Fractal Bits vs Hammerhead Rhythm Station
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Fractal Bits
Generate an infinite variety of drum sounds using fractal algorithms. Save and share your unique sound sets via text codes. Perform live with multiple keyboard options and record your creations in real-time.
- Infinite unique drum sounds
- Save/share sound sets via text codes
- Multiple live drumming keyboards
- MIDI control and mapping
- Real-time WAV audio recording
- Wi-Fi export/import
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Fractal Bits is a drum synth with over four billion unique sounds created by fractal algorithms. Each set of 12 drums corresponds to a code of 8 characters (you can save/copy/paste it as plain text). Features: * Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), Audiobus; * search for new sounds with three buttons: next random set, edit code, previous set; * three types of keyboards for live drumming: on-screen buttons, PC keyboard, MIDI input; * several processing parameters + control via MIDI; * real-time audio recording to WAV (32-bit); * export to: WAV (one file or a set), SunVox (samples + effects in one file), text clipboard; * the LCK button freezes individual drums - they will not change during the search for new sets; * Wi-Fi export/import. Double clicking on a parameter opens a window for setting the exact value. If you enable the Hold option, the notes will play endlessly, without reacting to key release (noteOff) events; turning the note on again works like turning it off; there are two ways to enable this option: 1) using the Hold parameter in the "MIDI Mapping" window; 2) by pressing the HOLD button, which appears in place of LCK while playing the musical keyboard: press HOLD, release the desired notes - then the released notes will continue to play.
Hammerhead Rhythm Station
This mobile app is a modern take on a classic software drum computer, offering a playful and intuitive way to create rhythms. It features a built-in drum synth, extensive sound options, and the ability to import custom audio, all within a pocket-sized groovebox experience.
- Import custom WAV sounds
- Built-in drum synthesizer
- Standalone and AUv3 plugin support
- MIDI input and output
- One-click compression and distortion
- Random pattern generator
- Create polyrhythms
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The little shark is back. After 25 years, the new Hammerhead is a fresh, mobile reinterpretation of the classic software drum computer that started it all. Hammerhead is still simple, fun and playful. It still feels like a little 90s groovebox. Except this time it fits in your pocket, it integrates in your plugin ecosystem and comes with a lot more creative possibilities... - Pick from dozens of classic sounds and loops, or import your own WAVs - Use the built-in drum synth to design your own kicks, bobs, tocks and thwacks - Runs standalone and as a state-of-the art AUv3 Audio Unit plugin (e.g. in Garageband) - AU plugin supports individual outputs per channel, MIDI output and fullscreen modes - Trigger sounds and patterns using MIDI (when hosted as an AU plugin) - One-click compression and distortion, with several sound models - Let the universe decide: random pattern generator, mutation, glitch and much more - Easily create complex evolving polyrhythms - Designed for creative fun: no menu diving or arcane expert settings. Just dive in and create Find the manual on Ruismaker.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Hammerhead Rhythm Station at every 2 weeks against Fractal Bits's every 5 months. Hammerhead Rhythm Station also leads on chart position (#181 vs unranked). Fractal Bits's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $7.99). On rating, 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
Fractal Bits costs $1.99 and Hammerhead Rhythm Station $7.99 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 Fractal Bits against 4.9 for Hammerhead Rhythm Station. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 80 and 108 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Fractal Bits's written reviews are positive against 98% of Hammerhead Rhythm Station's.
Fractal Bits ships an update every 5 months, Hammerhead Rhythm Station every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Fractal Bits | Hammerhead Rhythm Station |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $7.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (80 ratings) | 4.9 (108 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.7% of reviews | 98.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 80 | 108 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #181 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 172 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alexander Zolotov | Bram Bos |
Customer experience
Fractal Bits
Hammerhead Rhythm Station
Bugs and requests
Fractal Bits
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Hammerhead Rhythm Station
Reported bugs
4 issues- AUv3 starts playing in sequence mode on pattern 2 instead of pattern 1
- Mute buttons are somewhat hard to tap reliably
- Upper knobs are somewhat hard to tune
- Chan. Config button makes pattern settings disappear
Requested features
18 requests- Deeper drum synth engine
- More extensive MIDI mapping (solo per voice)
- User folder for voices in-app
- Ability to send presets into user storage
- Effects per voice
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- Solo/mutes for MIDI mapping
- Ableton Link support
- At least 32-step sequences
- 16 steps per page formatted option
- Control over setting locking randomization parameters on each sound individually
- Show note designation under pitch control
- Export loops to .wav files
- MIDI export function
- Repeat patterns like in Rozeta Cells
- Basic EQ for each sound (high pass/low pass)
- Option to alter the attack of sounds
- Reverse option
- Allow usage on M1 Mac
In-app purchases
Fractal Bits
No in-app purchases
Hammerhead Rhythm Station
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Fractal Bits free?
Is Hammerhead Rhythm Station free?
Which has better reviews, Fractal Bits or Hammerhead Rhythm Station?
Do Fractal Bits or Hammerhead Rhythm Station have ads?
Which is updated more often, Fractal Bits or Hammerhead Rhythm Station?
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