Midiflow vs OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Midiflow
This app enables seamless MIDI data transfer between different applications on your device. It allows for app synchronization, routing MIDI from sequencers to synths, and assigning keyboard zones. Users can save and recall configurations, and monitor MIDI activity.
- App-to-app MIDI routing
- MIDI clock synchronization
- Channel filtering and remapping
- Note and velocity manipulation
- Custom virtual MIDI ports
- Preset saving and recall
- Controller filtering and remapping (in-app purchase)
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Midiflow allows you to send MIDI from app to app in a similar way to what you already do with audio. That way, you can sync apps with each other or send MIDI parts from a sequencer app to different synth apps. You can also route the MIDI from your keyboard to apps and assign different key zones to them. Different settings can be stored as a preset, recalled later and inserted into another preset. Furthermore, all MIDI transfer can be monitored in order to find problems or just to learn what MIDI is doing (normally) behind the scenes. Important news: There is a full documentation on the Midiflow website now! HOW DOES IT WORK? Midiflow allows you to create multiple routings. Each routing receives MIDI data on its source and sends it to its destination. The selectable sources and destinations include your CoreMIDI compatible MIDI interface and other apps if they provide a virtual MIDI port. You can also create custom ports that can be used by other apps to receive data from Midiflow or send data to it. A routing also has a modifier which allows you to filter data or modify it. That way, you can transpose notes, limit them to a key range, change the MIDI channel of the incoming data, etc. (see the feature list below). LIST OF FEATURES + MIDI clock – specify tempo and your apps will be in sync + Channel filtering and remapping + Velocity filtering – a routing is only active for notes in a given velocity range + Note shift – shift all notes by a given number of half-tone steps + Note remapping – shift each note individually + Velocity remapping – apply a velocity curve, transform to fixed velocity, or specify the map value by value. In the latter case, you can also export the mapping to the clipboard, edit it in another app like Apple Numbers, and paste it back in Midiflow + Filtering out Clock or dividing the tempo into subdivisions + Filtering out SysEx + Connect to other iPads/iPhones via Bluetooth MIDI (iOS8 or higher) + Save a configuration as a preset, which can be recalled later or inserted into another preset + Custom virtual MIDI ports, which can be selected in other apps as a source or destination + Control aspects of Midiflow via MIDI. For example, select presets or control the clock with any MIDI command + Launch your synth apps from Midiflow (works with an increasing number of apps) + Sharing your configurations ADDITIONAL FEATURES (available as an In-app purchase) + Filtering and remapping of controllers – transform (a) the controller type, e.g. from CC1 to pitch-bend or note value to CC1, and (b) transform the value in several ways: as a linear remapping from an input range to an output range, as a curve, or as a value by value list. In the latter case, you can also export the mapping to the clipboard, edit it in another app like Apple Numbers, and paste it back in Midiflow. This allows you to create very sophisticated remappings. + Controller conditions – adjust your routings depending on other MIDI messages. This allows you to create sophisticated behavior within your setup by switching routings on and off. DOES MIDIFLOW WORK WITH MY SYNTH APPS? Midiflow works with every app that has a correct MIDI implementation. In the best case, it has an own virtual MIDI port and can be configured so that it receives MIDI only on that port. Unfortunately, some apps don't have that, but can at least be restricted to one MIDI channel. In that case, you can send to that channel on the global MIDI port "Network Session 1". If you can't select a channel either, then the app won't work with Midiflow. There is a tutorial video on www.midiflow.com that explains this in more detail.
OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer
This app is a flexible MIDI drum sequencer for iOS, offering up to 16 tracks with advanced modulation and sequencing. It can be used standalone or as an AUv3 plugin in DAWs, and is optimized for drums but also suitable for melodies. It requires iOS 12 or higher.
