Comparison

Replicant 3 vs Combustor

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

Combustor

This audio effect extension transforms tracks with a unique time-bending resonator. Create vibrant textures, subtle resonances, and dynamic sweeps. It's designed for electronic musicians and producers seeking to add wild or organic qualities to their sounds.

Highlights
  • Time bending resonator effect
  • Creates distorted textures and physical resonance
  • Envelope follower for dynamic control
  • MIDI input for melodic control
  • Performative interface
  • AUv3 compatible
Features
Read full description

*** Note: Combustor is an Audio Unit effect extension and requires an AUv3 compatible host app, like Logic Pro, Drambo or GarageBand. It does not run as a standalone app *** Combustor is a unique, wild resonating body fashioned to spice up or extremely transform your tracks. At the heart of Combustor is a custom time bending resonator that doesn't sound like anything you have heard before. You can create anything from vibrant, distorted texture, perfectly suited for "hardcore" electronic musicians, to subtle physical resonance, which is often lacking in synthesized sounds. Combustor contains an envelope follower, to create dynamic-controlled pitch or filter sweeps. It also has MIDI input, that controls resonator's pitch, to make something melodic and organic out of non-melodic sounds, like drums. With just a few knob turns, a boring sound can be turned into screaming madness that sounds like it went out of control. A simple and straightforward interface makes Combustor a performative tool that allows you to directly interact with your sound.

Screenshots

Combustor1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Combustor at every 2 months against Replicant 3's every 18 months. Combustor also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 67%) and device support (3 vs 1). Replicant 3's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Combustor $4.99 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, Combustor every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Replicant 3 versus Combustor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReplicant 3Combustor
Price$4.99$4.99
Rating—4.7 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—19 — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAudio Damage, Inc.BeepStreet

Customer experience

Replicant 3

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

Combustor

All ratings19 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%

In-app purchases

None

Replicant 3

No in-app purchases

None

Combustor

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Replicant 3 free?
Replicant 3 costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Combustor free?
Combustor costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Replicant 3 or Combustor have ads?
Neither Replicant 3 nor Combustor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Replicant 3 or Combustor?
Replicant 3 ships an update every 18 months, and Combustor every 2 months. Most recently, Replicant 3 was updated on September 9, 2026 and Combustor on September 20, 2026.

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