Comparison

SpaceFields vs SpectralLab

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

Head to head
About

SpaceFields

Create evolving rhythmic soundscapes from any audio source. This app uses a loop-based system with dual loops, pitch shifting, and effects to generate ambient textures and rhythmic structures. Experiment with complex sound design using intuitive controls and randomization.

Highlights
  • Loop-based sound mangling
  • Dual loop recorder
  • Pitch shifting and effects
  • Convolution reverb with deep spaces
  • Rhythmic structure generation
  • Automation generators with randomization
  • Live and sample processing modes
Features
Read full description

Loop-based mangler effect to create slowly changing rhythmic sound structures in deep reverb space from any external sources or samples. Great for experimenting and designing ambient and noise backgrounds with rhythmic elements. The principle of the application is quite simple. It is based on a loop recorder with two loops. When one loop is recorded, the second is played back. When the loop recording stops, there is a smooth transition between them. Three separate outputs can playback the recorded loop with different pitches (speeds), each with its own effects and two automation generators. The mix of these outputs is fed to the convolution reverb. The reverb is packed with a set of long and deep sound spaces that create a blurry and ambient sound. But the main feature of this application is its well designed parameters that make it easy to experiment with a huge number of sound options using any source material from live instruments to synthesized sound. With just two parameters you can add complex rhythmic structures based on Euclidean rhythms, and easy-to-use automation generators with a randomize option to add variations to the sound, allowing you to modify parameters like an LFO or based on a given rhythm. The convolution reverb has advanced options with which you can change and extend the original reverb spaces. Even using the randomization options, in almost every case, you will get interesting and various soundscapes and textures. With these options it is very easy to create the basis for new unique presets. It only takes a little tweaking of some parameters to get impressive results. The loop recorder can be started and stopped manually or by input signal, can use fixed length or overwrite the loop while recording, and has the option for crossfade between the end and the beginning of the loop. All this makes it convenient for live use as well as when processing recorded material. As an extended option, you can use a special mode in which the application works as a direct effect, without the loop recorder. The special mode sampler is designed for quickly load samples and easy control of the application when used it live. This panel contains the input and output controls, essential controls of the loop recorder, and a large area with a recording counter, which is also used to start/stop the recorder. You can assign up to nine samples for fast loading into the loop, as well as save a recorded loop as a sample and to an external file. SpaceFields is a universal application for iOS and macOS. It can work on iPhone and iPad as well as Mac / MacBook with M1 chip (and later). SpaceFields works on iPhone and iPad standalone, as an Audio Unit or Inter-App Audio module, with supports Audiobus host app. On MacOS, SpaceFields can works both as a standalone application and as an Audio unit (AUv3) with DAWs and other hosts that support AUv3 plugins. All application features are available on iOS and macOS, including MIDI support (with a MIDI learn option), audio unit parameters and importing samples from any directory on device. SpaceFields has a built-in detailed description of all parameters also available as PDF file on the application site. Demos and previews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL1Dis3u0AQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpkWkc5I0uE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74LyfDM2dQM You can find more information on SpaceFields and other creative audio apps at: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com

About

SpectralLab

Features
Read full description

SpectralLab is a hands-on toolkit for spectral harmony in the Grisey/Murail tradition. Explore the harmonic series as a playable drone, record or import real sound and decompose it into its partials with on-device FFT analysis, then sculpt spectral chords with breathing LFOs and a Hammond-style drawbar interface — sounded either through a pure additive synth or a 16-band EQ run through your own recording. Chain chords into step sequences, export MIDI with microtonal pitch bend preserved, and study the technique through interactive references to the composers who pioneered it — tap "Try it" on Stockhausen, Grisey, Scelsi, or throat-singing tradition and hear the idea instantly, not just read about it. Whether you're a composition student studying spectral music or a sound designer who wants to hear harmonic ratios instead of just reading about them, SpectralLab turns the math of the overtone series into something you can see, hear, and play. • Harmonic series visualizer with true-pitch playback against a drone • Record/import audio, analyzed via on-device FFT — no data ever leaves your device • Drawbar chord builder: True Harmonic vs. Equal Temperament A/B toggle • Per-partial LFOs, pencil-draw mode, and a live harmonograph-style visualization • Step sequencer for chord progressions, synth or real-audio EQ playback • Standard MIDI export with pitch bend preserving true tuning • Theory tab: interactive references to Stockhausen, Grisey, Murail, Scelsi, Harvey, Partch, and more

Screenshots

SpaceFields4 screens
SpectralLab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SpectralLab at $4.99 against SpaceFields's $10.99. SpaceFields's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 18.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

SpaceFields costs $10.99 and SpectralLab $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SpaceFields versus SpectralLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpaceFieldsSpectralLab
Price$10.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.7 (47 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings47 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIgor VasilievMartin Adler

In-app purchases

None

SpaceFields

No in-app purchases

None

SpectralLab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SpaceFields free?
SpaceFields costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SpectralLab free?
SpectralLab costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SpaceFields or SpectralLab have ads?
Neither SpaceFields nor SpectralLab shows ads.

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