Midiflow vs SWAM Violin
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.
SWAM Violin
This virtual instrument uses physical modeling to generate realistic string performances in real-time, responding dynamically to your playing style. It offers advanced spatial control with a room simulator and can be used standalone or as an AUv3 plugin. Designed for expressive control and inclusivity, it's suitable for various musical styles and users.
- Physical modeling sound generation
- Real-time expressive control
- Room Simulator 'Ambiente'
- Standalone and AUv3 plugin support
- Intuitive, inclusive interface
- Customizable sound and micro-tuning
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SWAM Violin for iOS: Unmatched Realism and Expressive Power in Your Hands Experience the cutting-edge Physical Modeling technology of SWAM Violin for iOS, now featuring the revolutionary Room Simulator "Ambiente"! Unlike sampled libraries, this virtual instrument doesn’t play pre-recorded sounds but generates authentic string performances in real-time, responding dynamically to your every nuance, just like a real violinist. These instruments are NOT sample libraries. Unlike sampling, which uses recordings to replicate the sound of an instrument, physical modeling doesn’t generate a sound as such but creates the conditions for the system to create it according to an external input (like someone playing on a keyboard). This means every note is unique, and the instrument responds dynamically to your playing style. With SWAM Violin, you can unleash your creativity across any musical style—from classical to modern, film scoring to microtonal music. Whether you're performing live or producing music on the go, SWAM Violin is your ultimate companion. New Features and Key Benefits: Room Simulator "Ambiente": Take advantage of advanced spatial control with the built-in Room Simulator "Ambiente," which allows you to position the instrument in a realistic acoustic space, interact dynamically with other SWAM instruments in the same virtual room, and create truly immersive performances. Additionally, the legacy Reverb, EQ, and Compressor effects are available for fine-tuning your sound. Standalone and AUv3 Plugin: Perform in real time or integrate SWAM Violin seamlessly into your mobile production workflow. Intuitive, Inclusive Interface: Designed for everyone, including blind and visually impaired users. Expressive Control: Play with unmatched expressivity using the exclusive virtual bowing surface, MPE controllers, keyboards, breath controllers, or other MIDI devices. Top Features at a Glance: Access a library of presets, create your own, or import presets from the desktop version. Customize every detail of your sound, including timbre, vibrato, and dynamics. Micro-tune the instrument with the Pitch Manager, supporting devices like MAQAM for advanced tuning systems. Add built-in effects like EQ, and Compressor. Play with different violin bodies to explore unique tonal variations. Use AUv3 to integrate with your mobile DAW (Logic, Cubasis, AUM) or apps like Camelot PRO for live performances. Who is SWAM Violin for iOS Designed For? Wind Controller Players: Looking for a mobile setup to perform live without needing a computer while still achieving an incredible sound. Keyboard Players: Frustrated by the limited expressive capabilities of normal sample-based plugins? SWAM Violin unlocks the full range of expression. Music Producers: Need a mobile setup to produce music from anywhere without carrying around expensive gear? SWAM Violin is the solution. Musicians Seeking Expressivity: Looking for a virtual instrument that allows you to express the full range of your musicality easily on your iPhone or iPad. IMPORTANT To fully harness the expressive power of SWAM Violin, a controller capable of continuous expression (such as a breath controller, expression pedal, MPE device, or wind controller) is required. Just like a bow is essential for a real violinist, SWAM Violin needs expressive input for maximum realism. With SWAM Violin for iOS, you have the freedom to create lifelike string performances on your iPhone or iPad. Redefine your music with unparalleled realism and expressive depth—anytime, anywhere.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Midiflow at $7.99 against SWAM Violin's $29.99. Midiflow also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). SWAM Violin's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (75% vs 59%). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence 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
Midiflow costs $7.99 and SWAM Violin $29.99 up front. Midiflow sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. SWAM Violin asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for Midiflow against 4.1 for SWAM Violin. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Midiflow's written reviews are positive against 75% of SWAM Violin's.
Midiflow ships an update every 5 weeks, SWAM Violin every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Midiflow | SWAM Violin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 — better | $29.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (39 ratings) | 4.1 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.8% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 39 — better | 14 |
| 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 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 103 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Johannes Doerr | Audio Modeling |
Customer experience
Midiflow
SWAM Violin
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
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- 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
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- More MIDI features controllable by external hardware
SWAM Violin
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Midiflow
- Send Controller On Load$1.99
- Controller Conditions$2.99
- Controller Remapping$3.99
SWAM Violin
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Midiflow free?
Is SWAM Violin free?
Which has better reviews, Midiflow or SWAM Violin?
Do Midiflow or SWAM Violin have ads?
Which is updated more often, Midiflow or SWAM Violin?
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