tardigrain vs SPL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Granular synthesis engine
- Adjustable grain parameters
- Built-in effects (reverb, wave shaper, crush)
- Resonant filter
- MIDI and MPE modulation
- Sequencer/arpeggiator
- LFO modulation
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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
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.
- Control effect parameters
- Manage 5 effect buses
- Fast effect changes in DJ mode
- Improve transition skills
- Remote control for hardware
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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
Verdict
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
tardigrain costs $5.99 and SPL $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
tardigrain ships an update every 2 months, SPL daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | tardigrain | SPL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (98 ratings) — better | 2.8 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 98 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #178 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Erik Sigth | Delta Seven Kft. |
Customer experience
tardigrain
SPL
In-app purchases
tardigrain
No in-app purchases
SPL
No in-app purchases









