Comparison

BAM vs Phase Monkey

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

Head to head
About

BAM

This app is a professional music production tool that allows users to create beats, loops, and full tracks. It offers a versatile interface with built-in instruments, effects, and extensive sequencing capabilities. Users can also host AUv3 plugins and arrange music for live performance or export.

Highlights
  • Groovebox-style music production
  • AUv3 plugin host
  • Built-in instruments and effects
  • Step sequencer with 256 steps
  • MIDI clip and scene launcher
  • Full mixer controls
  • Clip-based parameter modulation
Features
Read full description

BAM - Beat Maker & Music Maker is a professional groovebox-style music production app and AUv3 plugin host with everything you need to bring your musical ideas to life. Ready, set, create! Experience music production with next-level productivity, BAM’s versatile functionality and feature set is easy to pick up, and hard to put down. In addition to AUv3 plugin support, BAM - Beat Maker & Music Maker comes loaded with its own set of high-quality instruments and effects, for a groovebox with a well stocked toolbox. Whatever you want to make, quickly turn inspiration into creation with BAM’s intuitive easy-to-use interface, supercharge your workflow and build beats, loops and scenes in minutes. Expand and grow your projects with BAM’s MIDI clip and scene launcher, perform live and arrange full tracks using extensive follow actions. A step ahead of the competition, BAM’s step sequencer gives you up to 256 steps per clip. View and edit multiple track clips simultaneously, and visualise a scene’s clips together. Summary of features: - 16 rack-style tracks plus Master and 2 send channels - AUv3 plugin support - Full mixer with volume, pan, mute, solo, arm controls - Built-in synthesis engines: Oscillator synth, Drum synth, sampler, classic acid bass synth - Built in effects: Filter, EQ, parametric EQ, delay, chorus, compressor, reverb, saturator, bit reduction, 3D panner and stereo width - MIDI clip piano roll editor - Step sequencer with up to 256 steps per clip - Clip based parameter modulation editor - Track level trigger options plus LFO and EG modulators - Matrix MIDI clip and scene launcher with extensive follow action options - Real-time adjustment of audio clip playback speed to match the tempo of the song, without altering pitch - Sample library including over 1000 drum and percussive samples, plus melodic timbres “I’m marking ambient, field recordings and techno projects, the modular interface is perfect for this type of projects, and the interface is minimal with no weird distractions.” “Great app! Intuitive, fast, logic…” “Whatever I try, I always come back to BAM to start my tracks. Either to jam live and have fun or to build the basics then export in audio or MIDI and complete in another app.. BAM is versatile enough to allow any musical genre. The team is responsive and helpful in case of questions or issues. I like: intuitive & simple yet powerful UI, built in effects, work with audio loops, export capabilities.” “How did I miss this one? Easy to learn and like nothing else for live jamming. Get two iPads and run this on one and DRAMBO on the other and go wild. Who needs hardware when you can have this much fun for the price of a couple of beers.” “I’ve never clicked with what people call ‘groovebox’ apps but this just made sense to me and I had instant results. The more I use it the more I learn and I realize the possibilities it brings. I’m making some slow, dark, atmospheric stuff with it as well as making quick, rhythmic things. The developers are passionate about what they do and respond to questions quickly. I wrote this a few days after buying BAM and I can’t wait to learn it inside out to fully explore it. I think this app is an absolute bargain considering the amount of work that has gone into it and the features included.” “This app is incredible. The demo tunes alone are well worth it!” “Great app for building whole songs, courtesy of the built-in clip launcher. The developer is very active, and constantly fixing bugs and adding new features, so definitely recommended.” “This app has me excited to make arrangements, jams and tracks on the ipad. Your YouTube tutorials were super helpful. The app is easy to use with powerful tools to have a lot of fun. Really appreciate the work you put into this and all of your apps. We are very fortunate. Thank you. Keep jammin!” “This is literally the type of app I’m looking for, FAR easier to use than most music programs and so far their best work since DRC.”

