Comparison

IR Loader vs Cab ML

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

Head to head
About

IR Loader

Load and shape your cabinet impulse responses with integrated EQ, compression, and a bass enhancer. This tool supports multiple IRs simultaneously and offers a power amplifier model for detailed tone control.

Highlights
  • Load multiple cabinet IR files
  • 6-band parametric equalizer
  • Custom console-style compressor
  • Bass Enhancer for low-end shaping
  • Class AB push-pull EL34 tube amplifier model
  • Standalone, AUv3, and IAA support
Features
Read full description

The Nembrini Audio IR Loader is an innovative and comprehensive impulse response loader designed to load your favorite cabinet IRs. The IR Loader allows you to load a single IR and shape your tone using integrated processing tools, including a 6-band parametric equalizer and a custom console-style compressor. The Bass Enhancer makes the Nembrini Audio IR Loader an ideal tool for managing and shaping both guitar and bass cabinet IRs. The integrated browser lets you quickly navigate your IR library and load impulse responses without interrupting your workflow. POWER AMPLIFIER Power amplifier modeled after a Class AB push-pull EL34 tube amplifier, featuring three selectable negative feedback modes. COMPRESSION Custom-designed console compressor with a sidechain high-pass filter. BASS ENHANCER Bass Enhancer inspired by the Little Labs Voice Of God* design, delivering focused low-end weight. Provides more than 24 dB of low-frequency boost. Frequencies below the selected threshold are attenuated to keep the enhanced low end tight and controlled. EQUALIZER 6-band parametric equalizer with real-time spectrum analyzer. Delivers precise and detailed control for cabinet tone shaping. Works as a standalone application, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect.

About

Cab ML

This app generates custom impulse responses using a neural network, allowing interactive sound shaping. It also includes a poweramp and microphone reverb generator for further audio manipulation.

Highlights
  • Neural network impulse response generation
  • Interactive tag-based sound shaping
  • Poweramp with multiple options
  • Microphone reverb generator
  • AUv3 plugin support
Features
Read full description

Cab ML is both a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin that provides a neural network for impulse response generation. By moving tags in a window you can change the impulse response in an interactive way. Underlying a neural network will generate an impulse response based on the position of the tags. Instead of trying out all your impulse response files through a classic impulse response loader, you can now find the right sound interactively by moving the marks until you like what you hear. Furthermore Cab ML also provides a poweramp with many options and a microphone reverb generator. The free version allows you to test Cab ML completely, but every minute the plugin will be silent for 3 seconds. To remove these limits there is a one time in-app purchase. You need an audio interface to connect your instrument to your Mac. Known audio interface brands for guitar or bass are for instance Focusrite or iRig. If you don't have an audio interface, you can use the AUv3 plugin in a DAW such as GarageBand or Logic Pro. Any (guitar/bass) sound you have recorded can be fed through the Cab ML audio unit.

Screenshots

IR Loader3 screens
Cab ML4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cab ML at Free against IR Loader's $7.99. Cab ML also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 weeks). IR Loader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Cab ML is free to download; IR Loader costs $7.99 up front. Cab ML sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. IR Loader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for IR Loader against 4.0 for Cab ML. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 4 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IR Loader ships an update every 5 weeks, Cab ML every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
IR Loader versus Cab ML: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIR LoaderCab ML
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (9 ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings9 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS1514.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNembrini AudioJan Maes

Customer experience

IR Loader

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Cab ML

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

IR Loader

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Cab ML

One-time1
  • Cab ML Activation$11.99

Questions

Is IR Loader free?
IR Loader costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cab ML free?
Cab ML is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, IR Loader or Cab ML?
IR Loader is rated higher. IR Loader averages 4.1 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Cab ML averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do IR Loader or Cab ML have ads?
Neither IR Loader nor Cab ML shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IR Loader or Cab ML?
IR Loader ships an update every 5 weeks, and Cab ML every 3 weeks. Most recently, IR Loader was updated on September 23, 2026 and Cab ML on August 31, 2026.

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