Comparison

SmashCut Visual Synth vs ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

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

Head to head
About

SmashCut Visual Synth

Control video playback and transformations using MIDI messages, similar to how musicians control audio samplers. Set cue points, trigger playback, and manipulate video in real-time for presentations, live streaming, or creative video art.

Highlights
  • Load and cue video from camera roll
  • Control playback with MIDI notes
  • Transform video with MIDI CC messages
  • Built-in MIDI controller for second device
  • Wi-Fi based device connection
  • Universal app for iOS and Mac
Features
Read full description

Musicians have used audio samplers for decades, triggering drum sounds, pianos, and hundreds of other instruments using MIDI keyboards and sequencers. SmashCut brings the same sort of functionality to video content. Load in any video from your camera roll, easily set cue points in the video, and you're ready to play with video in a new way. The app responds to MIDI note messages to seek to cue points, and start or stop playback. With MIDI CC messages, you can scale, rotate, and transform the video in a live and interactive way. And if you don't have a MIDI keyboard, you can still use all of the features of the app -- there's a built-in MIDI controller that you can use on a second iOS device. What can you do with SmashCut? If you're making a presentation using video, you can trigger play and stop using the remote, and move to different cue points easily. If you stream video or podcast, you can use SmashCut to cue to a video clip with no hassle or headache. The iPad version of the app runs on a Silicon Mac, and works well with streaming software such as OBS. If you have a band, and are putting on a show, you can sequence video to keep in time with the music. SmashCut is a great way to put together a music video, or to just cut, splice, and glitch video for fun. Instead of trimming video clips in a conventional editor, you can play with video like you would a musical instrument. There's full support of MIDI, and also an easy Wi-Fi based connection system; if you have two devices on the same Wi-Fi network, they'll connect in seconds. You can use the iOS built in screen recorder to capture video and audio from the app. The app is universal, running on iPad, iPhone, and Silicon Macs. There's a watermark on-screen that can be removed with an in-app purchase.

About

ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

This app brings the tactile experience of vinyl scratching to your device. It offers a realistic UI, the ability to scratch live audio or samples, and advanced features like LFO automation and AUv3 integration for professional sound design.

Highlights
  • Vinyl-like UI with speed fader
  • Scratch live audio or loaded samples
  • Customizable crossfader with MIDI control
  • Automated scratches with LFO
  • 3-second audio recording and looping
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Low-pass filter for sound design
Features
Read full description

ScratchBud makes it easy to bring the feel of vinyl scratching to your iOS or Apple Silicon device. Whether you’re a DJ, producer, or just love experimenting with sound, ScratchBud has everything you need to start scratching. Key Features: Vinyl-Like UI: Intuitive interface mimics a real DJ turntable, complete with adjustable speed fader and motor controls. Scratch Anything: Use live audio input, a loaded sample file, or the included classic “aaah” and “fresh” samples. Customizable Crossfader: Seamlessly blend between the audio input source and FX output, with MIDI note control options. Auto Scratch with LFO: Automate scratches with adjustable LFO parameters, including rate, amount, waveform, and DAW tempo sync. Advanced Recording Options: Capture, loop, and scratch up to 3 seconds of audio, with configurable recording behaviors. AUv3 Integration: Full support for AUv3 hosts, exposing all parameters for MIDI CC control and automation. Professional Sound Design: Refine your scratch sound with built-in low-pass filter controls for cutoff and resonance. Start scratching immediately with included classic samples or load your own. ScratchBud works as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin, making it a versatile tool for your studio or live performances.

Screenshots

SmashCut Visual Synth3 screens
ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SmashCut Visual Synth at Free against ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX's $5.99. SmashCut Visual Synth also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 40 months). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

SmashCut Visual Synth is free to download; ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX costs $5.99 up front. SmashCut Visual Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmashCut Visual Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of SmashCut Visual Synth's written reviews are positive against 67% of ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmashCut Visual Synth ships an update every 40 months, ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SmashCut Visual Synth versus ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmashCut Visual SynthScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX
PriceFree — better$5.99
Rating4.9 (14 ratings) — better4.6 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1416 — better
Update frequencyEvery 40 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSecret Base DesignCem Olcay

Customer experience

SmashCut Visual Synth

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral25.0%
Negative8.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SmashCut Visual Synth

One-time1
  • Watermark RemovalFree
None

ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmashCut Visual Synth free?
SmashCut Visual Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX free?
ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SmashCut Visual Synth or ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX?
SmashCut Visual Synth is rated higher. SmashCut Visual Synth averages 4.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX averages 4.6 from 16 ratings.
Do SmashCut Visual Synth or ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX have ads?
Neither SmashCut Visual Synth nor ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmashCut Visual Synth or ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX?
SmashCut Visual Synth ships an update every 40 months, and ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX every 4 days. Most recently, SmashCut Visual Synth was updated on November 9, 2026 and ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX on November 2, 2026.

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