Trapezoid vs Dulcimer Sim
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Trapezoid
This virtual instrument accurately simulates the sound and playability of a hammered dulcimer. It offers multiple tuning options, drag roll effects, and MIDI compatibility for a realistic musical experience. Designed for both beginners and experienced players, it fits right in your pocket.
- Authentic hammered dulcimer sound
- Standard and Michigan tunings
- Drag roll effects
- MIDI keyboard compatibility
- Velocity sensitive MIDI input
- Note name display
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Trapezoid is an amazing Hammered Dulcimer that can fit in your pocket. Written by an experienced Hammered Dulcimer player, this virtual dulcimer sounds and plays like the real thing! This app has the full range of a standard 12/11 style (9/9 style for 4:3 format iPads) instrument and supports both Standard and Michigan (octave) tunings. 12/11 means there are 12 bridges on the Treble (left) side of the instrument, 11 bridges on the Bass (right) side of the instrument. To play, just touch the strings on either side of the left (Treble) bridge or the left side of the right (Bass) bridge just like on the real instrument. To get repeated note "drag roll" effects, drag quickly horizontally across the strings. The sensitivity of the drag effect may be set on the settings screen. Touch the "?" to show the note names for the strings. Touch the "S" or "M" below the "?" to toggle between Standard and Michigan (octave) tuning. Touch the "Shhh" icon on the upper right corner to quiet all the strings. Touch the "i" to bring up the settings screen where you can set the overall volume, enable or disable the drag roll feature, and set the roll sensitivity for how far you need to drag to get the roll effect. The app also may be played from a MIDI keyboard connected to a hardware MIDI interface or other MIDI controller or MIDI file player apps. On the settings page you may select the MIDI channel number. When playing via MIDI, the app is velocity sensitive based on the velocity sent with the Note-on events. Lowest note is A2 (MIDI note 45). Range is full chromatic from A2 through D6. The app will respond to MIDI volume messages on the selected MIDI channel. To truly experience the full stereo spread of the instrument, plug in a set of headphones or amplified speakers. Playing Hint for Smaller Phone Users: On the smaller screen phones the strings are pretty close together. If you are having trouble hitting the notes you want, show the note names by touching the "?" and then, when playing touch directly on the note names for best playing accuracy. Audio samples of Wes Chappell's amazing dulcimer provided by Jesse Chappell from ThumbJam.com. The instrument was built by James Jones, from Bedford, VA. I have played and taught the Hammered Dulcimer for over 20 years. This app sounds and plays as close to the real instrument as I'm capable of doing on a touch screen. Be sure to visit the AppCordions.com website to watch the demo videos!
Dulcimer Sim
This app offers an authentic mountain dulcimer experience with realistic sounds and advanced features like microtonal tuning and adjustable key sensitivity. Create, play, record, and share your musical creations with ease, suitable for both beginners and experienced musicians.
- Authentic dulcimer sounds
- Microtonal tuning
- Adjustable key sensitivity
- Multiple play modes
- Built-in recording
- Screen recording
- Customizable key size
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Designed for both beginners and seasoned musicians, Dulcimer Sim brings the authentic feel and sound of this iconic folk instrument right to your fingertips. With its user-friendly design and diverse features, you can create, play, and share music effortlessly. Key Features That Make Dulcimer Sim Stand Out Authentic Dulcimer Sounds Experience the genuine tone of a meticulously sampled mountain dulcimer. Every note is crafted to deliver the warm, rich resonance that defines the dulcimer's unique character. Advanced Features for Enhanced Playability - Microtonal Tuning: Adjust pitches for traditional and experimental scales, ideal for Appalachian folk music and microtonal compositions. - Transpose Adjustment: Easily shift keys to match your musical preferences or play along with other instruments. - Reverb Effects: Add depth and atmosphere to your performance with adjustable reverb. - Chorus Mode: Layer your notes with rich harmonies, creating a fuller and more dynamic sound. - Dynamic Key Sensitivity: Play with natural expression-higher presses produce quieter tones, while lower presses deliver louder, more powerful notes. Customizable Keys Adjust the size of the keys to suit your playing style. Whether you prefer wider keys for precise hammering or smaller ones for fast noter-and-drone techniques, Dulcimer Sim adapts to your needs. Three Dynamic Play Modes - Free Play Mode: Strum or hammer multiple strings simultaneously and enjoy the full resonance of the dulcimer. Perfect for creating spontaneous melodies and rhythms. - Single Key Mode: Focus on one note at a time, ideal for learning and perfecting dulcimer techniques. - Release Mode: Add a natural touch with cut sounds as you lift your fingers, creating a smooth and expressive playing experience. Record and Revisit Your Music Capture your performances with the built-in recording feature. Whether you're practicing, composing, or performing, your music is just a play button away. Share Your Masterpieces Seamlessly share your recordings with friends, family, or the world. Inspire others with your creativity and talent! Screen Recording Capability Elevate your musical creativity with Dulcimer Sim's new screen recording feature. Capture your mesmerizing dulcimer performances directly within the app, allowing you to effortlessly document your musical journey. Record your improvisations, practice sessions, or complete compositions with a single tap, and instantly share your artistic expressions with friends, fellow musicians, or on social media platforms. This intuitive recording functionality ensures that no moment of musical inspiration is lost, empowering you to preserve and share the unique, ethereal sounds of your dulcimer exploration. Why Choose Dulcimer Sim? - Realistic Experience: The app replicates the true feel and sound of a physical dulcimer, making it the perfect tool for practice or performance. - Elegant Design: A sleek, user-friendly interface ensures that every musician, from novice to pro, feels right at home. - Creative Flexibility: With versatile modes, adjustable keys, and authentic sounds, Dulcimer Sim puts you in control of your musical journey. Whether you're strumming a traditional folk melody, composing an Appalachian tune, or exploring the dulcimer for the first time, Dulcimer Sim offers endless possibilities. Download Dulcimer Sim today and let the enchanting spirit of the dulcimer take you on a musical adventure!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Dulcimer Sim at Free against Trapezoid's $1.99. Trapezoid's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, ratings volume 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
Dulcimer Sim is free to download; Trapezoid costs $1.99 up front. Dulcimer Sim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Trapezoid asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Trapezoid against 5.0 for Dulcimer Sim. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively.
Trapezoid ships an update every 9 days, Dulcimer Sim every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Trapezoid | Dulcimer Sim |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 124 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Michael Eskin | Alper Kahriman |
Customer experience
Trapezoid
Dulcimer Sim
In-app purchases
Trapezoid
No in-app purchases
Dulcimer Sim
- Get Premium$7.99
Questions
Is Trapezoid free?
Is Dulcimer Sim free?
Which has better reviews, Trapezoid or Dulcimer Sim?
Do Trapezoid or Dulcimer Sim have ads?
Which is updated more often, Trapezoid or Dulcimer Sim?
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