to reorder your setlist for the night. Your order is remembered between sessions. One device is always the primary controller; every other device connects read-only as an Observer, so accidental taps can never disrupt playback. FLEXIBLE MARKER NAMING Works with your existing Ableton project. Name songs using the == Song Name == convention or simply drop a marker called "Start" - MD Buddy recognizes common words in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Italian. DEMO MODE No bridge? No problem. Explore the full interface with sample songs before your first live use. ---MD Buddy requires the free MD Buddy Bridge companion app running on the Mac connected to Ableton Live. Compatible with Ableton Live 10, 11, and 12 (Standard or Suite). Not compatible with Intro or Lite editions. ---

About

Wind Chimes

This app generates MIDI notes based on a physics simulation of colliding wind chimes. Customize chime properties, scales, and timing for unique generative music. It runs as an AUv3 MIDI generator in compatible hosts or standalone with a built-in sampler.

Highlights
  • Physics-based wind chime simulation
  • Generative MIDI note output
  • Customizable chime properties
  • AUv3 MIDI generator support
  • Standalone sampler included
  • Visual themes and timing options
Features
Read full description

Wind Chimes is a generative MIDI instrument built around a physically simulated row of wind chimes. A simulated wind field sways the chimes, and when two collide, the struck one fires a MIDI note. Play it by hand, or let the wind play on its own. REAL WIND, REAL COLLISIONS • Up to 16 chimes hang in a graduated row • Chimes ring by knocking into each other, not a clapper • Tap, hold, or drag any chime to play it by hand • Gusts sweep across the row instead of hitting all at once CUSTOMIZE EVERY CHIME • Choose anywhere from 2 to 16 chimes • Spread the row from tightly packed to wide open • Length and Weight shape each chime's swing and reach • Go full screen for a bigger, more zen performance A GENERATIVE MIDI PLAYGROUND • Every chime's note comes from the current key and scale • Turn any chime's note off, or reassign it freely • Every chime's real swing angle can drive generative CC modulation • Up to 16 chimes across up to 16 channels, endless generative variety MAKE IT YOURS • Pick from a set of beautifully designed visual themes • Switch between Free timing and a quantized grid • New Wind reseeds the sequence, keeping every setting the same • Randomize rolls a brand-new layout, tuning, and wind in one tap BUILT FOR AUV3 HOSTS • Runs as a full AUv3 MIDI Generator in any compatible host • Automate every wind and tuning parameter from the host • MIDI timing is sample-accurate, synced to the host's own tempo • Presets sync over iCloud across devices, the app, and AUv3 Play standalone with a built-in sampler for instant sound, or load Wind Chimes as a silent-audio AUv3 MIDI Generator and route it into any instrument you like.

Screenshots

MD_Buddy4 screens
Wind Chimes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MD_Buddy at Free against Wind Chimes's $4.99. Wind Chimes's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). 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

MD_Buddy is free to download; Wind Chimes costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MD_Buddy ships an update every 3 weeks, Wind Chimes every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MD_Buddy versus Wind Chimes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMD_BuddyWind Chimes
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWilliam AlmondCem Olcay

In-app purchases

None

MD_Buddy

No in-app purchases

None

Wind Chimes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MD_Buddy free?
MD_Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Wind Chimes free?
Wind Chimes costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do MD_Buddy or Wind Chimes have ads?
Neither MD_Buddy nor Wind Chimes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MD_Buddy or Wind Chimes?
MD_Buddy ships an update every 3 weeks, and Wind Chimes every 3 days. Most recently, MD_Buddy was updated on October 10, 2026 and Wind Chimes on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons