Comparison

BLEASS Sidekick vs Replicant 3

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

Head to head
About

BLEASS Sidekick

This music production tool combines a kick drum synthesizer, a step sequencer, and a sidechain compressor. It allows for the creation of unique rhythmic dynamics by layering custom kick sounds and controlling audio volume based on rhythmic triggers.

Highlights
  • Kick drum synthesizer
  • 16-step sequencer
  • Sidechain compressor (ducker)
  • MIDI input
  • AUv3 compatible
  • Multi-Bus output
Currently charting
Read full description

BLEASS Sidekick is a combination of a kick drum synth, a step sequencer, and a ducker (aka a sidechain compressor). The result is a plugin that provides a unique way to create exciting rhythmic dynamics within your music. The kick drum synth uses an analogue-style engine inspired by vintage beatboxes, which allows it to create a wide range of classic analogue kick drum tones with ease. This synth can be triggered by the built-in 16-step sequencer or by an external MIDI input; its sound can be mixed with the audio passing through the plugin, be used to trigger the plugin’s ducker stage, or both. Used without the ducker, BLEASS Sidechain makes it easy to add your own kick parts to loops and other percussive parts. Bringing in the ducker causes the input signal to reduce in volume whenever the kick synth is triggered. When used on a drum loop this lets you impose your own creativity on the underlying feel and beat of the loop, ducking-out the loop’s kick sound and pattern so that you can replace them with a sound and pattern that you have crafted. Perhaps BLEASS Sidekick’s best trick, though, is to use the kick synth and sequencer purely as a trigger for the ducker. This lets you create fascinating and detailed dynamic rhythms within any part or track, whether individual instrument or an entire mix. This plugin is AUv3 compatible and offers Multi-Bus output (within AUM) as well as Midi Input. More information and tutorials available on https://www.bleass.com/sidekick

About

Replicant 3

This real-time audio effect processor captures, loops, and mangles audio on the fly. It offers advanced sequencing with per-step probability and direction, alongside four distinct slice effects for creative sound design. Control dynamics with envelope crossfading and trigger slices manually or via MIDI.

Highlights
  • Real-time audio slicing and mangling
  • Advanced step sequencer (3-16 steps)
  • Four distinct slice effects (Stutter, Delay, Redukt, Ring Mod)
  • Envelope crossfading for dynamic control
  • Manual and MIDI triggering
  • Intuitive visual step sequencer interface
  • AUv3 compatible
Read full description

Replicant 3 is a real-time audio slicing and mangling effect, the third generation of the plugin that started the genre in 2007. Feed it any audio and Replicant's sequencer captures, loops, reverses, and re-slices it on the fly, layering in delay, filtering, panning, ring modulation, and bit-crushing to turn predictable tracks into something unpredictable. Version 3 is a ground-up rebuild with an all-new sequencer engine, expanded effects, and a redesigned interface that makes programming complex slice patterns fast and intuitive. SEQUENCER ENGINE Program 3 to 16 steps per measure with multiple step-size modes, from dotted notes through nontuplets. Build rhythmic patterns that go well beyond straight time. Per-step probability, direction (forward or reverse), and effect routing let you create patterns that evolve and surprise. FOUR SLICE EFFECTS The original Stutter capture-and-repeat is joined by three new modes. Delay adds rhythmic echoes to sliced audio. Redukt applies bit-crushing and sample-rate reduction for lo-fi destruction. Ring Mod adds metallic, inharmonic tonal coloring to any slice event. ENVELOPE CROSSFADING Smooth transitions or hard-gated rhythmic chops on every slice event. Control the attack and release shape of each captured buffer for precise dynamic control. MANUAL AND MIDI TRIGGER Bypass the sequencer entirely and fire slices on demand. Manual trigger mode works with touchscreens for live performance. MIDI trigger lets you drive Replicant from a controller, keyboard, or DAW automation. REDESIGNED INTERFACE A visual step sequencer puts your entire pattern on screen at once. Edit steps, assign effects, set probabilities, and adjust parameters without menu-diving. CROSS-PLATFORM PRESETS XML-based preset manager with presets compatible across all Audio Damage plugin formats and operating systems. SOUND DESIGN IDEAS Sequence stuttering vocal chops with per-step filter sweeps. Build glitched-out drum fills by randomizing slice direction and bit-crushing depth. Layer ring modulation on sustained pads for metallic, evolving textures. Use MIDI trigger mode to fire slices manually in a live set. Program polyrhythmic slice patterns with odd step counts against 4/4 time. Run full mixes through Replicant on a bus for controlled chaos breakdowns. AUv3 compatible. Runs standalone or hosted in AUM, ApeMatrix, Audiobus, Cubasis, GarageBand, and other AUv3 hosts on iOS 11 or newer. From Audio Damage, making creative software for discerning musicians since 2002.

Screenshots

BLEASS Sidekick3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BLEASS Sidekick at 90% against Replicant 3's 67%. BLEASS Sidekick also leads on update cadence (every 7 months vs every 18 months) and chart position (#194 vs unranked). Replicant 3's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $6.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

BLEASS Sidekick costs $6.99 and Replicant 3 $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BLEASS Sidekick ships an update every 7 months, Replicant 3 every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
BLEASS Sidekick versus Replicant 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBLEASS SidekickReplicant 3
Price$6.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.9 (30 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings30 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 months — betterEvery 18 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#194 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBLEASSAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

BLEASS Sidekick

All ratings30 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

Replicant 3

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

BLEASS Sidekick

No in-app purchases

None

Replicant 3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BLEASS Sidekick free?
BLEASS Sidekick costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Replicant 3 free?
Replicant 3 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do BLEASS Sidekick or Replicant 3 have ads?
Neither BLEASS Sidekick nor Replicant 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BLEASS Sidekick or Replicant 3?
BLEASS Sidekick ships an update every 7 months, and Replicant 3 every 18 months. Most recently, BLEASS Sidekick was updated on October 7, 2026 and Replicant 3 on October 2, 2026.

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