TB Spectrogram vs Black Distortion
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TB Spectrogram
This app provides real-time audio analysis with a spectrogram, spectrum analyzer, and goniometer. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AUv3 plugin within compatible music production hosts. Visualize your audio in detail with adjustable settings and multiple display options.
- Real-time spectrogram and spectrum analysis
- Goniometer for stereo signal analysis
- AUv3 plugin compatibility
- Adjustable frequency and time resolution
- Customizable color themes
- On-screen piano keyboard mapping
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ToneBoosters Spectrogram shows a real-time spectrogram, spectrum, and goniometer AUv3 plugin! We have taken the stunning visual spectrum analyzer features from our latest and greatest Equalizer Pro plugin and released it as a separate app / AUv3 plugin! The ToneBoosters Spectrogram app captures the microphone 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 Spectrogram will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins. Key features: - Fully resizable (as AUv3 plugin) - Color themes for the user interface - Max screen support in Garageband - Adjustable color themes for UI and for spectrogram independently - Adjustable dynamic range - Adjustable frequency resolution - Adjustable time resolution - Adjustable spectral slope - Spectrogram AGC and dimming support - Show spectrogram and spectrum analyzer as overlay or individually - Spectrum analyzer also supports peak hold - Split-band goniometer for stereo signal analysis (correlation, left/right balance in one or two bands!) - On-screen piano keyboard to map spectrum analyzer to piano notes - 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.
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 rating: Black Distortion at 5.0 against TB Spectrogram's 4.4. Black Distortion also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). TB Spectrogram's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 61 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15). 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 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 50 and 24 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of TB Spectrogram'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.
TB Spectrogram ships an update every 3 weeks, Black Distortion every 61 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TB Spectrogram | Black Distortion |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (50 ratings) | 5.0 (24 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 50 — better | 24 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 61 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ToneBoosters | Nembrini Audio |
Customer experience
TB Spectrogram
Black Distortion
In-app purchases
TB Spectrogram
No in-app purchases
Black Distortion
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is TB Spectrogram free?
Is Black Distortion free?
Which has better reviews, TB Spectrogram or Black Distortion?
Do TB Spectrogram or Black Distortion have ads?
Which is updated more often, TB Spectrogram or Black Distortion?
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