Comparison

bismark bs vs VocaLive

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

Head to head
About

bismark bs

This professional sampler allows you to load SoundFont and DLS libraries to access a wide range of instruments. It functions as a powerful AUv3 plug-in instrument within DAWs or as a standalone app with a built-in MIDI player and extensive controller support.

Highlights
  • AUv3 plug-in instrument
  • Load SoundFont (.sf2) and DLS libraries
  • 16-part multitimbral playback
  • Scalable on-screen keyboard
  • Pitch bend wheel and CC controllers
  • USB and Bluetooth MIDI support
  • Built-in SMF player
Features
Read full description

bismark bs-16i is a professional AUv3 SoundFont sampler for iOS and iPadOS. Use it as a powerful plug-in instrument inside your favorite DAWs. bs-16i is powered by a synthesizer engine adopted in professional and commercial audio equipment. With the optional Hi-Res Engine, it delivers extremely clean, low-noise sound using 100% floating-point audio processing. Load SoundFont (.sf2) and DLS libraries and access a vast collection of instruments. A General MIDI–compatible setup is included by default with "GeneralUser GS SoftSynth" by S. Christian Collins. AUv3 plug-in features: • Works as an AUv3 instrument in Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other compatible hosts • Automation-ready parameters • Designed for both iPhone and iPad workflows App features: • Scalable on-screen keyboard • Pitch bend wheel and CC controllers • Built-in SMF (Standard MIDI File) player • USB and Bluetooth MIDI support Connect external MIDI keyboards, controllers, and sequencers, or drive bs-16i from other apps using Virtual MIDI. Common (AUv3 and App) features: • 16-part multitimbral playback • Full support for standard MIDI messages • SoundFont, DLS, MIDI, and Scene files are managed in the “bs-16i” folder on iCloud Drive and automatically synced across all your iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. iCloud Drive and local storage can be selected for each Scene. Notes: • To load SoundFont or DLS files, sufficient free memory exceeding the file size is required. • This application collects the following information: device name, OS version, SoundFont/DLS file name, and Core MIDI interface name.

About

VocaLive

This app provides singers with professional vocal effects, practice tools, and recording capabilities. It offers real-time processing, customizable effect chains, and microphone emulations for enhanced vocal performance and production.

Highlights
  • 12 real-time professional vocal effects
  • Customizable 4-processor effect chains
  • Voice Cancel for sing-along tracks
  • 2-track recorder (expandable to 8-track)
  • Mic Room with 20 microphone emulations
  • Live Mode for stage performance
  • 4-track looper
Read full description

VocaLive provides singers and vocalists with a suite of 12 real-time professional vocal effects, along with a range of tools to help you practice, sing and record. The effects can be combined into a chain of 4 processors and saved as presets. A collection of 55 presets is included to get you up and running immediately. VocaLive for iPhone includes 12 vocal effects: Pitch Fix (for tuning or stylized FX), Choir, Morph, Reverb, De-Esser, Delay, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Phazer and Envelope Filter plus a vocal Double effect available via registration. Together these effects provide unparalleled creative processing power. With VocaLive you can process your voice, sing along to any song in your iTunes Music library — its Voice Cancel feature lets you remove existing vocals — and warm up with helpful vocal warm-up tools. Use the new 2-track recorder to sing over backing tracks, or expand the studio section (available via in-app purchase) to record whole songs. With the optional Mic Room feature, VocaLive also gives you the sound and color of 20 classic and modern studio microphone emulations, for even more control over your vocal tone. Ready to perform? VocaLive’s new Live Mode offers an optimized GUI specifically for live use. See your entire chain at a glance, with all the settings and controls you need in an easy-to-read format designed for the stage. Plus VocaLive offers an optional 4-track looper to easily create songs, harmonies and more on the fly. For best quality, use VocaLive with IK’s iRig Mic range of microphones, from handheld to studio condenser mic. Or connect your favorite 3rd party mic using our iRig Pre interfaces. But you can also have fun with it and record quick ideas using the built-in microphone on your iPhone or earbuds. Control your virtual rig just as easily as you would a traditional vocal multiFX with new iRig Stomp I/O integration, so you can change presets, control effects and more right from your feet. Or go wireless with iRig Blueboard, a wireless Bluetooth controller for basic control on the go. VocaLive also supports Core Audio and Core MIDI so you can use any compatible third-party interface or MIDI controller, and Audiobus and Inter-App Audio compatible, letting you use it alongside your favorite recording or songwriting apps. VocaLive for iPhone features: • Real time vocal processor + recording app • 4-processor vocal effects chain • 12 professional studio-quality effects included • Mic Room microphone with 20 classic and modern studio mic emulations* • Includes metronome and vocal warm-up tools • 4-track looper section* • 2-track recorder (expandable to a full 8-track recording studio*) • Import and play songs directly from your Music library or computer • Voice Cancel lets you create sing-along backing tracks by removing the vocal track from existing recordings • Simultaneous multi-track recording • Studio section (included with Recorder) with waveform visualization and editing, touch-and-drag looping, normalization, punch-in/punch-out recording, simultaneous multi-track recording support and more • AutoFreeze (allows each track to have its own full effects chain) • Live Mode shows you your entire rig at a glance, with all the parameters you need on stage easily accessible • 55 presets included with 4 Favorites for fast recall • MIDI controllable and with built-in integration for iRig Stomp I/O, iRig Blueboard and other controllers • Audiobus & Inter-App Audio support * available via in-app purchase IMPORTANT: AmpliTube users can add the effects processors from VocaLive to their AmpliTube app using the “Restore my purchases” option in the in-app menu. For more information: www.ikmultimedia.com/vocaliveiphone Accessories information: www.ikmultimedia.com

