# SDS-x — Simple Drum Sampler — Drumming at your fingertips > Intuitive drum machine app for creating beats and manipulating samples on iOS. (iPhone/iPad app by Ryan Robinson.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sds-x-simple-drum-sampler/id1468026221 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Ryan Robinson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1270890717) - Category: Music - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.90/5 from 66 App Store ratings · 49 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 54 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2019-12-09 - Data updated: 2026-08-31 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sds-x-simple-drum-sampler/id1468026221/reviews.md ## What is SDS? SDS-x is the most fun you’ll have with a drum machine on iOS! SDS-x is a drum machine that makes it easy to play drum samples and fun to make beats. SDS-x is also extremely feature rich, with advanced controls for crafting your sound and building complex sequences. Whether this is your first iOS music app or you are an avid AUv3 enthusiast, SDS-x has something for you. SDS-x can be played by tapping the pads or by using the sequencer to program a beat. Highlights: - Get started quickly with one of the 30+ factory kits. - Program beats with a fun and unique sequencer. - Build kits from nearly 200 factory samples. - Drag and drop samples over pads to load sounds. - Mix your pads and add effects with intuitive controls. - Host SDS-x in your favorite iOS DAW as an AUv3 plug-in. - Play with others using MIDI and Ableton Link - Export pattern audio as WAV file to use in any DAW! (PRO) Features: Sequencer - Make a beat using the intuitive, sixteen-step sequencer. - Add variation with “per step” controls for velocity and note multiplier. - Get the feel right with swing and quantize parameters. - Switch things up with 16 patterns per kit. - Make a song by chaining up to 128 patterns. - Create complex polymeters with “per track” sequence length. Pads - SDS-x has nine pads, each with two sample layers. - Custom name and color for each pad. - Per sample controls for: pitch, pan, and level. - Per pad controls for: trigger mode, sample mode, loop, mono/poly, mute group, velocity, MIDI receive, MIDI send. - Trigger modes: one-shot, gate, toggle, and retrigger 8th to 64th triplet. - Sample modes: mix, rotate, random, velocity switch, velocity mix. - Global velocity modes: top, center, fixed, pressure. Samples - SDS-x comes fully loaded with nearly 200 samples, recorded and edited by Simple Drum Samples. - Import your own sounds from the Files app to expand your sample library. (PRO) Perform - Control pad levels, pan, mute, solo, and effects sends with the in-app mixer. - Five FX types: delay (send), reverb (send), high pass filter, low pass filter, and “master” effect for getting LOUD. - Full screen pads mode for improved experience on smaller devices. - Hard pan option for metronome to run click and samples to FOH on separate channels. Workflow - Use one of the 30+ factory kits. - Save your work as a user kit. (PRO) - Drag and drop samples from your in-app library onto a pad to load samples. - Intuitive XY pad for controlling FX parameters. - Double tap and long press actions for most controls to speed up workflow. - Dual menu view on iPad. Connect - Comes with AUv3 plugin. Play SDS-x alongside your other music apps! - Keep time with other devices using Ableton Link. - Connect wirelessly using Bluetooth MIDI. - Pads can send and receive MIDI, so you can play with external gear! - Share user kits via AirDrop, iMessage, and more. (PRO) Privacy Policy: https://www.audiosymmetric.com/privacy-policy.html EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - 30+ factory kits - Intuitive 16-step sequencer - Nearly 200 factory samples - Drag and drop sample loading - Mixer with FX - AUv3 plugin support - MIDI and Ableton Link support ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Pro Features Monthly | $0.99 | per month | | Pro Features Yearly | $4.99 | per year | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Pro Features | $12.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 49) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sds-x-simple-drum-sampler/id1468026221/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Take my Money *2026-05-13* Richtig guter und wirklich spaßiger Drum Sampler. Danke dafür. Bin echt positiv überrascht. 😁 ### 5/5 — This app is exactly as advertised *2026-03-16* For .99 cents a month or 5 bucks a year this app I highly recommend this simple drum sampler. ### 4/5 — SDS *2025-10-24* Hello, is 999 rubles a one-time payment? If I pay 999 rubles, will the app be unlocked permanently or for 1 year? ### 4/5 — Looking for more options and features add-in *2025-09-30* Hi, I love the software. I have the ideas and wish if you can develop adding to the next version for the drummer that can be able to control the sequence pattern loop (percussion add-in) while playing on the acoustic drum-set: 1. Option of small or BIGGER size for Play/Stop button. Like me i would select bigger button so when i play on my drumset, i can use the left hand to tap play/stop without miss hitting the button. (Current one is to tiny on top and missed tapping it while playing on my drum set) 2. I know i can also create a rhythm loop then import to assign on a certain pad to have it loop playing (trigger mode). For this when setup for the pad currently, i can increase the pitch higher, this will also increase the tempo/speed. If you can add the option here to have both Pitch and tempo fader separately so we can increase/decrease the tempo without changing pitch. 