mpump
What it is
mpump is a browser drum machine, groovebox, and step sequencer for making beats on Android, iOS, and the web. Its instruments include drums, bass, and synth, alongside a mixer and effects using real-time synthesis. Patterns, arpeggiators, and Euclidean rhythms offer different ways to shape sequences. Beats can be shared as links: someone opening one can change the groove and send a new version. The project supports MIDI clock synchronization and an Ableton Link bridge for use with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Traktor, djay, and other Link-enabled apps. Recording to WAV and importing or exporting sessions as JSON are supported. The PWA can work offline after its first load. Live Jam supports up to 4 peers and Live Set up to 49 listeners, but both are opt-in and currently require users to provide their own relay because the public hosted relay is offline. The maker says there are no accounts or personal tracking, and that music stays on the user's device. mpump is free, and its source code is published under AGPL-3.0.
For and against
For
- Free plan with browser groovebox tools
- Shareable links let others revise beats
- Supports WAV recording and JSON sessions
- Can work offline after its first load
- MIDI clock and Ableton Link support
Against
- Public hosted relay is currently offline
- Live features require users' own relay
The verdict
mpump combines beat-making, link-based sharing, and music-software integrations in a free browser groovebox. The offline relay limits its opt-in live collaboration features for users without their own relay.
Who it suits
mpump suits people who want to create and share beats in a browser or on Android and iOS. Its MIDI, Ableton Link, and live performance features may suit users connecting it with music software or playing with others, though live sessions currently need a user-provided relay.
Plans and prices
Free
browser groovebox · drums, bass, synth and effects · shareable beat links
Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Ableton Link integration
- A separate Link Bridge synchronizes tempo and transport with Ableton Link applications such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Traktor and djay.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Arpeggiator and rhythms
- Sequencing tools include an arpeggiator, Euclidean rhythm generation, swing, scale locking and tap tempo.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Changelog
- The changelog records a 2026 v1.12.0 review-fix release addressing MIDI clock, worklet allocation, song transitions, jam reconnects and worker caching.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Contact
- The maker lists [email protected] as its contact email.mpump.live · read 29 Sep 2026
- Documentation
- The repository includes separate technical documents covering architecture, sound design and a user guide.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Effects
- The effects chain contains ten reorderable real-time processors, including delay, distortion, reverb, compressor, chorus, phaser, flanger and tremolo.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent community post
- A Reddit announcement describes mpump as free, open source, account-free and subscription-free, intended for sharing loops across phones and computers.reddit.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent creator support
- The creator's Ko-fi page identifies gdamdam as the maker of mpump and invites voluntary financial support.ko-fi.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent package compatibility
- Its documentation says Safari and iOS lack support for the Web MIDI workflow, while Chrome, Edge and Opera are supported.pypi.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent package documentation
- The PyPI page describes a related Python package with browser, terminal and headless MIDI sequencer interfaces.pypi.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent package hardware
- The PyPI documentation lists automatic recognition for 50 USB MIDI devices and marks only some devices as tested.pypi.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent package requirements
- The PyPI package requires Python 3.11 or newer and macOS CoreMIDI for its hardware-control features.pypi.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Instruments
- The application provides synthesized drums, bass, a polyphonic synthesizer, mixer and effects.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project documents MIDI clock synchronization and an Ableton Link bridge that works with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Traktor, djay, and other Link-enabled apps.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Licence
- The repository is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: hosted collaboration
- The README states that the public hosted jam relay is offline, so users must provide a relay to use live modes.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Link Bridge limitation
- The bridge requires its graphical Tauri window and does not yet offer a headless command-line mode.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Link Bridge platforms
- The bridge can be packaged for macOS DMG, Windows MSI or EXE, and Linux DEB or AppImage.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
The review
mpump is a free browser groovebox for building beats and sharing editable sessions. It suits beat-makers who want a lightweight, link-based way to exchange patterns or connect a browser instrument to music software. Its strongest case is broad creative flexibility without a subscription; its main drawback is that live collaboration depends on users supplying a relay.
