Lumbeat
Drum Apps FAQ
Get quick answers and clear solutions to make the most of our iOS drum apps, features, setup, compatibility, troubleshooting, and more.
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Purchases & Restoring Content
No, you never have to pay twice for the same content! As long as you are using the same Apple ID used for the original purchase, Apple’s system will recognize it.
How to restore your purchases:
Check your ID: Ensure you are signed into the App Store with the same Apple ID used for the original purchase.
Restore: Open the Lumbeat app, go to the Store section, and tap “Restore Purchases”.
Refresh: If they don’t appear immediately, fully close the app (swipe it away) and restart it.
If the content still doesn’t appear:
Check Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
Restart Device: This often forces the App Store cache to update.
Verify History: Check your Apple ID “Purchase History” to ensure the transaction was successful.
Note: Lumbeat does not process payments directly. All transactions and billing are managed securely by Apple.
Lumbeat does not manage purchases or licenses directly, all transactions are handled exclusively by Apple. This means we cannot transfer purchases from one Apple ID to another.
If you have lost access to your Apple account, the most important thing is to try to recover it through Apple’s official process at iforgot.apple.com. In many cases, Apple can restore access through their verification process, although it may take some time.
In the meantime, do not delete the apps from your device. As long as they remain installed, they will continue to work. If you remove them, you will need the original Apple ID to download them again.
If you are forced to create a new Apple ID, your previous purchases would not transfer to that account, and the apps would need to be purchased again under the new Apple ID.
To unlock the free kit, tap the Rate button inside the app. This will open the App Store page for the app. Write your review there and then return to the app so it can detect it and unlock the kit automatically.
Important: very short reviews are sometimes not detected correctly. Writing a slightly longer review improves the chances of the app registering it properly. If it still does not unlock after that, please contact us through the app.
App Compatibility & Ecosystem
AUv3 is the modern iOS plugin standard, it offers the best stability, multiple instances, and full DAW state saving. IAA (Inter-App Audio) is an older technology that still works reliably with hosts like AUM and Audiobus. We are actively rolling out AUv3 support across our full catalog.
| App | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pop Drummer | AUv3 | Full AUv3 support, recommended for modern DAW workflows |
| iBassist | AUv3 | Full AUv3 support in both Standalone and plugin mode |
| Hip Hop Drummer | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| Future Drummer | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| AfroLatin Drummer | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| Mid East Drummer | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| Indian Drummer | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| Brazilian Drum Machine | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| Rock Drum Machine | IAA | AUv3 update planned for 2026–2027 |
| Jazz Drummer | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| Reggae Drummer | IAA | Works seamlessly with AUM and Audiobus |
| Soft Drummer | AUv3 Soon | AUv3 update coming soon |
| Super Metronome | — | Sync via Ableton Link supported |
The Brazilian Drum Machine is a core part of the Lumbeat family with the following integration:
– Ecosystem Connectivity: Use Make Drums in iBassist to analyze bass lines and generate matching Brazilian rhythms.
– Sync: Supports Ableton Link for perfect tempo synchronization with other apps.
– Compatibility: Currently uses IAA and Audiobus, working seamlessly with hosts like AUM.
– MIDI Export: It does not have a direct “Export MIDI File” button. You must record its MIDI Out in real-time into a DAW or host.
– Sound Module: It can receive MIDI In to trigger its internal percussion sounds from external controllers.
Yes, iBassist and Lumbeat Drum Apps are designed to work together as a synchronized rhythm section:
iBassist ➟ Drummer: Use the MAKE DRUMS to send the bass groove to any Lumbeat drummer and generate a drum beat that fits your bass line.
Drummer ➟ iBassist: Use the ( ➟ ) SEND GROOVE function in a drum app, selecting iBassist to generate a bass line that locks into the drum groove.
Perfect Sync: Enable Link (Ableton Link) in both apps to keep tempo and beat grids perfectly aligned.
