SpaceCraft Granular Synth vs StringLab
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
Transform any sound into a playable musical instrument using granular synthesis. Create unique textures, soundscapes, and rhythms from your voice, ambient noise, or built-in samples. Record audio, load files, and save your sonic creations.
- Granular synthesis engine
- Record audio via microphone
- Load audio files from storage
- Create textures and soundscapes
- Arpeggiated rhythm generation
- Save and recall presets
- MIDI and MPE support
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With SpaceCraft (MIDI, MPE, AUv3, IAA) you can transform any sound into a playable musical instrument via Granular Synthesis. You can create textures, soundscapes and arpeggiated rhythms from sounds such as your voice, ambient noise or the high quality built-in audio samples. Tap the 'Input' button (top left) to record audio via your device's microphone or load a file from your device (access* to iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Audioshare*** etc.). Experiment with turning everyday sounds into unusual instruments. Save your creations and corresponding samples via presets. Also, tap the 'rec' button (top right) to record your performance (maximum 20 minutes). This is used in standalone only as the AUv3 host can be used to record the output. Supports AUv3 and IAA (recommended to use in the effects slot to allow live input audio recording). * NOT COMPATIBLE with GarageBand as AUv3 (but can be loaded as Inter App Audio (IAA) or via an effects insert in the GarageBand sampler, with no MIDI capability) ** iOS11 and above provides equivalent folder access to the built-in iOS 'Files' app. Note that iOS10 and below has limited access to folders (no Audioshare folder access for iOS10 and below) *** Access to Audioshare files is done via the iOS files app
StringLab
This app is a digital synthesizer that uses physical string modeling to recreate the sounds of various instruments, particularly plucked or hammered strings. It allows users to explore acoustic physics and create unique instrument textures through extensive parameter experimentation.
- Karplus-Strong physical modeling
- Exciter Impact and Noise modes
- Resonator objects with feedback
- Frequency Dispersion support
- External live input
- Preset randomizer and manager
- Drag & Drop preset export
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StringLab is a physical string modeling synthesizer based on Karplus-Strong theory. It is capable of reproducing the sounds of many different types of instruments, but is especially useful in the reproduction of hammered or plucked strings and other types of percussive instruments. It works by passing carefully crafted waveforms and short bursts of white noise through a series of tuned delay lines. The delay lines have an internal feedback loop with a series of filters to mimic the natural decay of harmonics found in a real instrument. StringLab allows you to discover the character of real-world accoustics, exploring the physics of how materials interact. Many new and original textures are born out of experimenting with the settings, so don't be afraid to experiment and create your own unique and dynamic instruments. Features •Karplus Strong based physical modeling. •Exciter Impact with multiple modes. •Exciter Noise with many envelope driven filters. •2 resonator objects with feedback. •8 bands per object with inversion. •4 Coupling modes. •Supports Frequency Dispersion. •Feedback low/high Damping. •Per object Body Filter. •Pitch Deformity. •External live input mode. •Preset randomiser. •Build it Preset Manager & Favourites. •Search Presets. •Drag & Drop preset export of presets. •Supports Color Sets.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SpaceCraft Granular Synth at 4.7 against StringLab's 4.3. SpaceCraft Granular Synth also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 63%) and price ($9.99 vs $14.99). On update cadence, 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
SpaceCraft Granular Synth costs $9.99 and StringLab $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SpaceCraft Granular Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SpaceCraft Granular Synth has 152 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of SpaceCraft Granular Synth's written reviews are positive against 63% of StringLab's.
SpaceCraft Granular Synth ships an update every 2 weeks, StringLab every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SpaceCraft Granular Synth | StringLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (152 ratings) — better | 4.3 (15 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.4% of reviews — better | 62.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 152 — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 103 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mark Watt | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
StringLab
Bugs and requests
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
Reported bugs
13 issues- App crashes when loading files from nested Dropbox folders
- Audio glitches and heavy crackling on older iPad models
- Unexpected background audio drone when app not in use
- AudioShare compatibility issues across different iOS versions
- App resets to factory settings on reopening
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- Live sampling mode latency and unintuitive behavior
- Red playhead sometimes extends beyond range selector
- Inconsistent audio input behavior in live sampling
- No audio output in DAW hosts on some iOS versions
- Crashes when multiple instances launched simultaneously
- File import failures on iOS 9 and 10
- Dropbox access limited to iCloud only on some devices
- Recording duration limitations on iPhone (1 minute vs advertised 20 minutes)
Requested features
20 requests- Background audio playback support
- Preset and project state saving functionality
- Faster and more flexible LFO with additional waveforms
- Wider grain selection windows for precise control
- Built-in delay effect
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- Amplitude envelopes for each oscillator
- Panning and multi-channel routing options
- Sample name display in UI
- Ableton Link support
- Rest notes in sequencer via double-tap
- Ability to feed synth output to another synth in real-time
- More reverb length options
- CC automation recording in DAWs
- Bluetooth MIDI support
- Custom color scheme options
- Broader grain readout curve options
- Wider parameter control ranges
- True IAA instrument support (not just effect)
- Streamlined file import and management
- More included presets
StringLab
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SpaceCraft Granular Synth
No in-app purchases
StringLab
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SpaceCraft Granular Synth free?
Is StringLab free?
Which has better reviews, SpaceCraft Granular Synth or StringLab?
Do SpaceCraft Granular Synth or StringLab have ads?
Which is updated more often, SpaceCraft Granular Synth or StringLab?
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