TB Compressor vs AU3FX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TB Compressor
This professional audio plugin offers mastering-grade compression and dynamics processing for iOS devices. It features advanced controls like soft knee, parallel, upward/downward, and band-limited compression, with real-time visual feedback and an interactive interface.
- Mastering-grade compression
- Upward and downward compression
- External side-chain input
- Band-limited and spatially selective compression
- Real-time interactive display
- Audition function for compressor and side chain
- Integrated spectrum analyzer
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Say Hi! to your new favourite iOS compressor AUv3 plugin! ToneBoosters Compressor is an AUv3 plugin for professional, mastering-grade compression and dynamics processing. This flexible plug-in has all the features you will ever need, such as: - Soft knee compression - Parallel compression - Upward and downward compression - External side-chain input (if supported by the host) - Band-limited compression - Spatially selective compression This compressor is suitable for every compression task and beyond: - Track compression - Bus and master bus compression - De-essing and de-harshing using the band-limited compression feature The user interface shows compression in action, with a real-time and interactive display of levels, gains and curves. Assisted sliders provide guidance to accurately adjust threshold, makeup and range parameters. Want to hear what signal elements are affected by compression? Hit the audition button and listen to everything that is changed by the compressor in isolation. The side-chain editor allows you to adjust the frequency response of the side chain, and has an integrated spectrum analyzer. You can select which channels the side chain listens to, including selection of mid or side channels. Obviously we have provided an audition button for the side chain as well! Imagine you could just compress the mid or side channel, and apply compression to a specific frequency range only. Dynamically make space for elements without having to compress the full mix; de-ess those sibilant vocals in the mid channel; soothe those harsh frequencies; the possibilities are endless. This is all possible with the compression zone feature. The ToneBoosters Compressor app captures the microphone (or external sound card) input and processes the signals in real time. To use it as a plug-in, use an AUv3-compatible host app such as Steinberg Cubasis, Apple Garageband, Audio Evolution Mobile Studio, Auria, AUM, or others. ToneBoosters Compressor will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins. Key features: - The same professional sound as the acclaimed desktop version - Ultra-low harmonic distortion, even with very short attack and release times (THD less than -100dB at 1kHz, depending on the selected compression mode) - Full-fledged side-chain equalizer - Audition function for compressor and side chain - Integrated spectrum analyzer for output and side chain - Variable release curve shape and release time - Upward and downward compression - Signal-adaptive release - Auto make up - Range parameter to limit the amount of compression - Dry/wet (amount) control for parallel compression - Zero latency (for live use) or lookahead mode (for studio use) - Interactive user interface with assisted sliders, curve and gain visualization - Undo/redo, and A/B comparison - Color themes for the user interface - Max screen support in Garageband - Optimised for iPad and compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.
AU3FX
A powerful 4-band parametric stereo equalizer AUv3 plugin for iOS. It offers detailed frequency control, real-time spectrum analysis, and customizable presets for subtle enhancements or aggressive sound shaping. Load it within compatible music apps to enhance your audio.
- 4-band parametric stereo equalizer
- High quality 32-bit DSP engine
- Interactive frequency response curve
- Real-time FFT spectrum analyzer
- Bundled presets and user preset saving
- Multiple instances and external control
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A versatile 4-band parametric stereo equalizer AUv3 plugin for everything between subtle frequency enhancements to agressive boosting/cutting or special resonator effects. This app is part of the AU3FX series, a collection of simple and powerful audio unit effect plugins. • High quality 32-bit DSP engine. • Two parametric peak filters with gain, frequency and Q. • Low-shelf filter with gain and frequency. • High-shelf filter with gain and frequency. • On/Off toggle for each band. • Interactive frequency response curve with draggable handles. • Real-time FFT spectrum analyzer with pre/post/off switch. • Comes with several bundled presets. • Use multiple instances at the same time. • Save/load session state in host. • External access and control of all parameters from host. • User presets shared across hosts (on iOS 13 and later). The container app shows the Users Guide. Load the AU3FX:PeakQ inside any music app that supports hosting Audio Unit Extensions to use the plugin.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: AU3FX at $4.99 against TB Compressor's $8.99. AU3FX also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 82%). 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
TB Compressor costs $8.99 and AU3FX $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
TB Compressor holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 10 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of TB Compressor's written reviews are positive against 100% of AU3FX's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
| Parameter | TB Compressor | AU3FX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (24 ratings) — better | 4.6 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 82.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ToneBoosters | Kymatica AB |
Customer experience
TB Compressor
AU3FX
In-app purchases
TB Compressor
No in-app purchases
AU3FX
No in-app purchases









