Comparison

K Machine audio visual engine vs Sidechain Compressor Plugin

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

Sidechain Compressor Plugin

This audio plugin enables side-chain compression for music production, creating rhythmic pumping effects. It offers true side-chaining in compatible DAWs and a unique sudo side-chain method for broader compatibility.

Highlights
  • Standard compressor features
  • Real calibrated VU and reduction meters
  • Real-time visual graphing
  • True sidechain in AUM
  • Sudo sidechain with MASTER/SLAVE
  • 3 available busses
  • Mono/Stereo modes
Features
Read full description

This is an AUv3 compatible stereo compressor plugin which is intended for use inside your favourite DAW/HOST such as AUM, Cubasis, Auria, Meteor, AUM or GarageBand etc. So lets start by answering the question what is side chaining?  Side chaining is a technique used in a lot of modern dance music which involves using the volume level of one sound source to control another. You can hear plenty of examples of this in modern Trance/Dubstep music where sound engineers use the impact of a bass drum to duck a sustained string sound, creating space in the mix. This can be heard as a rythmic pumping sound which gives your music drive and energy. This compressor is quite unique since it was designed to get around the limitations of AUv3 plugins on iOS and the lack of multi-audio routing inside DAW apps. Until recently it wasn't possible to do true side chaining using AUv3, but now AUM has recently integrated support for multiple inputs and outputs per AUv3 plugin, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. This is great for AUM users, but this still leaves users of other DAW's in the dark. This is where this app has you covered as it provides a method of sudo side-chaining by allowing you to attach two instances of this plugin to multiple sources and route audio between them to achieve a sudo sidechain. This works by ensuring two instances of the plugin are loaded as insert effects, one being the MASTER and the other a SLAVE. The slave sends audio to the master by means of one of 3 available busses. True side chaining can be achieved in AUM. Simple set the SideChain Mode to 'Normal' and install an instance of the plugin on the channel you want to control. Then using the new 'Multiple Audio Unit Instances' option in AUM you can add a redirection of the controlling source to send to the same bus the plugin is listening to. It's that simple. In this case you need to set both instances to either Bus 2 or 3, since Bus 1 is the original audio. Features: ○ Standard Compressor features. ○ Real calibrated VU and reduction meters ○ Real-time visual graphing of parameters. ○ Real sidechain in AUM. ○ Sudo side chain using MASTER and SLAVE for others. ○ 3 available busses. ○ Mono / Stereo modes. ○ Integrated help.

Screenshots

K Machine audio visual engine4 screens
Sidechain Compressor Plugin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: K Machine audio visual engine at every 4 weeks against Sidechain Compressor Plugin's every 67 months. K Machine audio visual engine also leads on ratings volume (25 vs 6) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 11.0). Sidechain Compressor Plugin's advantage is review sentiment (63% vs 45%) and price ($5.99 vs $8.99). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

K Machine audio visual engine costs $8.99 and Sidechain Compressor Plugin $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.7 for K Machine audio visual engine against 3.8 for Sidechain Compressor Plugin. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 6 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 45% of K Machine audio visual engine's written reviews are positive against 63% of Sidechain Compressor Plugin's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

K Machine audio visual engine ships an update every 4 weeks, Sidechain Compressor Plugin every 67 months. The most recent releases landed on June 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
K Machine audio visual engine versus Sidechain Compressor Plugin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterK Machine audio visual engineSidechain Compressor Plugin
Price$8.99$5.99 — better
Rating3.7 (25 ratings)3.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.0% of reviews62.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 67 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size175 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDominique Baillot4Pockets.com

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%

Sidechain Compressor Plugin

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

None

K Machine audio visual engine

No in-app purchases

None

Sidechain Compressor Plugin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is K Machine audio visual engine free?
K Machine audio visual engine costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sidechain Compressor Plugin free?
Sidechain Compressor Plugin costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, K Machine audio visual engine or Sidechain Compressor Plugin?
Sidechain Compressor Plugin is rated higher. K Machine audio visual engine averages 3.7 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Sidechain Compressor Plugin averages 3.8 from 6 ratings.
Do K Machine audio visual engine or Sidechain Compressor Plugin have ads?
Neither K Machine audio visual engine nor Sidechain Compressor Plugin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, K Machine audio visual engine or Sidechain Compressor Plugin?
K Machine audio visual engine ships an update every 4 weeks, and Sidechain Compressor Plugin every 67 months. Most recently, K Machine audio visual engine was updated on June 19, 2026 and Sidechain Compressor Plugin on September 21, 2026.

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