Comparison

FAC Drumkit vs Strokes

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

Head to head
About

FAC Drumkit

This app combines synthesis and sample playback to create unique drum sounds. It offers extensive control over each voice with advanced envelopes, filters, and modulation options. Easily design custom drum kits or use built-in presets and randomization for inspiration.

Highlights
  • 16 Voices Drum Synthesizer
  • Stereo Sample Player
  • 2 Oscillators per voice
  • Advanced Pitch and Amp Envelopes
  • Randomization Engine
  • Mute/Choke Groups
  • AUv3 Support
Read full description

• 16 Voices Drum Synthesizer and Stereo Sample Player • 2 oscillators (16 Waveforms) per voice with filters, Phase and Ring modulation • 1 sample player per voice with sample position, filters, phase and stereo control • Expressive instrument: velocity amount per Amp and Pitch modulation (MIDI CC) • Randomization engine (Drum Synthesizer, Sample Player, Envelopes) • Advanced Pitch and Amp envelopes with multi control points and delay • Envelope templates, modifiers and copy/paste • Mute/Choke groups: reduce overlapping and keep your drums tight • Drag and Drop File Support and multi sample loading • Mixer: 16 voices (Multi Output - If Supported By HOST) • Pad controller: voices triggered by Pad (MIDI OUT and Velocity Sensitive) • Includes classic drum machines built in presets for inspiration • Library explorer: drums organized by category • iOS AuV3 (iPad/iPhone) - Advanced Responsive Design, portrait and landscape views Everyone agrees that the drums are a very important key element of almost every genre out there, they are the foundation of a song. We are all fans of acoustic drums and drum machines, they each have different characters and strengths. FAC Drumkit combines both worlds, samples and synthesis, in order to provide new exciting and unique sounds. As a rule of thumb, the synthesizer section brings the body of the sound, and the sampler the unique character. Both parts are layered together and contain essential parameters to ensure they won't clash and will sit well together. On top of the samples and synthesizer section, FAC Drumkit brings unique Amp and Pitch envelopes with precise control points to modify the curve in a gentle or extreme way. The envelopes play a very important part in the signal path because, thanks to their flexibility, they allow designing very special transition. Indeed, the envelope of a Clap is probably the best one to illustrate the benefit of such envelopes created with points. The burst kind of sound is very hard to replicate with classic ADSR, it's not the case in FAC Drumkit. Needless to say, thanks to the control points the pitch transitions are also more interesting and precise. The value of each control point can also be altered manually, to set the root note of a kick for example. FAC Drumkit is for everyone, as sound designer you will be able to synthesize your own drums in a fun and creative way. On the other hand, if you are looking for instant results, use the provided presets or load your favourite sample pack in the sample section of the 16 voices. The randomization engine makes the creation of new sounds really easy. Define what you want to randomize and you are ready to go. Remember that instrument category plays a role in the randomization process. For example, if you want to design a drum kick set the instrument label to BD (or use the voice index to get a wider sound palette). It's also very interesting to select a sound you like and start the randomization process from there, in a gentle way or not, thanks to the options available in the voice button (page selector). FAC Drumkit is an expressive instrument, the amount of velocity can be set individually for each amplitude envelope, and the pitch envelopes can be modulated by external MIDI control change messages. The pitch modulation applies on control points or on the whole pitch envelopes. Important: The standalone app is a factory version only and you won't be able to save user presets. Use the AuV3. The documentation is available at fredantoncorvest.com/FAC_Drumkit.html

About

Strokes

This cross-platform audio workstation encourages rhythmic experimentation through sequencing, sampling, and synthesis. It offers intuitive controls for creating unique patterns and soundscapes, with cross-patched sequencers and modulation for cohesive results.

Highlights
  • Sequencing, sampling, and synthesis
  • Intuitive design for experimentation
  • Cross-patched sequencers and modulation
  • Assign oscillators or samples
  • Probability options for semi-random changes
  • On-board reverb and delay effects
  • VST3/AU plugin and standalone iOS app
Features
Read full description

