Comparison

LayR vs 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker

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

Head to head
About

LayR

This powerful synthesizer app offers massive polyphony and multi-timbral sound design capabilities. Create rich, layered textures with flexible oscillators, filters, and extensive modulation options. Ideal for live performance and studio production.

Highlights
  • Massively polyphonic (up to 256 voices)
  • Multi-timbral sound design
  • Dual morphing oscillators
  • State variable filters and wave folder
  • Extensive modulation sources (LFOs, envelopes, random)
  • Stereo delay, reverb, and EQ
  • 8-track, 16-step Arpeggio Sequencer
  • Flexible MIDI control and mapping
Read full description

LayR is a massively polyphonic, multi-timbral synthesizer for iOS devices, optimized for modern 64 bit CPUs and capable of delivering up to 256 voices of rich, multi-layered and textured sounds. LayR's primary sound components are called Performances where a Performance is a set of Instruments and each Instrument is a set of Layers and each Layer is a complete synthesizer. A performance can consist of any number of instruments each with its own MIDI channel and crossfading keyboard span. Each Instrument can consist of any number of Layers to a maximum of 128. Each Layer has a dual oscillator that can morph with modulation between two shapes and phase states, two rich and warm state variable filters, a wave folder and a mixing section to blend oscillators and filters in any serial/parallel combination. For modulation (frequency, amplitude and phase) there are two Low Frequency Oscillators ranging from DC to audio frequency switchable to optionally follow keyboard pitch and restart phase when a note is started. Two loopable ADSR envelopes ranging from fractions of a second to over 100 seconds, an amplitude ADSR and a random number generator with a smoothing filter. With stereo delay, reverb and EQ on the output section LayR excels at not only emulating normal analog synth sounds but also at creating massive pads and huge spacy ambient textures with extremely long evolution cycles. Focused at keyboard players looking for a mobile synth that can be reliably used live on stage LayR is equally at home in the studio. An extensive selection of usable instrument and performance presets are included which can be loaded using MIDI bank select and program change messages in the same manner as hardware synths. LayR sports almost unparalled and extremely flexible MIDI control. Every parameter in the synth engine can be assigned to any MIDI Control Change number and parameters spread across multiple Layers can be grouped and controlled by a single MIDI cc with assignable range and direction. There is also an 8 track, 16 step Arpeggio Sequencer which can be used to create all sorts of exciting polyrhythmic looped patterns or even ambient generative music. Each track can have it's own speed, playback mode and length. On top of all that LayR has a MIDI Controller Mixer that can be used during performance to control the synth engine in real time and can also transmit MIDI cc's from LayR's output port to other destinations. Full IAA, Audiobus, Audio Unit and Link compatibility means LayR can be used with all hosts and other music apps on iOS and desktop DAWs.

About

7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker

This app offers a 7-channel sample sequencer with advanced synth and modulation features for intricate sound manipulation. Create beats, glitch effects, and complex loops with extensive editing and real-time parameter control. Export your creations or sync with other music applications.

Highlights
  • 7-channel sample sequencer
  • Animatable modulation
  • Sample mangling and glitch effects
  • Real-time parameter recording
  • Independent sequence lengths
  • Built-in effects (distortion, reverb, delay)
  • MIDI and Ableton Link sync
Features
Read full description