Pro Workflow: Load both as AUv3 plugins in a host like AUM for stable real-time routing, synchronized start/stop, and integrated state-saving.
Legacy Sync: For hardware or apps requiring MIDI Clock, use the “Link to MIDI” bridge app to convert Ableton Link for better stability.
Pro Tip: For the tightest results, feed MIDI chords into iBassist from an external app like Scaler; iBassist will adapt the bass in real-time while the drum app stays locked to the new groove.
1. iOS Connection: First, ensure your pedal is paired with your iPad/iPhone in the iOS Bluetooth Settings. It must be recognized by iOS.
2. App Setup:
– Go to Settings > MIDI.
– Enable MIDI In.
– Ensure the MIDI Channel in the app matches the channel your pedal is sending (usually Ch. 1, but check your pedal’s manual).
3. Map It: Use the app’s “Learn” mode (if available) or check the default MIDI map to see which notes/CCs trigger “Start/Stop” or “Fill”.
Note: Only Bluetooth pedals that communicate via BLE MIDI are supported. Pedals that pair through your device’s Bluetooth settings and simulate keyboard shortcuts (HID devices) are not compatible.
Workflow & Integration
There are two main ways to integrate our apps into your DAW (Logic Pro, Cubasis, AUM, LumaFusion, etc.):
1. Live Integration (AUv3 & IAA)
AUv3 (Recommended): Apps like Pop Drummer and iBassist are fully AUv3 compatible. You can load them as plugins directly inside your host. This offers the best stability, multiple instances, and “State Saving” (your settings are saved within the DAW project).
IAA Sync: While older apps support Inter-App Audio (IAA) or Audiobus, these are legacy technologies. For modern workflows, always prioritize Ableton Link to synchronize tempo and beat grid in perfect sync. If your setup requires MIDI Clock, we recommend using the “LINK to MIDI” app as a high-precision bridge to avoid jitter.
2. Exporting for Post-Production
If you prefer to arrange your tracks manually in your DAW, you can export your grooves directly from the standalone app:
Audio Export (Full Mix or Multitrack): You can export your session as a high-quality .wav file. Choose between a Stereo Mix for a quick backing track or Multitrack (Stems) if you want to mix the Kick, Snare, and Percussion separately in your DAW.
MIDI Export: Want to use your own drum library or synth? Export the MIDI file from Lumbeat and drag it into your DAW to trigger any third-party virtual instrument.
Ableton Link is the standard for synchronization. Enable the “Link” button in all apps to keep them perfectly in time.
Make sure to open the app in standalone before loading as Inter-App Audio in the Daw
1. From Drummer to Drummer (Layering & Variation): Tap the “Send Groove” (➟) icon to export the current rhythm.
Pro Tip: Perfect for adding percussion to a drum groove! Send a groove to an app like AfroLatin, Mid East or Indian to layer your beat.
Note: The final complexity depends on the “Jam Intensity” of the target app, allowing for natural variations.
2. From iBassist to Drummer (Make Drums): Use the “Make Drums” feature in iBassist. It analyzes your bass line’s feel to generate a perfectly matching drum pattern.
3. From Drummer to iBassist: You can also send your rhythm from any Drummer app to iBassist with the “Send Groove” (➟) button.
How it works: iBassist will receive the rhythmic structure and automatically generate a bass line that locks in with the groove.
iBassist is designed to be flexible, allowing you to influence chord patterns and harmonies in three main ways:
1. Internal Step Sequencer (Standalone): You can program your own chord progressions directly within the app’s Progression Editor. Simply set the root note and chord type for each Progression Part, and iBassist will instantly adapt the bass line to follow your sequence.
2. Live MIDI Input (Real-time Control): You can “feed” chords to iBassist from an external source to make it follow your song in real-time:
Routing: Route MIDI from a sequencer, a MIDI keyboard, or an app like AUM Keyboard or Scaler into iBassist.
