Comparison

modstep vs Dexed Synth

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

Head to head
About

modstep

Create music with a powerful MIDI sequencer for iPad. Control external hardware, IAA apps, and Audio Units. Features unlimited tracks, real-time editing, and integrated synths/samplers for on-the-go or studio production.

Highlights
  • Session-style MIDI sequencer
  • Unlimited tracks and scenes
  • Real-time editing and modulation
  • Integrated synth and sampler
  • IAA and Audio Unit integration
  • Ableton Link sync
  • MIDI and Audio export
Features
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Modstep Introducing Modstep, Modulation Monster and the first full-blown MIDI sequencer for the iPad. Modstep allows you to create music and jam with your iPad and your favorite IAA Apps, Audio Units, Mac and PC software and MIDI hardware as well as the internal drum sampler and synth. Use it as the centerpiece of your setup to create and perform music on the go, in the studio and on stage. "If you´re looking for a versatile, adaptable MIDI sequencer for iOS, Modstep comes highly recommended" Sound On Sound “Modstep could change how an iPad fits into your music making” CDM “If you’ve ever dreamed of a touchscreen brain for your studio, this is it.” FACTMag "Modstep is a great step forward for step sequencing.” Audionewsroom FEATURES: -Session-style MIDI sequencer with unlimited tracks & scenes. -Play individual clips or whole scenes, or use the included arrangement features to manage more sophisticated song-structures. -Clips are pattern based which allows quick edits on the fly. Set a variable speed per pattern. -Edit clips with either the Step Sequencer or the Piano Roll -Step Sequencer with active steps and step-shifting. -Piano Roll with variable quantization including triplets, access to modulations, velocities and scales. -Everything can be edited, arranged, modulated or changed in real-time. -Note Repeat from 1-48th to 1/4th. -Global Swing -Unlimited MIDI & Audio tracks - only restricted by the power of your iPad. -Tempo range from 20 to 999bpm. -Sync via Ableton Link. -Stable and low-latency MIDI Clock In & Out with latency adjustment. -Trigger out -integrated global keyboard with scales & drum-pads allow quick recording of individual tracks with a single surface. -Use an external controller or keyboard to control, record or play any given track. -Midi mappable via external MIDI controllers -Internal additive synth with up to 64 harmonics per voice, 3-band eq, delay, reverb, lfo and detune. -Internal sampler with pitch, volume, reverse, fx per slot, 3 band-eq, delay and reverb. -Integrate any IAA compatible app or Audio Unit as an instrument or effect. -unlimited number of effects per track. -Audiobus support. -convenient plugin management via drag and drop. -Integrated mixer with Arm, Mute, Solo per track -Any loaded instrument or external MIDI hardware is completely modulatable via CCs. -Up to 128 CC modulations per track. -Audio and MIDI streaming directly via charger cable to Mac and PC using studiomux technology -Export sample perfect loops of audio per track. Choose which channels to record. The internal quantization will make sure they are sample-perfect and ready for any DAW. -Import / Export of MIDI files. -Import / Export of Audio & MIDI files via AudioShare. -A sophisticated template system allows quick setup of tracks to control external MIDI hardware, apps or plugins. -Includes many preconfigured templates for popular external hardware. -Template editor to create your own templates for IAA Apps, desktop Apps and external MIDI devices -Supports all MIDI interfaces for the iPad -Works on all iPads (iPad 1 restricted to MIDI only) Requirements: iOS 8 or later for audio and MIDI streaming to a Mac or PC, the studiomux server software is required: get the latest for free at studiomux.net Manual: You can find the manual here: http://www.modstep.net/manual

About

Dexed Synth

This app brings a powerful FM synthesizer to your mobile device, offering a vast library of sounds. It integrates with popular DAWs and supports external MIDI controllers for enhanced control and performance.