3. Along with option 2. Pitch fader should have the number shows up or down, so we would know how many keys we can transpose easily. I m looking forward to these new features for the future. Thank you! ### 1/5 — PROBLEMAS PARA SALVAR *2025-04-09* Não consigo salvar meu kit programado. Quando clico para salvar o aplicativo fecha na hora . Só consegui salvar duas apresentações e paguei pela versão completa. ### 5/5 — Groundbreaking for iOS *2025-04-04* I bought this when it came out a couple of years ago and loved it immediately. Since then, it kind of fell off my radar in the sea of apps for iOS and Mac. Just rediscovered it and man - it’s just epic. The sounds are great and the sequencing functions are so well thought out. A real gem 5 stars all day long. Hope to see more from this dev! ### 1/5 — Loses my work again *2024-07-10* This my favorite audio tool has suddenly begun to throw away hours of work: whole kits just vanish from my user bank. I have been saving a kit to my files at the end of each session for a while now, but lately, if I don't pay attention to the app a while, working on different parts of the whole, e.g., it shuts down and when I open it again, it's returned to default and the kit I was working on is gone. Vanished. I still absolutely love it and all it's endless possibilities, but this is nerve-wrecking. I'm near tears for the intricate piece of hi hat prancing soundroom I just lost... ### 5/5 — Great drum machine app *2023-11-01* I think this is often overlooked and underrated drum machine. I love the sounds out of the box and the ability to control them. Everything is at your finger tips. There is quality, versatility, control over the sound, compatibility (auv3) and stability. **Developer response:** Thanks for the review! Glad you're enjoying SDS-x. ### 5/5 — Je valide *2023-07-07* Boîte à Rythme et sampler complet. Tout est dans la description J’ai téléchargé et payé SDS-x sans hésiter, il convient parfaitement à mes attentes (pour du live). Une option avec 12 ou 16 Pads serais le bienvenue please 😊🙏🏽 est ce possible ? Merci **Developer response:** Merci pour ces gentils mots ! Nous sommes heureux que vous aimiez SDS-x. ### 5/5 — Beautiful, flexible, intuitive and fun to play *2023-04-16* Well done. Thanks **Developer response:** Thanks for the kind review! Glad you're enjoying SDS-x. ## Frequently asked questions about SDS ### What does SDS-x do? SDS-x is a drum machine app for iOS that allows users to play drum samples and create beats. It features an intuitive sequencer for programming rhythms, advanced controls for sound design, and the ability to host as an AUv3 plugin in other music applications. ### What are the key features of SDS-x? Key features include over 30 factory kits, a 16-step sequencer with per-step controls, nearly 200 factory samples, drag-and-drop sample loading, a mixer with delay and reverb effects, AUv3 plugin support, and MIDI/Ableton Link connectivity for collaboration. ### How much does SDS-x cost? The base SDS-x app is free to download and use. However, certain advanced features, marked as 'PRO' in the description, such as exporting audio as WAV files and importing custom samples, require in-app purchases. ### What devices is SDS-x compatible with? SDS-x is designed for iOS devices. It offers a full-screen pads mode for better usability on smaller screens and a dual menu view on iPads, indicating compatibility across various iOS form factors. ### How can I use SDS-x to make music? You can make music with SDS-x by tapping the pads to trigger drum sounds or by using the built-in sequencer to program rhythmic patterns. You can also load your own samples, mix and process sounds with effects, and even use it as an AUv3 plugin within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0.5 — 2022-07-27 New in SDS-x 2.0.5: - Fix an issue where the in-app store would display mixed-up prices in some regions. - Add additional visual feedback to the in-app purchase flow. ### 2.0.4 — 2022-03-18 New in SDS-x 2.0.4: - Fix a UI bug that caused the sample manager to move offscreen when using the standalone app on iPad. - Fix a UI bug that caused the sample import folder picker to display the wrong selection when the user has more than three folders. - Fix a UI bug that would let the velocity range slider "invert" its minimum and maximum values. - SDS-x now remembers previously activated MIDI outputs between launches. - Update MIDI related dependencies and fix some minor MIDI bugs. ### 2.0.3 — 2021-12-14 New in SDS-x 2.0.3: - Fix