AX vs VB3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AX
This application allows users to customize their AX-Edge device by creating original sounds, editing system effects, and organizing sound lists for various performance needs. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth for seamless integration.
- Create original sounds (programs and tones)
- Edit system effects (EQ, reverb)
- Organize sound lists for performances
- Wireless Bluetooth connection
- Customize output sound for venues
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Customize the AX-Edge to your taste AX-Edge Editor is a free app that lets you take full advantage of your AX-Edge by customizing it to your taste. AX-Edge Editor provides editing functionality that lets you create original sounds and librarian functionality that lets you organize lists of sounds as needed for different performance situations. It also provides numerous other useful functions, such as system effect editing that lets you customize the output sound appropriately for each live performance venue.The AX-Edge features a distinctive external appearance, and now you can also customize its sound to give it even more of your own personality. Main features: - Program editing and tone editing let you create your own original sounds (programs and tones). - System effect editing lets you adjust effects such as EQ and reverb as appropriate for your live performance venue. - Librarian lets you create, save, and recall program lists and tone lists as needed for different performance situations. - The app connects to your AX-Edge wirelessly via Bluetooth.
VB3
This app emulates a classic tonewheel organ, offering advanced sound modeling and effects. It includes a session recorder, audio player for backing tracks, and extensive MIDI control for live performance and production.
- Tonewheel engine and rotary simulator
- Ring Modulator and Delay effects
- Session Recorder (MIDI & WAV)
- Built-in Audio Player
- Extensive MIDI control and mapping
- Touch-friendly interface with drawbar views
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Released in 2023, this is the second version of GSi's most famous product: VB3-II Tonewheel Organ emulator. This marks 20 years of research and development of this instrument. New VB3-II 2023 edition features: - Added both the tonewheel engine and the rotary simulator from VB3 v.1.4 - The V1 rotary simulator features 3 variations, for a total of 4 different amplifiers - Added 1 new tonewheel generator - Added Ring Modulator and Delay effects (pre) - Added FET Limiter (post) - Sub-Presets for Rotary effect and Digital reverb sections - Session Recorder: silently records everything is played and imports/exports standard Midi Files and renders to WAV files - Built-in Audio Player plays the most common audio formats to add a backing track to your music - Octave transposers for upper and lower separately - New Program browser shows full list with move, swap, delete functions along with import/export of banks and single Programs - Built-in function to import/export from/to VB3-II 2018 (and Crumar Mojo Desktop) Program and Bank formats - New Midi Map with reverse, latch and lock functions for each parameter - Quick Midi Learn for main screen/performance controls, normal Midi Learn for all other parameters - New advanced Midi Javascript processor for custom event transformations (supports SysEx and RPN/NRPN) - Multiple outputs (Main + Organ Only) - Separate plugin for remote Audio and Midi input - includes the exclusive VoMidiCoder - New bigger touch-friendly interface - Four different drawbar view styles - On-screen keyboards with two different viewing styles - Random program generator - Added rotary effect speed control from Channel Aftertouch - Supports Midi Output, can send whole "snapshots" when loading and when changing Programs - Supports different curves for the Swell Pedal - Built-in Midi Monitor for monitoring incoming Midi messages - Free Cloud service for sharing Programs, Midi Maps and Midi Processor Scripts with other users Features already present in the 2018 edition: - Full polyphony (61 upper + 61 lower + 25 pedals = 147 notes) - 91 modeled tonewheels with accurate phase synchronization - Adjustable leakage noise and cross modulation between tonewheels - A total of 22 different tonewheel generators to choose from - Generator shaping for a total of 154 generator combinations - Adjustable global tuning from 430 to 450 Hz - Foldback on 16" deactivatable - Complex wheels - Resistor wiring with multiple options - Realistic "run" motor wow and flutter - Busbars and 9 key contact simulation - Two separate sets of drawbars per manual - Full "inverted octave" presets - String Bass with adjustable release time - Loudness "robbing" effect - Single triggered percussion with natural capacitor discharge/recharge - Adjustable Percussion Level and Decay - Vibrato/Chorus virtual scanner - Adjustable Vibrato Scanner depth and mix - Separated Upper and Lower V/C tablets with smooth switching - Dynamic tube overdrive simulation - Spring Reverb (pre) and Digital stereo reverb (post) - Rotary speaker simulation with virtual microphone positioning, tube overdrive, tube feedback - Rotors "Front Stop" brake position with adjustable preferred position - Very low CPU consumption - Advanced MIDI Learn function with import/export of custom mappings - Upper and Lower manuals SPLIT with adjustable split point - Supports pedal sustain - Custom programmer with import/export of Programs and Banks Available for iPad as standalone App with IAA support or AUv3 plugin, compatible with all plugin hosts.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: VB3 at 3.5 against AX's 1.5. VB3 also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 22%). AX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and device support. On price, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. VB3 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. AX asks for nothing beyond the download.
VB3 holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of AX's written reviews are positive against 50% of VB3's.
| Parameter | AX | VB3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.5 (17 ratings) | 3.5 (16 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.2% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 17 — better | 16 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | — |
| Ads | No | — |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | — |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 41 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Roland Corporation | Genuine Soundware |
Customer experience
AX
VB3
In-app purchases
AX
No in-app purchases
VB3
- Log-in to your GSi account$0.99
- Unlock All Pro Features$99.99








