RE vs VAPolyFM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RE
This app is a versatile virtual tape machine offering authentic tape echo and chorus effects. It also functions as a sampler, looper, and overdubbing tool, allowing for creative audio manipulation and real-time performance.
- Virtual tape deck with 3 read heads
- Authentic tape echo emulation
- Tape loop mode with overdubbing
- Sample/loop library
- Real-time parameter visualization
- Wow, Flutter, Color, Hiss & Saturation controls
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RE-1 - Tape Echo RE-1 is a full featured virtual Tape Machine capable of delivering authentic tape based echo and chorus effects but it doesn't stop there. With it's interactive tape player, sample, loop and overdub features it's possible to use it like a virtual tape recorder, sample player, looper or simply as a master effect. Overview: - Virtual Tape deck including 3 individually controllable read heads, variable delay time and feedback - Interactive user interface and realtime visualisation of various parameters related to the tape simulation - Dedicated controls for Wow, Flutter, Color, Tape Hiss & saturation amount - Tape Loop mode with overdub, tape reverse and time-stretching - Sample/Loop library loads wave files onto the virtual tape loop - Transport and Tempo Sync - Stereo Spread & Stereo Panner - Input processing: Highpass filter - Output processing: 2 band eq Tape Echo: - Authentic tape echo emulation - Multi-tap delay with 3 individually controllable read heads - Color Control adjusts the echo's tone from dark to bright - Delay Time: 5ms - 1000ms (or 1/32th to 1/1) - Wow & Flutter - Tape Hiss and Saturation - Stereo spread - Stereo panner Looper / Sample Player: - Uses the tape like a traditional looper with unlimited overdubs - Configurable Loop length with 1 - 8 bars and tempo sync and tape reverse - Tape transport can be linked to the host's transport controls - Time stretching keeps loops in sync - Samples/loops can be loaded onto the tape directly - Samples can be created from the tape loop and stored in the sample library at any time - Factory content includes a variety of loops grouped by style - Samples/loops can be imported from and exported to other apps Connectivity: - Standalone - AUv3 - InterApp-Audio - Audiobus - Ableton Link - MIDI (Tempo, CC, Program Change) - Requirements: - iOS 11+
VAPolyFM
Create music with a versatile hybrid synthesizer offering both FM and virtual analog subtractive synthesis. Explore a wide range of effects, a built-in sequencer, and extensive MIDI support. Save and share projects seamlessly across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- FM synthesizer with 6 operators
- Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer
- Built-in effects (delay, chorus, reverb)
- Sequencer with piano roll editor
- AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
- Ableton Link and MIDI 2.0 support
- iCloud Drive project sharing
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VAPolyFM is a hybrid polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features FM synthesizer and subtractive synthesizer. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. FM synthesizer features 6 operators and 32 algorithm and it is inspired by FM synthesizers of the 1980’s. Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer features two oscillators, resonant high pass filter, resonant low pass filter and two ADSR envelopes per voice. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. VAPolyFM also includes sequencer which features piano roll editor and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. - Main Features - FM Synthesizer. 6 operators and 32 algorithm. Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and sequencer. Support MIDI 2.0 Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Includes 139 Factory Presets - System Requirements - A13 Fusion or above is recommended. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension. Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices.
Screenshots
Verdict
RE and VAPolyFM both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 66% of RE's written reviews are positive against 17% of VAPolyFM's. RE also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 17 months) and ratings volume (132 vs 6). VAPolyFM's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $4.99). On rating, 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
RE costs $4.99 and VAPolyFM $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
RE holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RE has 132 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of RE's written reviews are positive against 17% of VAPolyFM's.
RE ships an update every 3 months, VAPolyFM every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RE | VAPolyFM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (132 ratings) — better | 4.5 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.8% of reviews — better | 16.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 132 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 17 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 107 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kai Aras | Ryo Togawa |
Customer experience
RE
VAPolyFM
Bugs and requests
RE
Reported bugs
15 issues- Crackling noises when adjusting UI
- UI not fitting screen on smaller devices (iPhone, iPod)
- App crashes when loading samples
- Controls not visible or usable on right side of app
- Wave files not working in standalone app
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- Cannot see entire screen on 13 pro max, cut off
- Presets not saving/loading correctly, AU crashes
- Feedback knob does nothing
- Output and mix knobs control same thing
- Save system/file export doesn't work
- Cannot preview output file, location unknown
- Tape speed not adjustable, loads at half speed
- AUv3 sizing issues on iPad Pro
- Presets load with audio only on one side
- App crashes when loading presets
Requested features
7 requests- Ability to import or record own samples
- Add glitch to beginning or end of loops
- Make the app more lightweight (less CPU intensive)
- Add dark mode option
- Improve documentation
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- Add IAA or AUv3 generator functionality
- Consider other classic hardware emulations
VAPolyFM
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RE
No in-app purchases
VAPolyFM
No in-app purchases









