Comparison

sir Sampleton vs BLEASS Groovebox

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

Head to head
About

sir Sampleton

Record and play back sounds on dual keyboards with a built-in rhythm machine. Inspired by 80s samplers, this app lets you create lush, complex musical textures from your voice, instruments, or other noises. Samples can be looped, customized, saved, and shared.

Highlights
  • Sample from microphone
  • Dual piano keyboards
  • Built-in rhythm machine
  • Save and email samples
  • Download free samples
  • Adjust tuning and effects
  • Sample from other apps via Audiobus
Features
Read full description

"surprisingly powerful" - Wall Street Journal used by DJ/producer Zedd! // supports Audiobus, MIDI, iOS13 Sir Sampleton is a sampling musical keyboard inspired by Casio and Yamaha samplers from the 80s. The app allows you to record sounds through the microphone and then play them on dual piano keyboards accompanied by a rhythm machine. You'll be surprised at the lush, complex musical sounds that can be created with samples of your voice, musical instruments, and other noises. Samples can be looped, customized, saved, and emailed, and we offer free samples for download on our website. Supports Audiobus, Inter-app Audio, CoreMIDI, MIDI Mobilizer 1 and 2. Works as a virtual instrument for apps like Cubasis, Beatmaker 2, and Genome sequencer. Capable of sampling other apps and effects through Audiobus. Sampleton applies a subtle stereo effects process to the audio giving it a fuller, warmer sound that you'd typically get from sampling a monaural microphone. If you like my apps please leave ratings or reviews! For support email sirsampleton@gmail.com FEATURES: • Sample from the microphone and immediately play your sounds on dual keyboards • Save and email sample packs to friends, or to yourself for backup/transfer • Download free samples from our website • Built-in beats and computer beat generator • Adjust tuning, release, vibrato, sample time, and much more • Record, add effects, and sample from other apps (requires Audiobus app) • Put a different sample on each keyboard in dual-sample mode • Multitouch with 18 voices for rich sound • Automatic smart microphone level adjustment • Supports all CoreMIDI devices, Line6 MIDI Mobilizer 1 and 2 • Virtual MIDI for compatibility with Cubasis, Beatmaker 2, and Genome • Multichannel MIDI mode places different samples on each MIDI channel, up to 24 samples • Supports iRig external audio input adapter and iRig microphone • Low latency • Coming soon: Audio copy/paste, additional sample banks, and more! INSTRUCTIONS: TO SAMPLE: press the red button and speak into the microphone. It will sample for about 3 seconds. TO PLAY A DRUM BEAT: press the drum icon button in the upper left to open the Rhythm Menu, and then select the beat you want to play. To change the tempo or beat volume, use the buttons on the right. Press the X to return to the keyboard. TO GENERATE A RANDOM BEAT: press the drum icon button to open the Rhythm Menu, and then press the RANDOM button. To generate a new random beat, press the button again. TO SAVE A SAMPLE: press the keyboard icon button in the upper left to open the Sounds Menu. Press SAVE and then choose one of the flashing numbered buttons. Your sample is then saved on that button. Press the X to return to the keyboard. TO LOAD A SAMPLE: press the keyboard icon button in the upper left to open the Sounds Menu. Press the numbered button where you saved the sample. Press the X to return to the keyboard. TO PREVIEW A SAVED SAMPLE: press and hold the numbered button in the Sounds Menu. TO SAVE CHANGES TO A SAMPLE'S SOUND SETTINGS: press and hold the 'save' button in the Sounds Menu.

About

BLEASS Groovebox

Create, perform, and compose music with this all-in-one beat studio. Features a multitrack sequencer, synthesizers, and drum machines for intuitive beatmaking and sound design. Optimized for both studio and live performance.

Highlights
  • Multitrack sequencer
  • Monophonic & polyphonic synthesizers
  • Drum machines
  • Sample recording and editing
  • Real-time performance controls
  • MIDI and Ableton Link support
Features
Read full description

