SGA Phoenix vs Solderbox
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SGA Phoenix
This app provides authentic analog preamp sounds for music production. It simulates various triode and JFET circuits in real-time to add warmth, color, and depth to mixes and masters. EQ can be adjusted before or after the preamp, with auto gain and oversampling for professional results.
- Authentic analog sound simulation
- Triode and JFET preamp models
- Adjustable EQ placement
- Auto Gain control
- Automatic oversampling
- Wet/Dry mixing
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SGA Phoenix brings the authentic sound of five analog preamps to your AUv3 compatible host. Each preamp derives its unique sonic character from a different active element (12AX7, 12AT7, and 12AU7 triodes, and J201 and 2N5457 JFET transistors). To achieve the most authentic analog sound, each preamp circuit is simulated in real time using Shattered Glass Audio’s state-of-the-art circuit simulator. Use Phoenix to add color, warmth, dirt, depth, and vibe to your mixes and masters or as a saturation compressor. Key features: - Authentic analog sound through real-time high-performance circuit simulation. - Three preamps featuring triodes 12AX7, 12AT7, and 12AU7. - Two preamps featuring JFET transistors J201, 2N5457. - Multiple types of EQs. - EQ can be taken out of the signal path or placed either before or after the preamp. - Auto Gain - Automatic 4x oversampling to control aliasing - Wet/Dry mixing. Phoenix is primarily an AUv3 effect. To use Phoenix as a plug-in, you will need an AUv3 compatible host such as Garageband, AUM, etc. Phoenix application is there to provide a user manual and a chance to use Phoenix with the microphone input. You can try Phoenix on a macOS or a Windows based, machine by downloading the demo version of the plug-in (VST3, AUv2, AAX) from our website https://www.shatteredglassaudio.com and running it in a DAW of your choice. Sonically speaking there are no differences between the iOS and macOS/Windows versions of Phoenix.
Solderbox
This app is a compact, semi-modular synthesizer designed for generative music creation. It offers a comprehensive set of modular functions, aiming for analog-like sound and behavior with unique digital effects and an 'Instability Engine' for organic fluctuations.
- Generative synthesis tools
- Analog-like sound emulation
- Instability Engine for organic fluctuations
- Audio Unit (AUv3) compatibility
- Built-in Pulsequencer melody generator
- Multiple filter modes
- Stackable patch cables
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Solderbox is a compact semimodular synthesizer, made in collaboration with Jakob Haq. It is heavily based on Jakob's own modular rack design (which features a lot of modules made by hand). The app is designed to offer a set of modular functions that is both comprehensive and eclectic, including several tools for generative synthesis, random signals and the surgical mangling of audio waves and modulation signals. A lot of effort went into making everything sound and behave as analog as digitally possible (with the exception of the unashamedly digital Entropy lo-fi effect processor). Additionally, the built-in Instability Engine injects the subtle fluctuations simulating the effects of crosstalk, leaky signals and expired electrical components. This is a living instrument with a soul of its own. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect) - Universal design (iPhone, iPad, MacOS AUv3) - Built-in Pulsequencer (LFO-based generative melody generator with custom scales) - 4 mode Low-pass filter (6, 12, 18, 24 dB) - 3 voice polyphony - Drone mode - Stackable patch cables - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Solderbox at $12.99 against SGA Phoenix's $24.99. Solderbox also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (27 vs 4). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
SGA Phoenix costs $24.99 and Solderbox $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for SGA Phoenix against 5.0 for Solderbox. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solderbox has 27 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SGA Phoenix ships an update every 14 months, Solderbox every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SGA Phoenix | Solderbox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.99 | $12.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (27 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 90.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 27 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.8 | 13 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shattered Glass Audio | Bram Bos |
Customer experience
SGA Phoenix
Solderbox
In-app purchases
SGA Phoenix
No in-app purchases
Solderbox
No in-app purchases









