Comparison

Bark Filter vs TB ReelBus

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

Head to head
About

Bark Filter

This audio effect processor mimics the human ear's critical band filtering and compression. It offers a multi-band compressor with up to 27 bands for precise audio manipulation and analysis.

Highlights
  • Multi-band dynamic range compressor (up to 27 bands)
  • Variable number of compressor bands
  • Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Makeup Gain controls
  • Linear phase precision filters
  • Real-time spectrum analyzer
  • AudioUnit (AUv3), Inter-app audio, and Audiobus 3 compatible
  • Low latency live usage
Features
Read full description

Bark Filter - Critical Band Analyser/Filter/Compressor The multi band filter in Bark takes the approach to match the reception characteristic of the gate where all sounds must pass through: the human ear. The ear behaves as if it contains a bank of filters, each filter passing frequencies within their respective critical band. Two tones apart more than the frequency dependant critical bandwidth are perceived as separate tones. For this reason Bark contains a filter bank with 27 very steep bandpass filters matching the critical bandwidth characteristic of the human ear. In fact, the human ear have also its own built in multi band compression system which are based on the critical bands. Why the name Bark ? The Bark scale is a frequency scale on which equal distances correspond with perceptually equal distances. Above about 500 Hz this scale is more or less equal to a logarithmic frequency axis. Below 500 Hz the Bark scale becomes more and more linear. Multiband compressors can act differently on different frequency bands. The advantage of multiband compression over full-bandwidth compression is that unneeded audible gain changes or "pumping" in other frequency bands is not caused by changing signal levels in a single frequency band. Bark can act both as single band compressor and with up to 27 bands in multiband mode by linking critical bands. The linear phase filter bank with its steep filter slopes can be used for unusually pronounced filter effects too... Features: • Multi band dynamic range compressor with up to 27 bands • Variable number of compressor bands (1..27) • Threshold/Ratio Attack/Release and Makeup Gain • Linear phase precision filters for maximal transparency • Real time pre/post processing calibrated spectrum analyser • AudioUnit for AUv3 compatible hosts. • Inter-app audio compatible effect. • Audiobus 3 compatible with state saving. • Low latency live usage with mic and headphones. • Audio recorder

About

TB ReelBus

This audio plugin simulates the authentic sound of magnetic tape, adding warmth, saturation, and classic effects like wow-and-flutter and echo to your music. It offers a wide range of tape and saturation modes for professional-quality audio processing on iOS and iPadOS devices.

Highlights
  • Authentic magnetic tape simulation
  • Warmth, saturation, and wow-and-flutter
  • Tape flanger and echo effects
  • Tape start and stop effects
  • Drive EQ for frequency-specific saturation
  • Tape wear simulation
  • Input/output VU meters
Read full description

ToneBoosters ReelBus is a top-quality, authentic, versatile and accurate magnetic tape simulation AUv3 plug-in bringing warmth and excitement of tape to your iOS or iPadOS device! Instant gratification from 80s compact cassette sound to professional 30 IPS studio recorder simulation. Sweeten your mix with a touch of tape hysteresis, saturation and compression. Create that 'Boards of Canada' sound by adding a tad of wow-and-flutter. Top it up with tape flanging, echo and tape start/stop effects. The ToneBoosters ReelBus app captures the microphone (or external sound card) input and processes the signals in real time. To use it as a plug-in, use an AUv3-compatible host app such as Steinberg Cubasis, Apple Garageband, Audio Evolution Mobile Studio, Auria, AUM, or others. ToneBoosters ReelBus will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins. Key features: - The same professional sound as the acclaimed desktop version - Wide variety of tape and saturation modes available - Saturation, hysteresis, wow and flutter, tape hiss, asperity noise controls - Tape speed and amount controls - Soft bypass - Unique drive EQ to drive certain frequencies harder into the tape model - Tape wear model for worn-out tape simulation - Tape flanger and dual tape echo modules, with beat sync functionality - Tape start and tape stop effect modules - Oversampling and anti-aliasing filters for top-quality output - Input and output VU meters showing peak and RMS levels simultaneously - Master Bus mode with analog VU meters and macro controls to get great results efficiently - Undo/redo, and A/B comparison - Color themes for the user interface - Max screen support in Garageband - Optimised for iPad and compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.

Screenshots

Bark Filter3 screens
TB ReelBus3 screens

Verdict

The call

Bark Filter and TB ReelBus both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of TB ReelBus's written reviews are positive against 72% of Bark Filter's. Bark Filter's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $8.99). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Bark Filter costs $3.99 and TB ReelBus $8.99 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 — 4.8 for Bark Filter against 4.9 for TB ReelBus. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 47 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 72% of Bark Filter's written reviews are positive against 100% of TB ReelBus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bark Filter ships an update every 3 months, TB ReelBus every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Bark Filter versus TB ReelBus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBark FilterTB ReelBus
Price$3.99 — better$8.99
Rating4.8 (29 ratings)4.9 (47 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2947 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsToneBoosters

Customer experience

Bark Filter

All ratings29 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral11.1%
Negative16.7%

TB ReelBus

All ratings47 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral2.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bark Filter

No in-app purchases

None

TB ReelBus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bark Filter free?
Bark Filter costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TB ReelBus free?
TB ReelBus costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bark Filter or TB ReelBus?
TB ReelBus is rated higher. Bark Filter averages 4.8 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while TB ReelBus averages 4.9 from 47 ratings.
Do Bark Filter or TB ReelBus have ads?
Neither Bark Filter nor TB ReelBus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bark Filter or TB ReelBus?
Bark Filter ships an update every 3 months, and TB ReelBus every 2 months. Most recently, Bark Filter was updated on October 24, 2026 and TB ReelBus on October 24, 2026.

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