How to Use MS-12

MS-12 is a sampler and step/realtime sequencer for iPhone, played in landscape orientation.

Making a track follows this flow:

1. Record sounds on the Sampling screen.
2. Edit them on the Edit Sample screen (trim, fade, slice, etc.).
3. Assign the edited sounds to pads and set how they play (Assign).
4. Record a sequence on the TOP screen with REC.
5. Fine-tune the recorded notes on the Edit Seq screen.
6. Optionally add effects to pads (Effect).
7. Balance the levels in Mix and write the pattern out with Export.

Each function is explained on the following pages.

TOP Screen

1. LCD — Shows the current PATTERN (tap to switch patterns), the playback POSITION (bar.beat.16th) and the BPM (− / + buttons, 40–240; long-press the number to type a value). BPM changes take effect immediately, even during playback. SAVE / LOAD save and recall projects.
2. Function buttons — Open Sampling, Assign, Song, Mix, Edit Sample, Edit Seq, Effect and Export. The selected function is shown in the left area (or full screen for Mix, Edit Sample and Edit Seq).
3. BANK / mute / solo — Switch the pad bank (A–D), and mute or solo individual pads.
4. Multi level / Multi Pitch — Spread one pad across all 16 pads at 16 velocity levels or 16 pitches.
5. Transport — main returns to this TOP screen, undo reverts the last action, note rep turns note repeat on, play / stop starts and stops playback, and the red button is REC (realtime recording).
6. Pads — Tap a pad to play the sound assigned to it. The tapped pad also becomes the “current pad” used by other screens. Long-press a pad to quickly assign a sound from the temporary list.

Pattern Production Workflow

The basic steps for building one pattern on MS-12. See the following pages for details on each step.

• Record sounds with SamplingRecord an external source or the app’s own output and capture it as a sample (Sampling screen).
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• Edit the sound in Edit SampleEdit the waveform and, if needed, split it into slices (Edit Sample screen).
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• Assign it to a padAssign the edited sound to a pad and set Tune, ADSR and other playback settings (Assign screen).
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• Record a sequencePress REC on the TOP screen. After a 4-beat count-in, play the pads in time with the pattern to record your performance.
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• Edit it in Edit SeqAdjust the position, velocity and pitch of each recorded note (Edit Seq screen).
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• (Optional) Add effects to padsApply effects such as Tape Echo, Reverb or EQ to each pad as needed (Effect screen).
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• Balance the mixAdjust the volume and pan of each pad to balance the whole pattern (Mix screen).
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• Write it out with ExportExport the finished pattern as a WAV file. Your track is complete.

Pad Controls & Performance

BANK, mute and solo

BANK switches the 16 visible pads between banks A–D (64 pads in total, A1–D16). Press mute (red frame) and then tap pads to mute or unmute them; press solo (yellow frame) and tap a pad to hear only that pad. While pads are muted or soloed, pressing the button again clears all mutes / solos. Muted pads are silent everywhere, including during sequence playback.

Multi level / Multi Pitch

1. Source pad / Change Pad — Shows the pad currently spread across the grid. Change Pad lets you pick another source pad.
2. Level pads (L1–L16) — Each pad plays the source sound at a different velocity, from 6% (L1) to 100% (L16). In Multi Pitch mode the pads become P1–P16, from −7 to +8 semitones (P8 = original pitch).
3. Multi level / Multi Pitch — Turn the mode on, then tap the source pad. The two modes cannot be on at the same time; they are available on the TOP screen only.

Recording a sequence (REC) and note repeat

When stopped, REC plays a 4-beat count-in (the count is shown on the button) and then starts playback and recording. During playback, REC punches in immediately; pressing it again stops recording while playback continues. A metronome clicks while recording. Hits are snapped to the grid set in Edit Seq (default 1/16; none = no quantize). With Multi level / Multi Pitch on, the velocity / pitch you play is recorded too.

note rep: while on, holding a pad retriggers it in time with the BPM. The rate is chosen with the REPEAT menu that appears (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32; default 1/16).

undo reverts the most recent sequence or pad change (sample assignment, slice-to-pad, Edit Sample “Apply”, Effect settings).

Sampling Screen

Records an external input or the app’s own output and adds it to the temporary sound list. Open it with the Sampling button on the TOP screen.