- 16 mutable tracks
- AUv3 MIDI plugin
- Standalone operation
- Parameter locking
- Smart randomizer
- Chainable patterns
- Custom time signatures
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OCTACHRON is a very flexible iOS MIDI Drum Sequencer with up to 16 tracks and rich modulation and sequencing capabilities. It is optimized for drums, but also a lot of fun for basic melody lines. It works standalone or as AUv3 MIDI plugin in your favorite iOS DAW or mixer. (E.g. AUM, Logic Pro, Cubasis, Beatmaker, ApeMatrix, Groove Rider, Nanostudio and more (not GarageBand)) PRESS REVIEWS - “OCTACHRON is almost perfect now” (haQ attaQ) - “Favorite MIDI Sequencer - User's Choice Award 2022” (iOS AUv3 Facebook Group) - “An exciting MIDI sequencer with advanced features” (Synth Anatomy) - “Particularly the probability parameters are a lot of fun” (Amazona) !!! PLEASE NOTICE: OCTACHRON IS A MIDI SEQUENCER AND DOES NOT CREATE ANY SOUNDS OF ITS OWN !!! We believe in specialization. This is why OCTACHRON is focused on in depth MIDI sequencing. Control your favorite iOS drums like Blip Box, Ruismaker or MV08, synths like Zeeon or Model D or any other hard- or software MIDI instrument with it. iOS 12 or higher required. If used with a host software, this has to be compatible with the MIDI AudioUnit standard. OVERVIEW - Standalone or AUv3 AudioUnit - 1-32 steps with flexible clock divider and custom time signatures - Up to 16 mutable tracks with adjustable length - Up to 8 chainable patterns (song mode) - Swing with flexible swing grid - Save, restore and export your pattern presets, MIDI files and MIDI mapping presets - Parameter lock for velocity, ratcheting, offset, trigger probability, trigger condition, gate length and MIDI CC Modulation - Scales generator - MIDI control pattern selection, play and mute - Customizable mapping and mapping presets - Works iOS 12 upwards - Optimized for iPad and iPhone - Also compatible standalone with M Macs and Apple Vision Pro LOTS OF MAPPING PRESETS FOR POPULAR DRUM APPS AND HARDWARE - AR-909, Axxon 2 & Blip Box - Dadamachines Automat, Digistix & DM1/DM2/Drumlab - DrumComputer by Sugar Bytes - EGDR 606, 808 & 909 - FAC Drumkit, Hammerhead - Koala Sampler & Korg Gadgets - MV08 & NS2 Slate - Pure Acid Drums - Ruismaker & Ruismaker FM - SDS-X, Sitala & Splat-To-Clat - VA Drum SM, VA Drum2 808 & 909 - Vatanator - Korg Electribe EMX & ER-1 - Korg Volca Beats - MFB 522 - Roland MC-101 - Roland TR-08 - Roland TR-707 & 727 - Roland TR-808 - Roland TR-909 Also save, load and share your own MIDI mappings ... SMART RANDOMIZER - Smart pattern randomizer - Randomizer configuration per track - Trigger mutation per track - Mutation of internal and CC modulation parameters PARAMETER LOCK - Velocity and MIDI CC modulation - Multiple hits per step with ratcheting - Offset - Trigger probability - Trigger condition - Gate length - MIDI CC on every step - 8 CCs per Track - Mutation of Internal and CC Modulation TRACK SETTINGS - Assign MIDI notes to each track or use mapping presets - Individual track length to create polyrhythms LIVE PERFORMANCE FEATURES - Instant pattern switch option - Mute function per track to easily build up layers CONNECTIVIY - Sequence other standalone apps, AUv3 AudioUnits or external hardware via MIDI - OCTACHRON derives its timing from the host application, its internal clock or via AbletonLink - Trigger on different MIDI channels per track NO TRACKING - OCTACHRON works offline - No push notifications - No ads or in-app purchases - No tracking tools - Active on social media and in the mobile music community - Ongoing development and support and many new features on the list FOR MELODIC INSTRUMENTS GENERATE VARIOUS SCALES IN ALL KEYS OCTACHRON is optimized for drums. But it also supports standard melodic scales like major, minor and also more unusual ones like mixolydian, phrygian and more ...
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer at 4.5 against Midiflow's 4.0. OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (81% vs 59%). Midiflow's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads 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
Midiflow costs $7.99 and OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer $9.99 up front. Midiflow sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer asks for nothing beyond the download.
OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 104 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Midiflow's written reviews are positive against 81% of OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer's.
