moodunits vs VividShaper
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
moodunits
This app provides a collection of instrument and effect Audio Units for music production. It is not a standalone application but integrates with AUv3 compatible hosts like GarageBand and AUM on iOS devices.
- Sample-based instrument (Waverley)
- 30 factory sounds with tweakable parameters
- Basic audio effects (delay, reverb, EQ, etc.)
- Light on CPU usage
- Access to PDF user guide
- MU Store for additional downloads
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Please note: moodunits have been designed as a set of instrument and effect Audio Units. You need to load moodunits into any AUv3 compatible host application running on iPad or iPhone, such as GarageBand or AUM. The moodunits app is not a standalone instrument. *** Please note that this app is now in maintenance / bug fixes only mode as it relies on "deprecated" (by Apple) technology such as hosting *new* IAP downloads. Existing IAPs should work / download OK *** More about moodunits... Waverley is the principal instrument in the moodunits collection. It’s sample-based, but it isn’t a fully-fledged sampling app that allows you to load and edit your own samples. There are already great apps out there that allow you to do that. Waverley in moodunits is pre-loaded with 30 factory sounds, that can be tweaked to taste via parameters that will hopefully be familiar to most of you. However, don’t worry if some parameter names look technical or scary - just experiment! You can’t really “break” Waverley or make “bad” sounds with it. moodunits also comes with some basic effects, allowing you to create a great sounding musical project using just moodunits and your favourite AU host. In keeping with the moodunits design principal, the effects are light on CPU and expose a few essential parameters. They're probably not going to replace your favourite bells and whistles mega reverb or delay, but their simplicity might come as a refreshing change. Currently these effects include a delay, reverb, low-pass filter, 10-band EQ, peak limiter and distortion. Please note: The moodunits app is not a standalone instrument, but can be used to access a detailed PDF user guide and the MU Store for additional downloads. Once you run the app, your moodunits are registered on your device and are ready to be used for music projects in your AU host of choice. For instructions on how to use Audio Units, please refer to relevant documentation for your host, e.g. GarageBand or AUM, etc. Note for advanced users: with the exception of the filter cutoff frequency and resonance in the filter AU, none of the parameters are exposed for automation. Also, please note that the design goals for moodunits is focussed on ease of use, so some advanced users may find the features basic. The screenshots and demo videos online should give you a good idea of what's possible. If in doubt, please ask.
VividShaper
This AUv3 plugin synthesizer allows real-time wave design using Lua programming. Create complex sounds with multiple generators and oscillators, and share patches across devices via iCloud.
- Real-time wave programming with Lua
- Customizable waveforms
- 16-voice polyphony
- 8 oscillators per generator
- iCloud patch sharing
- AUv3 plugin compatibility
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*** This is an AUv3 extension and not a standalone app. *** *** It requires a host app like Garageband or similar. *** VividShaper is a cutting-edge AUv3 plugin synthesizer akin to a wave table synth that gives you the power to design your own waves in real-time. Its unique interface allows you to program your own waves with the built-in Lua programming language, offering a level of customization and control unparalleled in the world of digital music production. With VividShaper, you can dynamically change your waveforms over time, bringing a whole new level of creative possibilities to your music. Use up to 16 generators for polyphony, and 8 oscillators per generator, to create rich, intricate sounds. Each oscillator wave can be manipulated in Lua code in real time, giving you full control over your sound design. The plugin supports iCloud, so you can share your patches between both iOS and macOS devices.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: VividShaper at 5.0 against moodunits's 4.5. VividShaper also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 12). moodunits's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 months) and price ($2.99 vs $5.99). On ads 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
moodunits costs $2.99 and VividShaper $5.99 up front. moodunits sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. VividShaper asks for nothing beyond the download.
VividShaper holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: moodunits has 48 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 92% of moodunits's written reviews are positive against 83% of VividShaper's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
moodunits ships an update every 5 days, VividShaper every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | moodunits | VividShaper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (48 ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews — better | 83.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 48 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #193 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Rob Jackson | Lars Forsberg |
Customer experience
moodunits
VividShaper
In-app purchases
moodunits
- MU Waverley MobassFree
- MU Waverley FactoryFree
- MU Waverley ScapersFree
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- MU Waverley MegaPortaPadFree
- MU Waverley ARCFree
- MU Waverley ESCFree
- MU Waverley GRANALOGFree
- MU Waverley Stringz$0.99
- MU Waverley Mellopiano$0.99
- MU Waverley Pianoatmos$0.99
- MU Waverley ATMOSPADZ$0.99
- MU Waverley Evoebo$0.99
VividShaper
No in-app purchases








