Comparison

SDS vs Wah Pedal

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

Wah Pedal

This app emulates a classic Italian-made wah pedal, famous for its use in iconic rock songs. It can be used as a standalone application, an AudioUnit v3 effect, or an Inter-App Audio effect.

Highlights
  • Classic wah pedal emulation
  • Standalone app functionality
  • AudioUnit v3 effect
  • Inter-App Audio effect
  • Iconic rock tone reproduction
Features
Read full description

Nembrini Audio Wah is modeled on the Wah pedal created by Thomas Organ* Company and manufactured by JEN in Italy. This is the unmistakable wah tone heard on Hendrix classics like "Up From the Sky," "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Little Miss Lover" and "Still Raining, Still Dreaming." The Nembrini Audio Wah reproduces these timbres. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect

Screenshots

SDS4 screens
Wah Pedal1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SDS at 4.9 against Wah Pedal's 4.2. SDS also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 47 months). Wah Pedal's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ads, monetization model and device support 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. Wah Pedal asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SDS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SDS has 67 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of SDS's written reviews are positive against 50% of Wah Pedal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SDS ships an update every 3 months, Wah Pedal every 47 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SDS versus Wah Pedal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSDSWah Pedal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (67 ratings) — better4.2 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews90.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings67 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 47 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyan RobinsonNembrini Audio

Customer experience

SDS

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

Wah Pedal

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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
None

Wah Pedal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SDS free?
SDS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Wah Pedal free?
Wah Pedal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SDS or Wah Pedal?
SDS is rated higher. SDS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while Wah Pedal averages 4.2 from 11 ratings.
Do SDS or Wah Pedal have ads?
Neither SDS nor Wah Pedal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SDS or Wah Pedal?
SDS ships an update every 3 months, and Wah Pedal every 47 months. Most recently, SDS was updated on October 24, 2026 and Wah Pedal on October 27, 2026.

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