Comparison

RK vs LoopMangler

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

Head to head
About

RK

Manage your RK006 Master Hub with this app. Design and save configurations, set up presets for event filtering, clock processing, and output modes. Connect your iOS device to MIDI, CV/Gate, and control it from your DAW.

Highlights
  • RK006 Master Hub management
  • MIDI, CV/Gate control
  • Preset design and saving
  • Event filtering
  • Clock processing
  • Output mode configuration
Features
Read full description

This is the manager-app for the RK006 Master Hub. The RK006 features a 12 bus(yes, 12x16 channel MIDI Handling) MIDI Interface and and ultra stable MIDI clock generator. It can MIDI merge from it's two TRS-A MIDI Inputs and even add four self-hosted USBMIDI devices to the stream. It is able to connect your iOS device not only to MIDI but also act as a CV/Gate source with control straight from your DAW. Add extensive MIDI filters and even built-in polychaining to make this the go-to tool for any setup. This app is an iOS port from the online webMIDI portal. It allows you to design and save configurations in the RK006. Via this app you can setup presets which can handle event filtering, clock processing and RK006 port output modes (MIDI/Gate/CV) Some review snippets: "The RK006 is a game changer, making sync, MIDI and signal processing easy, even without a DAW." (juno.co.uk) "Retrokits prove themselves invaluable once again to our increasingly complex and confusing desktop hardware setups." (gearnews.com) "Incredibly versatile hub for MIDI, USB and modular, and probably the only MIDI interface you’ll ever need in or out of the studio." (Sound on Sound)

About

LoopMangler

This app is a powerful tool for creating unique glitchy and noisy textures by manipulating rhythmic samples or external audio. It offers advanced sound design capabilities with multi-effect sequencing, random pattern generation, and real-time processing.

Highlights
  • Multi-effect sequencing
  • Random pattern generation
  • Envelope modulation
  • Live pads for performance
  • Real-time audio processing
  • Flexible integration with other apps
Features
Read full description

LoopMangler is an innovative multi-effect glitch sequencer designed to manipulate rhythmic samples, external input, or output from other applications. This powerful tool operates based on the effect sequence patterns, allowing you to transform ordinary loops into unusual glitchy and noisy textures. Key Features: Advanced Sound Design: With its well-designed user interface and creative features, LoopMangler provides an exciting playground for sonic exploration and sound design. Random Pattern Generation: Make patterns and individual bars randomly or according to specific rules, offering a quick start or a source of inspiration for your projects. Multi-Effect Sequencing: Assign up to six distortion and filter effects to each step of the sequencer, providing endless possibilities for sound manipulation. Envelope Modulation: Each effect is modulated with its own envelope generator, ensuring that every step is unique and dynamic. Intuitive Editor: The user-friendly editor allows you to easily copy, move, and delete individual cells and bars within the sequencer, making pattern creation a breeze. Live Pads: Assign presets and loops to on-screen pads and use special pads to dynamically alter sound patterns during live performances or studio sessions. Real-Time Processing: Process audio in real-time, allowing you to hear the effects of your adjustments immediately. Flexible Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other audio applications, making it a versatile addition to your music production toolkit. Whether you’re looking to add subtle textures or completely transform your audio, LoopMangler provides the tools you need to achieve your sonic vision. LoopMangler is a universal application for iOS and macOS. It can work on iPhone and iPad as well as Mac / MacBook with M1 chip (and later). LoopMangler works on iPhone and iPad standalone, as an Audio Unit or Inter-App Audio module, and supports Audiobus and Ableton Link. On MacOS, LoopMangler can works both as a standalone application and as an Audio unit (AUv3) with DAWs and other hosts that support AUv3 plugins. LoopMangler has a built-in detailed description of all parameters also available as PDF file on the application site. Quick start demo: https://youtu.be/EFGw4wDtbzo https://youtu.be/ki3WsK1_4gg You can find more information on LoopMangler and other creative audio apps at: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com

Screenshots

RK4 screens
LoopMangler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RK at Free against LoopMangler's $14.99. RK also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 50%). LoopMangler's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

RK is free to download; LoopMangler costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for RK against 5.0 for LoopMangler. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 10 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of RK's written reviews are positive against 50% of LoopMangler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RK ships an update every 5 months, LoopMangler every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RK versus LoopMangler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRKLoopMangler
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating5.0 (9 ratings)5.0 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings910 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better13.4
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGerrit DijkstraIgor Vasiliev

Customer experience

RK

All ratings9 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

LoopMangler

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

RK

No in-app purchases

None

LoopMangler

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RK free?
RK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LoopMangler free?
LoopMangler costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RK or LoopMangler?
RK and LoopMangler are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 9 and 10 ratings respectively.
Do RK or LoopMangler have ads?
Neither RK nor LoopMangler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RK or LoopMangler?
RK ships an update every 5 months, and LoopMangler every 3 weeks. Most recently, RK was updated on October 2, 2026 and LoopMangler on October 9, 2026.

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