Comparison

GRM studio vs BAM

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

Head to head
About

GRM studio

This music creation app offers advanced sound manipulation tools for musicians and sound designers. Explore and edit audio files through direct waveform manipulation and multiple playback processes.

Highlights
  • Real-time sound transformation simulation
  • Direct waveform exploration
  • Virtual editing and montage
  • Multiple playback processes
  • Granular synthesis
Features
Read full description

GRM studio est une application de création musicale . Elle permet de puissantes transformations sonores par la manipulation directe de représentations audionumériques et l’expérimentation de processus de lectures multiples sur des documents sonores. Cette nouvelle lutherie est mise à disposition grâce au soutien du programme Investissements d’Avenir (PIA-SINÉ). Elle complète la collection de ressources de l’INA-GRM disponible sur Éduthèque « Écouter, voir, comprendre les musiques électroacoustiques et les technologies de création sonore » . Pionnier des musiques concrètes, électroacoustiques, acousmatiques, le Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM) développe depuis 1958, des dispositifs créatifs de traitement du son à l’usage des musiciens, des compositeurs, des designers sonores Fonctionnalités : - Simulation temps réel des principales transformations du son . Transpositions, time streching, délais, boucles mobiles, synthèse granulaire,etc. - Toutes ces opérations sont faites uniquement en combinant des opérations de lecture d'un fichier sonore. Lecture simple contrôlée en sens et vitesse, déplacement de boucles mobiles comportant plusieurs curseurs de lecture. - Exploration directe de la forme d'onde à différentes échelles - Édition et Montage virtuel

About

BAM

This app is a professional music production tool that allows users to create beats, loops, and full tracks. It offers a versatile interface with built-in instruments, effects, and extensive sequencing capabilities. Users can also host AUv3 plugins and arrange music for live performance or export.

Highlights
  • Groovebox-style music production
  • AUv3 plugin host
  • Built-in instruments and effects
  • Step sequencer with 256 steps
  • MIDI clip and scene launcher
  • Full mixer controls
  • Clip-based parameter modulation
Features
Read full description

BAM - Beat Maker & Music Maker is a professional groovebox-style music production app and AUv3 plugin host with everything you need to bring your musical ideas to life. Ready, set, create! Experience music production with next-level productivity, BAM’s versatile functionality and feature set is easy to pick up, and hard to put down. In addition to AUv3 plugin support, BAM - Beat Maker & Music Maker comes loaded with its own set of high-quality instruments and effects, for a groovebox with a well stocked toolbox. Whatever you want to make, quickly turn inspiration into creation with BAM’s intuitive easy-to-use interface, supercharge your workflow and build beats, loops and scenes in minutes. Expand and grow your projects with BAM’s MIDI clip and scene launcher, perform live and arrange full tracks using extensive follow actions. A step ahead of the competition, BAM’s step sequencer gives you up to 256 steps per clip. View and edit multiple track clips simultaneously, and visualise a scene’s clips together. Summary of features: - 16 rack-style tracks plus Master and 2 send channels - AUv3 plugin support - Full mixer with volume, pan, mute, solo, arm controls - Built-in synthesis engines: Oscillator synth, Drum synth, sampler, classic acid bass synth - Built in effects: Filter, EQ, parametric EQ, delay, chorus, compressor, reverb, saturator, bit reduction, 3D panner and stereo width - MIDI clip piano roll editor - Step sequencer with up to 256 steps per clip - Clip based parameter modulation editor - Track level trigger options plus LFO and EG modulators - Matrix MIDI clip and scene launcher with extensive follow action options - Real-time adjustment of audio clip playback speed to match the tempo of the song, without altering pitch - Sample library including over 1000 drum and percussive samples, plus melodic timbres “I’m marking ambient, field recordings and techno projects, the modular interface is perfect for this type of projects, and the interface is minimal with no weird distractions.” “Great app! Intuitive, fast, logic…” “Whatever I try, I always come back to BAM to start my tracks. Either to jam live and have fun or to build the basics then export in audio or MIDI and complete in another app.. BAM is versatile enough to allow any musical genre. The team is responsive and helpful in case of questions or issues. I like: intuitive & simple yet powerful UI, built in effects, work with audio loops, export capabilities.” “How did I miss this one? Easy to learn and like nothing else for live jamming. Get two iPads and run this on one and DRAMBO on the other and go wild. Who needs hardware when you can have this much fun for the price of a couple of beers.” “I’ve never clicked with what people call ‘groovebox’ apps but this just made sense to me and I had instant results. The more I use it the more I learn and I realize the possibilities it brings. I’m making some slow, dark, atmospheric stuff with it as well as making quick, rhythmic things. The developers are passionate about what they do and respond to questions quickly. I wrote this a few days after buying BAM and I can’t wait to learn it inside out to fully explore it. I think this app is an absolute bargain considering the amount of work that has gone into it and the features included.” “This app is incredible. The demo tunes alone are well worth it!” “Great app for building whole songs, courtesy of the built-in clip launcher. The developer is very active, and constantly fixing bugs and adding new features, so definitely recommended.” “This app has me excited to make arrangements, jams and tracks on the ipad. Your YouTube tutorials were super helpful. The app is easy to use with powerful tools to have a lot of fun. Really appreciate the work you put into this and all of your apps. We are very fortunate. Thank you. Keep jammin!” “This is literally the type of app I’m looking for, FAR easier to use than most music programs and so far their best work since DRC.”

