Scatterbrain Audio Splitter vs OtherDesertCities
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Scatterbrain Audio Splitter
This audio effect plugin chops incoming audio into rhythmic steps and routes them to multiple outputs. It offers sequencing and live mixing modes, along with buffer effects for added chaos and stuttering. Requires a compatible multi-output AUv3 host.
- Rhythmic audio slicing
- Multiple output routing
- Sequencing mode
- Live mixing mode
- Stutter and buffer effects
- Tapeloop recording
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Scatterbrain is a plugin audio effect (AUv3, Audio Unit), which chops up incoming audio into rhythmical steps and sends these slices out to multiple outputs in your plugin host. Scatterbrain has 2 modes: SEQ mode... You can sequence how the steps are scattered over the (maximum 4) different outputs, or leave that up to chance. MIX mode... You can live-mix (or automate) how steps are distributed over the 4 available outputs and trigger stutter repeats. Stutter and buffer effects: Scatterbrain records the incoming audio onto a hidden internal tapeloop. Using the buffer effects you can specify the probability of randomly triggering slicer or stutter effects for an extra seasoning of chaos and mayhem. Note: to use the multi-out effect, this AUv3 plugin requires an AU host which supports multiple outputs. If the host does not support multi-out, only the first channel will work. Also note that due to the multi-out nature of the plugin there is no meaningful standalone functionality. You will need a plugin host to make use of this plugin.
OtherDesertCities
Explore a versatile audio effect with six unique delay algorithms, offering everything from classic stereo delays to experimental granular pitch-shifting. Extensive modulation and I/O controls allow for deep sonic manipulation and creative sound design.
- Six unique delay algorithms
- Extensive modulation capabilities
- Tempo-synced LFOs
- Envelope follower
- Diffusor for feedback smearing
- Advanced I/O control
- Granular pitch-shifting
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Other Desert Cities, named for a famous sign on the I-10 highway leaving Los Angeles, is a workshop for creativity. As its namesake implies, there are many strange and wonderful things lurking inside. With six delay algorithms, each with its own personality, and extensive modulation, Other Desert Cities covers everything from basic stereo dual delays to never-before-heard granular pitch-shifting chaos. ALGORITHMS 01 Desert Shores Stereo Delay. A standard dual delay, with basic EQ, saturation, crossfeed, and spread. 02 Mecca Reverse Delay. A normal dual delay, except the repeats play backwards, with smooth crossfading and an optional Reflect mode that alternates direction on each repeat. 03 Cactus Dual-Delta Delay. More like a pair of tape decks in use, with individual speed controls from zero to 2x in either direction, and pitch quantizing to octaves, fifths, or semitones. 04 Thermal Multi-Tap Delay. A dual multi-tap with sixteen taps per side, spread, crossfeed, and basic EQ. 05 Mirage Multi-Head Delay. Imagine a tape delay, but the head is the rotating head of a VCR. Experimental, strange, and wonderful. 06 Sky Valley Granular Delay. A pitch-shifting granular delay, with control over grain size and scatter, and EQ. TEMPO Sync to your host, or don't: set the sync source to Tap and everything synced follows the tap button instead. Tap on screen, or assign a MIDI note or CC and tap from your controller; the AUv3 accepts MIDI input directly. MODULATION Other Desert Cities includes a full suite of modulation. Two tempo-synced variable-waveshape LFOs and an envelope follower, sourced from the main input or a sidechain, can modulate nearly every control in the user interface. DIFFUSOR A built-in diffusor smears the feedback path, pushing Other Desert Cities toward reverb territory, especially with the Thermal algorithm. LEVELS The secret superpower is I/O control. Every aspect of the signal chain's gain structure can be controlled and modulated: ducked, panned, oscillated, and enveloped to your heart's content. Mute and Input Level feed only the delay block, not the dry signal, so you get natural tails and send-style behavior from an insert. PRESETS A full factory bank, plus designer presets from Matthew Lyon, Red Means Recording, and Time Rival. Presets are cross-platform (patches made on the desktop version work on iOS, and vice versa) and appear in your host's own preset list, so you can change sounds without opening the UI. FEATURES - AUv3 plugin and standalone app - Delay times up to 2 seconds free, 10 seconds tempo-synced - Tap tempo from the screen or MIDI - Resizable, scrolling user interface - Cross-platform XML preset manager Also available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in CLAP, VST3, AAX, AudioUnit, and LV2 formats at audiodamage.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Scatterbrain Audio Splitter at weekly against OtherDesertCities's every 2 months. Scatterbrain Audio Splitter also leads on price ($3.99 vs $6.99) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). OtherDesertCities's advantage is chart position (#184 vs unranked). 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
Scatterbrain Audio Splitter costs $3.99 and OtherDesertCities $6.99 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 — 4.7 for Scatterbrain Audio Splitter against 4.8 for OtherDesertCities. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 50 and 59 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 86% and 86% positive.
Scatterbrain Audio Splitter ships an update weekly, OtherDesertCities every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Scatterbrain Audio Splitter | OtherDesertCities |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (50 ratings) | 4.8 (59 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 86.4% of reviews — better | 86.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 50 | 59 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #184 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bram Bos | Audio Damage, Inc. |
Customer experience
Scatterbrain Audio Splitter
OtherDesertCities
In-app purchases
Scatterbrain Audio Splitter
No in-app purchases
OtherDesertCities
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Scatterbrain Audio Splitter free?
Is OtherDesertCities free?
Which has better reviews, Scatterbrain Audio Splitter or OtherDesertCities?
Do Scatterbrain Audio Splitter or OtherDesertCities have ads?
Which is updated more often, Scatterbrain Audio Splitter or OtherDesertCities?
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