# Punchline Drum Machine — 16 steps and punch-in FX

> iOS drum machine and sequencer with punch-in effects and AUv3 integration. (iPhone/iPad app by Charles Vestal.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/punchline-drum-machine/id6748292824 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Charles Vestal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1825037198)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $4.99 (on sale, was $8.99)
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.5 · 24 MB
- Released: 2025-09-03
- Data updated: 2026-08-08
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/punchline-drum-machine/id6748292824/reviews.md

## What is Punchline Drum Machine?

The drum machine that punches above its weight.

Punchline is a playful iOS drum machine and sequencer packed with power. Create beats, record live tweaks, and automate effects. Use AUv3 plugins for integrated drum patterns, or transform live audio with rhythmic gates and punch-in effects.

Features
	•	16-step sequencer with live recording, retrigs, probability, and pattern chaining
	•	16 drum sounds with pitch, length, filter, and level controls
	•	16 punch-in effects: reverb, delay, distortion, filters, modulation, and more, each with their own tweakable parameters
	•	Real-time automation of knobs and effects
	•	Import WAV files to build our your custom kit library
	•	Export your patterns or your whole chain as WAVs for use in your favorite DAW
	•	Additional free kits at charles.pizza/apps/punchline/kits


Audio Unit Integration

Use Punchline in your DAW with full AUv3 plugins:
	•	Punchline Player: Full drum machine and sequencer 
	•	Punchline FX: Step-based rhythmic gate and effects processor for live audio
	•	Full MIDI implementations for controlling steps, parameters and triggering effects

Why Punchline?

From quick sketches to full performances, Punchline makes advanced tools intuitive. Fast, musical, and always fun.

Headphones recommended.

## Key features

- 16-step sequencer with live recording
- 16 drum sounds with adjustable parameters
- 16 punch-in effects with tweakable parameters
- Real-time automation of knobs and effects
- Import WAV files for custom kits
- Export patterns and chains as WAVs
- AUv3 plugin integration for DAWs

## Chart rankings

- #175 in Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/punchline-drum-machine/id6748292824/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Outstanding

*2026-02-26*

This spp right here, this app, this app right here, this app 😍

### 5/5 — What a killer little drum machine.

*2025-12-22*

If you’ve ever been interested in a Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator, this app will scratch that itch. It’s quick to get something started, the effects sound great, and the live recording of parameter changes allows for a lot of happy accidents.

### 5/5 — Teenage Engineer-esque Sampler!

*2025-09-11*

This app is a lotta fun to use. It’s clean, almost elegant, seems to be all written in Swift, could be wrong about that. It’s smooth, snappy, feels almost surgical. 

I hope MIDI out is on the horizon or in the devs thoughts. Not needed but would be appreciated!

**Developer response:** Thanks so much! MIDI out is on the roadmap: not sure if it should be its own plugin variant or part of the player AU. What do you think? Always welcome feedback at punchline@charles.pizza. And to answer your question, yes it’s 100% Swift and SwiftUI!

### 5/5 — Punchline is DOPE !!🔥

*2025-09-09*

Excellent drum machine/synth. Very nice to have a drum machine that allows the live perimeter changes, very much different than other drum machines, very nice and highly recommend it. Excellently designed, an excellent tool for the online mobile music production. 5 STARS 👍

## Frequently asked questions about Punchline Drum Machine

### What is Punchline Drum Machine?

Punchline Drum Machine is an iOS drum machine and sequencer that allows users to create beats, record live tweaks, and automate effects. It supports AUv3 plugins for integration with DAWs and offers features like live recording, retrigs, and probability.

### How much does Punchline Drum Machine cost?

Punchline Drum Machine is a paid app, priced at $4.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscriptions mentioned.

### Does Punchline Drum Machine have ads?

No, Punchline Drum Machine does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application with no ads.

### What devices is Punchline Drum Machine compatible with?

Punchline Drum Machine is compatible with iPhone and iPad devices. It has an age rating of 4+.

### Can I import my own sounds into Punchline Drum Machine?

Yes, you can import WAV files into Punchline Drum Machine to build your custom kit library. This allows for greater personalization of your beats.

### How often is Punchline Drum Machine updated?

The latest version, 1.2.2, was released on December 3, 2025, indicating recent development activity. The app was initially released on September 3, 2025.

### What are the AUv3 plugins offered by Punchline Drum Machine?

Punchline Drum Machine offers two AUv3 plugins: Punchline Player for the full drum machine and sequencer experience, and Punchline FX for step-based rhythmic gating and effects processing on live audio.

### What do users like about Punchline Drum Machine?

Users appreciate that Punchline Drum Machine makes advanced tools intuitive, describing it as fast, musical, and always fun. Its high rating of 5.0 stars from 5 ratings suggests strong user satisfaction.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.2 — 2025-12-03

Fix for a rare crash when adding certain effects after Punchline in EGNodes.

### 1.2.1 — 2025-11-17

New! Ableton Link support - lets you sync Punchline with another Link-enabled device, including Ableton Live, an Ableton Move or an Ableton Push. 

- Fixed an issue where connecting an audio interface (or headphones) could cause a sample rate mismatch with the audio unit
- Fixed an issue where kits would not load immediately in the audio unit

### 1.2 — 2025-11-15

New! Ableton Link support - lets you sync Punchline with another Link-enabled device, including Ableton Live, an Ableton Move or an Ableton Push.

### 1.1.3 — 2025-10-01

This version adds new retrig divisions of 3x, 6x and 12x, and supports additional sample formats including FLAC, MP3, OPUS and AIFF. 

Fixed: shuffle punch-in now has a more pronounced effect
Fixed: removing one instance of the effects audio unit could remove other instances

### 1.1.2 — 2025-09-29

Fixed an issue where audio could time out if the sequencer wasn't played for some time. 
Minor layout and kit import fixes.

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## More apps by Charles Vestal

- [TAPESCAM](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tapescam/id6755081319)
- [Ambiotica](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ambiotica/id6776169669)
- [NuSaw](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nusaw/id6780137615)
- [Qwertet - QWERTY to MIDI](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qwertet-qwerty-to-midi/id6784356150)

All apps by Charles Vestal: https://appshunter.io/developer/1825037198

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*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 2026-08-08.*