Screenshots

GRM studio3 screens
BAM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: GRM studio at Free against BAM's $12.99. GRM studio also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and review sentiment (100% vs 73%). BAM's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (103 vs 1). On ads and device support 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

GRM studio is free to download; BAM costs $12.99 up front. BAM sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. GRM studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BAM holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BAM has 103 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of GRM studio's written reviews are positive against 73% of BAM's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GRM studio ships an update weekly, BAM every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
GRM studio versus BAM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGRM studioBAM
PriceFree — better$12.99
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.8 (103 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better73.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1103 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.3 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB490 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInstitut National de l'AudiovisuelImaginando Lda

Customer experience

GRM studio

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

BAM

All ratings102 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative13.3%

Bugs and requests

GRM studio

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

BAM

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Frequent hanging of the app
  • Extension packs causing hangs (Velvet vibes, LN90s)
  • App freezes in AUM and Drambo
  • Loading audio stems is cumbersome and leads to freezing
  • Random crashing frequently
Show 6 more
  • Ca saute à chaque sauvegarde (crashes on save)
  • Sample folder issue on iPhone (folders open on touch)
  • Unstable: no sound, stuttering, freezing
  • Keeps crashing, lost work
  • Recording from a count in is laggy, misses first note
  • UI issues with some Audio Units being cropped

Requested features

27 requests
  • More integrated effects & plugins
  • Pause button for plugins
  • CC Randomizer function
  • Keyboard mode with multiple digital keyboards
  • IAA (Inter-App Audio) support
Show 22 more
  • Scales functionality
  • Chord+melody generator
  • More random functions
  • Ability to group tracks
  • Parameter locks
  • Dedicated FM synth
  • More channels (32 or unlimited)
  • Internal drum kit plugin
  • Linear arrangement view
  • Keyboard input/shortcuts
  • Recording from audio unit keyboard to timeline
  • Keyboard shows up on all Audio Units
  • Fix cropped Audio Unit windows
  • Loop points
  • Chord button on keyboard with preset tab
  • Drag & drop sample slicer
  • Ableton Link send start stop
  • Send MIDI Clock out to selected channels
  • Audio Input 24 Channel Selector
  • Sample import button for existing iPad samples
  • More tutorials for traditional beatmakers
  • Improve GUI for touch

In-app purchases

None

GRM studio

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

BAM

One-time11
  • Fusion City Grooves$8.99
  • House Flavours Pack$8.99
  • Techno Flavours Pack$8.99
Show 8 more
  • Bass Mechanics Pack$8.99
  • Ladera Nights Pack$8.99
  • Soulful Hip Hop Vol. 1 Pack$8.99
  • Urban Beats Vol. 1 Pack$8.99
  • Retro Future Pack$8.99
  • Brazilian Funk Pack$8.99
  • Urban Beats Vol. 2 Pack$8.99
  • Velvet Vibes$8.99

Questions

Is GRM studio free?
GRM studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BAM free?
BAM costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GRM studio or BAM?
BAM is rated higher. GRM studio averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while BAM averages 4.8 from 103 ratings.
Do GRM studio or BAM have ads?
Neither GRM studio nor BAM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GRM studio or BAM?
GRM studio ships an update weekly, and BAM every 3 weeks. Most recently, GRM studio was updated on October 18, 2026 and BAM on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons