M2DX vs MIDI Shimmer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
M2DX
Create music with a powerful 6-operator FM synthesizer. Explore hand-crafted presets or import classic DX7 banks. Use the on-screen keyboard or connect MIDI controllers for a versatile music-making experience.
- 6-operator, 32-algorithm FM synthesis
- On-screen keyboard with velocity control
- DX7-format .syx bank import
- 6-stage FX chain
- AUv3 plug-in support
- Native MIDI 2.0 support
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M2DX is a 6-operator, 32-algorithm FM synthesizer for iPhone, built from the ground up in pure Swift 6. Open it and play immediately — tap the built-in on-screen keyboard and start making sound with M2DX's own hand-crafted presets. No external hardware or MIDI controller is required. The FM engine is a bit-exact port of the open-source Dexed / msfa DSP, verified sample-for-sample against the reference. It is also compatible with the classic DX7 patch format: bring your own DX7-format .syx banks and play them alongside M2DX's originals. KEY FEATURES - Built-in on-screen keyboard with velocity and octave control — play standalone, no hardware needed - 6-operator, 32-algorithm DX7-style FM synthesis - M2DX's own original FM presets, plus DX7-format .syx bank import (bring your own) - A 6-stage FX chain: EQ, Drive, Chorus, Reverb, Stereo, Maximizer - Low-latency audio with AVAudioSourceNode direct rendering - AUv3 plug-in — use M2DX as an Audio Unit (AUv3) in compatible hosts OPTIONAL MIDI (not required to use the app) - Connect any MIDI controller over Bluetooth or USB if you have one - Native MIDI 2.0 — UMP with 16-bit velocity and 32-bit controllers - MIDI-CI Property Exchange — patch names appear on compatible controllers (for example, KORG KeyStage) - MIDI Learn for hands-on control MIDI 2.0 done natively, classic FM done faithfully. The FM engine is built on Dexed / msfa (Apache License 2.0). M2DX is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Yamaha Corporation. DX7 and Yamaha are trademarks of Yamaha Corporation. iOS 18 or later.
MIDI Shimmer
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MIDI Shimmer turns your iPhone or iPad into a professional synthesizer with a true shimmer reverb engine. Connect any MIDI keyboard wirelessly via Bluetooth LE or wired via USB-C, and instantly access 28 hand-crafted presets across five categories: Pads, Keys, Strings, Brass & Wind, and Synth. SHIMMER REVERB Shimmer reverb is the ambient effect behind countless iconic pads and soundscapes: every note is pitch-shifted up one octave and fed into a long cathedral reverb, creating a glowing halo of sound that trails above the note you play. MIDI Shimmer runs two independent FX buses in parallel — a natural hall reverb and the shimmer path — both continuously adjustable with dedicated sliders. FEATURES • 28 presets across Pads, Keys, Strings, Brass and Synth — including a Korg D1 E-Piano • True shimmer reverb — parallel octave-shifted cathedral reverb bus • Dual FX Mix panel — Reverb, Shimmer, and Master Volume sliders per preset • Bluetooth LE MIDI — connect wirelessly to adapters like the Yamaha MD-BT01 • USB MIDI — plug in any keyboard via USB-C hub • Real-time chord detection — names every chord you play (maj7, m9, sus4, inversions) • Chord history breadcrumb — scrollable log of your progression • Built-in demo — tap ▶ to hear the synth without a keyboard • Sustain pedal support (MIDI CC 64) • Background audio — sound continues when screen locks • Adaptive portrait and landscape layout for iPhone and iPad • Ultra-low latency via AVAudioEngine • No account, no subscription, no internet required
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: M2DX at Free against MIDI Shimmer's $1.99. M2DX also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 days). MIDI Shimmer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On ads 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
M2DX is free to download; MIDI Shimmer costs $1.99 up front. M2DX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MIDI Shimmer asks for nothing beyond the download.
M2DX ships an update every 2 days, MIDI Shimmer every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | M2DX | MIDI Shimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 336 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hakaru Hirose | Heinrich Krupp |
In-app purchases
M2DX
- M2DX Pro Unlock$9.99
MIDI Shimmer
No in-app purchases









