Comparison

dot Melody vs Prism MIDI Sequencer

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Prism MIDI Sequencer

This app is a powerful 16-track MIDI step sequencer designed for iOS devices. It allows users to create complex musical patterns with high resolution, elastic timing, and per-step control. It integrates with external synths and samplers, offering extensive features for melody, harmony, and drum sequencing.

Highlights
  • 16-track AUv3 MIDI step sequencer
  • High resolution and elastic timing
  • Per-step control and step FX
  • Scale modes and flow modes for tonal tracks
  • 16 mini-sequencers per drum track
  • LFOs, arpeggiator, and generative tools
  • Scene and mute profile performance modes
Read full description

Prism is a 16-track AUv3 MIDI step sequencer for iPhone and iPad that turns sparks of inspiration into living, breathing music. It’s built for touch and flow—pair it with your favorite synths, samplers, drum apps, and gear. Key Features ------------- [ Sequencing Engine ] ---------------------- - High resolution: 1/32 steps, up to 512 trigs/pattern, swing, polyphony, micro-timing per step - Elastic timing: per-sequence lengths plus smooth speed changes for real polyrhythm/polymeter - Per-step control: parameter locks and Step FX - Playback modes: Standard, Overlap, Trig Legato, Drone - Capture everything: live record with quantize, retroactive recording (always listening), and tap-in steps - Human feel & probability: Chance, Every, Hold, Range, Accent [ Tonal Tracks (Melody & Harmony) ] ------------------------------------ - Always in key: scale modes across the app (use built-in scales or create your own) - Note input modes: Poly, Chord Simple, Chord Multi, Chord Blocks - Flow modes (musical logic): Standard, Peek, Echo, Melt, Mirror - Per-Trig Step FX: Velocity, Pitch, Ratchet, Strum - Multi-Seq: 4 independent sequencers per tonal track to weave interlocking parts - Import and edit .MIDI files [ Drum Tracks (Kits & Samplers) ] ---------------------------------- - 16 mini-sequencers per drum track with independent settings, FX, and controls - Modular linking, advanced layering, and Drum↔Tone interactions for shared timing tricks - Drum profiles for fast kit routing and universal connectivity - Per-Trig Step FX (drum): Velocity, Length, Ratchet, Flam [ Modulation, Generative & Creative Tools ] ------------------------------------------- - 6 LFOs per track (track-tied and CC-tied) for tempo-synced movement and evolving patterns - Per-track/pattern 16-step Arpeggiator—from classic to experimental - Harmonizer and Hue Sequencer for chord color and phrase rotation - Tape-style MIDI Slicer & Looper (per track/pattern) for instant remixing - Smart randomizers: one-tap generation for drum patterns, sequences, and fx. [ Performance, Workflow & UI ] ------------------------------ - Scenes, mute profiles, and bar looper to play, capture, and perform. - Fast edits: copy, paste, multi-select, quick duplicate - Multi-touch keypad matrix & sequencer for hands-on control - Light & Dark themes - Host-aware saving (internal presets + AUv3 state) [ Hardware & Host Integration ] ------------------------------- - Deep, bi-directional control for Novation Launchpad (Pro, Mk3, Mini, X) and Launchkey Mini MK4 with LED feedback & mappings - External MIDI in/out/thru, per-track channel routing - AUv3 works in leading hosts (e.g., AUM, Logic Pro for iPad) [ Timing & Specs ] ------------------- - High-precision engine: 480 PPQN for tight playback at any tempo - iPhone & iPad AUv3 (MIDI-only; no built-in sounds) ---------- Find more info at sites.google.com/view/prism-midi-sequencer/home Happy creating, y’all. —A Mortal Mage

Screenshots

dot Melody4 screens
Prism MIDI Sequencer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: dot Melody at $3.99 against Prism MIDI Sequencer's $19.99. dot Melody also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). Prism MIDI Sequencer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

dot Melody costs $3.99 and Prism MIDI Sequencer $19.99 up front. Prism MIDI Sequencer sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. dot Melody asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for dot Melody against 4.8 for Prism MIDI Sequencer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 43 and 33 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 85% and 86% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

dot Melody ships an update every 4 months, Prism MIDI Sequencer every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
dot Melody versus Prism MIDI Sequencer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterdot MelodyPrism MIDI Sequencer
Price$3.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (43 ratings)4.8 (33 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.7% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings43 — better33
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOlympia Noise Co.Tyler Quatraro

Customer experience

dot Melody

All ratings43 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.3%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive84.7%
Neutral5.1%
Negative10.2%

Prism MIDI Sequencer

All ratings33 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral4.8%
Negative9.5%

In-app purchases

None

dot Melody

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Prism MIDI Sequencer

One-time5
  • LFO Extension$4.99
  • Step FX$4.99
  • Multi-Sequencer [Tone Tracks]$4.99
Show 2 more
  • Launchkey Mini MK4 Control$4.99
  • Euclidean Sequencer Extension$4.99

Questions

Is dot Melody free?
dot Melody costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Prism MIDI Sequencer free?
Prism MIDI Sequencer costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, dot Melody or Prism MIDI Sequencer?
Prism MIDI Sequencer is rated higher. dot Melody averages 4.7 out of 5 from 43 ratings, while Prism MIDI Sequencer averages 4.8 from 33 ratings.
Do dot Melody or Prism MIDI Sequencer have ads?
Neither dot Melody nor Prism MIDI Sequencer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, dot Melody or Prism MIDI Sequencer?
dot Melody ships an update every 4 months, and Prism MIDI Sequencer every 2 weeks. Most recently, dot Melody was updated on October 14, 2026 and Prism MIDI Sequencer on October 14, 2026.

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