Alina String Ensemble vs Mantis
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Alina String Ensemble
This app is a musical keyboard simulator that recreates the authentic sounds of the Solina String Ensemble from the 1970s. It features a 49-key, 4-octave keyboard with multiple instrument sounds and built-in effects like reverb and modulation.
- Solina String Ensemble sound simulation
- 6 pre-loaded instruments
- 49-key, 4-octave keyboard
- Core MIDI and MIDI compatible
- Built-in spring reverb effect
- Adjustable modulation
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Alina String Ensemble is a musical keyboard application for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch that simulates the Solina String Ensemble. The sound is in reference to Solina String Ensemble (Serial number "SERIES 22, No.0093158”) manufactured by N.V. EMINENT BODEGRAVEN HOLLAND in the 70’s. You are sure to be surprised at the real sound generated from this App. Features: - Pre-loaded with 6 instruments including Viola, Violin, Brass, Horn, Cello, Contra Bass - 49key, 4-octave Keyboards with scrollable - Core MIDI and MIDI compatible - Scrollable Keyboard & dual Keyboards(Only iPad) - BASS tone(Cello, Contra Bass) is assigned on lowest 20 keys - Built-in Reverb that simulates a spring reverb - Modulation that can adjust the rate and depth Special thanks: Jun Kawabata courtesy of AIRPLANE LABEL & Studio Peach Blue Peach
Mantis
This audio plugin emulates a vintage 70s analog delay/echo unit, offering a warm, authentic sound. It features four echo taps, swell selectors, and a unique modulation section for chorus-like effects.
- Emulates rare 70s BBD delay/echo
- Warm analog sound
- Four echo taps
- Four swell selectors
- Rotafaze modulation section
- Mimics tape echo wow/flutter
- Chorus-delay effect
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Mantis is a plugin that emulates a rare BBD (bucket-brigade device) delay/echo unit of the 70s, faithfully recreating its warm and analog sound. Available as AUv3 and Standalone. As the original unit, Mantis features an echo section with four taps and four swell selectors. It also features the rotafaze section, a modulation that can mimic the wow/flutter of a tape echo or turn the unit into a unique chorus-delay.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Alina String Ensemble at $3.99 against Mantis's $14.99. Alina String Ensemble also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months). Mantis's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.2). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Alina String Ensemble costs $3.99 and Mantis $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Mantis holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 8 respectively.
Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, Mantis every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Alina String Ensemble | Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.2 (20 ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 131 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | insideout ltd. | AudioThing Ltd. |
Customer experience
Alina String Ensemble
Mantis
In-app purchases
Alina String Ensemble
No in-app purchases
Mantis
No in-app purchases
