Comparison

tardigrain vs SPL

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

Head to head
About

tardigrain

Create unique sounds by breaking down samples into small fragments and playing them back non-linearly. Explore granular synthesis with adjustable grain size, direction, and step size. Enhance your audio with built-in effects, filters, and modulation options.

Highlights
  • Granular synthesis engine
  • Adjustable grain parameters
  • Built-in effects (reverb, wave shaper, crush)
  • Resonant filter
  • MIDI and MPE modulation
  • Sequencer/arpeggiator
  • LFO modulation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Tardigrain is a granular synthesiser for iOS that runs standalone or as an AU plugin. Sounds are created by taking smaller fragments of a sample and playing them back in a non linear fashion, with settings for grain size, direction, step size and more. Process the sound further through effects like reverb, wave shaper and sample crush. Tardigrain supports connections with AudioCopy, AudioBus, Inter App Audio and AUv3. Plus all audio parameters can be modulated by MIDI, as AU parameters and by aftertouch on the build in keyboard. Now also a selected set of parameters can be modulated by LFOs och notes triggered by a new sequencer/arpeggiator. +++ Record your own samples or import using AudioCopy/drag'n drop +++ Chromatic granualar playpack +++ Effects (Wave shaper, Reverb, Sample crusher, Pitch and stereo spread) +++ Resonant filter (low, band and high pass) +++ Keyboard and MPE modulation of any audio parameters +++ Note trigger sequencer/arpeggiator +++ 4 LFO sources for modulating a selected set of parameters +++ Multiple factory presets to get you started +++ Save and load your own settings and samples +++ Inter App Audio, AudioBus and AUv3 +++ Core MIDI, Inter App Audio MIDI and AUv3 MIDI

About

SPL

This app acts as a remote controller for the Roland SP-404 MKII groove sampler. It allows for easy control of effect parameters and rapid effect changes in DJ mode, enhancing transition skills. It requires the hardware unit to function and does not produce sound independently.

Highlights
  • Control effect parameters
  • Manage 5 effect buses
  • Fast effect changes in DJ mode
  • Improve transition skills
  • Remote control for hardware
Features
Read full description

SPL-44 is a controller application for the Roland SP-404 MKII groove sampler. The application doesn't make any sound by itself and is designed to work together with the hardware unit: - Easily control the selected effect and effect parameters of the 5 effect buses - Apply fast effect changes in DJ mode and improve your transition skills without leaving the mixing screen Consult the included manual on connecting your iOS device. Drum Machine Funk develops innovative controller application for select musical instruments and is not affiliated with Roland.

Screenshots

tardigrain4 screens
SPL2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: tardigrain at 4.6 against SPL's 2.8. tardigrain also leads on price ($5.99 vs $14.99) and review sentiment (76% vs 50%). SPL's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). 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

tardigrain costs $5.99 and SPL $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

tardigrain holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: tardigrain has 98 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of tardigrain's written reviews are positive against 50% of SPL's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

tardigrain ships an update every 2 months, SPL daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
tardigrain versus SPL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertardigrainSPL
Price$5.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.6 (98 ratings) — better2.8 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings98 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#178 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik SigthDelta Seven Kft.

Customer experience

tardigrain

All ratings96 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral9.2%
Negative14.9%

SPL

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

tardigrain

No in-app purchases

None

SPL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is tardigrain free?
tardigrain costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SPL free?
SPL costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, tardigrain or SPL?
tardigrain is rated higher. tardigrain averages 4.6 out of 5 from 98 ratings, while SPL averages 2.8 from 4 ratings.
Do tardigrain or SPL have ads?
Neither tardigrain nor SPL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, tardigrain or SPL?
tardigrain ships an update every 2 months, and SPL daily. Most recently, tardigrain was updated on October 24, 2026 and SPL on October 27, 2026.

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