Comparison

SDS vs BLEASS Monolit

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

Head to head
About

SDS

Create beats and play drum samples with this feature-rich drum machine app. It offers an intuitive sequencer, extensive sample manipulation, and professional audio output options. Suitable for beginners and experienced musicians alike.

Highlights
  • 30+ factory kits
  • Intuitive 16-step sequencer
  • Nearly 200 factory samples
  • Drag and drop sample loading
  • Mixer with FX
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • MIDI and Ableton Link support
Features
Read full description

SDS-x is the most fun you’ll have with a drum machine on iOS! SDS-x is a drum machine that makes it easy to play drum samples and fun to make beats. SDS-x is also extremely feature rich, with advanced controls for crafting your sound and building complex sequences. Whether this is your first iOS music app or you are an avid AUv3 enthusiast, SDS-x has something for you. SDS-x can be played by tapping the pads or by using the sequencer to program a beat. Highlights: - Get started quickly with one of the 30+ factory kits. - Program beats with a fun and unique sequencer. - Build kits from nearly 200 factory samples. - Drag and drop samples over pads to load sounds. - Mix your pads and add effects with intuitive controls. - Host SDS-x in your favorite iOS DAW as an AUv3 plug-in. - Play with others using MIDI and Ableton Link - Export pattern audio as WAV file to use in any DAW! (PRO) Features: Sequencer - Make a beat using the intuitive, sixteen-step sequencer. - Add variation with “per step” controls for velocity and note multiplier. - Get the feel right with swing and quantize parameters. - Switch things up with 16 patterns per kit. - Make a song by chaining up to 128 patterns. - Create complex polymeters with “per track” sequence length. Pads - SDS-x has nine pads, each with two sample layers. - Custom name and color for each pad. - Per sample controls for: pitch, pan, and level. - Per pad controls for: trigger mode, sample mode, loop, mono/poly, mute group, velocity, MIDI receive, MIDI send. - Trigger modes: one-shot, gate, toggle, and retrigger 8th to 64th triplet. - Sample modes: mix, rotate, random, velocity switch, velocity mix. - Global velocity modes: top, center, fixed, pressure. Samples - SDS-x comes fully loaded with nearly 200 samples, recorded and edited by Simple Drum Samples. - Import your own sounds from the Files app to expand your sample library. (PRO) Perform - Control pad levels, pan, mute, solo, and effects sends with the in-app mixer. - Five FX types: delay (send), reverb (send), high pass filter, low pass filter, and “master” effect for getting LOUD. - Full screen pads mode for improved experience on smaller devices. - Hard pan option for metronome to run click and samples to FOH on separate channels. Workflow - Use one of the 30+ factory kits. - Save your work as a user kit. (PRO) - Drag and drop samples from your in-app library onto a pad to load samples. - Intuitive XY pad for controlling FX parameters. - Double tap and long press actions for most controls to speed up workflow. - Dual menu view on iPad. Connect - Comes with AUv3 plugin. Play SDS-x alongside your other music apps! - Keep time with other devices using Ableton Link. - Connect wirelessly using Bluetooth MIDI. - Pads can send and receive MIDI, so you can play with external gear! - Share user kits via AirDrop, iMessage, and more. (PRO) Privacy Policy: https://www.audiosymmetric.com/privacy-policy.html EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

BLEASS Monolit

This app offers a powerful yet intuitive mono-synthesizer for creating a wide range of sounds, from deep basses to sparkling arpeggios. It features a user-friendly interface with tactile controls and a randomizer for sonic inspiration, along with factory presets and purchasable sound packs.

Highlights
  • Intuitive mono-synthesizer
  • Analogue sound engine
  • User-friendly interface
  • Random sound generator
  • Factory presets
  • Additional sound packs
Features
Read full description

BLEASS Monolit combines the warm analogue character of BLEASS Alpha with the expressive sound design capabilities of BLEASS Omega. The result is a powerful and efficient mono synthesizer designed for basses, leads, arpeggios, sound effects, and electronic textures. Monolit delivers rich sound while maintaining very low CPU usage, allowing smooth performance even with multiple instances. Its streamlined interface makes sound design fast and intuitive, with responsive controls that feel precise and immediate on touch devices. For instant inspiration, the Dice button generates new synth patches using a musical randomization engine designed to produce usable and unique results. A wide library of factory presets is included, covering basses, leads, sequences, effects, and more, with additional sound packs available separately. Whether you are producing electronic music, designing cinematic soundscapes, or exploring experimental synthesis, Monolit provides a fast and accessible workflow with deep creative potential. Also available for Desktop in AU, VST3, and AAX formats. Learn more at bleass.com/monolit

Screenshots

SDS4 screens
BLEASS Monolit3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SDS at every 3 months against BLEASS Monolit's every 12 months. SDS also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SDS sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and BLEASS Monolit sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SDS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 67 and 82 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of SDS's written reviews are positive against 83% of BLEASS Monolit's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SDS ships an update every 3 months, BLEASS Monolit every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SDS versus BLEASS Monolit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSDSBLEASS Monolit
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (67 ratings) — better4.7 (82 ratings)
Positive reviews90.4% of reviews — better83.3% of reviews
Number of ratings6782 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB35 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperRyan RobinsonBLEASS

Customer experience

SDS

All ratings67 ratings
Positive98.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative5.8%

BLEASS Monolit

All ratings82 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SDS

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Features Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Pro Features Yearly$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Features$12.99
3 purchases

BLEASS Monolit

One-time3
  • Abyssal Preset Pack$3.99
  • Leads Preset Pack$3.99
  • Basses Preset Pack$3.99

Questions

Is SDS free?
SDS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BLEASS Monolit free?
BLEASS Monolit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SDS or BLEASS Monolit?
SDS is rated higher. SDS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while BLEASS Monolit averages 4.7 from 82 ratings.
Do SDS or BLEASS Monolit have ads?
Neither SDS nor BLEASS Monolit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SDS or BLEASS Monolit?
SDS ships an update every 3 months, and BLEASS Monolit every 12 months. Most recently, SDS was updated on October 13, 2026 and BLEASS Monolit on October 7, 2026.

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