Musk MIDI Keyboard 2.9

The Musk MIDI Keyboard offers a versatile and expandable solution for musical input and playback, suitable for both professional and amateur users seeking greater control over their MIDI workflows.

Users can utilize the included General MIDI sound font or import custom sound libraries to customize their sound palette. The multi-touch keyboard spans eight octaves, enabling expressive performance. Additionally, the app allows for sending notes to other MIDI applications or keyboards and receiving input from external MIDI sources.

The integration with installed sounds across other apps is facilitated through a built-in Audio Unit Extension, enhancing flexibility. Real-time tracking of MIDI notes and channels provides clear visual feedback, with features to load various sound libraries and assign different sounds to specific MIDI channels. Individual channels can be highlighted both visually and acoustically to assist performance clarity. The app can also vocalize pitch classes in the user's language, utilizing iOS 7 voice capabilities.

The MIDI connectivity options include Network-MIDI over WiFi for device-to-device communication, USB-MIDI connections via Camera Connection Kit, and synchronization with Core MIDI-enabled applications—allowing for comprehensive integration within existing workflows. Support for MIDI via Bluetooth (iOS8) and experimental support for Gamekit further expand connectivity possibilities. Active MIDI ports can be toggled on or off independently, with automatic reconnection upon app restart where supported.

Channel-specific settings afford detailed control over note display, playback, instrument sounds, volume levels, and acceptance of program changes and volume commands through MIDI input. Sound libraries can be imported via iTunes file sharing, iCloud synchronization (requiring an internet connection), or directly from other compatible apps through the "Open In" dialog—supporting formats such as sf2, dls, exs, aupreset, and zip files.

The app's compatibility with Inter-App Audio, AudioBus 3, and Audio Unit protocols enables seamless use of its audio output in other applications—for recording performances in GarageBand or adding sound effects in VoiceSynth, among others. Opportunities also exist to use sound fonts as Audio Units within host environments; however, this remains experimental.

Limitations include the inability to output speech responses to other apps and potential performance issues when generating many notes rapidly on older devices—users experiencing audio artifacts are advised to close background applications to optimize performance.