# Muckraker

> Abstract audio distortion effect for annihilating and transforming sound. (iPhone/iPad app by Matthew Caldwell.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muckraker/id1018267293 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Matthew Caldwell](https://appshunter.io/developer/993500585)
- Category: Music
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 20 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 18 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-09-05
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muckraker/id1018267293/reviews.md

## What is Muckraker?

Muckraker is an abstract audio distortion effect to annihilate your sound. Add a gentle fuzz to your guitar or blast your synth harmonies into brutal white noise. Use with the built-in mic or an external instrument interface, or connect to other compatible music apps such as GarageBand via Inter-App Audio or Audiobus. Map external controllers to the effect controls with learnable MIDI CC. Multitask in split screen or slide-over mode on supported iOS 9+ iPads.

Easy does it: a little muckraking goes a long way!

Note: Muckraker starts out muted for a good reason. It can feedback like -- well, some very feedbacky thing. If you don't hear anything, check the mute button. (You can also now switch off the automatic muting in the iOS Settings.)

(Note also that Muckraker does *not* provide an Audio Unit extension. Porting the underlying tech to the AUv3 environment is sadly not practical. I know this is disappointing, but Muckraker and its sibling apps are stuck in their historical moment; when IAA goes away, so will they. Perhaps something else will come along to take their place...)

## Key features

- Abstract audio distortion
- Fuzz to white noise effects
- Built-in and external mic support
- Inter-App Audio and Audiobus compatibility
- MIDI CC learnable mapping
- Split screen and slide-over multitasking

## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muckraker/id1018267293/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Best by far.

*2025-12-12*

You should make this into an analog pedal. Or at least explain to us how we can do it. Or what’s the programming. I don’t have the money to buy pedals or to experiment and find out how to create the sound This application makes. That being said, I buy them anyway and try to re-create the effects of this application. this thing takes metal music to the depths!

### 5/5 — Still works as IAA on AUM 12-24-22

*2022-12-25*

Crunchay! Any chance of AUv3?

### 5/5 — Still sounds glorious, but one thing...

*2018-10-10*

This thing is unique and sounds great, been playing with it for years. 
Only thing? The dev needs to update this to AUv3 and charge for it.
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY PLEASE.

### 5/5 — Dude

*2018-09-21*

Just.   

Dude.   Like.  Dude.   You are so cool to do these plugins. They’re USEABLE. Not ordinary, extremely well made, and sound awesme!!I hope the goodwill starts turning into some Benjamin’s real soon. Thank you!

### 5/5 — Muck Luv

*2017-12-01*

I don’t know why I write a review about Muckraker because you probably already have it. But if you don’t, let me tell you you can get many great distortion guitar tones that greatly rival or even surpass all those expensive amp sim apps, all for the price of nada. Plus it loads more reliably through IAA than those before mentioned others.

### 5/5 — Whaddya mean you haven't DL'd it yet?!

*2017-09-08*

To the Dev: you may not know it but you're making a lot of musicians' lives better - noticeably - every time they fire up their host DAW and one of your free plugs is there to make their tracks better - noticeably.

### 5/5 — Very goooooo

*2017-09-07*

d

### 5/5 — Get it

*2017-09-03*

AB3 update = good! 

I'm not sure why no one else has come up with effects quite like these, but the fact that they are unique AND free is pretty nice.

It's FREE, what are you waiting for?

### 5/5 — Filth

*2017-03-09, version 1.1.2*

...that is all.

### 5/5 — An instant classic, grab it!

*2016-07-03*

Juicy, gnarly, highly tweakable distortion effect, and it's free, so no excuse not to grab and use it on everything from guitars to drums. Instant decimation.

## Frequently asked questions about Muckraker

### What kind of audio effects does Muckraker offer?

Muckraker provides abstract audio distortion effects. It can transform sounds from a gentle fuzz to extreme white noise, offering a wide range of sonic manipulation possibilities.

### Can Muckraker be used with other music applications?

Yes, Muckraker is compatible with other music apps like GarageBand through Inter-App Audio and Audiobus. This allows for seamless integration into existing music production workflows on iOS devices.

### Does Muckraker support external controllers?

Muckraker allows you to map external controllers to its effect controls using learnable MIDI CC. This provides hands-on control over the distortion parameters for a more dynamic performance.

### Is Muckraker available on Android devices?

Muckraker is designed for iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is not available for Android operating systems.

### How often is Muckraker updated?

Muckraker was last updated on February 6, 2020, with version 1.2.2. While it has not received recent updates, its core functionality remains stable for its intended purpose.

### What is the age rating for Muckraker?

Muckraker has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for users of all ages and does not contain content that would be inappropriate for younger audiences.

### Does Muckraker have ads?

Muckraker is ad-free. Users can enjoy the full functionality of the app without any advertisements interrupting their creative process.

### What is the user sentiment for Muckraker?

Muckraker has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with a perfect 5.0-star rating from 20 reviews. This suggests users are highly satisfied with its unique audio distortion capabilities.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.2 — 2020-02-06

Updated to work with iOS 12.4 and higher. In particular, this fixes the issue of always connecting to the device microphone when brought to the foreground after being launched from an IAA host such as Audiobus or AUM. Also, the layout is adapted for "notch" devices like iPhone X.

### 1.2.1 — 2017-09-07

Fixed crash when returning to host application via inter-app audio transport controls.

### 1.2 — 2017-09-03

Updated to Audiobus 3, Midibus 1.39 and current Apple toolkits.

### 1.1.2 — 2016-01-11

Fixed Virtual MIDI configuration so that other apps will identify Muckraker as a MIDI target rather than a source.

### 1.1.1 — 2015-12-09

- corrected some wrong CC values in the help screen
- improved layout performance when rotating
- minor graphics improvements
- improved automatic muting behaviour, and added option to turn it off entirely
- improved audio system tidying up on exit

## Apps similar to Muckraker

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Flux Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flux-pro/id1611411940) | 5.0 (2) | $11.99 | Music |
| [DrumLab](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drumlab/id1523182272) | 4.3 (26) | $9.99 | Music |
| [sequencism](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sequencism/id1240952241) | 3.9 (18) | Free | Music |
| [guitarscaper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitarscaper/id1316544251) | 4.8 (21) | $1.99 | Music |
| [Euclidean AUv3 Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/euclidean-auv3-sequencer/id1605757270) | 4.9 (27) | $14.99 | Music |
| [SpaceCraft Granular Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spacecraft-granular-synth/id1391256308) | 4.7 (144) | $9.99 | Music |

## More apps by Matthew Caldwell

- [Frobulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frobulator/id993500586)
- [Nebulizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nebulizer/id1007409385)
- [Osculatrix](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/osculatrix/id1046389107)
- [FrobulatorAU](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frobulatorau/id6760205581)
- [MuckrakerAU](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/muckrakerau/id6760476884)

All apps by Matthew Caldwell: https://appshunter.io/developer/993500585

---

*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 2026-06-10.*