Comparison

DC vs Black Distortion

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

Head to head
About

DC

This audio effect plug-in emulates a classic overdrive guitar pedal using advanced circuit modeling. It provides an authentic analog sound and integrates seamlessly with iOS Digital Audio Workstations.

Highlights
  • Circuit-modeled overdrive emulation
  • Authentic analog sound
  • Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Expands controls when touched
  • Compatible with popular iOS DAWs
  • Desktop quality algorithm
Read full description

DC-9 Overdrive is a circuit modeled overdrive plug-in that emulates the famous Ibanez® TS9 Tube Screamer. The DSP algorithms in DC-9 take into account the entire schematic, using the latest modeling techniques. This gives you an authentic analog sound that matches the character of the physical circuit. DC-9 is an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) that works inside host apps. Just open up your favorite host that supports Audio Units and add it as an effect. The controls expand when touched so they can be easily seen while tweaking. DC-9 brings the distinctive warm overdrive crunch to your favorite iOS DAW. Compatible with GarageBand, Cubasis, Auria, BeatMaker, AudioBus, AUM, Modstep, and more. DC-9 gets its name from the Diode Clipper circuit used to create the distortion. Accurate modeling of the clipper by circuit simulation gives DC-9 an edge over the common distortion plug- in. The effect was carefully tuned using A/B comparisons to the original stop box. Blamsoft brings their experience creating top notch plug-ins for the desktop to iOS. The same algorithm is found in the popular Rack Extension for Propellerhead Reason. You get a desktop quality algorithm at an iOS friendly price. Tap Developer Website for sound examples. Note: Second screenshot shows the effect of touching a control.

About

Black Distortion

This audio plugin emulates a classic distortion pedal, offering versatile gain levels from mild overdrive to fuzzy tones. It features a unique filter control to shape high-end frequencies and a volume control for perfect integration with your existing sound. Use it as a primary distortion, a dirty channel for amplifiers, or a boost for solos.

Highlights
  • RAT2 distortion pedal emulation
  • Adjustable gain from overdrive to fuzz
  • Legendary filter control for treble shaping
  • Volume control for clean tone matching
  • Standalone, AudioUnit v3, and Inter-App Audio support
Features
Read full description

The Black Distortion plugin modeled on RAT2* distortion pedal will be your go-to distortion plugin for every recording, whether it’s rock, blues, punk, or jazz. The beauty of the Black Distortion plugin lies in its versatility. Used as a primary distortion, it excels at arena rock rhythm tones and soaring leads. Do you have an amplifier plugin with too much headroom? Let the Black Distortion plugin be your dirty channel. Maybe you already love your amplifier plugin distortion. Use the Black Distortion plugin as a boost for solos and get the extra kick you need. The Black Distortion plugin features the legendary filter control. Turn it to the right to roll off brittle high-end frequencies. Having trouble cutting through the mix? Turn it to the left and allow the natural brightness of your instrument to shine through. Black Distortion plugin dials in the perfect amount of gain, from mild overdrive to full out fuzzy assault, and the volume control lets you dial it in just perfectly against your bypassed clean tone. Legal Disclaimer: *All product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Nembrini Audio SRL. These product names, descriptions and images are provided for the sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during Nembrini Audio’s sound design process. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect

Screenshots

DC2 screens
Black Distortion1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Black Distortion at Free against DC's $2.99. Black Distortion also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.2). DC's advantage is update cadence (every 6 months vs every 61 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Black Distortion is free to download; DC costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Black Distortion holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 24 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 67% and 67% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DC ships an update every 6 months, Black Distortion every 61 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DC versus Black Distortion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDCBlack Distortion
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (14 ratings)5.0 (24 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1424 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 months — betterEvery 61 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlamsoft, Inc.Nembrini Audio

Customer experience

DC

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Black Distortion

All ratings24 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DC

No in-app purchases

None

Black Distortion

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DC free?
DC costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Black Distortion free?
Black Distortion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DC or Black Distortion?
Black Distortion is rated higher. DC averages 4.2 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Black Distortion averages 5.0 from 24 ratings.
Do DC or Black Distortion have ads?
Neither DC nor Black Distortion shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DC or Black Distortion?
DC ships an update every 6 months, and Black Distortion every 61 months. Most recently, DC was updated on November 2, 2026 and Black Distortion on November 3, 2026.

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