Dynamic Response: iBassist will detect the incoming MIDI notes and instantly adapt its bass line to the new chord while maintaining the selected groove’s “feel.”
Note: For best results, send chord changes slightly before the beat they occur on, this gives iBassist time to detect the new chord and start the bass line perfectly in sync, playing the first note in the correct key.
3. External MIDI Output (Driving Other Synths): iBassist can act as the “brain” of your rig. By sending the MIDI Note Output from iBassist to any other synth or specialized bass plugin, you can use Lumbeat’s advanced humanized patterns with any sound engine. In this setup, iBassist acts as the harmonic master of your session.
1. AUv3 (Pop Drummer / iBassist): Load the app as an AUv3 plugin in a compatible host (AUM, Loopy Pro, Logic Pro for iPad …). MIDI recording depends on the host. Check whether your host supports recording MIDI output from AUv3 instruments.
2. Standalone (all apps):
Open the MIDI Panel in the Lumbeat app and enable Send MIDI Notes.
In your DAW or host, create a MIDI track and set its input to the Lumbeat app.
Hit Record.
Note: The standalone method works for all Lumbeat apps, including those without AUv3 support.
Yes, but support depends on the app:
Pop Drummer: Supports Sound Module mode (receiving MIDI to trigger internal sounds) in AUv3 version only.
iBassist: Supports Sound Module mode in both Standalone and AUv3 versions.
Other Lumbeat Drummer apps are primarily groove generators and do not function as general-purpose MIDI drum modules.
This is by design. The Export function in Lumbeat apps generates dry audio files to give you a clean, unprocessed foundation to work with in your DAW. Internal effects such as Compression, EQ, Delay, and Reverb are bypassed during the export process.
If you want to capture the sound of the app with all its internal effects included, load the app as an AUv3 plugin inside a host like AUM or Cubasis and record the master output in real time. This way the effects are printed into the recording.
The most common cause of this issue is a missing Local Network permission. Please go to your device Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and make sure Pop Drummer has permission enabled. Without this, the app cannot discover other Link-enabled peers on your network.
Once the permission is active, open Pop Drummer, go to the Sync menu, and toggle the Ableton Link switch. Make sure your iPad and the other device running the Link-enabled app are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
1. Using Pop Drummer as AUv3 inside Cubasis:
Create a MIDI track in Cubasis and load Pop Drummer as an AUv3 instrument on that track.
Inside Pop Drummer, go to the Notes MIDI Map section and make sure Send Notes is enabled.
Set the MIDI channel to 10 (standard for drums) and confirm Cubasis is set to receive on the same channel.
Arm the track and press Record in Cubasis — the MIDI generated by Pop Drummer’s internal sequencer will be captured directly onto the timeline.
2. Using the standalone app (file export):
Open Pop Drummer in standalone mode.
Go to the Notes MIDI Map section and tap the Drag & Drop button to export a MIDI file.
Import that file into any MIDI track in Cubasis.
To sync Live Pads between iBassist and a drummer app such as Jazz Drummer or Pop Drummer, follow these steps.
In iBassist, go to MIDI Settings and make sure MIDI Out is connected to the drummer app. Enable the Send LivePads option in the same MIDI menu so that pad changes in iBassist are sent to the other app. Set the MIDI channel to 10, which is the default for all Lumbeat apps.
In the drummer app, go to MIDI Settings and make sure MIDI In is set to receive from iBassist, also on channel 10.
In the MIDI Map of both apps, verify that the Live Pad controls are assigned to the same MIDI notes. The default mapping runs from C1 to B1.
For the tightest sync, enable Ableton Link in both apps simultaneously.
Note: Live Pad synchronization between apps is currently only available in standalone mode. It is not yet fully supported in the AUv3 format, but this is planned for a future update
App Functionality & Behavior
Yes. All our apps can run in the background, except the Free / Lite versions.