1. Audio Input / App Audio — Choose whether to record an input such as the microphone, or the sound the app itself is playing (resampling — play pads while recording). The folder icon loads an audio file from the Files app into the temporary list.
2. Input Device — Select the microphone or external audio interface to use. Rescan re-detects newly connected devices.
3. Recording Channel — Record in Stereo, or only the left (Mono L) or right (Mono R) channel.
4. Threshold — When on, recording starts automatically once the input exceeds the threshold level (−60 to 0 dB, default about −20 dB).
5. Level meter (L / R) — Shows the input level in real time; the white line marks the threshold.
6. ARM / Record Manually — ARM puts the recorder on standby (“Waiting…”) until the threshold is crossed; press again to stop. Record Manually starts recording immediately. With Threshold off the button reads Start Recording.
7. REC GAIN — Adjusts the input level from 0% to 200% (shown in dB). 0dB resets it.
8. Manage Sounds — Opens the list of recorded and imported sounds (next page).

Manage Sounds Screen

Manages all recorded, imported and sliced sounds in the temporary list. Open it with Manage Sounds on the Sampling screen.

1. Temporary List — All sounds made so far; the number of items is shown on the right.
2. Play — Hold to audition the sound. The name and length are shown next to it.
3. Rename (pencil) — Changes the sound’s name (you can also double-tap the name).
4. Duplicate — Makes a copy of the sound.
5. Delete (trash) — Removes the sound from the list. Pads that use it are set to NONE.
6. Delete Unassigned Sounds — Deletes every sound that is not assigned to any pad.
7. Delete All Sounds — Deletes all sounds in the list.

Edit Sample Screen

Edits a sampled sound on its waveform. Open it with the Edit Sample button on the TOP screen; it opens full screen.

1. Waveform — The waveform of the sample being edited (stereo samples show L and R).
2. Zoom — Zoom in and out (100–800%). You can also pinch, and scroll with two fingers.
3. Start / SelectRange / End — Start point, length and end point of the selected range.
4. Sample selector — The sample being edited. Tap to switch to another sound from the temporary list.
5. Edit — Opens the edit menu (Slice, Reverse, etc.). See the next page.
6. Save as New Sample — Saves the edited range as a new sample in the temporary list. For stereo samples, Stereo Split (L/R) also appears.
7. Undo / Redo — Steps back and forward through edits on this screen.
8. Preview — Hold to hear the edited result.
9. Apply — Commits the edit. Every pad that uses this sample is updated.
10. Show Pad Panel / Hide Pad Panel — Shows or hides the pad panel below.
11. Pad panel — Select the bank and the pad whose sample you want to edit.

Edit Sample Menu

The menu opened with the Edit button on the Edit Sample screen. Each function opens a parameter panel below the waveform.

1. Slice — Splits the waveform across several pads (see the following pages). Mono samples only.
2. Reverse — Plays the waveform backwards.
3. Normalize — Raises the level automatically so the peak reaches the target (Gain Increase 0–100%).
4. Silence — Makes the selected range silent.
5. Fadeout — Gradually lowers the level towards the end of the range.
6. Fade In — Gradually raises the level from the start of the range.
7. Time Stretch — Changes the length (50–150%) while keeping the pitch.
8. Trim — Keeps only the selected range and removes the rest (drag the handles or enter Start / End). Scroll the menu to show it.

Slice Function ① — Basics

Splits one sample into several sounds and assigns them to separate pads. Open it with Edit → Slice.

1. Sample — The source sample to slice.
2. Slice — The edit menu (now showing Slice).
3. Save as New Sample — Saves the unsliced sample as a new sample.
4. Manual — Add slice markers by hand while listening (next page).
5. Auto — Analyzes the waveform and places slice points automatically (next page).
6. Preview — Hold to listen.
7. Apply — Commits the edit.

Manual slicing

Choose Manual and show the pad panel. Tap the leftmost pad to play the sample once; while it plays, tap the other pads to drop markers (M1, M2…) at the playback position. The marker list shows each position (m:ss.sss); ⊗ deletes a marker and the trash button clears them all. Back to Selection returns to the Manual / Auto choice.

