Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin vs Solderbox
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Solderbox
This app is a compact, semi-modular synthesizer designed for generative music creation. It offers a comprehensive set of modular functions, aiming for analog-like sound and behavior with unique digital effects and an 'Instability Engine' for organic fluctuations.
- Generative synthesis tools
- Analog-like sound emulation
- Instability Engine for organic fluctuations
- Audio Unit (AUv3) compatibility
- Built-in Pulsequencer melody generator
- Multiple filter modes
- Stackable patch cables
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Solderbox is a compact semimodular synthesizer, made in collaboration with Jakob Haq. It is heavily based on Jakob's own modular rack design (which features a lot of modules made by hand). The app is designed to offer a set of modular functions that is both comprehensive and eclectic, including several tools for generative synthesis, random signals and the surgical mangling of audio waves and modulation signals. A lot of effort went into making everything sound and behave as analog as digitally possible (with the exception of the unashamedly digital Entropy lo-fi effect processor). Additionally, the built-in Instability Engine injects the subtle fluctuations simulating the effects of crosstalk, leaky signals and expired electrical components. This is a living instrument with a soul of its own. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect) - Universal design (iPhone, iPad, MacOS AUv3) - Built-in Pulsequencer (LFO-based generative melody generator with custom scales) - 4 mode Low-pass filter (6, 12, 18, 24 dB) - 3 voice polyphony - Drone mode - Stackable patch cables - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Solderbox at 5.0 against Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin's 4.4. Solderbox also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 72%). Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin's advantage is price ($5.99 vs $12.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin costs $5.99 and Solderbox $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Solderbox holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin's written reviews are positive against 90% of Solderbox's.
Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin ships an update every 3 weeks, Solderbox every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin | Solderbox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 — better | $12.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (45 ratings) | 5.0 (27 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.0% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 45 — better | 27 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13 | 13 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 226 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 4Pockets.com | Bram Bos |
Customer experience
Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin
Solderbox
In-app purchases
Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin
No in-app purchases
Solderbox
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin free?
Is Solderbox free?
Which has better reviews, Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin or Solderbox?
Do Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin or Solderbox have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin or Solderbox?
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