The sequencer in Lumbeat apps uses colors to represent different velocity layers and articulations, simulating how a real drummer plays. It’s not just about volume; it’s about character.
Color Meanings:
● Grey (Soft): Ghost notes or light hits. Perfect for adding subtle groove and “feel.”
● White (Medium): Standard hits. The core of your beat with a solid, defined sound.
● Red (Accent/Special): Stronger hits or special techniques (flams, rolls, open hi-hats, or rimshots) depending on the instrument.
Why use colors instead of just a volume slider? A real drum sounds different depending on how hard you hit it. By using these three layers, the app triggers different samples for each color. For example:
Grey might trigger a soft snare wire vibration.
Red might trigger a powerful “rimshot” or a “flam.”
This multi-sample approach is what makes your grooves sound expressive and human, avoiding the “machine-gun” effect of basic drum machines.
Pro Tip: Simply tap a block multiple times to cycle through the colors (Grey → White → Red → Off).
Yes! This is a powerful hidden feature
Tip: Long-press on a specific step/column in the sequencer until a red box appears. The red box surround the corresponding beat. Then, drag up or down to change the number of beat divisions (subdivisions) for that step. This lets you create triplets, rapid rolls, or complex polyrhythms within a standard beat.
When running a Lumbeat app as an AUv3 plugin inside a host like Cubasis on iPhone, the plugin window size is determined by the host app, not by Lumbeat. On iPhone, the available screen space is smaller, which can make certain sections of the interface, such as the Send MIDI Notes toggle or the Ghost Notes controls in the Mixer view, difficult or impossible to reach.
If you need to access these settings, the recommended workaround is to configure them first in the standalone version of the app before loading it as AUv3 in your host. Settings like MIDI channel and note mappings will carry over to the plugin instance.
We are aware of this limitation and are working to improve the interface for smaller screens in future updates.
No. At the moment, Play/Stop via the space bar of an external keyboard is not supported in Lumbeat apps. To control playback remotely, you can use a Bluetooth MIDI foot controller or any MIDI controller that sends the correct MIDI note or CC message mapped to the Play/Stop function. You can customize these assignments in the MIDI Controls section of the app.
Features & Capabilities
Found in apps like Hip Hop Drummer, and Future Drummer, Flex Swing is an advanced engine that lets you apply “off-grid” feel. It allows you to swing eighths and sixteenths independently, and even apply “negative swing” for rushing feels. Perfect for Neo-Soul, J Dilla style beats, and humanized grooves.
The Send Groove function (represented by the ➟ icon) is a powerful tool for layering and fusing different musical styles across the Lumbeat ecosystem.
When you tap this button, the app sends your current rhythmic pattern to another Lumbeat drum app
. The receiving app then analyzes that data and adapts the rhythm to its own specific style and drum kit.
Key Benefits:
Genre Blending: Easily add AfroLatin percussion to a Rock beat or a Jazz feel to a Pop track.
Seamless Adaptation: The receiving app creates a version of the groove that fits its unique “sub-drumming” style and Jam Intensity.
Creative Expansion: It allows you to use the sounds and patterns of multiple apps simultaneously, effectively acting like a full percussion ensemble at your fingertips.
No. The Export function generates dry audio files (WAV/MIDI) to provide a clean foundation for your DAW. Internal effects like Comp, EQ, Delay, and Reverb are bypassed during this process to allow for professional mixing in external software.
To “bake in” the app’s internal effects, load the drummer as an AUv3 plugin inside a host like AUM or Cubasis and record the sub-group or master output in real-time.
Sound Module mode allows you to use a Lumbeat app as a sound source, triggering its internal drum sounds from an external MIDI controller or sequencer.
Pop Drummer: Supported in AUv3 version only.
iBassist: Supported in both Standalone and AUv3 versions.
All other drummer apps: Not supported. These apps are groove generators and cannot be used as general-purpose MIDI drum modules at this time.
