Comparison

Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin vs LoopMangler

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

Head to head
About

Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin

This app allows you to record audio samples from your device or other apps and map them to a MIDI keyboard to create your own instruments. It offers advanced editing, built-in effects, and an arpeggiator for versatile sound design.

Highlights
  • AUv3 compatible sampler instrument
  • Record audio from internal mic or interface
  • Sample directly from other iOS apps
  • Map audio clips to MIDI notes
  • Sophisticated pitch shifting algorithm
  • Built-in reverb, delay, and chorus effects
  • Arpeggiator with glide and hold options
Read full description

Chameleon is an AUv3 compatible sampler instrument plugin for your favourite DAW. The program can run as a standalone app in order to record audio samples from the internal microphone or professional audio interface. It also supports incoming Inter-App Audio connections for sampling directly from other iOS applications, however it is primarily intended to be used as an AUv3 Instrument plugin for applications such as Cubasis, AUM, Auria, Meteor, Gargeband etc. The plugin can additionally be loaded as an AUv3 effect in order to record audio passing through it from other AUv3 Instrument sources, which makes it a very versatile and useful tool. So what is a sampler? A sampler is a device that allows you to imitate other instruments with just a few short audio snippits. Although it comes with a library of presets it also allows you to create your own. You do this by recording multiple audio clips and mapping them to the notes on a MIDI keyboard and Chameleon does the rest using a sophisticated pitch shifting algorithm to fill in the blanks. Recorded samples can either be layered or mapped freely over a 7 octave range and saved as individual presets. Presets are then organised into custom categorised banks which can be exported and shared with others. Just think, you can sample all your favourite synth sounds and carry them around on your iPhone/iPad without the inconvenience of lugging heavy gear around with you. Sample anything from musical instruments to vocal snippits, drum machines or ambient noises. The possibilities are endless. Recording is incredible easy. Just create a New Patch and press record. Chameleon will wait for you to play a note before recording begins. Once recorded press the LEARN button and tap the note range on the virtual or MIDI keyboard to map the sample. Repeat this as many times as required, tweak the settings and save your patch. Additionally you can setup loop points with the ability to apply crossfade. If all that sounds too complicated, just press auto sample and let Chameleon do all the sampling for you. Chameleon also has a quite sophisticated arpeggiator which allows you to create complex mixtures of notes and chords with glide, hold and re-triggering options. On board reverb, digital delay and chorus effects are available to give your samples a more polished touch. We also include 4 touch pads for quickly dialing in on a sound or for easy effect automation. Configurable touch ADSR and modulation options are available too. Chameleon can also import audio samples using iOS Files integration or you can make use of Copy / Paste to quickly drop one of more samples into a patch. You can also freely edit samples using the built in tools such as normalise, fade in, fade out, crop, clear options etc. You can run Cameleon as a standalone app and map external MIDI keyboards (Bluetooth MIDI support also included) and perform audio sampling outside of your DAW. This is provided for convenience since you can't record input when hosted as an AUv3 Instrument plugin. Yes some DAW's have built in samplers which only have the ability to playback libraries provided with the software. Chameleon allows you to built your own libraries of sounds and share them with others. There's a budding rapper in you dying to get out and we have just the tool! Features: AUv3 Instrument and AUv3 Effect compatible Runs as a standalone app for sampling purposes. Supports incoming IAA connections to compatible apps.. ADSR touch envelopes and modulation. ARP - Sophisticated programmable arpegiator. Reverb, Chorus and Digital Delay Effects with BPM sync. Backup and Restore patches and banks. Create your own user banks. 4 Touch Pads for automation. 16 MIDI Drum Pads iOS Files App support for import and export. Bluetooth MIDI support Loop Points and optional Crossfade supported. Monophonic and Polyphonic modes. Auto Sample feature. Built in Vocoder.

About

LoopMangler

This app is a powerful tool for creating unique glitchy and noisy textures by manipulating rhythmic samples or external audio. It offers advanced sound design capabilities with multi-effect sequencing, random pattern generation, and real-time processing.

Highlights
  • Multi-effect sequencing
  • Random pattern generation
  • Envelope modulation
  • Live pads for performance
  • Real-time audio processing
  • Flexible integration with other apps
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

LoopMangler is an innovative multi-effect glitch sequencer designed to manipulate rhythmic samples, external input, or output from other applications. This powerful tool operates based on the effect sequence patterns, allowing you to transform ordinary loops into unusual glitchy and noisy textures. Key Features: Advanced Sound Design: With its well-designed user interface and creative features, LoopMangler provides an exciting playground for sonic exploration and sound design. Random Pattern Generation: Make patterns and individual bars randomly or according to specific rules, offering a quick start or a source of inspiration for your projects. Multi-Effect Sequencing: Assign up to six distortion and filter effects to each step of the sequencer, providing endless possibilities for sound manipulation. Envelope Modulation: Each effect is modulated with its own envelope generator, ensuring that every step is unique and dynamic. Intuitive Editor: The user-friendly editor allows you to easily copy, move, and delete individual cells and bars within the sequencer, making pattern creation a breeze. Live Pads: Assign presets and loops to on-screen pads and use special pads to dynamically alter sound patterns during live performances or studio sessions. Real-Time Processing: Process audio in real-time, allowing you to hear the effects of your adjustments immediately. Flexible Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other audio applications, making it a versatile addition to your music production toolkit. Whether you’re looking to add subtle textures or completely transform your audio, LoopMangler provides the tools you need to achieve your sonic vision. LoopMangler is a universal application for iOS and macOS. It can work on iPhone and iPad as well as Mac / MacBook with M1 chip (and later). LoopMangler works on iPhone and iPad standalone, as an Audio Unit or Inter-App Audio module, and supports Audiobus and Ableton Link. On MacOS, LoopMangler can works both as a standalone application and as an Audio unit (AUv3) with DAWs and other hosts that support AUv3 plugins. LoopMangler has a built-in detailed description of all parameters also available as PDF file on the application site. Quick start demo: https://youtu.be/EFGw4wDtbzo https://youtu.be/ki3WsK1_4gg You can find more information on LoopMangler and other creative audio apps at: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com

Screenshots

Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin4 screens
LoopMangler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: LoopMangler at 5.0 against Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin's 4.4. LoopMangler also leads on chart position (#196 vs unranked). Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin's advantage is price ($5.99 vs $14.99) and review sentiment (72% vs 50%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin costs $5.99 and LoopMangler $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LoopMangler holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 10 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin's written reviews are positive against 50% of LoopMangler's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin versus LoopMangler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChameleon AUv3 Sampler PluginLoopMangler
Price$5.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.4 (45 ratings)5.0 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings45 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#196 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13 — better13.4
Further details — not scored
Size226 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer4Pockets.comIgor Vasiliev

Customer experience

Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin

All ratings45 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral2.2%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive72.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative16.0%

LoopMangler

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin

No in-app purchases

None

LoopMangler

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin free?
Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is LoopMangler free?
LoopMangler costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin or LoopMangler?
LoopMangler is rated higher. Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin averages 4.4 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while LoopMangler averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.
Do Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin or LoopMangler have ads?
Neither Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin nor LoopMangler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin or LoopMangler?
Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin ships an update every 3 weeks, and LoopMangler every 3 weeks. Most recently, Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin was updated on September 22, 2026 and LoopMangler on August 23, 2026.

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