iSequence HD vs Effectrix
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iSequence HD
Create professional music on your iPad with an intuitive 8-track sequencer, a vast library of instruments, and flexible mixing with DSP effects. Record, edit, and arrange loops, beats, and melodies in real-time, controlling every aspect of your music project.
- 8-track sequencer
- 160+ built-in instruments
- Custom instrument sampler
- Real-time recording and automation
- Step sequencer and FX editor
- Flexible mixer with DSP effects
- Wi-Fi file sharing
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iSequence is a long-running iPad music app appreciated for its speed, simplicity, and distinctive workflow. Build beats, melodies, and arrangements with an intuitive 8-track sequencer with 32-step patterns, shape sounds with its sampler, and mix everything with flexible DSP effects. Whether you are sketching loops or building full tracks, iSequence keeps music creation direct and hands-on. FAST, FLUID WORKFLOW Create patterns, record parts in real time, and edit them without interrupting playback. Switch between tracks, instruments, step sequencing, and automation as you build your song. iSequence is built for sketching ideas quickly, jamming with loops, and arranging complete tracks in a simple, focused environment. INSTRUMENTS • 160 built-in instruments, including acoustic sounds, drum kits, pads, leads, sweeps, and ambient textures • Additional sound banks available in the BankShop • Play with the on-screen piano keyboard or drum pads • Create custom instruments with the built-in sampler • Supports CoreMIDI and MIDI instruments REAL-TIME RECORDING AND AUTOMATION • Record notes as you play • Change tracks and instruments during playback • Use the metronome and slowdown mode for easier recording • Record parameter changes in real time STEP SEQUENCER • 8 tracks with FX curve editing • 32 steps per row / pattern • Instruments are not tied to tracks, allowing flexible sequencing and layering • Edit notes with the piano keyboard, drum pads, and other controls • Adjust note duration, panning, velocity, and gliss • Copy, paste, move, and transpose patterns and selections • Arrange patterns into full song structures MIXER AND EFFECTS • Adjust tempo, master volume, and shuffle • Mute, solo, and set levels for each track • Route tracks to 5 configurable effect channels • Includes Filter, Reverb, Flanger, Delay, Ring Modulator, EQ, Lo-Fi Crusher, Live Looper, and Distortion SAMPLER • Import, record, or paste samples to build custom instruments • Edit loop points, ADSR envelope, and sample mapping • Slice loops and synchronize them to tempo automatically FILE SHARING • Export songs as HSQ, MIDI, or WAV • Import samples and presets • Copy tracks to the audio clipboard • Import HSQ songs
Effectrix
This professional multi-effect sequencer for iPad allows users to create unique sound patterns and loop collages by scattering 14 intelligent effects across a sequencer matrix. It offers a playful workflow, refined algorithms, and a wide spectrum of effects for outstanding results.
- Multi-effect sequencer matrix
- 14 intelligent effects
- Creative sound pattern generation
- Loop collage creation
- Audio Unit v3 integration
- Full MIDI support
- Ableton Link synchronization
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Effectrix is a professional multi-effect sequencer for the iPad. The game-changing tool for creative and effective music production is now available on the App Store: scatter 14 intelligent effects across a sequencer matrix and create unheard-of sound patterns and cheeky loop collages. A playful workflow, refined algorithms and carefully parameterised effects lead to outstanding results - fast! The effects, each exceeding conventional wisdom, cover a wide spectrum from classy standards to scandalising splatter sprees. This iOS port faithfully recreates the desktop engine, today's de-facto standard of finest audio manipulation. INSTANT INSPIRATION - quickly create variations and mutations for productive sound design - 20 fine audio samples installed - 230 factory presets (100 global, ca. 9 per effect) - 14 high-quality effects - redesigned GUI for a smooth iOS workflow DIG DEEP - manipulate each individual effect with up to eight parameters - two modulator tracks per effect - Seamless iOS integration: Audio Unit v3, full MIDI support, Host Automation & MIDI Learn - save your own presets & use them on your desktop version of Effectrix via Preset iCloud Sync - upload your recordings to Dropbox and other supported apps - share your recordings with other apps - sync Effectrix with Ableton Live via Ableton Link PRAISE: Diplo "I never thought I'd use Effectrix on a Beyonce song. Sugar Bytes help to inspire me with limitlessness of sound." Armin van Buuren "A three-band EQ, sometimes the Effectrix... and a whole tube of glue, that's all I needed to put together ASOT." Music Radar "It's hard to wrench yourself from it, and when you do, you'll probably come away with a head full of new ideas." iOS WORKFLOW You name it: Audio Unit v3, Ableton Link, Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Netzwerk, Extern, Bluetooth), MIDI Learn & Host Automation. Integrated Audio Player and Recorder (AudioShare, Music Library, Factory Loops).
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Effectrix at 4.7 against iSequence HD's 4.2. iSequence HD's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and review sentiment (77% vs 67%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. iSequence HD sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Effectrix sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Effectrix holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 97 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 77% of iSequence HD's written reviews are positive against 67% of Effectrix's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
iSequence HD ships an update every 3 months, Effectrix every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on August 16, 2026 and August 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iSequence HD | Effectrix |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (33 ratings) | 4.7 (97 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 76.6% of reviews — better | 67.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 33 | 97 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 156 MB | 52 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BeepStreet | Sugar Bytes GmbH |
Customer experience
iSequence HD
Effectrix
Bugs and requests
iSequence HD
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes on startup or during use
- Issues with sample loading and playback
- Inconsistent behavior with certain features
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
Requested features
6 requests- Expanded track count
- More effects and sound design capabilities
- Audiobus and Inter-App Audio integration
- Improved sample import and management
- Support for more time signatures and rhythms
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- Ability to save and load full projects
Effectrix
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
iSequence HD
- Funny farm bank$1.99
- Chiptunes bank$1.99
- Acoustic bank$2.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Electro/house bank$2.99
- Trance waves$2.99
- Loops vol.1$2.99
- Loops vol.2$2.99
- Beat elements bank$2.99
Effectrix
- Effectrix Full Version$24.99









