Fractal Bits vs Salome
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.
Salome
This app lets you record or import sounds, transform them into seamless loops, and play them polyphonically using MPE or MIDI controllers. It offers a fast workflow with onscreen keypads and MPE/MIDI input/output for creative sound manipulation.
- Record or import sounds
- Create seamless loops
- Polyphonic MPE/MIDI playback
- Onscreen MPE keypads
- Latch mode for fader control
- AUv3 plugin for iOS and macOS
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Salome is a tool for recording (or importing) sounds, turning them into seamless loops, and then polyphonically play them using MPE or MIDI. CONTROL: The onscreen keypads can be latched, turning them into 2-dimensional faders for controlling various modulations. Additionally, software and hardware MPE controllers can be used (or normal MIDI, in a pinch). WORKFLOW: The entire process from sampling to playing was designed to be a fast and fluid as possible. Speed > features. UNIVERSAL: AUv3 plugins for iOS (iPhone, iPad) and MacOS (ARM, Intel) are included*. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (note that not all hosts support all AU features) - Built-in MPE keypads for multidimensional onscreen control - MPE/MIDI input and output from the Audio Unit, so you can record your performance or even control other MPE synths - 12 mode filter, based on the Oberheim Xpander design - Latch-mode lets you play the instrument using faders - Basic standalone mode included (for connectivity use the AU plugin) - Record or import sounds (WAV, AIF, MP3) and instantly play them as a polyphonic instrument - Effortless seamless loops using the non-destructive X-Fade feature Find the user manual on ruismaker.com * not all MacOS DAWs fully support Audio Unit plugins. This is not a VST plugin.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Salome at every 9 days against Fractal Bits's every 5 months. 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 Salome $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Fractal Bits holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 82 and 30 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Fractal Bits's written reviews are positive against 83% of Salome's.
Fractal Bits ships an update every 5 months, Salome every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Fractal Bits | Salome |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $7.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (82 ratings) — better | 4.7 (30 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.7% of reviews — better | 83.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 82 — better | 30 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alexander Zolotov | Bram Bos |
Customer experience
Fractal Bits
Salome
In-app purchases
Fractal Bits
No in-app purchases
Salome
No in-app purchases









