StepPolyArp v5.2 by Laurent Colson

The StepPolyArp app has been updated to version 5.2 on February 4, 2026, with refinements to its arpeggiator and sequencer functions. This release addresses performance and clarity issues.

• New option to automatically stop Audio Background when the app is inactive
• Standardized scale names for improved clarity
• Minor bugs fixed

StepPolyArp is a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and step sequencer, supporting up to 128 steps per pattern with 16 patterns per preset. As a standalone app or AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in, it operates universally on iPhone, iPad, and MacOS without separate purchases. For iPhone and iPad music making, it generates melodic patterns from notes or chords in arpeggiator mode or standalone sequences, with 11 configurable transposition lines, polyrhythmic lines, and clock dividers. Features include gate, velocity, probability, random pitch/gate/velocity per event, and 6 arpeggiator modes plus random and chord modes. The app conforms to selected scales, with predefined and custom options, and supports Ableton Link, MIDI clock, and internal/external MIDI connections. An internal sound bank and tap tempo aid quick starts, while preset sharing via AirDrop and iCloud facilitates collaboration. The randomization panel generates patterns with controllable parameters, fostering creativity. Full Windowed Apps mode on iPad and Undo/Redo support efficient editing.

In comprehensive use, StepPolyArp’s programmable matrix with mute by line and per-line controls allows intricate pattern design, ideal for electronic and experimental music. The app’s sample-accurate timing ensures precision in synchronized setups, while Program Change support enables live preset switching. For mobile producers, the resizable 8-octave keyboard and lockable latch mode support expressive play, with multitasking on iOS for multi-app workflows. StepPolyArp’s focus on polyphony and polyrhythms, with automatic pattern chaining, suits complex compositions. Its AUv3 multiple instances in hosts expand its role in large projects. Overall, it provides a robust platform for MIDI generation in iOS ecosystems.