Comparison

RRS EQ173 vs PickTune

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

Head to head
About

RRS EQ173

This audio plugin emulates a vintage mic/line amplifier with comprehensive EQ controls. It offers a demo mode with limited playtime and an unlimited version available via in-app purchase. Features include stereo/mid/side EQ, undo/redo, and a scalable GUI.

Highlights
  • Standalone and AUv3 plugin
  • Modeled vintage EQ
  • Stereo, Mid, or Side EQ modes
  • Undo/Redo functionality
  • A/B comparison
  • Scalable GUI
Read full description

EQ173 AUv3 plug-in — comes as time-limited Demo-version for you to try. It gives you 5 minutes of Free play time. (You can reload the EQ173 AUv3 plug-in as many times as you want, thereby you get the Demo period again and again.) Unlimited version of EQ173 AUv3 plug-in comes as In-App Purchase. Red Rock Sound EQ173 is based on introduced in 1970, this hallowed class-A, transistor mic/line amp with EQ epitomizes the beautiful sound, with unparalleled clarity, sheen and bite. Features: • Standalone and AUv3 plug-in; • Modeled vintage EQ; • Stereo (Mono), Mid or Side EQ modes; • Undo/Redo; • A/B comparison; • 2x/4x/8x Upsampling; • Macro controllers; • Built-in Gain Match; • Scalable GUI. PREAMP SECTION: • Line Gain — Line drive is increased as the knob is rotated counter-clockwise. Range: -20 to +10; • Mic Gain — To increase the mic drive, rotate the knob clockwise. Range: -20 to -80. PreAmp will not increase gain, just harmonic distortion. The distortion is mild and adds some coloration. EQ SECTION: • High Band — The High Shelf knob offers approximately ±15 dB of smooth fixed frequency shelving equalization at 12 kHz. Rotate the control clockwise to add the famous high-end sheen, or counter-clockwise to reduce the treble response; • Midrange Band— The midrange band is controlled by two knobs, delivering smooth semi-parametric midrange equalization. The right knob controls the band gain, and the left knob selects the band frequency or band disable. The response for this band has a dependence on the bandwidth as the gain is adjusted. At higher center frequencies, the Q goes up for a more focused peak; • Low Band — The low band delivers smooth low frequency shelving equalization, controlled by two knobs. The right knob controls the band gain, and the left knob selects the shelf frequency or band disable. The available range is approximately ±15 dB. The band gain is zero when the knob position indicator is pointing straight down; • Low Cut — This knob specifies the fixed frequency of the low cut (high pass) filter. This filter has an 18 dB per octave slope. The available frequencies are 50 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz, 300 Hz and OFF. MASTER SECTION: • Input — Input adjusts the signal level at the input of the plug-in without effecting the sonic character of the signal. The available range is ±24 dB; • Phase — The PHASE button inverts the polarity of the signal. When the switch is engaged, the phase is inverted. Leave the switch in the disengaged for normal phase; • EQ — The equalizer is engaged when the EQ switch is engaged. To disable the EQ, disengage the switch. In the EQ173 the audio is still colored even when the EQ switch is disengaged and the EQ settings are in their «flat» positions. This is due to the fact that the signal is still passing through PreAmp circuitry; • Output — Output adjusts the signal level at the output of the plug-in without effecting the sonic character of the signal. The available range is ±24 dB. To use EQ173 as a plug-in, you need an AUv3-compatible host app like GarageBand, Auria, AUM, Cubasis and more — EQ173 will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins in the host app.

About

PickTune

Features
Read full description

There’s a little girl in my family who loves to sing. Whenever she discovers a song she likes, we often spend a lot of time searching for a suitable instrumental version. Sometimes it is difficult to find one, and even when we do, downloading it often requires payment. That is why I created PickTune. PickTune uses a built-in AI model to separate vocals and instrumentals from music or video files directly on your device. Your audio does not need to be uploaded. Once processing is complete, you can play, save, and share the results. You can also add synchronized lyrics, play audio through AirPlay, record yourself singing along with the instrumental, and adjust the mix afterward. PickTune began as a small tool made for my family. After using it for a while and finding it genuinely helpful, I decided to share it with everyone who loves to sing. May every song you love come with an instrumental to sing along with. Key features: - Separate vocals and instrumentals from music and video files - Built-in AI processing that runs entirely on your device - Search for lyrics or import local LRC files - Display synchronized lyrics during playback - Record vocals while playing the instrumental - Preview and adjust your mix - Play audio through AirPlay - Save and share audio files - Sync records and audio through iCloud - All features are free to use

Screenshots

RRS EQ1734 screens
PickTune3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: RRS EQ173 at 10.0 against PickTune's 16.0. On price, 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

Both are free to download. RRS EQ173 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PickTune sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RRS EQ173 ships an update monthly, PickTune every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
RRS EQ173 versus PickTune: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRRS EQ173PickTune
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (22 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings22 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB119 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperRRS, OOO双双 熊

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RRS EQ173

One-time1
  • RRS EQ173 Unlimited$4.99
1 purchases

PickTune

One-time1
  • Pro Unlock$1.99

Questions

Is RRS EQ173 free?
RRS EQ173 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PickTune free?
PickTune is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RRS EQ173 or PickTune have ads?
Neither RRS EQ173 nor PickTune shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RRS EQ173 or PickTune?
RRS EQ173 ships an update monthly, and PickTune every 2 months. Most recently, RRS EQ173 was updated on November 3, 2026 and PickTune on October 31, 2026.

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