7XWAVE - a 7 channel sample sequencer with synth features & animatable modulation features for sample mangling. So many sound manipulation possibilities can be had with this whether it's a funky electro backing track or crazy granular glitch effects. Choose a sample, tweak the sound using envelopes & filters then create your beats and bleeps. Add effects to each sound, pan, level, sample start, length pitch & filter. Mash up loops and sequences with trimming and shuffling. Each step can have a start stop or end stop , shuffle up your samples or turn them into wave cycles like a synth, then animate the start position. Lots of glitch or time stretch effects! Lock parameter dials to a step or record dial movements in real time. All sequences can be set up to 1-64 steps. Export recorded loops or route audio into Audiobus or AUM etc keeping in sync with other apps using MIDI or Ableton Link. Sequencer Specifications & synth features: Animate or manually set levels for every track dial. Each program has swing/groove, independent sequence lengths from 1-64 plus offsets, Randomiser with 0-100% chance of a step in realtime, Accent levels on tracks for how much the accent affects pitch, frequency & volume dynamics. Notes are easily created on current bar. Double tap = accented dynamics. Hold down for copy, paste & clear. Fill 64 steps expands current sequence to 64 steps repeating to fill. Random generations of notes.. Hi, low or band pass filters, resonance, filter env & decay like in most synthesisers. Also Hi split adds parallel hi pass. Sample start, length & loop point, loop on/off, ping ping & reverse. Edit samples small enough to waves to use as a synth "oscillator". Loop level allows you to play loop back to point in Sample or at the very end for for tight looping and glitch repeat effects, granular fx and sample mangling. Slice/divide the sample start point to the track sequence length. You can then re-shuffle steps for glitch effect,Adjust pitch, volume attack & release or gated volume. Adjust pitch or set it automatically to fit the sequence and BPM (good for importing loops to match). Distortion, Delay (snaps to nearest time sync), reverb and compression effects. Each sequence has one LFO with adjustable speed and can modulate sample start/length , filter and pitch. LFO can also gate triggered for an Envelope effect. Built in keyboard for playing your samples using keys or selecting the random notes for random generation in step edit. Mixer console view so you can adjust pan, bass and levels. Import samples from other apps documents folders, Audioshare or copy/paste. Export you trimmed sample to this app document folder and export your recorder loops. Record what you are playing to export to another app or computer for composing yous loops. Play in sync your sampled loop with your current program. Route the audio output into other apps like Garage band, Audiobus or AUM with other apps. Ableton Link / MIDI syncs to sequencer. This is not an external audio input sampler but it can resample and those samples can be used as sound sources for synthesising. Manual: http://beatsnbobs.com/manuals/7xwave-manual.html Included is a help function. Any problems or ideas please let me know. Cheers Rob

Screenshots

LayR4 screens
7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker at $1.99 against LayR's $24.99. 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). LayR's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 57%) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

LayR costs $24.99 and 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LayR holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LayR has 97 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of LayR's written reviews are positive against 57% of 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LayR ships an update every 2 months, 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
LayR versus 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLayR7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker
Price$24.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.5 (97 ratings) — better4.2 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews77.9% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings97 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLiving Memory SoftwareRob Wilmot

Customer experience

LayR

All ratings97 ratings
Positive81.4%
Neutral7.2%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive77.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative13.5%

7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral28.6%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

LayR

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Audio crackling and popping on iPad Pro 2018 and newer
  • App crashes when used as Audio Unit in DAWs
  • Unable to exit app on newer iPad models without workaround
  • Arpeggiator gets stuck on notes in hold mode
  • Contact support link not functional
Show 7 more
  • Apple's status bar overlays control labels
  • Preset content disappeared after reload
  • Stuck notes when using step arp with other AUs
  • App freezes and stutters on some devices
  • Inter-app audio crashes immediately
  • Velocity switch setting not saved between sessions
  • MIDI assignment dialog pops up during parameter editing

Requested features

12 requests
  • Built-in sampler with pitch and time shift
  • Mac version or VST/AU plugin
  • Preset tagging and favorites system
  • Rearrangeable preset slots
  • More presets and sound banks
Show 7 more
  • Song mode to link sequences together
  • 32 or 64-step sequencer instead of 16
  • Additional effects as in-app purchases
  • Better preset management and organization
  • Ability to adjust LFO rates with other mod sources
  • Global toolbar for better navigation
  • Wavetable generator

7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

LayR

No in-app purchases

None

7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LayR free?
LayR costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker free?
7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LayR or 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker?
LayR is rated higher. LayR averages 4.5 out of 5 from 97 ratings, while 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker averages 4.2 from 10 ratings.
Do LayR or 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker have ads?
Neither LayR nor 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LayR or 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker?
LayR ships an update every 2 months, and 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker every 10 days. Most recently, LayR was updated on October 24, 2026 and 7XWAVE Sample Synth Loop Maker on November 1, 2026.

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