Comparison

Sidechain Compressor Plugin vs FAC Punchlab

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

Head to head
About

Sidechain Compressor Plugin

This audio plugin enables side-chain compression for music production, creating rhythmic pumping effects. It offers true side-chaining in compatible DAWs and a unique sudo side-chain method for broader compatibility.

Highlights
  • Standard compressor features
  • Real calibrated VU and reduction meters
  • Real-time visual graphing
  • True sidechain in AUM
  • Sudo sidechain with MASTER/SLAVE
  • 3 available busses
  • Mono/Stereo modes
Features
Read full description

This is an AUv3 compatible stereo compressor plugin which is intended for use inside your favourite DAW/HOST such as AUM, Cubasis, Auria, Meteor, AUM or GarageBand etc. So lets start by answering the question what is side chaining?  Side chaining is a technique used in a lot of modern dance music which involves using the volume level of one sound source to control another. You can hear plenty of examples of this in modern Trance/Dubstep music where sound engineers use the impact of a bass drum to duck a sustained string sound, creating space in the mix. This can be heard as a rythmic pumping sound which gives your music drive and energy. This compressor is quite unique since it was designed to get around the limitations of AUv3 plugins on iOS and the lack of multi-audio routing inside DAW apps. Until recently it wasn't possible to do true side chaining using AUv3, but now AUM has recently integrated support for multiple inputs and outputs per AUv3 plugin, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. This is great for AUM users, but this still leaves users of other DAW's in the dark. This is where this app has you covered as it provides a method of sudo side-chaining by allowing you to attach two instances of this plugin to multiple sources and route audio between them to achieve a sudo sidechain. This works by ensuring two instances of the plugin are loaded as insert effects, one being the MASTER and the other a SLAVE. The slave sends audio to the master by means of one of 3 available busses. True side chaining can be achieved in AUM. Simple set the SideChain Mode to 'Normal' and install an instance of the plugin on the channel you want to control. Then using the new 'Multiple Audio Unit Instances' option in AUM you can add a redirection of the controlling source to send to the same bus the plugin is listening to. It's that simple. In this case you need to set both instances to either Bus 2 or 3, since Bus 1 is the original audio. Features: ○ Standard Compressor features. ○ Real calibrated VU and reduction meters ○ Real-time visual graphing of parameters. ○ Real sidechain in AUM. ○ Sudo side chain using MASTER and SLAVE for others. ○ 3 available busses. ○ Mono / Stereo modes. ○ Integrated help.

About

FAC Punchlab

Energize your music with this audio rack featuring 9 precision processors. Enhance mixes, boost drums, and shape unique sounds with dynamic effects, noise modulation, and saturation. Personalize your signal flow and achieve rich, harmonically driven tones.

Highlights
  • 9 precision audio processors
  • Dynamic effects for sound crafting
  • Enhance mix impact and presence
  • Elevate drums with punch
  • Noise modulation and saturation
  • Rearrange FX positions
  • Low latency with oversampling
Features
Read full description

Looking for that extra punch and energy to make your mark in the crowded music scene? Look no further – FAC Punchlab is your solution, an all-in-one super audio rack with 9 precision audio processors, ready to energize and revitalize your sound! • Combine essential dynamic effects for effortless sound crafting • Enhance your mix quickly, boosting its natural impact and presence • Elevate your drums with punch and unique character • Shape your sound with BOUM, emphasizing resonant tonality • Infuse life with Fizz, a dynamic noise modulator • Add saturation to achieve rich, harmonically driven tones • Maintain clarity with a versatile clipper and final limiter • Personalize your signal flow by rearranging FX positions • Low latency with optional oversampling • Waveform view of the pre and post signal • Advanced Responsive Design, portrait and landscape views • Universal Purchase: AUv3 for iOS (iPad/iPhone), macOS and Vision Pro FAC Punchlab, your sonic atelier, empowers you to design and showcase the unique characteristics of your instruments! Whether you're a novice in music production or an avid amateur musician exploring various genres, this tool is sure to ignite your creative spark! The documentation is available at fredantoncorvest.com/FAC_Punchlab.html

Screenshots

Sidechain Compressor Plugin4 screens
FAC Punchlab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: FAC Punchlab at 5.0 against Sidechain Compressor Plugin's 3.6. FAC Punchlab also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 63%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 67 months). Sidechain Compressor Plugin's advantage is price ($5.99 vs $14.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads, monetization model and device support 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

Sidechain Compressor Plugin costs $5.99 and FAC Punchlab $14.99 up front. FAC Punchlab sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Sidechain Compressor Plugin asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FAC Punchlab holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FAC Punchlab has 27 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Sidechain Compressor Plugin's written reviews are positive against 100% of FAC Punchlab's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sidechain Compressor Plugin ships an update every 67 months, FAC Punchlab every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Sidechain Compressor Plugin versus FAC Punchlab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSidechain Compressor PluginFAC Punchlab
Price$5.99 — better$14.99
Rating3.6 (5 ratings)5.0 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings527 — better
Update frequencyEvery 67 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer4Pockets.comFrederic Corvest

Customer experience

Sidechain Compressor Plugin

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative12.5%

FAC Punchlab

All ratings26 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Sidechain Compressor Plugin

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

FAC Punchlab

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$14.99

Questions

Is Sidechain Compressor Plugin free?
Sidechain Compressor Plugin costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is FAC Punchlab free?
FAC Punchlab costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sidechain Compressor Plugin or FAC Punchlab?
FAC Punchlab is rated higher. Sidechain Compressor Plugin averages 3.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while FAC Punchlab averages 5.0 from 27 ratings.
Do Sidechain Compressor Plugin or FAC Punchlab have ads?
Neither Sidechain Compressor Plugin nor FAC Punchlab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sidechain Compressor Plugin or FAC Punchlab?
Sidechain Compressor Plugin ships an update every 67 months, and FAC Punchlab every 3 months. Most recently, Sidechain Compressor Plugin was updated on November 4, 2026 and FAC Punchlab on November 8, 2026.

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