About

Phase Monkey

Explore a versatile digital synthesizer inspired by 1980s phase distortion technology. Create a wide range of sounds from warm pads to aggressive basses with its unique engine and eight-stage envelopes. Optimized for touch interaction, it also supports MIDI controllers and runs across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Phase distortion synth engine
  • Eight-stage envelopes
  • Touch-first interface
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Universal Apple purchase
  • MIDI controller support
  • iCloud preset syncing
Features
Read full description

Phase Monkey is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by the classic phase distortion synthesizers of the mid-1980s. However, instead of being a direct copy, Phase Monkey presents a fresh take on the classic sound engine, including the rare eight-stage envelopes. The result is a surprisingly versatile digital instrument that can produce anything from warm pads to shimmering leads to snarling basses. Whatever you do, don’t have fun with it! Features: - Focused, fun, and characterful synth engine - Touch-first design, almost the entire screen is part of a control - Runs standalone or as AUv3 plug-in (in compatible host) - Universal purchase on Apple platforms: runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Presets synced across your devices via iCloud - Hook up a MIDI controller to play with a keyboard (optional) Details: - Eight classic phase distortion waveforms - Dedicated modulation oscillator for ring or noise modulation - Three rare eight-stage envelopes - Complex modulation of pitch and timbre possible via envelopes - LFO with five waveforms for classic modulation sounds - Master controls: portamento, random voice pan, onboard chorus, gain - Key behavior modes: poly, monophonic retrig, monophonic legato - Additional MIDI modulation sources: mod wheel, pitch bend, velocity, aftertouch (channel), key follow - Includes 40 highly usable factory presets to get you started making music Check out our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sketchaudio Read the manuals: https://sketchaudio.com/manuals/

Screenshots

BAM4 screens
Phase Monkey3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Phase Monkey at none against BAM's 11. Phase Monkey also leads on price ($5.99 vs $12.99) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). BAM's advantage is ratings volume (102 vs 19). On rating, review sentiment 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

BAM costs $12.99 and Phase Monkey $5.99 up front. BAM sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Phase Monkey asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for BAM against 4.8 for Phase Monkey. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BAM has 102 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of BAM's written reviews are positive against 71% of Phase Monkey's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BAM ships an update every 3 weeks, Phase Monkey weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
BAM versus Phase Monkey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBAMPhase Monkey
Price$12.99$5.99 — better
Rating4.8 (102 ratings)4.8 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews — better71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings102 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size490 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperImaginando LdaSketch Audio, LLC

Customer experience

BAM

All ratings102 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative13.3%

Phase Monkey

All ratings19 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

BAM

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Frequent hanging of the app
  • Extension packs causing hangs (Velvet vibes, LN90s)
  • App freezes in AUM and Drambo
  • Loading audio stems is cumbersome and leads to freezing
  • Random crashing frequently
Show 6 more
  • Ca saute à chaque sauvegarde (crashes on save)
  • Sample folder issue on iPhone (folders open on touch)
  • Unstable: no sound, stuttering, freezing
  • Keeps crashing, lost work
  • Recording from a count in is laggy, misses first note
  • UI issues with some Audio Units being cropped

Requested features

27 requests
  • More integrated effects & plugins
  • Pause button for plugins
  • CC Randomizer function
  • Keyboard mode with multiple digital keyboards
  • IAA (Inter-App Audio) support
Show 22 more
  • Scales functionality
  • Chord+melody generator
  • More random functions
  • Ability to group tracks
  • Parameter locks
  • Dedicated FM synth
  • More channels (32 or unlimited)
  • Internal drum kit plugin
  • Linear arrangement view
  • Keyboard input/shortcuts
  • Recording from audio unit keyboard to timeline
  • Keyboard shows up on all Audio Units
  • Fix cropped Audio Unit windows
  • Loop points
  • Chord button on keyboard with preset tab
  • Drag & drop sample slicer
  • Ableton Link send start stop
  • Send MIDI Clock out to selected channels
  • Audio Input 24 Channel Selector
  • Sample import button for existing iPad samples
  • More tutorials for traditional beatmakers
  • Improve GUI for touch

Phase Monkey

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

BAM

One-time11
  • Fusion City Grooves$8.99
  • House Flavours Pack$8.99
  • Techno Flavours Pack$8.99
Show 8 more
  • Bass Mechanics Pack$8.99
  • Ladera Nights Pack$8.99
  • Soulful Hip Hop Vol. 1 Pack$8.99
  • Urban Beats Vol. 1 Pack$8.99
  • Retro Future Pack$8.99
  • Brazilian Funk Pack$8.99
  • Urban Beats Vol. 2 Pack$8.99
  • Velvet Vibes$8.99
None

Phase Monkey

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BAM free?
BAM costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Phase Monkey free?
Phase Monkey costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BAM or Phase Monkey?
BAM and Phase Monkey are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 102 and 19 ratings respectively.
Do BAM or Phase Monkey have ads?
Neither BAM nor Phase Monkey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BAM or Phase Monkey?
BAM ships an update every 3 weeks, and Phase Monkey weekly. Most recently, BAM was updated on October 21, 2026 and Phase Monkey on October 9, 2026.

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