# Drone FX — user reviews > 44 indexed App Store user reviews of Drone FX by michael gieson, rated 4.06/5 from 16 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-fx/id499500746/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-fx/id499500746.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 8 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 1 ## Newest reviews (12 of 44) ### 4/5 — Love this!...but *2017-11-26, version 1.2.5* This is a wonderful drone app. I agree with many of the previous reviews, the two big features missing from this app are IAA/Audiobus and background play. Those two features would definitely bring this app to another level. ### 4/5 — Great app.. just needs IAA/Audiobus *2017-07-05, version 1.2.5* I was thrilled to stumble upon this app a few days ago. It desperately needs IAA support and background ability , though, as it would be nice to be able to use it in conjunction with other apps and be able to record it right on the iPad. ### 4/5 — An update after 5 years! *2017-05-20, version 1.2.5* Okay, it is not an earth shattering update - still doesn't have Audiobus, or support for importing one's own samples. However, thank you so very much for remembering us early supporters. I have used this all these years - still love it dearly. ### 4/5 — Ahhh *2017-02-04, version 1.1.11* An excellent selection of samples and extensive modulation options make this a wonderful IOS app. That it is also available for browser and desktop was an unexpected bonus. The only thing I miss is using it with background audio on my iPad (unless I have somehow overlooked that feature). I would like to play over the top of it with other IOS synths. Very relaxing. Thanks for some very enjoyable hours. ### 4/5 — Very Cool *2016-05-06, version 1.1.11* I really love the sound this app produces, but I sure wish it had AudioBus & IAA support. It’d pay for that I think. It’s really a 5-star app. I only took off a star for the lack of AB/IAA ### 4/5 — Really nice, needs an update *2016-04-23, version 1.1.11* I really enjoy the sounds and the virtually endless ways to mix and tweak..however, this app needs an update for compatibility with IAA and Audiobus and probably Ableton Link too...the other thing that might be cool would be some effects to apply to the final mix (reverb, delay, filters, etc.)...If they update, I will update this review to 5 stars. ### 4/5 — Please Add Audiobus Support :) *2014-04-24, version 1.1.11* AWESOME app, LOVE the interface and sounds! :) Please,please,please,please,please add Audiobus support! Inter App Audio would be fantastic as well. This is one of the best sounding drone apps out there. It would be the ultimate drone app if Audiobus support is added! :D ### 4/5 — Drone FX running in iOS 7 *2013-11-12, version 1.1.11* I saw a recent review about Drone FX being incompatible with iOS 7. I emailed the developer to ask, and received a prompt, detailed response. I purchased the app this morning and it is running without any problems on my iPad 4 with the latest version of iOS 7 installed. Beyond that… it sounds great. It's got an interesting & creative interface. It's even easy on the eyes. I'm sure it'll make its way into some of the music I record. I'd love to see more features added, but it's easily worth $2.99 as is. ### 4/5 — Love it!!! How about some midi :) *2013-07-25, version 1.1.11* I bought this app day one, years ago. I love the app. I use it to help score indie movies. Amazing sounds!!! Some of the best synth sounds avail. As good as Alchemy. I would love to see an update adding midi and Audiobus support. Even without this I had to give5 stars because it just sounds So good. Developers...please don't let 5 stars go to your head, and update. Please some midi support, maybe core audio and def Audiobus support. Great app. Can be so much more. It's really a Pro App with high quality Pro Sounds ### 4/5 — Great app *2013-06-24, version 1.1.11* I really like this app but you need to add background functionality! Please! This would make the app 100x more useful ### 3/5 — Still waiting.... *2013-05-10, version 1.1.11* C'mon !!!!! Please update it and don't abandon this app.....it's so great and with unique sounds!!!! Recorder,sample selector,audiobus support and so many tweaks can be done.... ### 4/5 — Great App Getting Undue Fuss *2013-05-05, version 1.1.11* Drone FX is one of the best sounding drone applications that I've yet to try on the iPad. It features 200 some samples all of which have use when working within a framework. This is not to say that samples may not be all usable together but with volume changes and pan controls you can still find some of the most unlikely and useful matches that are available on such an instrument. As to criticisms raised about Drone FX, it's true, if the app has been orphaned that is unfortunate but not deadly to those that use it. For instance, regarding on the fly sample changes, consider the volume control which lowers the sound considerably. When changing samples you have to hit that control as it loads but it's far from impossible. You do need to spend some time identifying complimentary sounds, but you do so on most soft and hardware synths in multi mode, that is if they have one. As to orphaning, does the nominal $2.99 give value to what you get in Drone FX? To me it certainly does, though I'm a new user and haven't experienced a year of no updates. Then again I knew what I was buying upon purchase. I agree there is room for improvement, most of which would be addressed with Audiobus integration. More could be addressed with Core MIDI, but, if it is correct that the developer has stopped development on Drone FX I am still pleased to use it as an external source from iPad to computer or digital multitrack (available for $130/for 4 track solid state) then I can live with the inconvenience. Drone FX works as it says it does. I docked it a star for lacking the features that some are docking it to a single star. It could be me but the samples are good for what they are - very good. