iStem vs CronSequitur

iStem lets you split songs into drums, bass, vocals, and other instruments, remix them, and practice with tempo/pitch/metronome controls. Features: - Split in instrument/vocal tracks - Detect beats - Count-in function - Speed up or slow down songs - Change pitch - Set up loops for detailed practice - No login or user data required - All computation is done on the device - Export to file

CronSequitur is a step sequencer with a grid layout that feels like real hardware, not a menu system with deeply nested functions you may never find. Some features require an in-app purchase: Standard (a one-time purchase) or Pro (a one-time purchase or an annual subscription). If you already own Standard, the one-time Pro purchase is offered to you as an upgrade. Every paid feature is listed below under the purchase it requires. Everything else described here is included without a purchase. Every step can carry more than a note. Program changes and control changes sit right alongside the note, not buried in a separate menu. A 2 to 64 step grid and full time-signature control mean odd meters and unusual pattern lengths aren't an afterthought, they're just supported. INCLUDED WITHOUT A PURCHASE • The step sequencer and step editor, with program changes and control changes on any step, 2 to 64 steps per pattern and full time-signature control • Sending MIDI to your external gear • The built-in synth • Unlimited presets • The metronome's audio click, beat indicator and count-in, and tap tempo • Exporting, importing and backing up your presets and songs in CronSequitur's own file format • Building and editing songs from your patterns, with sections, repeats and tempo changes • Full playback of the demo songs in the Library's Factory section • A preview of the first section of each song in My Songs, which holds the songs you build and your copies of demo songs (duplicating a demo song, or editing and saving it, makes a copy; the original stays in Factory). Full playback of these songs requires Pro (Song Playback, below). • Daylight mode, a high-contrast display for direct sun REQUIRES THE STANDARD IN-APP PURCHASE (ONE-TIME) • Virtual MIDI Output: send MIDI to other apps on the same device, no cables • Tags: tag your presets and filter your presets by tag • MIDI File Import & Export: standard MIDI files, to and from any DAW or device • Device Profiles: built-in and custom profiles that show your gear's own controls and labels • Screen Flash: a full-screen flash on each metronome beat • Metronome Haptics: a vibration on each metronome beat (iPhone only) • Tap Tempo Guard: TAP must be armed with one tap before it changes the tempo, so a stray touch mid-set does nothing REQUIRES THE PRO IN-APP PURCHASE (ONE-TIME, OR AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION) Pro includes everything in Standard, plus: • Song Playback: full playback of the songs in My Songs, start to finish, with every section, repeat and tempo change • Section Pads: jump to or loop any song section live • Audio Backing Tracks: import audio files to play along with your songs • Tempo-Locked Playback: backing tracks detect their tempo and stretch to match your song • Band Sync: live synchronization across devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Every device in the session needs Pro. • Section Audio Tracks: give each song section its own backing track Independently made in Maine. Fair pricing, no dark patterns, no surprises, built by a musician who wanted this to exist.