Comparison

Patterning vs MIDI Editor

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

Head to head
About

Patterning

This music creation app offers a circular drum machine with a powerful sequencer. It's free to download and includes a vast library of drum kits and effects. Unlock advanced production and sync tools through an in-app purchase or a monthly subscription.

Highlights
  • Circular drum machine interface
  • Powerful sequencer engine
  • Extensive drum kit library
  • Built-in effects and mixing
  • Song mode for arrangement
  • Audio and MIDI export options
  • Ableton Link and MIDI sync
Read full description

Patterning is a circular drum machine that is both intuitive and deep. Built on the powerful sequencer engine of "Patterning 3: Drum Machine," this new iPhone version bottles the energy and excitement of our flagship instrument for the small screen. Free to download and make music with. The full sequencer, drum kits and sampler, effects and mixing, project saving, and access to nearly 800 drum kits are all included. "Patterning Studio" is an in-app purchase that unlocks production and sync tools for life : - AUv3 : Run Patterning as an instrument plugin. - Song Mode : chain patterns into full songs - Unlimited access to over 800 free drumkits. - Audio export as stereo or multitrack stems (WAV or AIFF) - Ableton Live Set export, with a free Ableton Live 12 Lite license - MIDI file export - MIDI output to hardware and your DAW - Ableton Link - Link Audio : send stereo or multitrack audio wirelessly to Ableton Live. - MIDI clock send/receive Patterning Studio is offered at a discounted price for existing owners of "Patterning for iPhone." Alternately, you can subscribe to Patterning+ and unlock all current and any future features on a monthly basis.

About

MIDI Editor

Features
Read full description

MIDI Editor turns your iPhone into a pocket music studio. Import any MIDI file and instantly see every track, instrument, tempo and note laid out on a professional piano roll — then make it your own. EDIT LIKE A PRO • 88-key scrollable piano roll for every track • Drag notes to change pitch and timing • Resize notes to set their exact length • Adjust velocity per note for real dynamics • Pencil and Select tools for fast editing • Undo / Redo everything FULL TRACK CONTROL • Auto-detects tracks and instruments from your MIDI • Swap any track to one of 128 General MIDI instruments • Per-track volume, pan, mute and solo • Built-in mixer (Arrange) view SHAPE THE WHOLE SONG • Change the BPM (loaded automatically from the file) • 10-band master equalizer with presets • Real-time playback — hear every edit instantly EXPORT ANYWHERE • Export a brand-new MIDI file • Render to MP3 or high-quality M4A audio • Create a ringtone (.m4r) and set it via GarageBand

Screenshots

Patterning4 screens
MIDI Editor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Patterning at every 3 days against MIDI Editor's every 4 weeks. On price, 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

Both are free to download. Patterning sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and MIDI Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Patterning ships an update every 3 days, MIDI Editor every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Patterning versus MIDI Editor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatterningMIDI Editor
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB307 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOlympia Noise Co.Nguyen Hieu

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Patterning

Subscriptions1
  • Patterning+$1.991 Month
One-time2
  • Patterning Studio Upgrade$7.99
  • Studio Pack (Lifetime)$12.99
1 purchases

MIDI Editor

One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$3.99

Questions

Is Patterning free?
Patterning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MIDI Editor free?
MIDI Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Patterning or MIDI Editor have ads?
Neither Patterning nor MIDI Editor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Patterning or MIDI Editor?
Patterning ships an update every 3 days, and MIDI Editor every 4 weeks. Most recently, Patterning was updated on September 27, 2026 and MIDI Editor on September 29, 2026.

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