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Popping sounds *2018-05-03, version 1.2.5* Just got this. Using an iPad Pro first gen (12.9 screen size). Was excited to try this app but there are way too many popping sounds between the instrument transitions. Was hoping I could record these drone sounds for music production but the popping renders them useless and also annoying. It’s very distracting once you start to focus on the many pops and crackles. ### 1/5 — It produces no sound *2017-04-17, version 1.1.11* Talk about ambience! Apparently the developers have abandoned this program and it simply doesn't work so don't waste your money. ### 1/5 — No sound *2017-02-14, version 1.1.11* I can't get any sound out of this. Update? Or is it incompatible with iOS 10? ### 1/5 — update? *2013-03-19, version 1.1.11* i am changing my 5 star review to a 1 star review because the developers have obviously abandoned this app...it has been a year since the last update and i haven't received a response to my last three emails...this would be a 5 star app again if we could get audiobus support or even a record function...the app is really not useful unless you just want to play it live...I was told 6 or 7 months ago that there would be an update, but i guess i should just give up on this app too ### 2/5 — Toy *2023-01-16, version 1.2.5* This is a toy. It will not integrate with a DAW. There is no way to record. An exercise it futility. Nice sounds, great control, all worthless if you want to use this as an instrument and record it. I will delete this after I write this review. ### 2/5 — If it could play in background and with cover closed *2013-01-01, version 1.1.11* ...it would be a five star app. As it is now, it is just a lovely novelty, but it's useless as an app to use for nighttime. Give me this, I will rate five stars. ### 3/5 — Too Much Distortion/Clipping *2020-04-17, version 1.2.5* I love the idea of this app. But the distortion/clipping make the audio unusable without another audio program to fix it the popping, clicking and crackling sounds. I’ll probably have to end up using Audacity and GarageBand to fix the audio. I wanted something a little more effective, efficient and convenient. ### 3/5 — No IAA, Audiobus, or background play. *2017-07-04, version 1.2.5* Still a great app with great sounds, but the lack of background play and all those necessary tidbits are a bummer. ### 3/5 — Almost there *2015-06-15, version 1.1.11* I love this app for live stage sound or just for relaxing at home. I do agree with other users that when selecting a new sound its kind of a bummer that it auto plays a sample. Also, if this app would be compatible with audiobus that would be wonderful. Then we really could drone out. Not at all a bad app for the price. Minor changes could really make this thing great. ### 3/5 — Audiobus support needed *2013-05-23, version 1.1.11* As others have said, this needs an update. If nothing else, background audio and Audiobus support would make a big difference. The lack of updates to this app shows a sign of poor customer support. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — please update me! Oh you did. Cool. *2021-03-07, version 1.2.5* Some time later: I’ve been a bit distracted and didn’t even realize this had been updated to 64-bit until yesterday. I listened to a new mix all night long while I slept. This is one of the coolest sampler mixers available on iOS and I agree with others who are saying that it could be made into something indispensable for those of us who like to drone. But maybe it is exactly what the dev(s) want(s) it to be. I’m fine with it either way, although I would still dearly love to be able to add my own samples to it. I’ve missed it terribly since my old iPad died. Very very very nice to have it back! For the popping that others are hearing: so far I have been able to eliminate that by turning the levels down and/or increasing attack time. Or even changing the octave: some of the samples that begin with loud transients will clip at full volume in one octave but not in the other two. Of course the timbre changes as well in another octave, but not always in unhappy ways. This app has quirks. But I still love it. Some time a little while ago: Oh how I would love an update for DroneFX! The mixer interface is simply wonderful, and if I could put custom samples in and get audio out through Audiobus or even Inter-App Audio, this app would have everything I need it to have. MIDI would be a plus, but maybe just extra-chord tones on the keyboards would do. Even with nothing but chord notes to work with, the mixer is surprisingly flexible while remaining pretty to look at and easy as pie to operate. As-is, DroneFX is still one of my favorite ambient dedicated sound composition apps. Lots of samples come with it and it is easy to change them up using the timing and envelope controls. I will use it till my iPad refuses to light up for me