Slice Function ② — Auto Slice

Choose Auto to analyze changes in level and detect slice points automatically.

1. Sensitivity — Detection sensitivity (0–1). Moving it right detects smaller changes and produces more slices.
2. Candidates — The number of slice candidates found at the current sensitivity.
3. Auto Slice — Runs the analysis and places the slice markers on the waveform.
4. Candidate lines — Orange lines preview where slices will be placed.

Slice Function ③ — Editing Zones

Once markers exist, the sample is divided into colour-coded zones and the pads become zone pads (Z1, Z2…).

1. Markers (M1, M2…) — Slice boundaries. Drag a marker left or right to adjust it.
2. Selected zone — The zone chosen with a zone pad is highlighted.
3. Add Marker to This Zone — Splits the selected zone in the middle.
4. Delete This Zone — Merges the selected zone with its neighbour.
5. Pad Assign — Assigns all slices to pads in one go (next page).
6. Add to temporary (n) — Adds all slices to the temporary list (the count is shown).
7. Undo / Redo — Reverts marker edits.
8. Preview — Hold to listen.
9. Save Zone as New Sample — Saves only the selected zone as a new sample (<name>_ZoneN).
10. Zone pads (Z1…) — Tap to hear a zone and select it for editing.

Slice Function ④ — Assigning to Pads

Use Pad Assign to place all slices onto pads at once.

1. Select Assign Destination Bank — Shows how many slices will be assigned. Slices beyond the 16 pads of one bank continue automatically into the next bank.
2. Assign to Bank A / B / C / D — Choose the first bank. The slices are placed in order on its pads (A1, A2…), named slice1, slice2… and added to the temporary list.

Assign Screen

Assigns a sound to each pad and sets how it plays. Open it with the Assign button on the TOP screen and tap a pad (press Assign again to choose another pad).

1. Pad Settings — The selected pad and its sample name. ▶ previews the pad.
2. Sound — Choose the sample for this pad from Sample Select… (temporary list), or none. Reset to Default clears it.
3. Tune (Pitch) — Raises or lowers the playback pitch in semitones (−24 to +24). The length changes with the pitch.
4. Poly / Mono — Poly lets notes overlap; Mono always plays only one note (a new hit cuts the previous one).
5. Mute Group — Pads in the same group (1–8) stop each other when played — for example open/closed hi-hats.
6. Pad Link — Choose other pads that play at the same time whenever this pad plays.
7. ADSR (Attack / Decay / Sustain / Release) — Sets the volume envelope from the start of the sound until it fades. Attack is how fast it rises (0–1.5 s), Decay the initial drop (0–1.5 s), Sustain the held level (0–1), and Release the tail after the sound stops (0–2.5 s).

Edit Seq Screen

Edits a recorded pattern step by step. Open it with the Edit Seq button on the TOP screen; it opens full screen. The grid shows the lane of the pad selected in the pad panel.

1. Pad trigger — Tap to write a note at the cursor (when stopped) or at the playback position (when playing).
2. Timeline — Notes (events) for the selected pad. Brightness shows velocity; tap to select a note or move the cursor.
3. STEP / VELOCITY / TUNE / Target — Position (bar.beat.tick), velocity (0–100%) and pitch (±24 st) of the selected note, adjustable on the spot. Reset restores 100% / ±0.
4. Pattern — Choose the pattern to edit; + adds, then duplicate, rename and delete.
5. Bars — Pattern length, 1–4 bars (default 2).
6. Grid — Grid resolution: 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 or none. Also used to quantize realtime recording.
7. Apply — Quantizes the selected note to the grid.
8. Insert Event / Delete Event / All Clear — Add a note at the cursor, delete the selected note, or clear every note of this pad in the pattern.
9. ◀ Move / Move ▶ / Previous Event / Next Event — Move the selected note one grid step, or jump to the previous / next note.
10. « / » — Move the cursor one grid step.
11. Now — Current playback position and progress.
12. Pad panel — Switch the pad (track) you are editing.
13. Transport — undo, main, note rep, play / stop and REC work here as on the TOP screen.

Song Mode Screen

Chains several patterns to set the playback order of a whole song. Open it with the Song button on the TOP screen.

