Comparison

iSequence HD vs Cyclop for iPad

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

About

Cyclop for iPad

This app is a monophonic synthesizer designed to create powerful, deep bass sounds. It offers extensive sound design possibilities with a versatile modulation system, integrated effects, and real-time control. Ideal for electronic music production, it delivers unique and thick low-end frequencies.

Highlights
  • Monophonic bass synthesizer
  • Advanced sound design capabilities
  • Integrated effects sequencer
  • Versatile modulation system
  • Real-time control knobs
  • Preset browser with iCloud sync
  • Full MIDI support
Read full description

Cyclop is a monophonic synthesizer. It does one thing very well: delivering cutting-edge digital madness at the low end of the frequency spectrum to unleash monstrous bass sounds to the mobile world. Cyclop is the master of subs, beautifully controlling even the lowest notes, always sounding stomach-rumblingly thick. It uses mid/side processing to introduce stereo imaging between 250Hz and 4kHz. This ensures wide, interesting sounds that retain their punch and bass. There are no phasing issues, which means Cyclop cuts through the mix very nicely. Enjoy an incredible depth of sound design possibilities, great real-time control with the Wobble Knob and FX knob. Integrated effects sequencer, vast modulation system and the preset browser will take your inspiration to new levels. FEATURES AT A GLANCE: • Audio Unit v3 & Standalone • Monophonic Bass Synthesizer • 6x2 Synthesiser Engines, 10x2 Filter Engines • Analog Sync, FM, Sample Transformer, Spectromat, Saw Regiment, Phase Stressor • Vowel Filter Mode • Free Signal Flow for 2 Oscillators, Filters and Distortions. • Incredibly versatile modulation system • Multi FX Knob/Sequencer • Powerful Preset Browser with tagging and rating • Preset iCloud Sync • Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Network, External) • Transformer import: Audiocopy, Audioshare, Music Library • Ableton Link DJ Mag: “It is decidedly digital-sounding, but not in a bad way, and as the growing list of fans proves, it can be turned to good use in just about any electronic genre, past, present and (probably) future.” Rating: 9.5/10 Producer Spot: “Very good for his complexity, very versatile and easy to use if you need sub bass sound for your productions. Sugar Bytes offers High quality and good prices with all their products.” Rating: 9.5/10 Computer Music: “Anyone will find it powerful and unique-sounding, adding spice to existing tracks and inspiring new ones.” Rating: 4.5/5.0

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cyclop for iPad at 4.7 against iSequence HD's 4.2. iSequence HD's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. iSequence HD sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Cyclop for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cyclop for iPad holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 85 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 77% of iSequence HD's written reviews are positive against 74% of Cyclop for iPad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iSequence HD ships an update every 3 months, Cyclop for iPad every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
iSequence HD versus Cyclop for iPad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriSequence HDCyclop for iPad
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (33 ratings)4.7 (85 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.6% of reviews — better74.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3385 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size156 MB303 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeepStreetSugar Bytes GmbH

Customer experience

iSequence HD

All ratings32 ratings
Positive78.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.9%
Written reviews222 reviews
Positive76.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative14.4%

Cyclop for iPad

All ratings85 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral1.2%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive74.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative18.0%

User reviews

iSequence HD

From 33 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sequencer
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 🎨 Great sound quality
  • 💰 Good value for money
  • 🎶 Excellent for music creation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔇 Limited audio export options
  • 🔒 Lack of Audiobus/Inter-App Audio support
  • 🔢 Limited track count
  • 🔀 Difficulty with time signatures and polyrhythms

Cyclop for iPad

From 85 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Beautiful and futuristic UI
  • 🎵 Amazing and unique sound possibilities
  • 💡 Powerful modulation options
  • 🎛️ Versatile and complex synth
  • 🎹 Great for electronic music producers

Room to improve

  • 🤔 Difficult to learn/use
  • 💸 Expensive for some users
  • 💻 High CPU usage
  • 🐢 Slow patch switching
  • 📱 UI elements too small on iPad Air

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
Show 1 more
  • Ability to save and load full projects

Cyclop for iPad

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Sticky keys
  • App crashes
  • Unstable with Audiobus and Ableton Link
  • Patches don't change when selected
  • Notes get stuck
Show 2 more
  • User presets not recalling
  • Lags and freezes on older iPads

Requested features

8 requests
  • Tutorials for recording own sounds
  • More downloadable presets for simple users
  • Bigger search window for iPad Pro
  • Hotkeys
  • Sequencer
Show 3 more
  • Ability to limit keyboard to specific key
  • More presets for various genres
  • Update graphics for higher resolution

In-app purchases

8 purchases

iSequence HD

One-time8
  • Funny farm bank$1.99
  • Chiptunes bank$1.99
  • Acoustic bank$2.99
Show 5 more
  • Electro/house bank$2.99
  • Trance waves$2.99
  • Loops vol.1$2.99
  • Loops vol.2$2.99
  • Beat elements bank$2.99
1 purchases

Cyclop for iPad

One-time1
  • Cyclop Full Version$24.99

Questions

Is iSequence HD free?
iSequence HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cyclop for iPad free?
Cyclop for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iSequence HD or Cyclop for iPad?
Cyclop for iPad is rated higher. iSequence HD averages 4.2 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while Cyclop for iPad averages 4.7 from 85 ratings.
Do iSequence HD or Cyclop for iPad have ads?
Neither iSequence HD nor Cyclop for iPad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iSequence HD or Cyclop for iPad?
iSequence HD ships an update every 3 months, and Cyclop for iPad every 2 months. Most recently, iSequence HD was updated on October 23, 2026 and Cyclop for iPad on October 29, 2026.

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