AudioLayer vs Multi
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AudioLayer
This app is a powerful mobile multi-sampler for music production, offering advanced features for creating and manipulating complex instruments. It integrates seamlessly with iOS production environments and supports iCloud for easy collaboration and storage.
- Streaming Sample Engine (SSE)
- Hierarchical Layer and Zone editing
- Seamless Instrument Switching (SIS)
- Integrated audio sample recorder
- Auto Sampler for hardware synths
- AUv3 AudioUnit integration
- iCloud storage and collaboration
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AudioLayer satisfies the most sought after gap for contemporary music production on iOS devices. AudioLayer is a full featured open standard audio multi-sampler pushing the boundaries beyond what has been available even in the desktop music production worlds. And all this integrated in all relevant iOS production environments especially the emerging AUv3 AudioUnit standard. - SSE - Streaming Sample Engine - The ultra efficient Streaming Sample Engine SSE is capable of playing hundreds of voices of big multi-sampled instruments even in strictly resource limited applications like using multiple instances of AudioLayer in AudioUnit host environments. Innovative features like Sub Sample Looping for perfect loops even in the audible range extend the range of applications even further. - Multiple storage options - The consequent usage of the open file structure of the Files app makes organising even large sample libraries a breeze. Sample recordings and Instrument designs made with AudioLayer are seamlessly available across all your devices and desktop using either iCloud storage or external SSD. The iCloud option opens up new forms of collaborations with musicians all around the world to share your creations and work together. - Multi Scope Editing - To support the creation of complex multi-sampled instruments AudioLayer allows you to use a hierarchical structure of Layers and Zones each with it’s own sound manipulation parameters. A unique element of AudioLayer is the possibility to decide for each Zone at which Scope level your editing apply: For the all Zones in the Instrument, for the Layer only or individually for this Zone only. This opens a whole new world of creative options for sound mangling. For sound manipulation you can use a full set of Filters, Envelopes and LFOs to shape the pitch, timbre and level of the sound of each Zone. SIS - Seamless Instrument Switching The unique architecture of the Streaming Sample Engine allows for instant loading of even complex instruments and makes this switching from one Instrument to the next without cutting off the sound! And this includes of course also different effect settings - Easy Design Workflow - The built in audio sample recorder let you create Instruments on the fly in seconds. The Music Effect AudioUnit / Audiobus effect plugin of AudioLayer let you record multi-samples semi automatically directly inside your preferred host and instantly create an Instrument with the help of several Auto mapping options available. This includes file name based mapping of key ranges and velocities and automatic pitch detection. For the creatives we’ve also integrated a special “Single Cycle Waveform” detector making the use of this special files a breeze. - Auto Sampler feature for easy creation of Sample Instruments from hardware synthesiser. - Versilian Studio Sample Library ( VCSL/VSCO ) with excellent strings and orchestra samples for free download - Exchange libraries with XinematiX App Integration • Stand-alone App • Sample import for EXS24 and SFZ Format • AUv3 AudioUnit Instrument and Music Effect • Inter App Audio • Audiobus 3 Input/Effect with state saving support. • Audio recorder with share function. • Ableton Link compatible.
Multi
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This is a AUv3 compatible audio effect which can be used as plugin with your favourite DAW such as Cubasis, Meteor, Auria or GarageBand. It supports a modern graphical interface and presets with stereo meters for monitoring signal levels. The Multi-Tap delay takes the traditional digital delay to the next level. Instead of a single delay line you have up to 4 taps at your disposal. Each tap has an adjustable delay which can either be a value in milliseconds or a division of a beat. This is because the effect tracks the host tempo and can automatically match the beat by just pressing the sync button on each tap. Some taps can be free running while others synced to the beat. What really makes this type of delay shine is that fact you can choose to either have all taps play back in series or stack them end on end in parallel mode. This allows for some very creative and unusual patterns which are not achievable using a conventional delay. A dedicated LFO synced to the host tempo can also be used to apply modulation to each of the taps. You can modulate the frequency to create a chorus/ensemble type effect, vary the amplitude to create a vibrato effect, create an oscillating pan or even run the tap in reverse echo mode or through a band pass filter. This is a great tool to have at your disposal, allowing you to some unusual delay effects not available with a conventional delay. All parameters fully support automation. This is one of a suite of AUv3 compatible plugins which will also soon be available from 4Pockets.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Multi at $4.99 against AudioLayer's $12.99. Multi also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). AudioLayer's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 22 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
AudioLayer costs $12.99 and Multi $4.99 up front. AudioLayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Multi asks for nothing beyond the download.
AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, Multi every 22 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AudioLayer | Multi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (179 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 179 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 22 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 242 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | 4Pockets.com |
Bugs and requests
AudioLayer
Reported bugs
17 issues- App crashes on startup (splash screen)
- Reverb and chorus effects cause sound to disappear
- Pitch resets to -24 after stopping Logic Pro playback
- Layer voice polyphony controls not working properly
- SFZ batch import distributes samples incorrectly across layers
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- EXS24 import fails for complex instruments (pianos, drum kits)
- MIDI source names display as 'Unknown Name'
- Plugin window resizing required to access all controls
- Sample end marker positioning doesn't work in all view sizes
- Soundfont import module shows as missing despite purchase
- App becomes unresponsive when loading complex instruments
- Control Change 11 (Expression) not received
- Autosampler function button missing after update
- Settings not saved properly as AUv3 plugin
- Instrument loading defaults to first instrument in host
- Click/pop noises in sustain loops
- Inter-Audio (IAA) compatibility broken
Requested features
17 requests- Time-stretching/pitch-shifting capability
- Program Change MIDI support
- Undo/Redo functionality
- GigaSampler .gig library support
- Soundfont SF2 import (now paid feature)
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- MIDI learn for real-time parameter control
- Expression (CC11) and other CC support
- Multi-output support for individual zone routing
- Batch import and file management improvements
- Instrument selection screen persistence in MIDI mode
- Bit reduction effect for vintage sampler emulation
- Better local file management and folder organization
- Modulation wheel pitch control
- Transposition features
- Disk streaming for larger libraries
- Macro/customizable GUI support
- Purge unused samples function
Multi
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AudioLayer
- SoundFont Import$3.99
Multi
No in-app purchases