Sound On Sound (Jan 2023): ""Huge fun, and musically potent. A dedicated pattern sequencer for your DAW that opens up all sorts of polyrhythmic, pseudo-random, non-linear possibilities." Tom Rowlands [Chemical Brothers] : "Strokes is an amazing device for rhythmic inspiration. Its a lot of fun to play with and can lead to some very cool unexpected patterns and combinations" CDM : "Its just really elegant... a semi-modular powerhouse for exploring polyrhythms, both in musical note/percussion patterns and modulation. So, uh… whoa." DJ Mag: "DJs and producers wanting to create intricate sequencer patterns should look at Strokes" MusicRadar: "An instant inspiration generator" International Orange: "An elevated groovebox" ---------------------------------- Welcome to Strokes. An all-in-one, cross-platform workstation for sequencing, sampling and synthesis. The idea of this device is to encourage free-flow experimentation and exploration of rhythm and modulation. The architecture behind Strokes is complex, but on the surface it’s designed to be intuitive no matter what your experience level is. By setting up some sounds and turning the dials, anyone can create interesting and unique results. The sequencing and modulation are cross-patched, meaning the actions of one part impact on another - in this way, the patterns all form part of the greater whole, moving in symbiosis to create cohesive results. The first four sequencer channels can be set according to your wishes, while the other four behave in various ways according to those settings. Each channel can be assigned one of 16 oscillators from Mutable Instruments’ celebrated Plaits module. Alternatively, they can each be assigned to samples of your choice with various sound design options. There are probability options to add semi-random changes to the sequencers, and on-board reverb and delay add effects processing to the sounds being generated. Various modulation options allow these sounds and effects to be changed in subtle or significant ways, always in response to the other rhythmic behaviour taking place in the project. Rather than relying on methodical programming of patterns or computer-defined ‘randomness’, Strokes offers a way to create surprising music with an emphasis on fun. Nothing happens by accident, but you never quite know where a jam will take you. With the means to store patterns and melodic information within a project, one set up can produce different results every time. Strokes can run as a VST3 or AU plug-in within all major DAW environments, meaning the MIDI information generated can also be assigned to your own software and hardware instruments. On iOS, Strokes can run as a standalone application or from within a host such as AUM. Desktop VST3 & AU are a separate purchase, available at congburn.co.uk/strokes ---------------------------------- Video Manual - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUa8ZmeONjE Synth/iOS demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9IXqFBCa24 Sampler/iOS demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvLasl_wois PDF Manual - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hViEDttYSAIFygN1Y4kWXByMXfX5r3K4 ---------------------------------- Strokes contains DSP code provided under the MIT open source license by Mutable Instruments. Plaits © 2016 Emilie Gillet https://github.com/pichenettes/eurorack

Screenshots

FAC Drumkit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Strokes at none against FAC Drumkit's 3. Strokes also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). FAC Drumkit's advantage is price ($17.99 vs $19.99) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads and iOS requirement 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

FAC Drumkit costs $17.99 and Strokes $19.99 up front. FAC Drumkit sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Strokes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Strokes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 83 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of FAC Drumkit's written reviews are positive against 100% of Strokes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FAC Drumkit ships an update every 2 months, Strokes fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
FAC Drumkit versus Strokes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFAC DrumkitStrokes
Price$17.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (83 ratings)5.0 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings83 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrederic CorvestJohn Howes

Customer experience

FAC Drumkit

All ratings83 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral4.8%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive88.1%
Neutral2.4%
Negative9.5%

Strokes

All ratings26 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

FAC Drumkit

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Plugins not loading when reloading sessions
  • FAC Drumkit plugin broken/unstable in Cubasis, Logic Pro, AUM
  • Multi-out feature broken or misunderstood
  • User/imported samples very low in volume
  • Samples make no sound for some users
Show 2 more
  • Will not work in BM3 or other DAWs, no sound when recording
  • DAW does not recognize playing and will not record drum track

Requested features

11 requests
  • Companion sequencer app
  • MIDI channel per sound for pitch control
  • LFOS for modulation
  • Loop option for envelopes
  • More sample time
Show 6 more
  • Envelope banks for saving shapes
  • LFO access to envelope bank and presets
  • 3 LFOs per kit
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • Dark mode option
  • More varied and experimental free drum banks

Strokes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

FAC Drumkit

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$14.99
None

Strokes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FAC Drumkit free?
FAC Drumkit costs $17.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Strokes free?
Strokes costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, FAC Drumkit or Strokes?
Strokes is rated higher. FAC Drumkit averages 4.7 out of 5 from 83 ratings, while Strokes averages 5.0 from 26 ratings.
Do FAC Drumkit or Strokes have ads?
Neither FAC Drumkit nor Strokes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FAC Drumkit or Strokes?
FAC Drumkit ships an update every 2 months, and Strokes fortnightly. Most recently, FAC Drumkit was updated on October 19, 2026 and Strokes on October 3, 2026.

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