AudioLayer vs BLEASS SampleWiz 2
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
BLEASS SampleWiz 2
This app is a powerful sample and synthesis instrument that allows you to capture and transform any sound into a playable synth voice. It offers modern features like granular engines and MPE, alongside an intuitive workflow for both beginners and experienced musicians.
- Sample & Synthesis instrument
- Granular and cloud sample engines
- MPE support for expressive performance
- iOS/desktop interoperability
- Intuitive sampling and sound design tools
- Capture and import sounds easily
Read full descriptionHide full description
Born of the imagination of world-renowned keyboardist Jordan Rudess and the software engineering excellence of French audio developer BLEASS, SampleWiz 2 is a unique and powerful S&S (sample & synthesis) instrument. BLEASS SampleWiz 2 combines modern features such as granular and cloud sample engines, MPE, and iOS/desktop interoperability, with the satisfying, rapid workflow of classic hardware samplers. Capture any sound, import your own samples, and transform them into playable instruments in just a few gestures. Granular and cloud-based sound engines, slicing, modulation assignment, filtering, envelope shaping, drive, and integrated effects provide powerful yet immediate tools for sculpting sounds ranging from subtle textures to entirely new sonic landscapes. Full MPE support (Slide and Pressure) enables deeply expressive performances, giving every gesture a direct impact on sound and allowing nuanced control over dynamics, timbre, and movement. Designed for touch from the ground up, SampleWiz 2 combines powerful sampling and synthesis capabilities with an intuitive workflow that keeps experimentation fast, interactive, and musical. Whether you're capturing inspiration, crafting original instruments, or performing expressive parts, SampleWiz 2 turns sound creation into a tactile and inspiring experience. Also available for desktop. For more information, visit https://www.bleass.com/samplewiz2/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: AudioLayer at $12.99 against BLEASS SampleWiz 2's $19.99. AudioLayer also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). BLEASS SampleWiz 2's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (70% vs 56%). On ratings volume, 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
AudioLayer costs $12.99 and BLEASS SampleWiz 2 $19.99 up front. AudioLayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and BLEASS SampleWiz 2 sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
BLEASS SampleWiz 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 179 and 121 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of AudioLayer's written reviews are positive against 70% of BLEASS SampleWiz 2's.
AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, BLEASS SampleWiz 2 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AudioLayer | BLEASS SampleWiz 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (179 ratings) | 4.7 (121 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | 70.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 179 — better | 121 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 242 MB | 512 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | BLEASS |
Customer experience
AudioLayer
BLEASS SampleWiz 2
User reviews
AudioLayer
From 179 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎹 Powerful multi-layer sampling capabilities
- 📥 EXS24 and SFZ file import support
- 🎯 Round-robin functionality for realistic instruments
- ⚡ Efficient performance on older devices
- 🎚️ Comprehensive effects rack with quality sound
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes across multiple iOS versions
- ⚠️ Stability issues in AUM and other hosts
- 🔌 High CPU/DSP usage causing performance spikes
- 🔋 Battery drain and device heating
- ❌ Missing undo function
BLEASS SampleWiz 2
From 121 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Infinite creativity and fun with MPE
- 👍 Amazing and powerful sampler
- 👍 Intuitive and accessible UI
- 💡 Excellent for sound design
- 👍 MPE support is correctly implemented
Room to improve
- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Standalone app won't open
- 🐛 Cannot buy or download presets
- 🐛 Crashing when trying to buy presets
- 🐛 App does not start on some iPads
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
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- 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)
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- 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
BLEASS SampleWiz 2
Reported bugs
30 issues- Standalone app won't open
- App crashes in standalone mode
- Cannot buy or download presets
- App crashes when trying to buy presets
- App does not start on iPad Air m3 iOS 26.5
Show 25 moreShow fewer
- App won't open on M5 iPad Pro 13’
- In-app purchases not appearing
- App slows down heavily and crashes with many presets
- User samples disappearing
- Ableton Link not working over Wi-Fi
- In-app purchase packs not downloading or loading
- Restore purchase option hangs or crashes app
- Sample end knob not a modulation destination
- AUv3 plugin glitches
- Randomize button breaks Bleass output in Loopy Pro
- Modern mode missing
- App issues when a large number of user presets are stored
- LFO rate not slow enough
- Timestretch feature missing
- Loop point setting not accurate
- Pinch and zoom not available
- Full-screen ad appears when changing volume
- User samples disappear and reappear inconsistently
- Recording in Cubasis not working
- Chipmunk effect with higher/lower notes without Modern mode
- No slice triggers
- Undo mode missing
- Manual missing
- No favorites section
- New IAPs causing app bloat
Requested features
18 requests- Dual and split program functionality
- More random options per module
- Ability to see imported sample file names
- Audition sounds in sampler before loading
- Undo mode
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- Manual
- Favorites section
- Slice triggers
- Timestretch feature
- Pinch and zoom for sample editing
- Adjust LFO rate to be slower
- Modern mode from SampleWiz 1
- Local storage for user presets
- Folder support for presets
- Ability to modulate sample end knob
- Improve loop point accuracy
- Make save buttons taller to prevent overwriting
- Preview on iOS file picker
In-app purchases
AudioLayer
- SoundFont Import$3.99
BLEASS SampleWiz 2
- MPE Endeavors Preset PackFree
- Blue Lines And Grains$3.99
- Sample The World$3.99
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- Imer6ia Preset Pack$3.99
- MPE Preset Pack #1$3.99
- Jordan Rudess Preset Pack$3.99
- House Preset Pack$3.99
- Mika Preset Pack$3.99
- Dan Müller Preset Pack$3.99
- Very Sick Beats$3.99
- Retro Sonic Lofi$3.99
- Heritage Synths Soundscapes$4.99
- TheSoundTestRoom Preset Pack$5.99
- Sound Of Izrael Preset Pack$6.99
Questions
Is AudioLayer free?
Is BLEASS SampleWiz 2 free?
Which has better reviews, AudioLayer or BLEASS SampleWiz 2?
Do AudioLayer or BLEASS SampleWiz 2 have ads?
Which is updated more often, AudioLayer or BLEASS SampleWiz 2?
Other comparisons















