BandShift vs Agonizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BandShift
This app offers a unique approach to manipulating sound by splitting audio into 27 bands and applying individual frequency shifts to each. It allows for precise pitch adjustments of complex sound sources in real-time, ideal for altering drum sounds or exploring new sonic territories without introducing unwanted distortions.
- Multi-band Bode frequency shifter
- 27-band linear phase filter bank
- AUv3 compatible
- Inter-app audio compatible
- Audiobus 2 compatible
- Apply effect to iTunes library songs
- MIDI Learn for X/Y Pads
- Low latency live usage
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BandShift is a multi-band auditory filter and frequency shifter taking a new approach to manipulate the pitch of complex sound sources in realtime. The well know analog Bode frequency shifter shifts all frequencies in an input up by the same amount and thereby alters their harmonic relation and tends to produce inharmonic results. But it's perfect in dealing with transients and sounds smooth even with high amounts of down pitching. BandShift splits the spectrum in 27 bands and applies a different amount of frequency shifting to each band emulating a harmonic pitch shifting. This gives you perfect pitch shifting for all kind of drum sounds over a vast shifting range of +/- five octaves without disturbing the transients or introducing metallic distortions. The extreme range of shifting gives you access to a vast field of unknown sonic territory. The possibility to apply different shiftings on each band gives you exciting possibilities: Suppose you have a drum loop which is perfect, but the bass drum is a bit too high or too low to fit in your mix then you can easily get the bass drum shifted a bit down and the rest of the spectrum remains unchanged. But it’s applications are not limited to drum sounds, they’re only limited by your imagination. Features: • Multi band bode frequency shifter • Linear phase filter bank with 27 bands • AudioUnit for AUv3 compatible hosts. • Inter-app audio compatible effect. • Audiobus 2 compatible with state saving. • Apply effect to any song in your iTunes library. • MIDI Learn for X/Y Pads • Low latency live usage with mic and headphones. • Audio recorder
Agonizer
This app is a monophonic synthesizer focused on bass sounds, developed with a synth bass expert. It features dual wavetable oscillators, a mangle section, and built-in stereo effects. It supports MPE controllers and various audio/MIDI connectivity options for standalone or app-to-app use.
- Monophonic synth engine for bass
- Dual wavetable oscillators
- Built-in stereo effects
- MPE controller support
- Standalone and AUv3 operation
- 140+ factory presets
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Agonizer is a monophonic synthesizer designed in collaboration with YouTuber and synth bass expert Jakob Haq of haQ attaQ Overview: * Monophonic Synth Engine with focus on Bass * Built-in stereo effects * 140+ fine tuned factory presets designed by Jakob Haq * Supports ROLI Seaboard and other MPE controllers out of the box * Standalone operation with support for USB audio interfaces, wired, network & bluetooth MIDI * Audio Unit v3 Extension * Inter App Audio support * Audiobus support * Ableton Link Synth Voice: * Dual Wavetable Oscillators with 40+ Wavetables, Morphing & X-Mod * Dedicated sub osc & noise source * Mangle Section with pre-filter Drive, Bitcrush, Lift and Push controls * VA Ladder filter * Wobulator (Highly tweak-able Sequenced LFO) * LFO with Key and BPM Sync * Variable Slope AD & ADSR Envelopes * Tube based master drive Effects: * 2x stereo effect units * Vintage Chorus * Digital Delay Presets: * Factory bank including 140+ presets designed by Jakob Haq * Preset Management with Templates & Categories * Shared User Presets between Standalone and AUv3 versions * Preset Export & Import Connectivity: * Standalone * AUv3 Instrument * Inter-App Audio Instrument * Audiobus Instrument Requirements: * iOS12+ * iPad Air 2 or newer
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: BandShift at $3.99 against Agonizer's $19.99. BandShift also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Agonizer's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (78% vs 50%). On 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
BandShift costs $3.99 and Agonizer $19.99 up front. Agonizer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. BandShift asks for nothing beyond the download.
Agonizer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Agonizer has 203 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of BandShift's written reviews are positive against 78% of Agonizer's.
BandShift ships an update every 2 months, Agonizer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BandShift | Agonizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 3.5 (4 ratings) | 4.8 (203 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 77.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 203 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 362 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Kai Aras |
Customer experience
BandShift
Agonizer
Bugs and requests
BandShift
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Agonizer
Reported bugs
16 issues- Keyboard does not properly handle legato/mono-synth note priority
- Crashes in Audiobus, AUM, and Cubasis host applications
- No sound output when used as AUv3 plugin in hosts
- No sound in GarageBand integration
- App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3
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- Stuck notes and failed note triggering
- Scream button malfunction when switching presets
- Cutoff knob lag in AUv3 scenarios
- UI jitter and text cutoff on iPhone
- Favorite preset feature not working on iPhone
- Program change not working properly in hosts
- Always opens with init preset in host applications
- Modulation matrix sensitivity too high (2% movement = large range)
- Audio output peaks in red with no sound
- Permanent clipping/damaged audio output
- Misleading IAP pricing display (showing 'FREE' for paid content)
Requested features
10 requests- Polyphony mode or toggle between mono and poly
- Envelope drawing capability instead of preset selection
- Menu-based waveform selection instead of cycling
- Arpeggiator function
- Preset browser search and favorites filter
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- Extended automation control for all knobs
- Keytracking for filter
- Reverb effect
- Accelerometer/gyroscopic velocity sensitivity
- Customizable number of keyboard keys
In-app purchases
BandShift
No in-app purchases
Agonizer
- Chrome Oasis Pack$3.99
- Circuit Bender Pack$3.99
- Neon Nightmare Pack$4.99









