Comparison

SoundFonts vs SugarNode

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

Head to head
About

SoundFonts

This app is a polyphonic audio synthesizer that uses soundfont files to generate a vast array of sounds. It functions as a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin, compatible with music creation software. MIDI input is fully supported for external keyboard control.

Highlights
  • Polyphonic audio synthesis
  • Vast soundfont library
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Reverb and delay effects
  • MIDI keyboard input
  • MIDI over Bluetooth
Features
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This is a straightforward yet powerful app that acts as a polyphonic audio synthesizer with a virtually unlimited collection of sounds. Under the hood, It uses an AVAudioUnitSampler to generate the audio output when you touch one or more keys. The sounds that are available come from soundfont (SF2) files, such as those available online for free (and of variable quality).  The app also exists as an AUv3 plug-in (included) so you can use it in your favorite music generation application such as GarageBand, Logic, or AUM. It also includes two AUv3 effects units – reverb and delay - which you can use separately as well.. The app supports MIDI input -- just connect a MIDI keyboard/controller to your iOS device and you should be good to go! There is also support for MIDI over Bluetooth. You can also control some app settings using MIDI controls, including the active favorite preset and the audio effects. To use, simply select a SoundFont name in the left list, then a patch name on the right and start playing. Some additional hints to get going: • Add a SoundFont (SF2) file that you have downloaded onto your iCloud Drive. Press the "+" button and then locate the file to add. You can always change the display name of the SoundFont by swiping right. And you can remove a SoundFont that you no longer want by swiping left on its name. • Bring up reverb and delay effects by touching the wavy "signal" button. • Swipe right on a patch name to make it a favorite. Favorited patches have a star next to their name. You can edit the name of the favorite by again swiping right and selecting the edit action. You can remove a favorite by swiping left and selecting the remove action. • Touch the labels at either end of the black bar to change the range of the keyboard. You can go as low as "C0" and as high as "C9". You can also change the range by swiping left/right on the black bar. Note that this ability does not exist in the AUv3 extension -- use the native application keyboard controls to achieve the same results. You can also toggle the keyboard sliding feature by touching the small arrow between the note labels. • Switch between the soundfont patches listing and the favorites view by double-tapping on the patch name in the black bar above the keyboard. You can also swipe left/right with two fingers in the patches and favorites views to switch to the other view. • In the view of favorites, you can edit a favorite button by double-tapping on it. You can rearrange the favorite buttons with a tap-and-hold gesture. Finally, you can check out the source code! Go to the Support URL to find out more.

About

SugarNode

Features
Read full description

SugarNode is a node-based story game and interactive fiction builder. Create branching stories in a simple and accessible visual format. Playtest and publish your stories instantly, then share your stories to our online story game community. Browse and read other stories from the community in the Explore page. Our Pro feature set unlocks Cloud Sync on your devices when signed in, plus snapshots/backups and advanced debugging and exporting tools. An account is optional and offline creation is supported. Publishing and cloud features require an account. Support: support@sugarnode.app Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SoundFonts4 screens
SugarNode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SugarNode at Free against SoundFonts's $7.99. SoundFonts's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and chart position (#199 vs unranked). 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

SugarNode is free to download; SoundFonts costs $7.99 up front. SugarNode sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. SoundFonts asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
SoundFonts versus SugarNode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundFontsSugarNode
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (146 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings146 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#199 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size187 MB4 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperBrad HowesQi Si Sun

In-app purchases

None

SoundFonts

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

SugarNode

Subscriptions3
  • SugarNode Cloud Sync$2.991 Month
  • SugarNode Pro$8.991 Month
  • SugarNode Pro$74.991 Year

Questions

Is SoundFonts free?
SoundFonts costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SugarNode free?
SugarNode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SoundFonts or SugarNode have ads?
Neither SoundFonts nor SugarNode shows ads.

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