Comparison

K Machine audio visual engine vs AudioLayer

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

Head to head
About

K Machine audio visual engine

Create dynamic and vibrant audio-visual animations with this powerful instrument. It combines a sound sample sequencer with a vertex shader sequencer for live-oriented audiovisual composition. Import your own sounds and visuals to craft unique experiences.

Highlights
  • Audio sample sequencer
  • Vertex shader sequencer
  • Import custom sounds (WAV, AIFF)
  • Import custom vertex shaders
  • Live video capture
  • Second screen projection
  • Ableton Link synchronization
Features
Read full description

"BEST HOUSE TECH GLITCH D&B APP in years!" "Fantastic app" K Machine is a new kind of audio visual instrument, allowing the creation of sound & touch responsive, dynamic, and vibrant animations. Designed for for musicians, shaders enthusiasts, VJs, and animation lovers in search of a live oriented, open, audiovisual instrument, K Machine combines a powerful audio sample sequencer and an original vertex shader sequencer based on a unique 'automatic transition interpolation' engine. ▶ A multifunctional tool The K Machine can be used in different ways: • As a VJing tool, using an audio input through mic or any other Audiobus compatible App. • As a sound creation tool, with the default empty shader so you won't be distracted by any visual animation. • Or in its full potential for true audiovisual composition. ▶ Import your sounds • K Machine accepts WAV and AIFF formats, 16 bits, 44100 Hz • Import from iTunes File sharing, Audioshare, Audiopaste or "Open in..." from any app with Export functionality. ▶ Import your visuals • The initial version of K Machine comes with more than 30 default vertex shaders, and 4 commented shader examples. • No limitation ! Import your own visuals, with the "Open in.." feature, use any external code editor App with Export functionality to create your own vertex shaders files. • Shaders format is 100% compatible with shaders from vertexshaderart.com • A simple line of code allows the creation of up to 8 parameter controllers for each vertex shader. ▶ A flexible tool • Each loop can have its own BPM. • Each loop can have its own number of beats. • Events can be splitted in 1/3, 1/5 1/7 or 1/11 ! ▶ Capture videos on the fly • Simple click on the 'video capture' button starts live video recording of your ongoing session with zero drop in performance. • Resulting video is automatically recorded in your photo album and can be shared on Facebook, EveryPlay, Youtube... ▶ Project on second screen with invisible UI Connect your device with HDMI or VGA adapter to display only the visual part of the ongoing animation. Perfect for live session ! ▶ Universal app Buy once and use on your IPad and Iphone devices. ▶ Use with other apps • Ableton link Ableton link: synchronise with any Ableton link app. • Audiobus 3.0.3 • Audiobus Remote: control K Machine from another device. • Audioshare: import edit your own samples with Audioshare. • Audiopaste and Audiostore: import sample with Audiopaste and/or browse an amazing sample collection through the Audiostore. ---------------------------------- See a new online video demo for v 2.0 here: https://vimeo.com/215816844 https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Full documentation : http://kolargon.art/KMachineV2Doc/KMachineV2Documentation.html ------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: K Machine gives it's full potential with openGL ES 3 capable devices. Please check documentation to make sure your device is compatible. The K Machine won't work for the following devices: iPhone 4s and earlier iPad 3 and earlier iPad Mini 1 iPod Touch 5 and earlier Will work with some limitation on the following devices. iPhone 5 iPhone 5c iPad 4 iPad Air iPad Mini 2 iPad Mini 3 ------------------------------------------- If you like the app, please consider posting a review on the AppStore, this will really help. Ideas, suggestions are very welcome, do not hesitate to leave your contributions in the comments or even better, at www.kolargon.art. Please do contact(mail below) to report any bug of any kind on any platform. It will fix it ASAP. Check/subscribe for more infos, docs and demos: ▶ http://www.kolargon.art ▶ https://www.facebook.com/kolargon ▶ https://twitter.com/Kolargon_ ▶ kolargon.art@gmail.com This app use Superpowered audio sdk.

About

AudioLayer

This app is a powerful mobile multi-sampler for music production, offering advanced features for creating and manipulating complex instruments. It integrates seamlessly with iOS production environments and supports iCloud for easy collaboration and storage.

Highlights
  • Streaming Sample Engine (SSE)
  • Hierarchical Layer and Zone editing
  • Seamless Instrument Switching (SIS)
  • Integrated audio sample recorder
  • Auto Sampler for hardware synths
  • AUv3 AudioUnit integration
  • iCloud storage and collaboration
Features
Read full description

AudioLayer satisfies the most sought after gap for contemporary music production on iOS devices. AudioLayer is a full featured open standard audio multi-sampler pushing the boundaries beyond what has been available even in the desktop music production worlds. And all this integrated in all relevant iOS production environments especially the emerging AUv3 AudioUnit standard. - SSE - Streaming Sample Engine - The ultra efficient Streaming Sample Engine SSE is capable of playing hundreds of voices of big multi-sampled instruments even in strictly resource limited applications like using multiple instances of AudioLayer in AudioUnit host environments. Innovative features like Sub Sample Looping for perfect loops even in the audible range extend the range of applications even further. - Multiple storage options - The consequent usage of the open file structure of the Files app makes organising even large sample libraries a breeze. Sample recordings and Instrument designs made with AudioLayer are seamlessly available across all your devices and desktop using either iCloud storage or external SSD. The iCloud option opens up new forms of collaborations with musicians all around the world to share your creations and work together. - Multi Scope Editing - To support the creation of complex multi-sampled instruments AudioLayer allows you to use a hierarchical structure of Layers and Zones each with it’s own sound manipulation parameters. A unique element of AudioLayer is the possibility to decide for each Zone at which Scope level your editing apply: For the all Zones in the Instrument, for the Layer only or individually for this Zone only. This opens a whole new world of creative options for sound mangling. For sound manipulation you can use a full set of Filters, Envelopes and LFOs to shape the pitch, timbre and level of the sound of each Zone. SIS - Seamless Instrument Switching The unique architecture of the Streaming Sample Engine allows for instant loading of even complex instruments and makes this switching from one Instrument to the next without cutting off the sound! And this includes of course also different effect settings - Easy Design Workflow - The built in audio sample recorder let you create Instruments on the fly in seconds. The Music Effect AudioUnit / Audiobus effect plugin of AudioLayer let you record multi-samples semi automatically directly inside your preferred host and instantly create an Instrument with the help of several Auto mapping options available. This includes file name based mapping of key ranges and velocities and automatic pitch detection. For the creatives we’ve also integrated a special “Single Cycle Waveform” detector making the use of this special files a breeze. - Auto Sampler feature for easy creation of Sample Instruments from hardware synthesiser. - Versilian Studio Sample Library ( VCSL/VSCO ) with excellent strings and orchestra samples for free download - Exchange libraries with XinematiX App Integration • Stand-alone App • Sample import for EXS24 and SFZ Format • AUv3 AudioUnit Instrument and Music Effect • Inter App Audio • Audiobus 3 Input/Effect with state saving support. • Audio recorder with share function. • Ableton Link compatible.

Screenshots

K Machine audio visual engine4 screens
AudioLayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: AudioLayer at 4.4 against K Machine audio visual engine's 3.7. AudioLayer also leads on ratings volume (179 vs 25) and review sentiment (56% vs 45%). K Machine audio visual engine's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and price ($8.99 vs $12.99). On update cadence, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

K Machine audio visual engine costs $8.99 and AudioLayer $12.99 up front. AudioLayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. K Machine audio visual engine asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AudioLayer holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioLayer has 179 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of K Machine audio visual engine's written reviews are positive against 56% of AudioLayer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

K Machine audio visual engine ships an update every 4 weeks, AudioLayer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 19, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
K Machine audio visual engine versus AudioLayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterK Machine audio visual engineAudioLayer
Price$8.99 — better$12.99
Rating3.7 (25 ratings)4.4 (179 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.0% of reviews55.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25179 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size175 MB242 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDominique BaillotHarry Gohs

Customer experience

K Machine audio visual engine

All ratings25 ratings
Positive64.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative28.0%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive45.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative45.0%

AudioLayer

All ratings179 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral5.6%
Negative12.8%
Written reviews124 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral16.1%
Negative28.2%

Bugs and requests

K Machine audio visual engine

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

AudioLayer

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • App crashes on startup (splash screen)
  • Reverb and chorus effects cause sound to disappear
  • Pitch resets to -24 after stopping Logic Pro playback
  • Layer voice polyphony controls not working properly
  • SFZ batch import distributes samples incorrectly across layers
Show 12 more
  • EXS24 import fails for complex instruments (pianos, drum kits)
  • MIDI source names display as 'Unknown Name'
  • Plugin window resizing required to access all controls
  • Sample end marker positioning doesn't work in all view sizes
  • Soundfont import module shows as missing despite purchase
  • App becomes unresponsive when loading complex instruments
  • Control Change 11 (Expression) not received
  • Autosampler function button missing after update
  • Settings not saved properly as AUv3 plugin
  • Instrument loading defaults to first instrument in host
  • Click/pop noises in sustain loops
  • Inter-Audio (IAA) compatibility broken

Requested features

17 requests
  • Time-stretching/pitch-shifting capability
  • Program Change MIDI support
  • Undo/Redo functionality
  • GigaSampler .gig library support
  • Soundfont SF2 import (now paid feature)
Show 12 more
  • MIDI learn for real-time parameter control
  • Expression (CC11) and other CC support
  • Multi-output support for individual zone routing
  • Batch import and file management improvements
  • Instrument selection screen persistence in MIDI mode
  • Bit reduction effect for vintage sampler emulation
  • Better local file management and folder organization
  • Modulation wheel pitch control
  • Transposition features
  • Disk streaming for larger libraries
  • Macro/customizable GUI support
  • Purge unused samples function

In-app purchases

None

K Machine audio visual engine

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

AudioLayer

One-time1
  • SoundFont Import$3.99

Questions

Is K Machine audio visual engine free?
K Machine audio visual engine costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is AudioLayer free?
AudioLayer costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, K Machine audio visual engine or AudioLayer?
AudioLayer is rated higher. K Machine audio visual engine averages 3.7 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while AudioLayer averages 4.4 from 179 ratings.
Do K Machine audio visual engine or AudioLayer have ads?
Neither K Machine audio visual engine nor AudioLayer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, K Machine audio visual engine or AudioLayer?
K Machine audio visual engine ships an update every 4 weeks, and AudioLayer fortnightly. Most recently, K Machine audio visual engine was updated on June 19, 2026 and AudioLayer on September 23, 2026.

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