some crashes when loading SDS-x as an audio unit. - Improvements to saving and loading state as audio unit. - Fix some memory management issues. - Slight change to how store displays IAP prices. ### 2.0.2 — 2021-11-12 New in SDS-x 2.0.2: - Add a "sequencer lock" button so you can scroll through kits without losing your sequence. - Add a "disable sequencer" settings so you can play SDS-x with external MIDI without the sequencer getting in your way. - SDS-x now remembers previously connected MIDI inputs, so you only have to activate them the first time you use them. - Second tap on sample audition button now stops audition (useful for longer samples). - Fix an issue where resizing the AU window would force the right panel to show. ### 2.0.1 — 2021-10-06 New in SDS-x 2.0.1: - Fix a crash when exporting pattern audio. - Update manual with link to YouTube tutorials. - Use a new launch screen icon. Release notes for version 2.0 included below. New in SDS-x 2.0: HIGHLIGHTS - Program beats with a fun and unique sequencer! - Host SDS-x in your favorite iOS DAW as an AUv3 plug-in! - Use over 70 new samples from a popular analog drum synth! - Access all your mix controls in one place in the new mixer! - Get LOUD with the new “Master” effect! - Export pattern audio as WAV file to use in any DAW! (PRO) COMPLETE LIST OF CHANGES Top Bar - Add level meter - Add global share button - Export pattern audio (PRO) - Share current kit (PRO) - Add “Copy Kit” button to kit manager - Add sequencer transport, record buttons - Add a tempo control to top bar - Metronome button now enables/disables click instead of showing a menu - Update metronome menu - Add metronome pan control - New metronome menu includes sequencer swing, quantize, gate controls Pads - Add controls for quickly switching pads when in edit mode - Add per sample pan control - Add new “retrigger” modes: 8th to 64th triplet - Introduce sample modes: mix, rotate, random, velocity switch, velocity mix Sequencer - The sequencer is brand new! Check out our tutorial to get started. Mixer - Display pad name instead of just a number in the mixer - Pad pan control is now accessible in the mixer - Show delay and reverb sends as knobs instead of a separate mode - Add mute and solo buttons - Add master fader and pan knob Effects - Add master effect (saturation + compression) Sample Manager - Add 72 new samples from a popular analog drum synth - Move the import samples button to the top of the sample manager Settings - Add global velocity mode control: top, center, fixed, pressure - Add haptics for most controls on iPhones - Add Ableton Link - Add MIDI input/output selection General - iPad now features a “dual menu” on the right panel NEW PRICING SDS-x is now a free app with a “Pro Features” upgrade. The Pro Features are: - Save your work - Save the entire state of the app as a user kit - Easily share kits with friends and across your devices - Export your patterns as audio for use in any DAW - Import user samples - Include sounds from your personal library in your SDS-x kits We believe we have added enough features to SDS-x to justify a re-purchase. If you recently bought SDS-x and feel like you should get all this stuff for free, then please contact support. Kits that you made and samples that you imported with the old version will still be available when you update. ## Apps similar to SDS | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Drum Pads 24 Beat Maker Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pads-24-beat-maker-music/id667945907) | 4.7 (12,402) | Free | Music | | [World Piano Notes & Drum Beats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/world-piano-notes-and-drum-beats/id1457405203) | 4.6 (3,198) | Free | Music | | [Beat Maker Go：DJ Drum Pads Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beat-maker-godj-drum-pads-pro/id1141835258) | 4.4 (94,145) | Free | Music | | [Tize: Music & Beat Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tize-music-and-beat-maker/id1130726632) | 4.5 (16,054) | Free | Music | | [Drum Pad Machine - Beat Maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965) | 4.6 (674,050) | Free | Music | | [Funk Brasil: DJ MPC drum pads](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/funk-brasil-dj-mpc-drum-pads/id874580165) | 4.6 (748) | Free | Music | ## More apps by Ryan Robinson - [AutoPad — Ambient Pad Loops](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autopad-ambient-pad-loops/id1270890718) - [ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zoa-living-midi-sequencer/id1581881354) - [OODA — Portable MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ooda-portable-midi-sequencer/id1612549576) - [Mix Stream — Audio to Phone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mix-stream-audio-to-phone/id6761495547) All apps by Ryan Robinson: https://appshunter.io/developer/1270890717 ## Related topics [auv3 drum](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/auv3-drum) · [drum sampler](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/drum-sampler) --- *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 2026-08-31.*