Microtonic vs mpump

Microtonic is a VST/AU drum and percussion synthesizer paired with a pattern-based drum-machine engine for Windows and Mac. It generates sounds in real time through synthesis rather than samples or pre-rendered waveforms. Eight drum and percussion channels can play from a MIDI keyboard or sequencer, while patterns stay synchronized with a host sequencer. Sound-design features include over-sampled oscillators, sample-accurate triggering, morphing, smart alteration, and randomization. Factory sounds and patterns are included, and Patternarium provides thousands of computer-generated presets for royalty-free use. Presets can be heard online, downloaded or copied into Microtonic, and voted on. The Mac release includes a standalone application plus VST 2.4, VST3, and Audio Unit 2 plug-ins. Windows has no standalone application and requires a suitable VST host. Microtonic costs 99.00 USD as a one-time purchase, with a 21-day trial beginning at first launch in a host sequencer. Purchases include usage rights, support, and service updates.

mpump is a browser drum machine, groovebox, and step sequencer for creating beats and sharing them as links. Someone opening a shared link can change the groove and send a revised version. The browser tool includes drums, bass, synth, a mixer, and effects with real-time synthesis, as well as patterns, arpeggiators, and Euclidean rhythms. It supports MIDI clock synchronization and an Ableton Link bridge for use with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Traktor, djay, and other Link-enabled apps. Recordings can be saved as WAV, and sessions can be imported or exported as JSON. The PWA works offline after its first load. Live Jam supports up to 4 peers, and Live Set supports up to 49 listeners; both are opt-in and currently need a user-provided relay because the public hosted relay is offline. The maker says there are no accounts or personal tracking and music stays on the user's device. mpump is free on Android, iOS, and the web, with source code under AGPL-3.0.