Comparison

DRM vs ab vortEx X

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DRM

This app emulates a vintage 1979 drum machine, offering a pure interface for creating beats on your device. It includes high-quality samples, preset patterns, and advanced audio features for music production.

Highlights
  • 8 original high-quality double-samples
  • 32 preset patterns
  • Selective instrument deletion modes
  • Full machine state auto-save
  • Background audio playback
  • Audiobus V3 and InterApp audio support
  • Built-in audio and global effects
Features
Read full description

Holding the simplicity of a rare 1979 instrument and carrying its raw heritage to you, it turns your device into a pocket beat making companion. I believe that designing a pure interface, simply displaying your machine without any distraction, was the best way to reflect the spirit of the period it was born. Main caracteristics : - 8 Original high quality double-samples - 32 preset patterns - 3 Selective instrument deletion modes - Full machine state auto-save - Background audio playback enabled - Audiobus V3 - InterApp audio Bonuses accessible in your device settings : - Additionnal LED display for the tempo and the volume - Pattern selection LED indicators - Alternative « Rock » drum kit with integrated effects - Built-in intruments effects : « Stereo pan » and « Jungle tune » - Built-in audio effects : « Equalizer » and « Distortion » - Built-in global effects : « Delay » and « Reverb » - Mute any instrument I hope you will enjoy it as much as I love it ;-)

About

ab vortEx X

This app is a stereo-only abstract spacetime designer for creating unique reverberations. It functions as an AUv3 plugin for compatible iOS hosts or as a standalone application, offering control over sound reflection spread.

Highlights
  • Stereo-only spatial audio algorithms
  • AUv3 plugin compatibility
  • Standalone application mode
  • Touch screen interface
  • Control over sound reflection spread
  • Space, Time, Viscosity, Volumes controls
Features
Read full description

'ab vortEx X' for iOS is a 'Light', stereo-only version of 'ab vortEx', an abstract spacetime designer for creating infinite variations of reverberations using our Spatial Audio algorithms under the hood. 'ab vortEx' for iOS comes as an AUv3 Plugin and is compatible with any iOS host that supports AUv3 (e.g. Garageband). The plugin contains a minimalist interface, compatible with Touch Screens - as you move through the screen, you can control how the algorithm works and how the reflections of the sound spread through time and space. 'ab Vortex X' also works as a stand-alone application (make sure you wear headphones or use a soundcard). 'ab vortEx X' supports Stereo signals and contains the most critical controls of 'ab Vortex' (Space, Time, Viscosity and Volumes) for providing quick ways to manipulate your sound.ab vortEx' for iOS works with Mono and Stereo signals.

Screenshots

DRM4 screens
ab vortEx X3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DRM at $1.99 against ab vortEx X's $12.99. DRM also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6). ab vortEx X's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 57%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

DRM costs $1.99 and ab vortEx X $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DRM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of DRM's written reviews are positive against 88% of ab vortEx X's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DRM ships an update every 7 months, ab vortEx X every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DRM versus ab vortEx X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDRMab vortEx X
Price$1.99 — better$12.99
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better4.6 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings68 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.011 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid RochaixAlejandro Cabrera Zuniga

Customer experience

DRM

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

ab vortEx X

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

None

DRM

No in-app purchases

None

ab vortEx X

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DRM free?
DRM costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ab vortEx X free?
ab vortEx X costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DRM or ab vortEx X?
DRM is rated higher. DRM averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while ab vortEx X averages 4.6 from 8 ratings.
Do DRM or ab vortEx X have ads?
Neither DRM nor ab vortEx X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DRM or ab vortEx X?
DRM ships an update every 7 months, and ab vortEx X every 2 months. Most recently, DRM was updated on September 28, 2026 and ab vortEx X on September 24, 2026.

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