Alina String Ensemble vs Things
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
Things
This app provides a versatile audio effect plugin featuring a multimode filter and a bit crusher. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AUv3 plugin for further audio manipulation.
- Multimode filter (lowpass, highpass, bandpass, notch)
- 2 or 4-pole filter options
- Crisp bit crusher
- Downsampling and bit reduction
- Harshness control
- Output gain control
- Standalone and AUv3 plugin support
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Crusher is an easy-to-use Filter and Bit Crusher effect available as an AUv3 plugin and standalone. This plugin is inspired by the effect section of our instrument plugin Noises. Crusher features a multimode filter (lowpass, highpass, bandpass, notch) with 2 or 4-pole and an output gain, along with a crisp bit crusher (bits, downsample, mix) paired with a harshness control taken from our plugin Reels.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Things at 100% against Alina String Ensemble's 52%. Things also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.2). Alina String Ensemble's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 17 months) and price ($3.99 vs $6.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 Things $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Things holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Alina String Ensemble's written reviews are positive against 100% of Things's.
Alina String Ensemble ships an update every 4 months, Things every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Alina String Ensemble | Things |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 4.2 (20 ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 17 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 | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | insideout ltd. | AudioThing Ltd. |
Customer experience
Alina String Ensemble
Things
In-app purchases
Alina String Ensemble
No in-app purchases
Things
No in-app purchases
