Combining creativity and technology has given rise to new tools in the ever-changing field of music creation that completely change how we work with and create sound. MIDI controllers are prominent among them, linking the digital and physical domains and providing musicians with a tactile and expressive means of interacting with their art.
Although many still use traditional MIDI controllers, mobile technology has brought a new era where you can utilize your iOS or Android device to become a powerful MIDI controller and explore a whole new universe of musical possibilities.
We explore the world of MIDI controller apps in this blog, looking for the top choices for users of both iOS and Android. These applications create a symphony of creative potential, enabling musicians of all levels to shape and mold their sonic landscapes with unparalleled precision.
These range from feature-rich applications that emulate traditional hardware controllers to highly customizable interfaces that cater to the unique needs of musicians.
MIDI Keyboard Apps for Android
Today’s powerful mobile technology at affordable prices can improve the music-making capabilities of smartphones and tablets with the connection of MIDI keyboards and controllers.
For Android and iOS, several paid and free apps meet the needs of users with varying skill levels and use cases.
We’ll review a few free choices here to help you experiment with music on your phone.
You may use a MIDI keyboard to play through any of the hundreds of MIDI keyboard apps available on the Google Play Store if you have an Android phone running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and above!
It can be tedious to sift through the enormous selection of apps, so here are a few excellent free options that will turn your phone into a realistic-sounding musical instrument:
1. ROLI Studio
The ROLI Studio is an innovative new MIDI controller that aims to reimagine music creation through unique tactile expression. Equipped with ROLI’s patented squishy silicone “Lightpad Blocks,” the Studio allows for rich and nuanced electronic music production via customizable pads, sliders, buttons, and touch strips.
Unique sounds, special tools for production, and simple design. ROLI Studio, an all-in-one production suite with two plugins to help you expedite your finest new production ideas, is where it all comes together.
- Two plugins: ROLI Studio Player & ROLI Studio Drums
- 400 sounds, including 200 MPE sounds
- Expansive audio effects and macros
- Ground-breaking production tools like Smart Chords
- Intuitive, easily navigable interfaces
- Works with all MIDI controllers and DAWs
2. CYPHER2
The designers of Equator2 provide Cypher2, an infinite Cross-Mod synth that invites you to explore a universe of sound design adventures. With its extensive selection of presets and high-quality oscillators, filters, sequencers, and effects, Cypher2 elevates sound design to a new level.
3. Perfect Piano – Standalone App
Play Store hosts an entertaining free piano application dubbed “Perfect Piano.”
The piano, with 88 keys and a realistic sound, is another instrument, including other gadgets such as the Music Box, Rhodes, and synths.
Also, “timbre packs” that include flutes, violins, and other instruments are available for download and use with the external MIDI keyboard.
Apart from the piano, the program includes games of various levels, speeds, and song-learning features. In addition, it includes social media whereby people can share and collaborate while listening to music online, take part in challenges, and engage in rivalry.
MIDI Keyboard Apps for iOS
The iOS operating system from Apple offers iPhones and iPads an incredibly potent music-making environment. In reality, they can host high-end applications that are becoming increasingly common in professional musicians’ live sets and recording facilities. On Apple machines, iOS and macOS work together to give you more freedom and expansion options.
Many free MIDI applications are available for the Apple App Store. For creating music for your review, we’ve discussed some of the most well-known ones.
1. Lemur for iOS
Lemur is a powerful MIDI controller APP developed by Liine for iOS devices. Their competitive advantage lies in designing custom controller-based interfaces according to the client’s specifications. The unique design of this app is such that it allows a musician to create personal control surfaces or modify existing ones.
Lemur provides more options for control since it supports MIDI and OSC. This electronic music production and performance platform is renowned by many because of its multi-touch functionality, providing accurate yet expressive manipulation of different elements. However, Lemur remains an indispensable tool because one can craft custom layouts with effects, drum machines, and synths.
2. MIDI Designer Pro 2 for iOS
In contrast, another iOS software standing upright amidst the noisy MIDI controller market is the Midi Designer Pro 2. This device has an attractive and easy-to-use interface for creating custom control surfaces and is very simple. It supports MIDI and OSC to interface with various machines and program suites.
One of the outstanding features of this software is its seamless integration with the most popular DAWs and virtual instrument suites. Users have a great variety of premade layouts for different types of gear, and if they want, they could also come up with their layout starting from scratch. If you are a musician who likes to take full control of the MIDI setup without getting into complex programming, then MIDI Designer Pro 2 could be an ideal solution.
Bottomline
The development and improvement in technology have made it possible to integrate MIDI controllers on mobile devices, which is easier and more powerful. Depending on your preference, whether you are using an iOS or Android operating system, there is a diverse range of MIDI controller applications.
Musicians may now take charge of their music creation process with the help of these apps: the feature rich ROLI Studio and the highly configurable Lemur and MIDI Designer Pro 2 for iOS. Your smartphone or tablet may become an expressive and potent tool for music creation with the correct MIDI controller app, giving your musical pursuits newfound flexibility and creativity.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