Screenshots

bismark bs4 screens
VocaLive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: bismark bs at $7.99 against VocaLive's $24.99. bismark bs also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 8 months) and review sentiment (62% vs 41%). VocaLive's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

bismark bs costs $7.99 and VocaLive $24.99 up front. bismark bs sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and VocaLive sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

bismark bs ships an update monthly, VocaLive every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
bismark bs versus VocaLive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterbismark bsVocaLive
Price$7.99 — better$24.99
Rating3.8 (125 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.3% of reviews — better41.5% of reviews
Number of ratings125 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerbismark LLCIK Multimedia US, LLC

Customer experience

bismark bs

All ratings125 ratings
Positive68.8%
Neutral9.6%
Negative21.6%
Written reviews268 reviews
Positive62.3%
Neutral14.9%
Negative22.8%

VocaLive

Written reviews287 reviews
Positive41.5%
Neutral12.9%
Negative45.6%

User reviews

bismark bs

From 125 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great soundfont player
  • 👍 Versatile sound options
  • 👍 Good MIDI support
  • 👍 Useful for GarageBand
  • 👍 Easy to use interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashing issues
  • 🐛 Legacy version problems
  • 🐛 Soundfont loading issues
  • 🐛 Notes not playing
  • 🐛 MIDI cutting out

VocaLive

From App Store reviews

What we love

  • 🎤 Excellent vocal effects and pitch correction
  • 🎵 Comprehensive multi-track recording capabilities
  • 🎚️ Powerful effect chain and customization options
  • 📱 Portable studio solution for singers
  • 🔊 High-quality sound output with proper setup

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive base app with additional in-app purchases
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • ⚠️ Poor iOS compatibility after major updates
  • 🎯 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
  • 📱 No iPad-optimized version (portrait-only display)

