Comparison

CrushStation vs IR Loader

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

Head to head
About

CrushStation

This audio effect plugin offers a wide range of overdrive and distortion, from subtle saturation to extreme fuzz. Experiment with octaves, sag, and EQ to shape your sound for guitars, vocals, drums, or synths. It functions as both a standalone app and an Audio Units AUv3 plugin.

Highlights
  • Wide drive range (saturation to fuzz)
  • Unique sag control for broken sounds
  • Mixable pitch-shifted octaves
  • Grit control for low-end distortion
  • Three-band EQ for tone shaping
  • Performance ribbon for real-time control
  • HotSwitch for instant setting changes
Read full description

CrushStation is an overdrive/distortion effects plug-in with controls that drive your tone anywhere from a creamy saturation to a brutal sonic assault, with everything in between. Originally from the Eventide H9 Harmonizer pedal, CrushStation has been refined for experimentation on numerous sound sources from your iPhone or iPad. Crush some octaves into the mix, or turn up the Sag to bring the whole sound to its knees. An added bonus, CrushStation is a true stereo distortion. CrushStation is an extremely versatile plugin, capable of adding spice and flair to a variety of production styles. Perfect for drum dirt, the Grit control adds preamp-style distortion that can help bring out kicks in the mix. Vocals benefit from the subtle distortion along with lower octaves for unique pitch blending effects. Further fine tune your sound using the three-band EQ which can help tame cymbals and vocal sibilance. Sure it rips for guitars and basses, but when you need a little warmth and saturation, add gusto to any synth. Features: - DRIVE ranges from subtle boost/overdrive to full on distortion with GRIT and SUSTAIN controls to push it into fuzz territory. - Unique SAG control - inspired by the result of power rail sag of dying analog gear - produces sputtering, crushed, and broken sounds. - Mix in lower and higher pitch-shifted OCTAVES, pre-distortion and compression. - GRIT creates low-end, gritty, chugging sounds. - Individual EQ controls to perfectly craft your tone, emphasize harmonics, or punch through the mix. - GATE your signal for taming the output of the distortion OR combine high threshold gating with MIX for parallel gated crunch. - The performance RIBBON provides real time, dynamic and fluid control to morph back and forth between the settings of your choice. - HOTSWITCH allows you to switch between two different distinct settings within the same preset at the push of a button. - Mixlock keeps the MIX constant so you can easily audition presets. - Available as an Audio Units AUv3 plug-in and Standalone App.

About

IR Loader

Load and shape your cabinet impulse responses with integrated EQ, compression, and a bass enhancer. This tool supports multiple IRs simultaneously and offers a power amplifier model for detailed tone control.

Highlights
  • Load multiple cabinet IR files
  • 6-band parametric equalizer
  • Custom console-style compressor
  • Bass Enhancer for low-end shaping
  • Class AB push-pull EL34 tube amplifier model
  • Standalone, AUv3, and IAA support
Features
Read full description

The Nembrini Audio IR Loader is an innovative and comprehensive impulse response loader designed to load your favorite cabinet IRs. The IR Loader allows you to load a single IR and shape your tone using integrated processing tools, including a 6-band parametric equalizer and a custom console-style compressor. The Bass Enhancer makes the Nembrini Audio IR Loader an ideal tool for managing and shaping both guitar and bass cabinet IRs. The integrated browser lets you quickly navigate your IR library and load impulse responses without interrupting your workflow. POWER AMPLIFIER Power amplifier modeled after a Class AB push-pull EL34 tube amplifier, featuring three selectable negative feedback modes. COMPRESSION Custom-designed console compressor with a sidechain high-pass filter. BASS ENHANCER Bass Enhancer inspired by the Little Labs Voice Of God* design, delivering focused low-end weight. Provides more than 24 dB of low-frequency boost. Frequencies below the selected threshold are attenuated to keep the enhanced low end tight and controlled. EQUALIZER 6-band parametric equalizer with real-time spectrum analyzer. Delivers precise and detailed control for cabinet tone shaping. Works as a standalone application, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect.

Screenshots

CrushStation3 screens
IR Loader3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CrushStation at 100% against IR Loader's 50%. CrushStation also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15). IR Loader's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $14.99) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On ratings volume, 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

CrushStation costs $14.99 and IR Loader $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CrushStation holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of CrushStation's written reviews are positive against 50% of IR Loader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CrushStation ships an update every 3 months, IR Loader every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CrushStation versus IR Loader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrushStationIR Loader
Price$14.99$9.99 — better
Rating4.6 (11 ratings) — better4.1 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEventideNembrini Audio

Customer experience

CrushStation

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

IR Loader

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

CrushStation

No in-app purchases

None

IR Loader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CrushStation free?
CrushStation costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is IR Loader free?
IR Loader costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CrushStation or IR Loader?
CrushStation is rated higher. CrushStation averages 4.6 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while IR Loader averages 4.1 from 9 ratings.
Do CrushStation or IR Loader have ads?
Neither CrushStation nor IR Loader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CrushStation or IR Loader?
CrushStation ships an update every 3 months, and IR Loader every 5 weeks. Most recently, CrushStation was updated on October 24, 2026 and IR Loader on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons