Filterstep vs Black Distortion
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Filterstep
This app offers a creative motion filter plugin for real-time rhythmic movement. Explore intricate patterns and sonic possibilities with various filter effect settings and randomization. Shape any sound into a unique groove.
- Real-time rhythmic movement
- Intricate filter effect settings
- Filter randomization
- Three filter types
- Sequencer movement control
- Infinity mode
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Filterstep is a creative motion filter plugin which provides all kinds of intricate rhythmic movement to any input in real-time. It can give you incredibly complex and nuanced results based on various filter effect settings, and almost infinite possibilities for sonic exploration through filter randomization. You can choose between three filter types, range, frequency, quantization, sequencer movement and more. Craft interesting patterns, or let it run endlessly using the infinity mode. Add filter motion and shape any sound into a groove.
Black Distortion
This audio plugin emulates a classic distortion pedal, offering versatile gain levels from mild overdrive to fuzzy tones. It features a unique filter control to shape high-end frequencies and a volume control for perfect integration with your existing sound. Use it as a primary distortion, a dirty channel for amplifiers, or a boost for solos.
- RAT2 distortion pedal emulation
- Adjustable gain from overdrive to fuzz
- Legendary filter control for treble shaping
- Volume control for clean tone matching
- Standalone, AudioUnit v3, and Inter-App Audio support
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The Black Distortion plugin modeled on RAT2* distortion pedal will be your go-to distortion plugin for every recording, whether it’s rock, blues, punk, or jazz. The beauty of the Black Distortion plugin lies in its versatility. Used as a primary distortion, it excels at arena rock rhythm tones and soaring leads. Do you have an amplifier plugin with too much headroom? Let the Black Distortion plugin be your dirty channel. Maybe you already love your amplifier plugin distortion. Use the Black Distortion plugin as a boost for solos and get the extra kick you need. The Black Distortion plugin features the legendary filter control. Turn it to the right to roll off brittle high-end frequencies. Having trouble cutting through the mix? Turn it to the left and allow the natural brightness of your instrument to shine through. Black Distortion plugin dials in the perfect amount of gain, from mild overdrive to full out fuzzy assault, and the volume control lets you dial it in just perfectly against your bypassed clean tone. Legal Disclaimer: *All product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Nembrini Audio SRL. These product names, descriptions and images are provided for the sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during Nembrini Audio’s sound design process. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Filterstep at every 6 months against Black Distortion's every 61 months. Filterstep also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15). Black Distortion's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Black Distortion holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 24 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Filterstep's written reviews are positive against 67% of Black Distortion's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Filterstep ships an update every 6 months, Black Distortion every 61 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Filterstep | Black Distortion |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (42 ratings) | 5.0 (24 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 73.3% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 42 — better | 24 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months — better | Every 61 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 15 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AUDIOMODERN | Nembrini Audio |
Customer experience
Filterstep
Black Distortion
In-app purchases
Filterstep
No in-app purchases
Black Distortion
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Filterstep free?
Is Black Distortion free?
Which has better reviews, Filterstep or Black Distortion?
Do Filterstep or Black Distortion have ads?
Which is updated more often, Filterstep or Black Distortion?
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