IR Loader vs Cab ML
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Neural network impulse response generation
- Interactive tag-based sound shaping
- Poweramp with multiple options
- Microphone reverb generator
- AUv3 plugin support
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | IR Loader | Cab ML |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (9 ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nembrini Audio | Jan Maes |
Customer experience
IR Loader
Cab ML
In-app purchases
IR Loader
No in-app purchases
Cab ML
- Cab ML Activation$11.99