anymore. Recording through audio out is not the worst thing to have to do, but I would like to be able to capture inspiration even while trapped under all the cats. I would not change a thing about the interface. Absolutely worth the download with or without it, but some interconnection would be swell. ### 5/5 — A great app that needs updating! *2020-01-07, version 1.2.5* I’m not going to ask the developer to add everything that everyone else has asked for already, but please, bring this app up to speed. I will send you the money to make these changes if that is what you need. This app could be a goldmine! ### 5/5 — Still my original and favorite drone music app❣️ *2019-10-31, version 1.2.5* Would really, REALLY, like it to play in the background and be an AUv3 compatible. —- Yeah it doesn’t play in the background, bla bla bla, and it’s pretty much a ‘stand alone’ app but it still creates wonderful drones and I was ticked that this develop was able to figure out how to add that❣️ It still resides on my iPad’s Home screen...🤓👍 ### 5/5 — Hey, ! Hello,!? *2018-02-10, version 1.2.5* Where are you,!?!! Do you realize at all what you have here...?? Ok. I just can’t help but be perplexed. On the one hand I’m thinking ‘well, maybe this guy is super busy, he’s gotta go to work and live his life and pay the bills just like everyone else, this could just be his side project...just something he screws around with for fun, when he’s lucky enough to have some down-time’.... but then that just doesn’t seem to sit right with me when I consider the treasure trove of samples, and the lengths one must have gone to develop this app THIS FAR. I don’t get it, It’s so frustrating, I’m just like; ‘C’mon man! You are literally inches from the finish-line!, what’s up?.!’ If you just implemented coreMIDI, made this an IAA, or hell... even just a standalone. Made it MPE compatible so musicians could use it.... you would be the ONLY GAME IN TOWN!, number one! Moodscaper, AutoPads, Coresound Pads.... couldn’t hold a friggin’ candle to Drone FX. I would pay $15 to $20 for this app if I could use Midi to control it, and if I could open it in Audiobus or AUM, GarageBand, etc. The potential is insane, there IS A HUGE market of people looking for what this app ALMOST offers: Musicians, songwriters, worship leaders, ambient soundtrack/guided meditation producers.... Again, this thing is an amazing library of ambient/pad instruments. DON’T STOP NOW! C’MON! ....if you don’t care or have moved on, then let us know. I have been closely following the development of AutoPad, and if that should be the case I think that my encouragement and support might better serve the guy who has been working so hard programming that App. As soon as AutoPad finds a way to go coreMIDI and makes his pads polyphonic or multitimbral, he’ll have moved into the territory you should have had. - I hope we see more from Drone FX, I really do. Brad Musicman McMahon Chattanooga, Tennessee ### 5/5 — Cool app but still no IAA and Audiobus support *2017-05-20, version 1.2.5* Thank you to the developer for the update to 64-bit. The fact that this app hasn't had an update in 5 years had me thinking that this was most definitely abandonware. I was pleasantly surprised to see this in my app updates today. 😁 Anyway, this is such a cool app for soundscaping. Unfortunately, it needs IAA and AB compatibilty to really be of use. I'd love to be able to record the output of Drone FX into Auria (or even AudioShare). Would also love to see solo and mute buttons added to each channel - it's very awkward fine-tuning each sound's parameters in the UI's current state. Dear developer - please take the above into consideration. This app has tons of potential and I hope both developer and users support it further. 👍 ### 5/5 — Fantastic drone generator ! *2017-05-20, version 1.2.5* Thank you for this long awaited update! Audiobus 3 compatibility in the cards, oh please? Love this for creating custom samples for my own use, and using them as oscillators 👍 ### 5/5 — An unexpected and very welcome update *2017-05-20, version 1.1.11* Fantastic to see this update. A long time favorite! ### 5/5 — Good Stuff *2017-05-19, version 1.2.5* A very unique and excellent sounding app. Great interface and selection of voices that sound great together. Instant user directed atmosphere. ...And this update is very much appreciated! ### 5/5 — everything it needs to be - and really polished *2016-05-07, version 1.1.11* Don’t have to say much: right from the first time you press play, it will create a perfect ambiance. I haven’t even read the manual yet.. just play with the sliders and buttons however you like then let it do it’s thing for as long as you like. To the developer: thank you. Without it being free, I could not have recommended it to my friends. And I think many that practice meditation will treasure it. ### 5/5 — Oh, wow. *2012-09-28, version 1.1.11* I felt like getting a drone app, was going to get the new eno one but it was $6 so I wouldn't be able to get the cd I want to get in October afterwards. Was guided to this by a review on that. This app is really good. It's just a little randomness and setting magic, but it's relaxing and fairly configurable. I look forward to pushing a cd or something out of it. Can't comment on if it has saving or not yet, I hope it does but if it doesn't ill just use my h2 or something (it really should have saving, though ...). --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-07.*