apeMatrix vs BeatCutter
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
BeatCutter
This app is a creative playground for experimenting with sound. It allows users to slice, reshape, and recombine audio based on rhythm to build unique musical structures and evolving textures. It's designed for artists and sound designers looking to explore new sonic territories.
- Multi-channel audio slicing
- Rhythm-based recombination
- Flexible sample cell matrix
- Fluid audio routing
- Experimental feedback mode
- Template editor for presets
- MIDI learn support
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BeatCutter is a playground for anyone who loves experimenting with sound. It’s an innovative multi-channel tool that slices, reshapes, and recombines audio based on rhythm, letting you build evolving textures, chaotic patterns, and completely unexpected musical structures. At the heart of the app is a flexible matrix of sample cells with fluid routing for recording, playback, and control. Whether you’re working with long audio files, live instruments, or sound from other apps, BeatCutter turns any source into raw material for creative exploration. Craft immersive sound worlds With BeatCutter, you can sculpt everything from cyberpunk atmospheres and industrial drones to alien jungles and meditative soundscapes. The type of source audio doesn’t matter - the magic comes from how you transform it. Your settings and your imagination define the final result, which can range from futuristic IDM to abstract ambient textures. Designed for experimentation BeatCutter doesn’t rely on fixed presets. Instead, it gives you a powerful set of parameters that encourage hands‑on discovery. To help you get started, the app includes a template editor where each number represents a group of settings. Tweak the numbers, listen, randomize, refine, and save your favorite states as presets. Explore evolving sonic feedback One of BeatCutter’s most unique features is its experimental feedback mode. This isn’t traditional analog feedback - it behaves more like a living fractal, constantly reshaping itself. The result is a self-evolving sound structure capable of generating rich, abstract audio without any external input. It’s a perfect tool for deep experimentation and unexpected inspiration. BeatCutter is for artists, sound designers, and curious creators who want to push beyond the ordinary and discover new sonic territories. BeatCutter 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). BeatCutter works on iPhone and iPad standalone, as an Audio Unit or Inter-App Audio module, and supports Audiobus and Ableton Link. On MacOS, BeatCutter can works both as a standalone application and as an Audio unit (AUv3) with DAWs and other hosts that support AUv3 plugins. All application features are available on iOS and macOS, including MIDI support (with a MIDI learn option) and audio unit parameters. BeatCutter has a built-in detailed description of all parameters also available as PDF file on the application site. Quick start demo: https://youtu.be/nhwOK4tXFvQ https://youtu.be/_OekZzgAmCw https://youtu.be/Kt5rb8KtNs4 https://youtu.be/89H4l-0Es70 You can find more information on BeatCutter and other creative audio apps at: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: apeMatrix at monthly against BeatCutter's every 2 months. apeMatrix also leads on price ($14.99 vs $15.99). BeatCutter's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 17.0). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume 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
apeMatrix costs $14.99 and BeatCutter $15.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
apeMatrix holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 84 and 31 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of apeMatrix's written reviews are positive against 69% of BeatCutter's.
apeMatrix ships an update monthly, BeatCutter every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | apeMatrix | BeatCutter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 — better | $15.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (84 ratings) — better | 4.5 (31 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews — better | 68.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 84 — better | 31 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | apeSoft | Igor Vasiliev |
Customer experience
apeMatrix
BeatCutter
In-app purchases
apeMatrix
No in-app purchases
BeatCutter
No in-app purchases









