VADrumSM vs RingsFX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VADrumSM
This app is a virtual analog drum machine with a step sequencer. It offers 21 synthesized drum voices and flexible pad controls. It integrates with other music apps via AUv3 and Ableton Link.
- Virtual analog drum synthesizer
- 16-step sequencer
- AUv3 Audio Unit Extensions support
- Ableton Link synchronization
- XY pad controllers
- Parameter automation
- 17 output buses
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VADrumSM is a standalone mobile drum machine featuring a virtual analog drum synthesizer and a step sequencer. The virtual analog drum synthesizer supports AUv3 Audio Unit Extensions, which allows users to use the drum synthesizer inside of AUv3 hosts, such as Apple’s GarageBand®. The sequencer supports Ableton Link. You can synchronize the sequencer to Link-enabled apps and devices. Drum Synthesizer The drum synthesizer is inspired by the iconic analog drum machines of the 1980’s and features 21 drum voices. Sounds of the each drum voices are synthesized in real time by using component level modeling. Pads Pads function as XY controllers, XY controllers with trigger, or drum pads. When using pads as XY controllers, destination can be selected from tone/decay, level or pitch. Step Sequencer The step sequencer is designed to be intuitive and easy to program drum sequences. It is a 16 step sequencer and it has 3 accent level for the each step. Double hit mode allows to program two 32nd notes instead of the one 16th note. There are 4 patterns and can be chained to create 4 bar loop. There are 6 variations of swing, which can be applied in real time. Parameter Automation All XY parameters (tone, level and pitch) and voice switches can be automated, that gives a whole new sonic possibility. MIxer 17 output buses, including a mix output and 16 instrument outputs of Drum Synthesizer can be routed to main output and 4 aux mixers. AUv3 effects can be inserted to each channels. Sum of the 4 aux mixers outputs can be routed to Audiobus’s second output port. FEATURES Drum Synthesizer - 21 analog modeling drum synthesizers, including 2 bass drums, 2 snare drums, 2 sets of low, mid and high toms, low, mid and high congas, rim shot, claves, hand clap, maracas, closed and open hi-hats, cymbal and cowbell. - 3 Layers of 16 XY pad controls (Tone, Level, Pitch) - Drum Pads Mode (Pad) - Trigger Mode (On / Off) - MIDI input (mid note events only) - Output mix signal and all instruments signal - Support Audio Unit Extensions (AUv3) Step Sequencer - 16 step sequencer - Variable Pattern Length - Parameter Automation - Swing: 6 variations - Accent: 3 level - Double hit: on / off - Pattern: 4 patterns - Pattern Length: 1 bar - Loop length: 1 bar or 4 bar - Note length: 16th or 32nd - Record quantization: 16th - Chain mode: on / off - Tempo: 20 BPM - 999 BPM - Support Ableton Link * Ableton Link requires Wi-Fi connections. Others -Support Audiobus (main output and aux output) -Built in User Guide
RingsFX
This music app emulates a renowned physical modeling synthesizer, offering diverse synthesis techniques and polyphonic capabilities. It allows for real-time parameter manipulation and can process external audio, creating unique sonic textures and rhythms.
- Physical modeling synthesis emulation
- Multiple polyphony modes (Mono, Duo, Quad, True Polyphonic)
- Supports MIDI MPE and velocity sensitivity
- External audio excitation
- Mod Matrix for real-time parameter control
- 7 unique synthesis modes
- 6 mod-able and 6 global effects
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RingsFX is an AUv3 plugin based on the famous Mutable Instruments Rings, one of the most dedicated and fully-featured Physical Modeling Eurorack modules ever created. At its core is a resonator that needs to be 'excited' or 'strummed' by MIDI input, noise, or external audio excitation. RingsFX emulates vibrations of structures simulated by 3 different synthesis techniques that can be plucked or process external signals: Modal Synthesis, Sympathetic Strings, and Inharmonic Strings. Traditionally, Rings was only monophonic but used a unique approach to polyphony that allowed the previous note to 'ring' out and decay while a new note was played. Rings FX provides these same modes (Mono, Duo, and Quad), but expands it with a true Polyphonic mode. RingsFX also expands the capabilities of the original engine by adding support for velocity sensitivity and MIDI MPE mode. The new polyphonic mode allows RingsFX to play up to 12 notes of true polyphony, depending on the settings. Doing so requires RingsFX to use multiple Rings resonators, but the more true polyphony you use, the more processing power it requires. Running in the traditional Monophonic, Duophonic, or Quadrophonic modes may be preferred in order to keep CPU usage under control. RingsFX has 7 modes in total, by combining the 3 basic modes with additional properties such as chords or specially tuned reverbs. The original hardware also had a secret 'Easter Egg' mode, which in RingsFX is simply calling 'Synthesizer' mode, rumoured to be based on one of the early Korg synthesis methods. This mode supported a number of mutable effects which now work on in all resonator modes. RingsFX also has a Mod-Matrix which allows you to combine the built-in LFOs and FEGs to great effect by manipulating parameters and mutable effects in realtime. Finally, RingsFX can be loaded as an AUv3 effect plugin. Set the Exciter Source to 'INPUT', and you can pass any audio through RingsFX and use this audio as an external exciter. For example, it can be used to great affect on a drum beat to create some crazy rhythms. Use the Output Mix to combine the original audio with the synthesised resonator output to create some stunning effects. Features ○ 7 unique synthesis modes. ○ Supports Mono, Duo, Quad and true polyphony. ○ Supports 2 fluid LFO's per note. ○ Up to 4 FEG's per note. ○ External Exciter modes. ○ White noise Pulse Sequencer. ○ Supports 6 mod-able effects and 6 global effects. ○ Mod Matrix ○ Input and white noise filters. ○ Program Manager with drag and drop. ○ Preset Search and Favourites. ○ Easy export and import of banks and presets. ○ Extensive help manual. ○ Web Transfer for backing up to PC/Mac. ○ MPE Support.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: VADrumSM at $9.99 against RingsFX's $14.99. RingsFX's advantage is ratings volume (27 vs 6). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence 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
VADrumSM costs $9.99 and RingsFX $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for VADrumSM against 4.9 for RingsFX. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 27 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
VADrumSM ships an update monthly, RingsFX fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VADrumSM | RingsFX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (6 ratings) | 4.9 (27 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 27 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryo Togawa | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
VADrumSM
RingsFX
In-app purchases
VADrumSM
No in-app purchases
RingsFX
No in-app purchases