BLEASS Groovebox brings music production and performance to its very core: play, perform, compose beats, chords and melodies in a new yet intuitive way thanks to its multitrack sequencer, monophonic & polyphonic synthesizers and drum machines. PROFESSIONAL GRADE INSTRUMENT BLEASS Groovebox has been designed for both iPhone and iPad and offers great performance and stability thanks to its powerful realtime audio engine and fully customizable parameters: go deep in the shaping of electronic sounds without being limited by factory presets. WILD BASSES, BEATS AND SYNTHS Record, import and edit your own samples and make sick beats out of the 16 steps sequencer with customizable filters and grooves, as well as binary and ternary quantization. Customize endlessly your monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers by tweaking the effects, envelopes and LFOs ! BUILT FOR STUDIO AND LIVE PERFORMANCE Unique slider controls, long-press & multi-touch controls make this groovebox a perfect live tool: Record/Edit/Start/Stop/Copy/Paste your patterns as you feel like, build and arrange your songs on the fly, apply reverb or delay effects, and let the music live! COMPATIBLE WITH THE iOS MUSIC STANDARDS BLEASS groovebox supports Ableton Link and Inter-App Audio and also works in complete synergy with all of your studio soft- and hardware gear using MIDI IN/OUT and SYNC OUT features. Manage your project files, audio export, import your own samples thanks to the Apple iOS Files Integration. Load BLEASS groovebox in your favorite host or plug your iPhone or iPad in an external sound card to enjoy virtual and physical multi-track output routing. GENERAL FEATURES : > low-CPU and low-latency iOS-dedicated audio engine > up to 16 steps per bar > up to 8 bars per sequence > separate groove settings per track > binary and ternary time signatures and quantization > live and song modes > tap tempo > metronome > speed control for each sequence ( x 0.5 / x1 / x2 ) > multi-touch solo button for each track > start & stop sequences with single tap and double tap > 2 FX sends > 4 tracks sequencer > optimized workflow for a smooth live/studio experience > notes swapping : easily move a note to a different step > major and minor scales DRUM MACHINE > 6 user-customizable samples per track > sample length, attack, release and pitch settings > low pass and high pass filters > post and pre- drive and bitcrusher settings > velocity settings per step (with random velocity option) > sample import via iCloud or Files MONO SYNTHS > up to 9 virtual-analog synthesizers for each track > 2 oscillators + 1 noise > 1 amplifier envelope > 2 filters with 1 envelope > post and pre- drive and bitcrusher > 2 LFOs > presets loading > pitch envelope CHORDS > on the fly chords performance with scales > up to 4 virtual-analog synthesizers for each track > 2 oscillators + 1 noise > amplifier and pitch envelope > 2 filters with 1 envelope > strumming > bitcrusher > 2 LFOs > presets loading ADVANCED FEATURES > expression panels (pads or keyboard) with beat repeat > on the fly sequence recording with quantization > sample recording > iCloud synchronization > live audio export > Ableton Link & Inter-App Audio compatibility PRO FEATURES You can access all the BLEASS PRO FEATURES by purchasing the full unlock (pay once and own forever). As a PRO user, you gain access to all premium features, all samples and all presets packs, as well as upcoming new features and instruments added continuously: > Access to all samples packs (over 1000 samples). New sample packs added regularly! > Projects files management : load, save, import, export… > MIDI in/out > MIDI LEARN (control changes) > MIDI sync out > Presets saving > MIX panel > FXs parameters customization : reverb, delay, ping pong delay > External Audio Routing > Virtual Audio Routing (open separate BLEASS audio channels into any compatible host) Find tutorials and more about our plugins on www.bleass.com

Screenshots

sir Sampleton4 screens
BLEASS Groovebox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BLEASS Groovebox at Free against sir Sampleton's $0.99. BLEASS Groovebox also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.3) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). sir Sampleton's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads 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

BLEASS Groovebox is free to download; sir Sampleton costs $0.99 up front. BLEASS Groovebox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. sir Sampleton asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BLEASS Groovebox holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 38 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 66% of sir Sampleton's written reviews are positive against 64% of BLEASS Groovebox's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

sir Sampleton ships an update every 3 months, BLEASS Groovebox every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
sir Sampleton versus BLEASS Groovebox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parametersir SampletonBLEASS Groovebox
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.3 (48 ratings)4.2 (38 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.3% of reviews — better64.1% of reviews
Number of ratings48 — better38
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPaul SlocumBLEASS

Customer experience

sir Sampleton

All ratings47 ratings
Positive46.8%
Neutral19.1%
Negative34.0%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive66.3%
Neutral10.6%
Negative23.1%

BLEASS Groovebox

All ratings38 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral7.9%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive64.1%
Neutral20.5%
Negative15.4%

Bugs and requests

sir Sampleton

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Screen stuck in portrait mode, won't rotate to landscape
  • Touch input only registers on 1/4 of screen
  • Graphics and app engine mismatch causing display corruption
  • App incompatible with iOS 16, 16.2, 16.4.1, 17.5.1
  • Microphone recording produces unintelligible distorted crackling
Show 8 more
  • Audio outputs through earpiece speaker instead of main speaker
  • App crashes on startup
  • App freezes and locks up device
  • Keys play different notes than pressed
  • Some keys don't register input
  • Requires full device restart to fix screen orientation
  • MIDI interface not recognized
  • Volume too low or no volume after updates

Requested features

15 requests
  • Export samples as MP3/WAV files
  • Sequencer for arranging samples into songs
  • Reverse/reverse-loop functionality
  • Sustain button/function for live performance
  • Arpegiator feature
Show 10 more
  • Sample envelope presets
  • Ability to assign different samples per key
  • GarageBand compatibility
  • Audio copy/paste between apps
  • Sample gain adjustment
  • Pitch shift without changing playback rate
  • Record and layering features
  • Loop begin/end point selection
  • Effects (reverb, delay, etc.)
  • Sample naming and preset saving per sample

BLEASS Groovebox

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

sir Sampleton

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

BLEASS Groovebox

One-time1
  • Full Unlock$4.99

Questions

Is sir Sampleton free?
sir Sampleton costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BLEASS Groovebox free?
BLEASS Groovebox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, sir Sampleton or BLEASS Groovebox?
BLEASS Groovebox is rated higher. sir Sampleton averages 3.3 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while BLEASS Groovebox averages 4.2 from 38 ratings.
Do sir Sampleton or BLEASS Groovebox have ads?
Neither sir Sampleton nor BLEASS Groovebox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, sir Sampleton or BLEASS Groovebox?
sir Sampleton ships an update every 3 months, and BLEASS Groovebox every 6 weeks. Most recently, sir Sampleton was updated on October 24, 2026 and BLEASS Groovebox on October 24, 2026.

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