apeMatrix vs Classic FX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
apeMatrix
This app acts as a powerful host for audio plugins, allowing users to connect and automate various aspects of music creation. It facilitates the integration of favorite FX, MIDI routing, and control over built-in and external plugin parameters.
- Audio Unit and Inter-App Audio support
- MIDI and audio routing
- Control Manager for parameter modulation
- Multiple Matrix grids for plugin hosting
- MIDI Patch-bay for routing
- High-quality audio processing
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Holding true to the standard of apeSoft, apeMatrix continues to push the limits of possibilities in music creation. Automating almost every aspect of linked control, apeMatrix brings all your creation tools together and links them both in MIDI and audio. Letting you inject all your favorite FX both AU and IAA in a very easy and intuitive way. apeMatrix can also assign its Control Manager MIDI, Accelerometer, Scrub and LFO’s to modulate every built-in parameter and any parameter available inside the AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugins). apeMatrix offers 10 slots on each of the three Matrix grids with 2 bus slots on each grid that make it possible to interconnect all 3 Matrix. The MIDI Patch-bay also offers endless possibilities for MIDI routing and control in a similar grid design for both internal and external MIDI control. So you can send and receive MIDI and have ultimate control over where it’s routed. Each Audio Connection on the grid has its own gain control. Just tap on the node and drag will give you the full range of volume control. Or use Mixer to controls the RAU output and automate them using apeSoft’s unique Control Manager MIDI, Accelerometer, Scrub and LFO’s to modulate every built-in parameter and any parameter available inside the AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugins). Turn each slot on or off by a control switch on the Matrix or MIDI control. Control output, pan, mute and solo of each slot and Master output of each Matrix with the built in mixer control or MIDI control. Route your sounds through all a series of FX or route multiple sounds through the very some FX. The possibilities are as endless as your creativity. FEATURES High quality audio up to 32-bit 96kHz Supports Audio Unit extensions, Inter-App Audio Supports multi-channel inputs/outputs audio interfaces Supports Audio Unit Multi-bus input/output (side-chaining) 3 Matrix Audio 3 MIDI Matrix 10 Open Slots per Matrix (hosts up to 30 plugins) 2 Audio Bus Slots per Matrix 2 MIDI Bus Slots per Matrix MIDI Monitor Multi-Channel Audio Route AudioUnit Audio Send Receive Buses MIDI Scale Filtering, Transpose etc… Control Manager (MIDI, Accelerometer, LFO, Scrub) for all Built-In Parameters Control Manager (MIDI, Accelerometer, LFO, Scrub) for all AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugins) Presets Manager and Morphing Pad Save Custom AUv3 Presets Session Saving/Load Save/Load View’s Frame in Presets Transport to sends host sync to Audio Unit plugins and IAA Integrated and configurable MIDI keyboard with scales Connections output and panning controls Post Dynamic Processor Audiobus and Inter-Audio App (Sender and Fx) Audiobus state saving Ableton Link Precise MIDI Clock In/Out AudioShare Compatible AudioCopy Compatible MIDI Manager: Virtual Midi and Network, 14 bit NRPN controllers File Manager, sharing common audio files via iTunes, Dropbox and AudioCopy etc… Variable Sampling Rate (up to 96 kHz) Variable Buffering Size Variable UI Color Schemes BUILT-IN AUv3 (compatibles with other audio hosts) Configurable Sampler with scrub, playable via MIDI V-Meters Oscilloscope/Spectralscope Sender/Receiver (up to 16 buses) Send MIDI messages with LFO Gain/Pan
Classic FX
Enhance audio with a comprehensive sound effects processor. It offers equalization, reverb, and unique morphing capabilities to add brightness and expand soundscapes for instruments, vocals, and drums. Experiment with diverse effects and dynamic transitions for creative sound design.
- 22 unique processing algorithms
- 40 diverse presets
- Morphing between effect slots
- Three-band equalizer
- Algorithmic reverb
- Envelope follower
- Sequencer for rhythmic control
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Classic FX is a complete sound effects processor and a mono-to-stereo enhancer with equalizer, effects and reverb, based on specially designed high-quality processing algorithms and suitable for any kind of audio sources. This application will add brightness and expand the sound space of any musical instruments, synthesizers, drums or voice. Unique and diverse effects with unified control parameters provide convenience and ease of customization, while at the same time plenty of room for individual expression and experimentation. Another unique feature of Classic FX is the Morphing option, based on complex effects matrix transformations, which allows you to control the dynamic transition between any two presets. While this can produce stunning effects, it's a breeze to control - you just need to move a fader or push a button. For more morph experimentation, this app has three LFOs to create more complex waveforms for changing morphs. Each LFO has different ranges, waveforms and can sync to the external BPM. Some of the other features of Classic FX: - Classic FX has 22 unique processing algorithms and 40 different presets. - Two slots in which you can use different effects and smoothly morph between them. - Three band equalizer with high / low shelving filters and middle peaking filter. - Easy to use algorithmic reverb, suitable for any sound source. - Limiter on output prevents any possible clipping. - Envelope follower for dynamic control of each effect. - Sequencer for rhythmic control of each effect. - Three special LFO in series to automate morphing. - Hot buttons to change the active effect slot. - Changing a group of parameters at the same time. - Echo module, Sequencer, and Auto morphing synced with the main BPM source. - The effect algorithm and its parameters can be saved as a preset. - Detailed application description and description of algorithms. - Quick info and description of each algorithm used in presets. Classic FX is a universal application for iOS and macOS. It can work on iPhone and iPad as well as Mac / MacBook with M1 chip (and later). Classic FX works on iPhone and iPad standalone, as an Audio Unit or Inter-App Audio module, and supports Audiobus and Ableton Link. On MacOS, Classic FX can works both as a standalone application and as an Audio unit (AUv3) with DAWs and audio unit hosts like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, GarageBand, MainStage, Cockos Reaper, Plogue Bidule, Hosting AU, and other hosts that support AUv3 plugins. All application features are available on iOS and macOS. Presets demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyiKOAM7pjQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h6Or3OTCsY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXoxGmrXJVk You can find more information on Classic FX and other experimental audio processing apps at: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com
Screenshots
Verdict
apeMatrix and Classic FX both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 87% of Classic FX's written reviews are positive against 75% of apeMatrix's. Classic FX also leads on price ($12.99 vs $14.99) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.6). apeMatrix's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (84 vs 22). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
apeMatrix costs $14.99 and Classic FX $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for apeMatrix against 4.6 for Classic FX. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 84 and 22 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of apeMatrix's written reviews are positive against 87% of Classic FX's.
apeMatrix ships an update monthly, Classic FX every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | apeMatrix | Classic FX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $12.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (84 ratings) — better | 4.6 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | 86.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 84 — better | 22 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | apeSoft | Igor Vasiliev |
Customer experience
apeMatrix
Classic FX
In-app purchases
apeMatrix
No in-app purchases
Classic FX
No in-app purchases








