Comparison

Tap Delay vs Filterstation2

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Tap Delay

This app recreates the warm, analog sound of vintage tape echo machines with a modern tapped delay engine. It offers 24 taps for rhythmic effects, tape simulation with saturation and noise, and live input processing from various sources.

Highlights
  • Multi-tap delay machine
  • 24 taps for rhythmic effects
  • Tape simulation (Saturation, Noise, Flutter)
  • MIDI controllable
  • Live input processing
  • Audiobus 3 and IAA compatible
  • AUv3 support
Features
Read full description

Back in the “old days”, producers and engineers created delay and echo effects using tape machines. Tap Delay combines the warm sound of vintage tape echo machines with a modern, step sequencer-like tapped delay engine which continues the tradition of the tape echo machines into the 21st century. The Tape simulation includes all relevant aspects for the recreation of a faithful analog tape sound: • Compression and Saturation • Tape hiss • Tape head bias • Wow and Flutter (Tape speed instability) • Smooth speed / delay time changes Three feedback filters with hipass/lowpass and bandpass characteristic simplify the creation of authentic dub echo effects. The built-in Limiter allows for endless feedback sounds. Use live input from any source - Microphone, Guitar, Audiobus and Inter App Audio - or take a song from your iTunes library for processing. Features: • Multi-tap delay machine • 24 taps for rhythmic delay effects • Tape simulation ( Saturation, Noise, Flutter ) • Alias free tape saturation through oversampling. • MIDI controllable including Tempo sync • Delay loop equalizer for dub effect. • Glitch free simulation of variable tape speeds. • Spatial echo rotation effect. • Audiobus 3 compatible with state saving • IAA compatible ( Auria, Cubasis, Garageband ). • AudioUnit AUv3 with parameter automation. • Ableton Link. • Integrated iTunes player.

About

Filterstation2

This app offers a versatile dual filter effect for music production, inspired by classic hardware. It features twelve filter algorithms, an envelope follower, and multiple operating modes for creative sound shaping. Its user-friendly interface and resizable GUI make it a powerful tool for producers.

Highlights
  • Twelve filter algorithms
  • Envelope follower with sidechain
  • VCA mode for tremolo/gate
  • LFO with tempo sync
  • Serial, parallel, and stereo modes
  • Resizable GUI
  • Cross-platform preset manager
Features
Read full description

Filterstation 2 is the Audio Damage dual filter, built for sound design and performance rather than corrective EQ. It runs two resonant filters in series, in parallel, or split across the stereo field, with twelve filter algorithms and a full set of modulation tools for movement, distortion, and rhythm. FEATURES Twelve filter algorithms, including our 914 bandpass and Filterpod lowpass models, a clean state-variable filter, and an MS20-style filter, covering lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and notch. Each of the two filter slots can run a different one. Serial, parallel, and true stereo routing. Run the filters one into the next, side by side, or split hard left and right. Envelope follower with stereo sidechain. Drive the cutoff from a signal's own dynamics for auto-wah, or feed in an external source so one track opens the filter on another. LFO with twelve patterns, internal or tempo-synced. VCA mode for tremolo and gating. FSU section for extra signal hacking, for when clean is not the point. Resizable vector interface, sharp on every iPhone and iPad display. Universal preset system. XML-based presets move between iOS and the desktop versions. IN USE... Sweep the cutoff by hand for filter rises and drops. Set the envelope follower to track the input for an auto-wah that moves with your playing. Patch a kick into the sidechain to duck a pad or bassline in time. Run the two filters in series for steep formant shapes, or in parallel for wide dual-band sweeps. Tempo-sync the LFO for rhythmic gating, then bring in the FSU section when the part needs to fall apart. Filterstation 2 runs as an AUv3 plugin inside any compatible iOS host, including AUM, Cubasis, Drambo, apeMatrix, and GarageBand. It is also available for macOS, Windows, and Linux as a desktop plugin, and presets move freely between them. Requires iOS 13 or later. An AUv3 host app is recommended. Features • Twelve different filter algorithms, including MS20 emulation and our classic 914 bandpass and Filterpod lowpass models. • VCA mode for tremolo and gate effects. • LFO with twelve different patterns, and both internal and tempo sync modes. • Envelope follower for dynamic control of filter frequency. • Serial, parallel, and true stereo operating modes. • Easy-to use interface for quick programming. • Vector-based resizable GUI. Use just the filter screen, slide the controls over it, or (in hosts that allow it) open up the whole UI. • Cross-platform XML-based preset manager; copy your desktop presets to the iOS version using Handoff, or share them with your friends and in forums. • Full PDF manual available at Support link.

Screenshots

Tap Delay4 screens
Filterstation22 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Filterstation2 at 4.5 against Tap Delay's 4.2. Tap Delay's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Tap Delay costs $1.99 and Filterstation2 $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Filterstation2 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 19 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of Tap Delay's written reviews are positive against 75% of Filterstation2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tap Delay ships an update every 29 months, Filterstation2 every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Tap Delay versus Filterstation2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTap DelayFilterstation2
Price$1.99 — better$4.99
Rating4.2 (13 ratings)4.5 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1319 — better
Update frequencyEvery 29 monthsEvery 19 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

Tap Delay

All ratings13 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral5.6%
Negative16.7%

Filterstation2

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

Tap Delay

No in-app purchases

None

Filterstation2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tap Delay free?
Tap Delay costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Filterstation2 free?
Filterstation2 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tap Delay or Filterstation2?
Filterstation2 is rated higher. Tap Delay averages 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Filterstation2 averages 4.5 from 19 ratings.
Do Tap Delay or Filterstation2 have ads?
Neither Tap Delay nor Filterstation2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tap Delay or Filterstation2?
Tap Delay ships an update every 29 months, and Filterstation2 every 19 months. Most recently, Tap Delay was updated on September 30, 2026 and Filterstation2 on September 25, 2026.

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