Midiflow ships an update every 5 weeks, OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Midiflow | OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (39 ratings) | 4.5 (104 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.8% of reviews | 80.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 39 | 104 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Johannes Doerr | Markus Teufel |
Customer experience
Midiflow
OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer
User reviews
Midiflow
From 39 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Comprehensive MIDI routing
- 💡 Flexible MIDI manipulation
- 🚀 Powerful functionality
- ✨ Intuitive interface (for some)
- ✅ Works in background
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🐛 App doesn't open
- 🐛 App closes immediately
- 🐛 Bugs and quirks
- 🐛 Unreliable for live use
OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer
From 104 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 💡 Powerful and versatile sequencer
- 🚀 Produces results quickly
- 🌟 Great for drum patterns
- 🎛️ Excellent modulation options
Room to improve
- 🐛 Pattern change via MIDI difficult
- ❓ Clock div issues reported
- 💡 Missing touchable pads
- ❓ No sound output reported
- 🐛 Projects broken by update
Bugs and requests
Midiflow
Reported bugs
45 issues- Frequent crashes while editing CC map
- Mapped CCs dropped during performance
- App does not open on iOS 10
- Layout issues on iPhone 11 (no 'Done' button)
- App stops working, opens for 2 seconds then closes
Show 40 moreShow fewer
- Bug in Velocity remapping: 'Reset curve' makes screen blank
- Note Off messages have vel value = 0
- App simply doesn't start after paid updates
- No 'Done' or 'Back' button visible in menus
- App crashes when editing a song and saving
- Edits lost after crash
- Backup song lost after crash
- App crashes when trying to remap
- App crashes on first note when Roli Seaboard is connected
- App closes when searching for nearby devices
- App closes when selecting 'find nearby devices' or 'advertise device'
- App doesn't work with iOS 14
- App doesn't work with iOS 15
- App doesn't work with iOS 16
- App crashes on iPad 5 after update
- App closes immediately after starting
- No back or cancel button, stuck in menus
- CC control mapping issues (e.g., CC7 dropped)
- Bluetooth connectivity crashes the app
- Program Change to MIDI note remapping not working
- App doesn't search for nearby devices
- App force closes when remapping
- GUI problems with returning to main page
- App crashes on first note
- App doesn't load after paid updates
- No return button
- Layout issues on iPhone
- Filter out Note Off messages functionality missing
- Frequent crashes while editing
- Mapped CCs dropped during performance
- Note off velocities are ignored
- App doesn't open
- App closes immediately
- App doesn't work with SampleTank in background
- Remapping doesn't work properly
- MIDI messages blocked or morphed
- Remapping adds code instead of replacing
- Fixed MIDI channels in Korg iPolysix
- Does not work with Arturia iMini/iProphet
- App shutdown on iPad 2
Requested features
6 requests- AUv3 plugin version
- Mass sharing of songs
- Dark mode
- Ability to map multiple notes from one key press
- Individual transpose for split zones
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- More MIDI features controllable by external hardware
OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer
Reported bugs
24 issues- Clock div issues reported
- No sound output reported
- Projects broken by update
- Skipping first note on pattern change
- GUI glitchy/choppy
Show 19 moreShow fewer
- Crashing when loading custom mapping
- Repeating notes unexpectedly
- Kick muting in song mode
- Controller faders not working perfectly
- Unwanted random notes
- MIDI recording not an option
- Pattern change via MIDI difficult
- GarageBand AUv3 compatibility issues
- No sound output
- Projects corrupted after update
- Clock division not working
- Difficulty changing patterns
- MIDI note sequences cannot be recorded
- Choppy visual experience
- Random notes played with ThumbJam
- Crash when loading saved custom mapping
- Skipping first note when switching patterns
- Repeating notes without repeat enabled
- Kick drum mutes in song mode
Requested features
26 requests- Add touchable pads
- Add MIDI Step record feature
- Add triplets
- Add MIDI file export and import
- Add system-wide preset save and load
Show 21 moreShow fewer
- Add randomization for different genres
- Increase channel count to 16
- Add more options for MIDI input for real-time control
- Add MIDI learn button for each track
- Add option to record drums live into the sequencer
- Add more patterns
- Follow mode for song mode GUI
- Enhanced mod edit mode with inline editing
- Ability to drag/select patterns in song mode to auto loop
- App preset for Arturia iSpark
- MIDI channel per drum sound
- Number indicating parameter value while changing
- Ability to tie patterns
- Note length option
- 16 channel support
- MIDI channel per track
- Pattern resync for DAW synchronization
- Expandable number of patterns and rows
- Preview sounds
- Import sound directly into slots
- Triplets division
In-app purchases
Midiflow
- Send Controller On Load$1.99
- Controller Conditions$2.99
- Controller Remapping$3.99
OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Midiflow free?
Is OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer free?
Which has better reviews, Midiflow or OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer?
Do Midiflow or OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Midiflow or OCTACHRON MIDI Drum Sequencer?
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