SWAM Double Bass vs Session Notes AU
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SWAM Double Bass
This virtual instrument uses physical modeling to generate realistic double bass sounds in real-time, responding dynamically to your playing style. It offers advanced spatial control with a room simulator and can be used standalone or as an AUv3 plugin within mobile DAWs.
- Physical modeling sound generation
- Real-time dynamic response
- Room simulator 'Ambiente'
- Standalone and AUv3 plugin
- Intuitive interface for all users
- MPE and MIDI controller support
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SWAM Double Bass for iOS: Unmatched Realism and Expressive Power in Your Hands Experience the cutting-edge Physical Modeling technology of SWAM Double Bass for iOS, now featuring the revolutionary Room Simulator "Ambiente"! Unlike sampled libraries, this virtual instrument doesn’t play pre-recorded sounds but generates authentic string performances in real-time, responding dynamically to your every nuance, just like a real double bassist. These instruments are NOT sample libraries. Unlike sampling, which uses recordings to replicate the sound of an instrument, physical modeling doesn’t generate a sound as such but creates the conditions for the system to create it according to an external input (like someone playing on a keyboard). This means every note is unique, and the instrument responds dynamically to your playing style. With SWAM Double Bass, you can unleash your creativity across any musical style—from classical to modern, film scoring to microtonal music. Whether you're performing live or producing music on the go, SWAM Double Bass is your ultimate companion. New Features and Key Benefits: Room Simulator "Ambiente": Take advantage of advanced spatial control with the built-in Room Simulator "Ambiente," which allows you to position the instrument in a realistic acoustic space, interact dynamically with other SWAM instruments in the same virtual room, and create truly immersive performances. Additionally, the legacy Reverb, EQ, and Compressor effects are available for fine-tuning your sound. Standalone and AUv3 Plugin: Perform in real time or integrate SWAM Double Bass seamlessly into your mobile production workflow. Intuitive, Inclusive Interface: Designed for everyone, including blind and visually impaired users. Expressive Control: Play with unmatched expressivity using the exclusive virtual bowing surface, MPE controllers, keyboards, breath controllers, or other MIDI devices. Top Features at a Glance: Access a library of presets, create your own, or import presets from the desktop version. Customize every detail of your sound, including timbre, vibrato, and dynamics. Micro-tune the instrument with the Pitch Manager, supporting devices like MAQAM for advanced tuning systems. Add built-in effects like EQ, and Compressor. Play with different double bass bodies to explore unique tonal variations. Use AUv3 to integrate with your mobile DAW (Logic, Cubasis, AUM) or apps like Camelot PRO for live performances. Who is SWAM Double Bass for iOS Designed For? Wind Controller Players: Looking for a mobile setup to perform live without needing a computer while still achieving an incredible sound. Keyboard Players: Frustrated by the limited expressive capabilities of normal sample-based plugins? SWAM Double Bass unlocks the full range of expression. Music Producers: Need a mobile setup to produce music from anywhere without carrying around expensive gear? SWAM Double Bass is the solution. Musicians Seeking Expressivity: Looking for a virtual instrument that allows you to express the full range of your musicality easily on your iPhone or iPad. IMPORTANT To fully harness the expressive power of SWAM Double Bass, a controller capable of continuous expression (such as a breath controller, expression pedal, MPE device, or wind controller) is required. Just like a bow is essential for a real double bassist, SWAM Double Bass needs expressive input for maximum realism. With SWAM Double Bass for iOS, you have the freedom to create lifelike string performances on your iPhone or iPad. Redefine your music with unparalleled realism and expressive depth—anytime, anywhere.
Session Notes AU
This app integrates note-taking directly into your music production workflow, allowing you to manage lyrics, mix ideas, and session details within your DAW. Version 2.0 enhances writing tools, navigation, and data safety with features like iCloud sync and backups.
- Integrated DAW workflow
- Markdown-aware writing
- Keyboard accessory tools
- Automatic iCloud sync
- Backup and restore functionality
- AUv3 plugin and standalone app
- Customizable themes and fonts
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Session Notes AU keeps your lyrics, mix notes, set lists, production reminders, and session notes inside the same DAW workflow where you track, edit, rehearse, and mix. Instead of bouncing out to a separate notes app, you can keep the writing and the work in the same place. Version 2.0 turns Session Notes AU into a more capable production companion with better writing tools, better note navigation, a flexible editor layout, and a safer day-to-day writing flow. Built For Real Session Work - Keep notes inside your DAW workflow instead of breaking focus - Switch quickly between the note browser and the active note - Resize the editor and note list with a drag handle - Use a more polished note browser with clearer active-note focus Brand New Writing Tools In 2.0 - Markdown-aware writing support - Keyboard accessory tools for lists, checklists, links, undo, redo, find, stats, and quick structure helpers - List, checklist, numbered-list, and blockquote continuation - Indent, outdent, and paired insertion helpers - In-note Find with live match highlighting - Live document stats while you write - Autosave for existing notes while you work Safer Session Flow In 2.0 - Automatic iCloud sync across devices - Manual sync when you want more control - Backup to Files App - Restore from backup if needed - Safer handling for note changes across devices Also Included - AUv3 plug-in workflow plus standalone app - Save, Save As New Note, share, delete, and reorder actions - Multiple themes for different studio environments - Separate font and size controls for browser text, title text, and note body text - Comprehensive built-in in-app manual Session Notes AU is designed for musicians, producers, engineers, and performers who want notes to feel like part of the session, not a second app sitting off to the side.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Session Notes AU at $1.99 against SWAM Double Bass's $29.99. SWAM Double Bass's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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
SWAM Double Bass costs $29.99 and Session Notes AU $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for SWAM Double Bass against 4.2 for Session Notes AU. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 11 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of SWAM Double Bass's written reviews are positive against 63% of Session Notes AU's.
SWAM Double Bass ships an update every 5 weeks, Session Notes AU every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SWAM Double Bass | Session Notes AU |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (10 ratings) — better | 4.2 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 62.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 10 | 11 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 100 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Audio Modeling | Christian Thompson |
Customer experience
SWAM Double Bass
Session Notes AU
In-app purchases
SWAM Double Bass
No in-app purchases
Session Notes AU
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SWAM Double Bass free?
Is Session Notes AU free?
Which has better reviews, SWAM Double Bass or Session Notes AU?
Do SWAM Double Bass or Session Notes AU have ads?
Which is updated more often, SWAM Double Bass or Session Notes AU?
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