Comparison

Replicant 3 vs Needlepoint

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

Head to head
About

Replicant 3

This real-time audio effect processor captures, loops, and mangles audio on the fly. It offers advanced sequencing with per-step probability and direction, alongside four distinct slice effects for creative sound design. Control dynamics with envelope crossfading and trigger slices manually or via MIDI.

Highlights
  • Real-time audio slicing and mangling
  • Advanced step sequencer (3-16 steps)
  • Four distinct slice effects (Stutter, Delay, Redukt, Ring Mod)
  • Envelope crossfading for dynamic control
  • Manual and MIDI triggering
  • Intuitive visual step sequencer interface
  • AUv3 compatible
Read full description

Replicant 3 is a real-time audio slicing and mangling effect, the third generation of the plugin that started the genre in 2007. Feed it any audio and Replicant's sequencer captures, loops, reverses, and re-slices it on the fly, layering in delay, filtering, panning, ring modulation, and bit-crushing to turn predictable tracks into something unpredictable. Version 3 is a ground-up rebuild with an all-new sequencer engine, expanded effects, and a redesigned interface that makes programming complex slice patterns fast and intuitive. SEQUENCER ENGINE Program 3 to 16 steps per measure with multiple step-size modes, from dotted notes through nontuplets. Build rhythmic patterns that go well beyond straight time. Per-step probability, direction (forward or reverse), and effect routing let you create patterns that evolve and surprise. FOUR SLICE EFFECTS The original Stutter capture-and-repeat is joined by three new modes. Delay adds rhythmic echoes to sliced audio. Redukt applies bit-crushing and sample-rate reduction for lo-fi destruction. Ring Mod adds metallic, inharmonic tonal coloring to any slice event. ENVELOPE CROSSFADING Smooth transitions or hard-gated rhythmic chops on every slice event. Control the attack and release shape of each captured buffer for precise dynamic control. MANUAL AND MIDI TRIGGER Bypass the sequencer entirely and fire slices on demand. Manual trigger mode works with touchscreens for live performance. MIDI trigger lets you drive Replicant from a controller, keyboard, or DAW automation. REDESIGNED INTERFACE A visual step sequencer puts your entire pattern on screen at once. Edit steps, assign effects, set probabilities, and adjust parameters without menu-diving. CROSS-PLATFORM PRESETS XML-based preset manager with presets compatible across all Audio Damage plugin formats and operating systems. SOUND DESIGN IDEAS Sequence stuttering vocal chops with per-step filter sweeps. Build glitched-out drum fills by randomizing slice direction and bit-crushing depth. Layer ring modulation on sustained pads for metallic, evolving textures. Use MIDI trigger mode to fire slices manually in a live set. Program polyrhythmic slice patterns with odd step counts against 4/4 time. Run full mixes through Replicant on a bus for controlled chaos breakdowns. AUv3 compatible. Runs standalone or hosted in AUM, ApeMatrix, Audiobus, Cubasis, GarageBand, and other AUv3 hosts on iOS 11 or newer. From Audio Damage, making creative software for discerning musicians since 2002.

About

Needlepoint

This app simulates the warm, fuzzy sound of vinyl records using advanced physical modeling. It generates realistic turntable noises and artifacts, offering creative control over warped sounds and tempo-synced playback. Additional effects like a compressor and glitchy looper enhance the audio.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling for realistic vinyl sounds
  • Synthesized record detritus and distress
  • Tempo-syncable turntable speed
  • Single-knob compressor with multiple algorithms
  • Broken record looper mode
  • Vinyl spindown and start effect
  • Granular pitch shifter
Features
Read full description

Unfiltered Audio's Needlepoint is now available on iOS as a Standalone app or AUv3 plugin! Unfiltered Audio raises the bar (and lowers the tonearm) with Needlepoint: a revolution in vinyl simulation. Continuing the retro themes of their smashed-up hit lo-fi-af, Needlepoint presents a full platter of advanced physical modeling to dive deep into the warm, fuzzy sound of turntable noises and artifacts beloved by many. Of course, since this is an Unfiltered Audio plugin, you can push the needle far past realism and dive into some seriously warped sounds. While many vinyl plugins are content to use looping samples of noise, Needlepoint uses physical modeling to achieve its incredible sound. Needlepoint synthesizes all sorts and sizes of detritus and distress on a record: hair, dust mites, scratches, warping, etc. These are not randomly modeled, but rather accurately distributed onto a rotating, algorithmic platter. Changing the speed of the record can greatly change the nature of Needlepoint's impact on your sound. While you may be used to vinyl RPMs like 33 1/3, 45, and 78, have you ever wondered what it would sound like to tempo sync a turntable to your DAW? Now you can! Beyond noise, ambience, and tone, Needlepoint includes other effects to fully etch out your vibe. A single knob compressor (inspired by lo-fi-af's PRESS knob with six additional algorithms) can be added before or after the signal chain. This compressor can emulate algorithms from famous hardware samplers associated with vinyl, or even mimic the sound of analog distortion introduced by the vinyl pressing process. A BROKEN mode emulates a broken record a broken record a broken record a broken... Where were we? Oh right, a BROKEN mode acts as an unpredictable looper by jumping the grooves on your recent audio. You can automate the mode's toggle to create all sorts of cut-up and glitchy phrases. No vinyl plugin would be complete without a SPINDOWN button that creates that classic vinyl stop (and start!) sound. Here you can control the rate of the spindown to better fit the effect into your mixes. Finally, at the end of the processing chain, Needlepoint features a granular pitch shifter to help you achieve that chopped up vibe without needing to manually change the speed of your tracks. Despite all of these features, Needlepoint is incredibly easy to use. With a beautiful interface and an extensive set of presets, Needlepoint will help you itch that nostalgic scratch that your tracks need. As an AUv3 plugin, Needlepoint has been tested to work perfectly with Garageband, Drambo, AUM, Cubasis, Beatmaker, Nanostudio, apeMatrix, Loopy Pro, and more! Additionally, with its clear layout and smart resizing, Needlepoint can be used on tablets and phones with ease. (Note for Drambo users: Drambo does not yet have automatic Plugin Delay Compensation for managing plugins with latency. As a result, tracks with Needlepoint will not line up properly with other tracks. An upcoming patch for Drambo will add this feature in.)

Screenshots

Needlepoint4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Needlepoint at fortnightly against Replicant 3's every 18 months. Needlepoint also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Replicant 3's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $9.99) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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

Replicant 3 costs $4.99 and Needlepoint $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Replicant 3 ships an update every 18 months, Needlepoint fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Replicant 3 versus Needlepoint: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReplicant 3Needlepoint
Price$4.99 — better$9.99
Rating—4.8 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAudio Damage, Inc.Unfiltered Audio

Customer experience

Replicant 3

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Needlepoint

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral7.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Replicant 3

No in-app purchases

None

Needlepoint

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Replicant 3 free?
Replicant 3 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Needlepoint free?
Needlepoint costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Replicant 3 or Needlepoint have ads?
Neither Replicant 3 nor Needlepoint shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Replicant 3 or Needlepoint?
Replicant 3 ships an update every 18 months, and Needlepoint fortnightly. Most recently, Replicant 3 was updated on September 9, 2026 and Needlepoint on September 18, 2026.

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