Xkey Plus vs BLEASS Shimmer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Xkey Plus
This app enhances the functionality of ESI Xkey musical keyboards on mobile devices. It allows users to update firmware, customize velocity curves, and configure key sensitivity and timings for an advanced user experience.
- Check for new Xkey firmware
- Velocity curves editor
- Configure Xkey sensitivity & timings
- Access all Xkey parameters
- Configure key & button assignments
- Access Xkey documentation & support
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◆◆◆ Xkey Plus ◆◆◆ This app is dedicated to ESI Xkey musical keyboard. It is an ideal companion to your mobile keyboard. FEATURES ◆ Check for new Xkey firmware ◆ Velocity curves editor ◆ In-depth configuration of Xkey sensitivity & timings (advanced users) ◆ Access to all Xkey parameters (advanced users) ◆ Possibility to configure new assignments to all keys & buttons (requires Fw 1.2+) ◆ Direct access to Xkey documentation & support REQUIREMENTS ◆ Xkey musical keyboard ◆ USB cam kit or lightning cable ◆ Compatible with iPad (iOS 7 or later) Do not hesitate to contact us if you find any problem on this app. If you like this app, don't forget to write a positive review ! ESI
BLEASS Shimmer
This app offers a unique pitch-shifting reverb effect to enhance musical performances. It allows for creative sound design by emphasizing harmonics and revealing new tonal colors through its versatile processing stages. The intuitive interface and included presets make it easy to explore a wide range of spatial and ambient effects for various instruments and vocals.
- Unique pitch shifting reverb
- Harmonic emphasis and tonal color
- Multi-mode input filter
- Dual pitch shift modules
- Clean and rich reverb
- Integrated ducker for rhythmic effects
- Intuitive user interface
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The unique pitch-shifting reverb in BLEASS Shimmer makes performances dance and sing in ways you never imagined possible. Harmonics are emphasised and new tonal colours emerge as luscious washes of reverb thicken and harmonise with your performance, opening up a whole new creative dimension of spatial and ambient effects. The flexible processing architecture makes BLEASS Shimmer a highly versatile plugin overflowing with creative musical possibilities. Shape the incoming sound with the multi-mode input filter, place the two pitch-shift modules at different points in the signal chain for wildly different results, and combine them with a clean, rich reverb. An integrated ducker helps the direct signal stand out from the reverb and is perfect for rhythmic and blooming effects. This vast sonic potential is easy to tame, both live and in the studio, thanks to a clear and tactile interface designed for hands-on exploration. More than 30 included presets reveal the depth of possibilities on offer while providing great starting points for your own sound designs. From guitars and synth pads to leads, vocals and drums, BLEASS Shimmer brings exciting new dimensions to your musicianship. More information and technical specifications available on https://www.bleass.com/shimmer/ BLEASS Shimmer can be launched as an AUv3 plugin or as a standalone app. BLEASS Shimmer is also available for Windows, and macOS.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: BLEASS Shimmer at 100% against Xkey Plus's 36%. BLEASS Shimmer also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.9) and device support (3 vs 1). Xkey Plus's advantage is price (Free vs $6.99) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 10 months). On ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
Xkey Plus is free to download; BLEASS Shimmer costs $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
BLEASS Shimmer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 36 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Xkey Plus's written reviews are positive against 100% of BLEASS Shimmer's.
Xkey Plus ships an update every 3 months, BLEASS Shimmer every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Xkey Plus | BLEASS Shimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 2.9 (13 ratings) | 4.9 (36 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 35.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 36 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ESI Audiotechnik GmbH | BLEASS |
Customer experience
Xkey Plus
BLEASS Shimmer
In-app purchases
Xkey Plus
No in-app purchases
BLEASS Shimmer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Xkey Plus free?
Is BLEASS Shimmer free?
Which has better reviews, Xkey Plus or BLEASS Shimmer?
Do Xkey Plus or BLEASS Shimmer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Xkey Plus or BLEASS Shimmer?
Other comparisons