Highlights
  • FM Synthesizer port
  • Over 20,000 cartridges with 32 patches each
  • AudioUnit AUv3 plugin support
  • MIDI controller input via USB
  • Lock scroll and parameter locking
  • MIDI CC mapping
Features
Currently charting
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A port of Dexed, a FM Synthesizer. Features over 20,000 Cartridges with 32 patches each. Comes with AudioUnit AUv3 plugin for use inside AUM and other DAW apps like GarageBand. Get a camera kit and plug in a midi controller through USB, or get a 5-PIN DIN 1/in 1/out, to: USB and use the camera kit through USB MIDI Spec, NOTE: some devices handle SysEx differently and therefore we cannot promise support for SysEx, so invest in connectors and cables wisely. If you have questions involving making MIDI-USB work the best for your situation, email support. This iOS app was designed especially with small interfaces in mind. Example: an iPhone 5S or a resizable window inside AUM. If one clicks the menu eye, a feature LOCK SCROLL can be –very– important to set knobs, sliders, et cetera: if screen size is limited. LOCK PARAMs in the eye menu locks the parameters for scrolling without knocking loose the preset. In the CARTs menu double tap a cartridge to load a series of patches, the files will have a .syx extension. To use MIDI CC, in the menu eye you must first turn on MIDI CC. When MIDI CC is on it makes the tap events react like a right mouse button click. NOTE: MIDI CC, in eye menu, doesn't have to be on after CC controls are mapped. MIDI CC touch modifier will also turn off after you have successfully mapped a CC control, or when you delete the current mappings. You can turn it on again later to turn off mappings or create new CC mappings. I would suggest setting CC knobs in the bottom section of the screen – above keyboard (if visible). Currently you must save patch in DAW – for instance: GarageBand or AUM. Once we can determine unity and saving/loading between the AUv3 plugin and the StandAlone app, external save will be eventually developed. There is a pathway set to transfer .syx files through iTunes to the StandAlone app, only. Other plans include fixing pixelated images, a quick zoom to set CC mode and updating GUI to a higher degree, make sure midi CC knobs update.

Screenshots

Dexed Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dexed Synth at 3.3 against modstep's 2.8. Dexed Synth also leads on price ($3.99 vs $9.99) and chart position (#118 vs unranked). modstep's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (46% vs 30%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

modstep costs $9.99 and Dexed Synth $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dexed Synth holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 40 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of modstep's written reviews are positive against 30% of Dexed Synth's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, Dexed Synth every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 10, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
modstep versus Dexed Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermodstepDexed Synth
Price$9.99$3.99 — better
Rating2.8 (39 ratings)3.3 (40 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews — better29.8% of reviews
Number of ratings3940 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank—#118 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS7.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB105 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperChristian BlomertGeorge Rosar

Customer experience

modstep

All ratings39 ratings
Positive41.0%
Neutral5.1%
Negative53.8%
Written reviews155 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral14.2%
Negative40.0%

Dexed Synth

All ratings40 ratings
Positive42.5%
Neutral30.0%
Negative27.5%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive29.8%
Neutral24.6%
Negative45.6%

Bugs and requests

modstep

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • App crashes when loading external IAA/AU instruments
  • Constant clicking sound with metronome off
  • Projects fail to load or require multiple restart attempts
  • MIDI input routing ignores channel settings
  • Track names change when using 'save as' function
Show 13 more
  • App crashes when adding second synth to project
  • Black screen on startup
  • Crashes when editing notes in pattern editor
  • MIDI note hanging and stuck notes
  • Random crashes during playback or editing
  • Instruments deleted after app crash
  • Inter-app audio broken on newer iOS versions
  • App crashes when deleting tracks
  • Editing while playing causes crashes
  • Clip deletion causes crashes
  • IAA apps lock in slots
  • Screen goes blank during operation
  • Skipped notes and misfired triggers

Requested features

18 requests
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • MIDI import capability
  • Pre-roll for recording
  • Dedicated mixer with send/returns
  • Audio loop recording and playback
Show 13 more
  • State saving for synth presets
  • Bank MSB/LSB support for program changes
  • Precise CC automation entry
  • Song mode for arrangement
  • MIDI CC scene launching
  • Metronome volume and pan control
  • Note selection tool in piano roll
  • Groove templates
  • Better transposition tools
  • Pan control for instruments
  • Reset function for faders and values
  • AU MIDI plugin support
  • Sample upload over IP

Dexed Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

modstep

No in-app purchases

None

Dexed Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is modstep free?
modstep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dexed Synth free?
Dexed Synth costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, modstep or Dexed Synth?
Dexed Synth is rated higher. modstep averages 2.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Dexed Synth averages 3.3 from 40 ratings.
Do modstep or Dexed Synth have ads?
Neither modstep nor Dexed Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, modstep or Dexed Synth?
modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, and Dexed Synth every 2 months. Most recently, modstep was updated on June 10, 2026 and Dexed Synth on September 23, 2026.

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