We are actively working on bringing this feature to more apps in future updates.
Navigation & Usability
The SAVE button is typically disabled for one of two reasons related to the app’s state or version:
No Changes Made: The button remains inactive if the current pattern, rhythm, drum kit, sound bank has not been modified since it was last loaded or saved. It means, it´s already in the data base.
Basic Tier Limitations: If you are using a “Basic” or “Lite” version of the app, saving custom patterns or songs may be restricted to the Pro version.
The Bank/Rhythm/Sound system is the core hierarchy of the Lumbeat ecosystem, designed to help you quickly navigate from broad styles to specific articulations.
1. Bank (The Genre)
Definition: A collection of rhythms suited to a specific musical style (e.g., Straight 8ths, Shuffle, Ternary, Odd Times … USER).
Location: Found on the far left of the middle section.
Function: Selecting a Bank filters the available rhythms to match that specific feel.
2. Rhythm (The Groove)
Definition: Individual drum patterns within the selected bank.
Location: The center column of the middle section.
Sections/Parts: In Song Mode, you arrange these rhythms into sections (like Verse, Chorus, Bridge) to create a full track.
Live Pads: You can load different rhythms into Live Pads to trigger them manually during a performance.
3. Soundset (The Drum Kit)
Definition: The specific drum sounds and kits used to play the rhythms.
Location: The right-hand column of the middle section.
Independence: You can change the Rhythm/Groove without changing the Sounds/DrumKit by using the Sound Lock (lock icon)
Yes! Each app includes an internal Pattern Editor (step sequencer) and a New Groove generator to build or customize your rhythms.
Pattern Editor: Use the grid interface to manually add or remove hits for each drum part.
New Groove: Quickly generate new grooves by setting the measure and specific parameters for Hats, Snare, and Kick.
Adaptation: Use Adapt Current Groove to intelligently transition an existing rhythm into a new time signature or subdivision.
Management: Save, rename, or replace your custom creations using the buttons in the navigation bar
You can map MIDI CCs to scroll through banks and rhythms remotely.
These controls are customizable, by default:
CC 32: Change Bank.
CC 0: Change Rhythm.
(Note: Check specific app MIDI settings as defaults may vary).
To send MIDI notes from the Lumbeat app to external gear or other apps, follow these steps:
Open MIDI Settings: Tap the MIDI button (icon with five-pin DIN or “1111”) to enter the control center.
Select MIDI Out: Choose your target destination (e.g., iBassist, IAC Driver, or a hardware port) under the MIDI Out column.
Enable Send Notes: Ensure the SEND NOTES button is highlighted in the NOTES MIDI MAP sub-view.
Set the Channel: Match the MIDI CHANNEL to your receiving instrument (e.g., Channel 10 is standard for drums).
Map Articulations: Assign specific drum parts (Kick, Snare, etc.) to the correct MIDI notes required by your external sound module
It is not currently possible to reorder the rhythm banks or move the User bank to the top of the list.
For quick access to your favorite or most-used grooves during a performance, we recommend using the Live Pads feature. You can load any rhythm into a Live Pad and arrange them in any order you prefer for immediate triggering without navigating the bank list.
At the moment, each app has a single User bank where all your custom patterns are stored. It is not possible to create additional banks or sub-folders for different songs or projects.
As a practical workaround, use a consistent naming prefix for each song when saving your patterns (for example: SONG1-Verse, SONG1-Chorus) so that related patterns appear grouped together in the list and are easier to find.
We are aware that this becomes a significant limitation for users working with large numbers of custom patterns, and we are considering multiple User Banks as a feature for future updates.
At the moment, the only way to control tempo externally is by assigning a MIDI controller to the Tap Tempo function. Direct fader or slider control over BPM via MIDI is not yet supported.
If you need precise external tempo control, the recommended approach is to use Ableton Link and set the BPM from a host app or controller that supports Link-based tempo management.