1. Playback — Play and stop the song with play / stop on the TOP screen. During playback, “Playback: n / N” shows the current position.
2. Patterns — The list of patterns. Tap ⊕ to append a pattern to the song.
3. Song arrangement — The playback order. Drag items to reorder them; the playing item turns green.
4. Remove (⊖) — Removes an item from the song (you can also swipe).
5. Delete All — Removes every item from the song.

Effect Screen

Applies effects to the sound of each pad. Open it with the Effect button on the TOP screen.

1. Select Pads — Tap a pad to choose (and hear) the pad to process.
2. Group Select — Select several pads at once. Select All / Clear help with selection, and Apply copies the current pad’s effect settings to all selected pads.
3. Effect settings for … — Sets the effect types and parameters for the selected pad(s) (next page).
4. Sound Type Settings — Sets the lo-fi character of the pads (Aliasing, Ring Mod, Compressor, Saturation, Punch).

Effect Type Screen

Sound Type Screen

Sets the lo-fi “character” of the pads. Open it from Sound Type Settings on the Effect screen.

1. Preset Manager — Save the current settings as a preset, or load / delete saved presets.
2. Group Select — Choose which pads the settings apply to. Without a group selection, settings apply to all pads.
3. Sound check — Choose the pad used for previewing.
4. Preview — Hold to hear the pad.
5. Effect slots — Tap a slot to open its settings: SLOT 1 Aliasing, 2 Ring Mod, 3 Compressor, 4 Saturation, 5 Punch.
6. Slot on / off — Enable or bypass each slot.

1. Slot switch — Turns Aliasing on / off.
2. Rate — Sample rate, 8,000–44,100 Hz (26,040).
3. Bit — Bit depth, 4–32 bit (12).
4. Amount — Effect depth, 0–100%.

Mix Screen (Mixer)

Adjusts the volume balance of the pads. Open it with the Mix button on the TOP screen; it opens full screen.

1. PAD BANK — Switch the bank (A–D) to adjust.
2. Reset — Returns the faders and pans of the current bank to 100% / centre.
3. PAN — Sets the left / right position (L100 – C – R100). Long-press to type a value.
4. Volume fader — Sets each pad’s volume from 0% to 150% (the value turns orange above 100%). Long-press to type a value.
5. Level meter — Shows the output level of the pad (−60 to 0 dBFS, with peak hold).
6. Play — Hold to audition the pad.
7. ‹ / › — Show the previous / next 4 channels (you can also swipe).
8. main — Return to the TOP screen.

Saving & Loading

SAVE (Project Save)

1. Save — Saves with the current settings (Cancel closes the sheet).
2. Save Mode — Project saves the whole project; Samples Only saves selected sounds as WAV files into a folder in Sound.
3. Save destination — Project name (default Project_yyyyMMdd_HHmmss). When a project is open you can choose Overwrite or New File.
4. Also Save Samples (WAV) — Also saves the assigned samples as WAV. Turn off to save only patterns and settings.

LOAD (Project / Sound Load)

1. Load Item — Project lists saved projects (newest first; swipe left to delete). Sounds loads single sounds.
2. Choose a sound file on this iPhone — Loads a WAV / MP3 / AIFF / CAF / M4A file from the Files app into the current pad.
3. Sound list — Audio files in the app’s Sound folder; tap one to load it into the current pad and the temporary list.
4. Preview — Plays the file.

Export

Writes a pattern to a WAV file. Press the Export button on the TOP screen.

1. Export — Opens “Select a sequence to export”.
2. Pattern buttons — Choose the pattern to write out. The result (file path and length) is shown when finished.

Exports are 44.1 kHz / 16-bit mono WAV files and include all pad effects, mute groups, Mono cuts and pad links. Mute / solo states are not applied. The file length runs to the end of the last sound.

Where Files Are Saved

All data is stored in the app’s folder, visible in the Files app under On My iPhone › MS-12.

A project stores the BPM, patterns, song order, pad assignments and every pad setting (volume, pan, tune, ADSR, voice mode, mute group, links and effects). Mute / solo states and unassigned temporary sounds are not saved.

Trial Version & Specifications

Trial version

In the trial version, locked features show a lock icon and open the purchase screen (UNLOCK / Restore Purchase). The full version is a one-time purchase, and everything made in the trial carries over.

Specifications