Comparison

AudioLayer vs Sitala

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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.

About

Sitala

This app is a versatile drum sampler for music creators, allowing you to add percussion sounds to various music software or use it standalone for finger drumming. It features 16 pads, a sample browser, and tools to sculpt your sounds.

Highlights
  • 16 velocity-sensitive drum pads
  • Sample browser with folder swiping
  • Automatic drum loop slicing
  • AudioUnit v3 plugin support
  • Editable sample start/end points
  • Sample shaping and tone controls
  • Multi-output support
Features
Read full description

Sitala is a drum sampler for music creators that can add percussion sounds to Garage Band, Cubasis, AUM or any music software that supports Apple's AudioUnits. It can also be used on its own for finger-drumming or driven by a controller like a keyboard or drum pad. It has 16 slots that start off with our factory kits, but you can load your own sounds using our sample browser or drop in a drum loop and have Sitala slice it automatically. Sitala features: • 16 drum pads, each of which can play a user-assigned sample • Sample browser that lets you quickly swipe through all samples in a folder without importing each individual sample • 3 built-in drum kits: 808, retro and hip-hop • AudioUnit v3 plugin • Beat-slicer that automatically slices loops into individual drum sounds • Velocity sensitive, MIDI mappable pads • Special finger drumming mode with 4 giant pads for often used samples • Editable start and end points for each sample • A separate output for each pad (in multi-out mode) for hosts that support such (e.g. AUM and Cubasis) • Sitala for iOS can load kits created by Sitala for the desktop (macOS, Windows and Linux) and vice versa Six controls to sculpt each sample: • Shape: adjust the attack, length and sustain of your sounds while the overall volume remains constant • Compression: make your sounds punchier with more sustain Automatic gain makeup maintains the overall volume while chainging dynamics • Tuning: pitch sounds up or down by up to one octave while showing you exactly where the current sound falls in the frequency spectrum • Tone: emphasizes the highs or lows in a sound. Accentuate or scoop the midrange to position the sound in the mix. Adapts based on the pitch content of each sound • Volume • Pan

Screenshots

AudioLayer4 screens
Sitala4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sitala at none against AudioLayer's 1. Sitala also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (81% vs 56%). AudioLayer's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (179 vs 56). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

AudioLayer costs $12.99 and Sitala $9.99 up front. AudioLayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sitala asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sitala holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 179 and 56 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of AudioLayer's written reviews are positive against 81% of Sitala's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, Sitala every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
AudioLayer versus Sitala: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAudioLayerSitala
Price$12.99$9.99 — better
Rating4.4 (179 ratings)4.8 (56 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews80.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings179 — better56
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14
Further details — not scored
Size242 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsDecomposer

Customer experience

AudioLayer

All ratings179 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral5.6%
Negative12.8%
Written reviews126 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral15.9%
Negative27.8%

Sitala

All ratings57 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral3.5%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive80.6%
Neutral11.1%
Negative8.3%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

Sitala

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AudioLayer

One-time1
  • SoundFont Import$3.99
None

Sitala

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AudioLayer free?
AudioLayer costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Sitala free?
Sitala costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AudioLayer or Sitala?
Sitala is rated higher. AudioLayer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 179 ratings, while Sitala averages 4.8 from 56 ratings.
Do AudioLayer or Sitala have ads?
Neither AudioLayer nor Sitala shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AudioLayer or Sitala?
AudioLayer ships an update fortnightly, and Sitala every 2 months. Most recently, AudioLayer was updated on October 19, 2026 and Sitala on October 20, 2026.

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