dot Melody vs cykle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
dot Melody
Create intricate melodies, bass lines, and drum beats by manipulating dots on a multidimensional grid. This app offers a powerful sequencer, chord and pattern manipulation, and built-in effects for dynamic music creation.
- Graphic arpeggiator and sequencer
- Create melodies, bass lines, and drum beats
- On-the-fly chord and pattern switching
- Delay and reverb effects
- MIDI Out and Audiobus support
- Ableton Link and MIDI Clock Sync
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dot Melody is a multidimensional graphic arpeggiator, sequencer, and drum machine from the creator of the critically acclaimed music apps Patterning & Chordion. Move dots around to create intertwining melodies, bass lines, and drum beats. Switch chords and patterns on the fly. Process your instruments through delay and reverb effects. Featured on the App Store “Best New Apps” list. Best with headphones or over AirPlay. • iOS 8 and Above • •• Sequencer •• Tap or drag anywhere to create new dots. Move dots horizontally to change pitch within the current chord. Move dots vertically to change duration/rhythm. Tap a dot to make it a rest. Double tap to delete it. •• Chords •• Switch chords/scales on the fly to change the notes in your pattern. Unlimited number of chords Choose from suggested chords or create your own. •• Patterns •• Unlimited number of patterns, each with 3 instrument layers. Copy, reverse, clear, randomize, and generate functions. Easily re-order patterns. •• Instruments •• 3 instrument at a time : lead, bass, and drums. 23 mod-wheel enabled sounds to choose from. Independent volume controls with the mixer. Independent delay effect sends. •• Effects •• Tempo-synced delay with feedback and low pass filter. Reverb with mix and decay controls. •• Tempo & Time Signature •• Tap Tempo function Choose from a range of time signatures for pattern syncing. Use x/x time signature to enter “free mode” and let your instruments create phase patterns. •• MIDI Out •• Each instrument layer can use independent MIDI ports and channels. Mod Wheel support included. Advanced MIDI timing implementation using MIDI timestamps. •• File Management •• Create new files from templates in any key Easily duplicate or re-name files •• Audiobus •• Use dot Melody as an Audiobus source! See http://audiob.us for more information. •• Sync •• Ableton Link, MIDI Clock Sync, and Inter-App Audio Sync.
cykle
This app is a powerful melodic step sequencer that generates complex musical patterns through the interaction of simple elements. It requires connection to a separate MIDI synthesizer app or hardware to produce sound. Offers extensive customization for musical parameters and sequence transformations.
- Semi-generative melodic step sequencer
- Decoupled sequencer lanes for musical parameters
- AUv3 MIDI plugin and standalone modes
- Sample-accurate sequencing engine
- Pattern snapshots and song mode
- Extensive sequence transformation actions
- MIDI clock output and Ableton Link support
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cykle is an inventive, semi-generative melodic step sequencer for iOS, iPadOS and Mac (Catalyst). cykle abstracts every musical parameter into its own sequence using decoupled sequencer lanes, producing complex and musically engaging patterns from the interactions between simple elements. nb: cykle does not make sound by itself, you will need to connect it to a MIDI-compatible synthesizer app on your device, load it in an AUv3-compatible host (such as Logic Pro, Audiobus or AUM), or connect it to an external synthesizer, computer or any other MIDI-compatible sound generating device. features: - universal app (works on both iPhone and iPad) - works in both portrait and landscape mode - works as an Audio Unit (AUv3) MIDI plugin or as a standalone (CoreMIDI) app - sample-accurate sequencing engine - slick and responsive native UI - pattern snapshots selectable via MIDI input - song mode / pattern chaining - pitch playable by MIDI note input (arp and chord modes) - configurable tempo, scale and key - every channel can be routed to a separate MIDI destination and channel - every channel sends MIDI note- and pitch-bend data as well as an arbitrary number of MIDI continuous control (CC) messages - full AUv3 state- and preset-saving - randomization features - save and load patterns - decoupled sequencer lanes for the following parameters: - pulse - pitch - rest - step length - chance - velocity - accent - gate length - chance - ratchet (note repeat) - accidental (flatten/sharpen) - transpose - chord inversion - octave - harmonize - pitch bend - mappable MIDI CC values (e.g., filter cutoff, resonance, envelope, etc.) sequences can be instantly transformed by the following actions: - shift left/right/up/down - rotate - randomize - mutate - mirror - reverse - double - bisect - configurable clock division rate per sequencer lane - configurable playback mode per sequencer lane (forward, backward, random, jump) - MIDI clock output - Ableton Link support - works without internet connection - no push notifications - no ads or in-app purchases - no third-party behavioural tracking tools - ongoing development and support
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: dot Melody at $3.99 against cykle's $12.99. dot Melody also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). cykle's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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
dot Melody costs $3.99 and cykle $12.99 up front. cykle sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. dot Melody asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for dot Melody against 4.7 for cykle. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 43 and 34 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of dot Melody's written reviews are positive against 80% of cykle's.
dot Melody ships an update every 4 months, cykle monthly. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.
| Parameter | dot Melody | cykle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $12.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (43 ratings) — better | 4.7 (34 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 84.7% of reviews — better | 80.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 43 — better | 34 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Olympia Noise Co. | Corne Driesprong |
Customer experience
dot Melody
cykle
Bugs and requests
dot Melody
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes experienced in older iOS versions
- Audiobus recording is garbage
- Does NOT support iPad screen size
Requested features
9 requests- AUv3 support
- Quick export of MIDI and WAV
- Update layout for larger screens (iPad)
- External MIDI control for chord/sequence changes
- Ability to transpose octaves via MIDI
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- Chord changes synced to bar changes
- Trigger chord and track changes via MIDI
- More diverse and interesting sounds
- Audioshare export
cykle
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
dot Melody
No in-app purchases
cykle
- Small tip$1.99
- Big tip$5.99