Bugs and requests

bismark bs

Reported bugs

49 issues
  • MIDI cutting out intermittently
  • Copy-pasted MIDI data plays piano sound instead of selected instrument
  • Notes sometimes not playing during playback or export
  • Legacy edition not loading in GarageBand
  • App crashes when loading projects with legacy edition
Show 44 more
  • Refuses to open unit extension and crashes app
  • Cannot load songs that use the legacy version
  • Legacy version won't load, crashes GarageBand
  • Cannot import MIDI song after last upgrade
  • Projects made before upgrade are unusable
  • App crashes
  • Soundfonts disappear after opening the app
  • New AUv3 or legacy AUv3 not working correctly
  • New AUv3 stuck on default piano
  • Legacy AUv3 doesn't access iCloud .sf2 files
  • Notes disappearing in playback
  • Imported soundfonts not displayed in settings but visible in edit
  • App not opening after changing to a newer iPad
  • Soundfonts only partially loaded from folder
  • Notes sometimes fail to play, possibly velocity data issue
  • Articulations not interpreted well, fixed attack type
  • Stuck notes
  • AUv3 not working in GarageBand, loading as 'Inter-app unit'
  • App closing by itself on iPhone SE 2nd Gen
  • Sound cuts out when merging tracks
  • Sustain stuck, affecting app usage
  • AUv3 version doesn't recall soundfonts
  • Delay in sound output after pressing keys
  • MIDI program change not working correctly on iOS 14
  • Notes sometimes don't play in GarageBand
  • Transpose not working
  • Portamento setting not saving
  • AUv3 not loading in BeatMaker, Nanostudio, etc. after update
  • No sound when connecting to Yamaha ypg 235
  • Busy Boy sound not found
  • Latest update crashes on startup on iPad 4 (iOS 8.4.1)
  • BS-16i drops audio in AUM
  • Cubasis issue: BS resets to factory when stopping project
  • App crashes in Beatmaker 3
  • No MIDI out to Audiobus MIDI chain when playing MIDI file
  • Cannot access 'INBOX'
  • Tune option makes app sound like a toy
  • Sustain getting stuck, especially on continuous effects
  • App crashes during settings changes on iPad
  • Sound cutting out during MIDI playback
  • App crashes with large soundfonts
  • MIDI stopped working after last update
  • App crashes when using more than 16 notes
  • UI changed, making instrument selection less intuitive

Requested features

12 requests
  • More features for sound design
  • Affected filter cutoff by low velocity
  • Envelope affected by cutoff
  • Organ effects like 'Wah'
  • Add a manual/documentation
Show 7 more
  • Improve UI/design
  • Option to change theme color
  • Split keyboard option
  • MIDI learn for sliders/knobs
  • Background Audio support
  • Transpose button
  • Scale keyboard to 17 keys on iPhone

VocaLive

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • App crashes on iOS 15 and later versions
  • Crashes on launch or when opening studio section
  • Distorted and crackling audio during recording
  • App fails to load on iPhone 6 Plus and newer devices
  • In-app purchases not recognized or require constant restoration
Show 11 more
  • Export produces files with no sound
  • Bluetooth and aux jack connectivity issues
  • Glitchy track arming/disarming with loud blasts
  • Stuttering and skipping during recording
  • Loss of recorded data without warning
  • Noise and feedback issues with iRig connection
  • Mono monitoring instead of stereo
  • App not compatible with current Audiobus SDK versions
  • Character recognition issues (% and # symbols)
  • Inconsistent song sorting across devices
  • Reverb effects stopped working

Requested features

15 requests
  • iPad-optimized version with landscape support
  • Undo/redo functionality for recordings
  • Multiple simultaneous effects in chain
  • Audio copy/paste for DAW integration
  • Better GarageBand and Audiobus compatibility
Show 10 more
  • Bluetooth headset support
  • 24-bit export via file sharing
  • Loop recording while performing
  • Track editing and splicing capabilities
  • Improved export options (multiple formats)
  • Universal app pricing across devices
  • Autotune effect
  • Apple AirPods Pro support
  • Count-in before recording
  • Third-party hardware interface support

In-app purchases

3 purchases

bismark bs

One-time3
  • 128 Polyphony$2.99
  • Hi-Res Synthesizer Engine$4.99
  • Compressor$4.99
6 purchases

VocaLive

One-time6
  • External Control$5.99
  • Looper$14.99
  • Mic Pack$14.99
Show 3 more
  • Recorder$19.99
  • Studio$19.99
  • Recorder + Studio$24.99

Questions

Is bismark bs free?
bismark bs costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is VocaLive free?
VocaLive costs $24.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do bismark bs or VocaLive have ads?
Neither bismark bs nor VocaLive shows ads.
Which is updated more often, bismark bs or VocaLive?
bismark bs ships an update monthly, and VocaLive every 8 months. Most recently, bismark bs was updated on October 27, 2026 and VocaLive on October 28, 2026.

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