Comparison

5ths Machine vs Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier

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

Head to head
About

5ths Machine

Explore the theoretical intricacies of key signatures with an interactive quiz. Learn about the 12-position equal temperament system and discover how to identify keys with an unusual number of sharps. Understand music theory through a unique perspective.

Highlights
  • Key signature quiz
  • Equal temperament system explanation
  • Theoretical key signature exploration
  • Background information on music theory
  • Quiz tips and strategies
  • Chronology of music theory concepts
Features
Read full description

Think you know your key signatures cold? Answer this: which key has 41 sharps? The equal temperament system is a circle with 12 positions, just like a clock. And, just like on a clock, the hands keep going around and around forever. The key signature of 41 sharps is theoretically consistent with the Western diatonic system ― learn why, and learn how to find out what key it is. The Background Information and the Quiz Tips explain the system in detail, and Chronology puts it all in perspective. Enjoy the “Perpetual 5ths Machine Boogie” while key signatures you’ve never seen before pass by on parade. Then, buckle down and solve the Quiz questions. NOW you understand music theory the 5ths Machine way!

About

Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier

This app offers a versatile guitar amplifier simulation with multiple preamp modes, an FX section, and a power amp. It includes digital delay, analog modulations, ambient reverb, and a noise gate for shaping your sound. Works as a standalone app or with other audio applications.

Highlights
  • Multiple preamp modes
  • Adjustable FX section
  • Virtual EL34 power tubes
  • Digital delay with filter and offset
  • Analog Chorus or Tremolo
  • Ambient Hall reverb
  • Noise gate and studio compressor
Features
Read full description

“Cali Axis is an arsenal of the most powerful guitar tones now available in standalone and plugin format” PREAMPLIFIER Nembrini Audio Cali Axis All Tube Guitar Amplifier plugin is based on Mesa Boogie TriAxis* preamplifier. Eight separate modes deliver the elusive creamy gain of the Mk I, the heralded focus of the Mk I, the scooped Rhythm of the Mk IV, and a modified British lead mode. But these are just a few of the classic sounds at your fingertips. FX SECTION Select, enable and change the order of the single FXs. POWER AMPLIFIER Powered by four EL34 virtual tubes with presence, resonance, volume and power switch in class AB push-pull configuration. MODERN button change the negative feedback in a way to have a more “modern” presence behaviour. DIGITAL DELAY FILTER make the delay Lo-Fi and OFFSET create a time offset in left/right delay sections ANALOG MODULATIONS select Chorus or Tremolo modulation AMBIENT REVERB Hall reverb algorithm FILTER A/B TIGHT : Clockwise rotation reduces low frequency content tightening the low range, suitable for 7/8 strings guitars. RUMBLING : Clockwise rotation reduces low frequency content. HARSH : Clockwise rotation reduces high frequency content. ANALOG NOISE GATE tuned for guitar and bass with GATE speed control STUDIO COMPRESSOR keep your dynamics in check, whether just thickening the sound or keeping levels consistent Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect. Legal Disclaimer: TriAxis is a registered trademark of Mesa Engineering. Nembrini Audio Cali Axis was developed by Nembrini Audio SRL based on its own modelling techniques. Mesa Engineering has not endorsed nor sponsored the Nembrini Audio Cali Axis in any manner, nor licensed any intellectual property for use in this product.

Screenshots

5ths Machine4 screens
Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 5ths Machine at $1.99 against Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier's $19.99. 5ths Machine also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15). Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On rating, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

5ths Machine costs $1.99 and Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for 5ths Machine against 5.0 for Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

5ths Machine ships an update every 24 months, Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier every 38 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
5ths Machine versus Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5ths MachineCali Axis Guitar Amplifier
Price$1.99 — better$19.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings17 — better
Update frequencyEvery 24 months — betterEvery 38 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB29 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperLucy HudsonNembrini Audio

Customer experience

5ths Machine

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

5ths Machine

No in-app purchases

None

Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 5ths Machine free?
5ths Machine costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier free?
Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 5ths Machine or Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier?
5ths Machine and Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 7 ratings respectively.
Do 5ths Machine or Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier have ads?
Neither 5ths Machine nor Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 5ths Machine or Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier?
5ths Machine ships an update every 24 months, and Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier every 38 months. Most recently, 5ths Machine was updated on October 16, 2026 and Cali Axis Guitar Amplifier on October 30, 2026.

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