Overview
With mpump, a beat link passes along a working groove: recipients can change it and send back another version. That makes it more useful for trading ideas than a format limited to finished audio, and it avoids account-based sharing. The maker says music stays on the user's device and that mpump has no accounts or personal tracking. Its source code is published under the AGPL-3.0 license.
Key features
The instrument set includes drums, bass, synth, a mixer, and effects, with real-time synthesis. Patterns, arpeggiators, and Euclidean rhythms give users several ways to construct and vary grooves. MIDI support, sample import, hybrid sequencing, and live-performance tools broaden its role beyond a basic drum machine, though users looking for a conventional installed production suite may prefer software built for their desktop platform.
WAV recording provides an audio output, while JSON session export and import preserve editable session data. The PWA supports offline use after its first load, so a connection is not necessary for every session. MIDI clock synchronization and an Ableton Link bridge connect mpump with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Traktor, djay, and other Link-enabled apps.
Live Jam accommodates up to 4 peers, while Live Set supports up to 49 listeners. Both features are opt-in, but the public hosted relay is currently offline; users need their own relay to use them. That requirement sharply limits the appeal for anyone expecting collaboration to work out of the box.
Pricing
mpump's Free plan costs nothing, billed Free. It includes the browser groovebox, drums, bass, synth, effects, and shareable beat links. There is no paid tier or free-plan cap described, so it is a straightforward choice for users who want to try the full stated core offering without a recurring charge. The trade-off is not a cheaper feature tier but the relay requirement for live collaboration.
Platforms
mpump is available on web, Android, and iOS. Its browser-based format and PWA offline support after the first load suit users who want access across devices, while its documented MIDI clock and Ableton Link connections make it more than a standalone sketchpad.
Who it's for
Choose mpump if you want a free groovebox for making, revising, and exchanging beat ideas, particularly if editable links and music-software integrations matter more than a native desktop workstation. It is less suitable if you need hosted live collaboration ready to use, or if your workflow depends on a dedicated installed production environment.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Editable beat links let collaborators revise and pass along grooves rather than only receive a finished recording.
- Pros: Drums, bass, synth, effects, sequencing tools, MIDI support, and sample import give the free browser groovebox a broad creative role.
- Pros: WAV recording, JSON session transfer, offline PWA support after first load, and documented MIDI clock and Ableton Link integrations cover several practical workflows.
- Cons: Live Jam and Live Set require users to supply their own relay while the public relay is offline.
- Cons: Its browser-first design may not suit users seeking a conventional installed desktop production suite.
Alternatives
Drum Machine Software is a broader category starting point for comparing drum-focused options.
- Patterning 3 is a paid alternative at $29.99, paid once, with iPadOS 14.7 or later and macOS 11.5 or later on Apple Silicon support; choose it if those Apple platforms and a one-time purchase suit you better than a free browser groovebox.
- DrumComputer is a paid option with a free trial and a $129, paid once full-version download; consider it if you want a downloadable app for iOS, macOS, or Windows.
- Playbeat 4 has a free trial and one-time purchase pricing, including an €89, paid once full version; it may suit users seeking its listed iOS, macOS, or Windows availability.
- Hydrogen is a free alternative for users who want software across Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- DM1 – The Drum Machine is a paid alternative for iOS and macOS.
- Beatmaker 3 offers paid, trial-supported options: $49, paid once for one genre-focused drum instrument or $99.50, paid once for a bundle of 17; choose it if that instrument selection and its iOS, macOS, or Windows platforms fit your needs.
- Atlas 2 is a paid option with a free trial and a $99, paid once full version, installable on 3 machines; it supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- 0x808 is another free option for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Verdict
mpump is a strong fit for beat-makers who want a free, cross-device groovebox with editable sharing, offline access after the first load, and useful music-software integrations. Choose it for sketching and asynchronous exchange; look elsewhere if you need live collaboration without managing your own relay.
