Block Dashboard vs OtherDesertCities
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Block Dashboard
Configure ROLI Blocks in real-time without a computer. Adjust sensitivity, MIDI channels, and modes for various ROLI Block models. Run alongside other music apps for seamless control.
- Real-time configuration
- No computer needed
- Multi-device support
- Run with other music apps
- MPE/Single/Multi mode support
- MIDI channel changes
- Sensitivity configuration
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Block Dashboard lets you make realtime configuration changes of your ROLI blocks without the need of a computer. Features: - Support ROLI Lightpad Block M, ROLI Lightpad Block and ROLI Seaboard block - Support multi connected devices at the same - Run in parallel with other music applications (lets you control the settings of your blocks while playing software synths) - Support MPE/Single/Multi mode - Support changes of midi channel - Support configuration of the sensitivity of each dimension (strike, press, glide, slide, lift) - Support Scale and Chord modes - For ROLI Lightpad block only: support loading of the default littlefoot note program, choice of the block mode (5x5, 4x4, 3x3, 2x2 grid). Note: It does not currently support presets. Closing the application will reset to default parameters.
OtherDesertCities
Explore a versatile audio effect with six unique delay algorithms, offering everything from classic stereo delays to experimental granular pitch-shifting. Extensive modulation and I/O controls allow for deep sonic manipulation and creative sound design.
- Six unique delay algorithms
- Extensive modulation capabilities
- Tempo-synced LFOs
- Envelope follower
- Diffusor for feedback smearing
- Advanced I/O control
- Granular pitch-shifting
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Other Desert Cities, named for a famous sign on the I-10 highway leaving Los Angeles, is a workshop for creativity. As its namesake implies, there are many strange and wonderful things lurking inside. With six delay algorithms, each with its own personality, and extensive modulation, Other Desert Cities covers everything from basic stereo dual delays to never-before-heard granular pitch-shifting chaos. ALGORITHMS 01 Desert Shores Stereo Delay. A standard dual delay, with basic EQ, saturation, crossfeed, and spread. 02 Mecca Reverse Delay. A normal dual delay, except the repeats play backwards, with smooth crossfading and an optional Reflect mode that alternates direction on each repeat. 03 Cactus Dual-Delta Delay. More like a pair of tape decks in use, with individual speed controls from zero to 2x in either direction, and pitch quantizing to octaves, fifths, or semitones. 04 Thermal Multi-Tap Delay. A dual multi-tap with sixteen taps per side, spread, crossfeed, and basic EQ. 05 Mirage Multi-Head Delay. Imagine a tape delay, but the head is the rotating head of a VCR. Experimental, strange, and wonderful. 06 Sky Valley Granular Delay. A pitch-shifting granular delay, with control over grain size and scatter, and EQ. TEMPO Sync to your host, or don't: set the sync source to Tap and everything synced follows the tap button instead. Tap on screen, or assign a MIDI note or CC and tap from your controller; the AUv3 accepts MIDI input directly. MODULATION Other Desert Cities includes a full suite of modulation. Two tempo-synced variable-waveshape LFOs and an envelope follower, sourced from the main input or a sidechain, can modulate nearly every control in the user interface. DIFFUSOR A built-in diffusor smears the feedback path, pushing Other Desert Cities toward reverb territory, especially with the Thermal algorithm. LEVELS The secret superpower is I/O control. Every aspect of the signal chain's gain structure can be controlled and modulated: ducked, panned, oscillated, and enveloped to your heart's content. Mute and Input Level feed only the delay block, not the dry signal, so you get natural tails and send-style behavior from an insert. PRESETS A full factory bank, plus designer presets from Matthew Lyon, Red Means Recording, and Time Rival. Presets are cross-platform (patches made on the desktop version work on iOS, and vice versa) and appear in your host's own preset list, so you can change sounds without opening the UI. FEATURES - AUv3 plugin and standalone app - Delay times up to 2 seconds free, 10 seconds tempo-synced - Tap tempo from the screen or MIDI - Resizable, scrolling user interface - Cross-platform XML preset manager Also available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in CLAP, VST3, AAX, AudioUnit, and LV2 formats at audiodamage.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: OtherDesertCities at 4.8 against Block Dashboard's 2.7. OtherDesertCities also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 49%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). Block Dashboard's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid) and iOS requirement (12.2 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Block Dashboard costs $3.99 and OtherDesertCities $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
OtherDesertCities holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 59 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Block Dashboard's written reviews are positive against 86% of OtherDesertCities's.
Block Dashboard ships an update every 8 months, OtherDesertCities every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Block Dashboard | OtherDesertCities |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Rating | 2.7 (16 ratings) | 4.8 (59 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 48.8% of reviews | 86.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 59 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Christophe Tornieri | Audio Damage, Inc. |
Customer experience
Block Dashboard
OtherDesertCities
In-app purchases
Block Dashboard
No in-app purchases
OtherDesertCities
No in-app purchases









