Comparison

tapeRecorder vs Scale Study

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

Head to head
About

tapeRecorder

This app transforms your device into a vintage-style audio recorder and music player. It allows for unlimited recordings and playback of your music library, with features like tape rewind and animation for an authentic retro experience.

Highlights
  • Unlimited audio recordings
  • Music playback from iTunes library
  • Karaoke recording feature
  • Retro tape rewind and fast forward
  • Animated tape reel simulation
  • iTunes File Sharing for backup
Features
Read full description

“tapeRecorder" turns your device into an "OLD STYLE" tape recorder / music player. Useful for: - Record interviews, lectures at the university, audio notes, live music performances - Play music stored in your iTunes music library The software allows: - To make an infinite number of recordings, each with an endless recording time (professional type - using the device's microphone) - Saves an infinite number of recordings (subject to availability of physical memory on the device) - Automatically assigns the current date and time for the title of the recorded audio file (automatic historical archive recording) - At any time you can load and listen the Your personal recordings - Using the technology "iTunes File Sharing" all the recordings can be transferred from device to PC or MAC (RECORDING BACKUP) - Using the technology "iTunes File Sharing" all the recordings can be transferred from the MAC / PC to the device - Allows to load songs directly from the music library of the device, for listening (MUSIC PLAYER feature for iTunes music library) - Parallel listening and recording 1) Import music from your iTunes library 2) Press REC 3) Press PLAY 4) Sing over the music playing RESULTS: music + voice will be recorded on a new audio file (KARAOKE RECORDING feature) and stored in the archive of tapeRecorder (These steps can be repeated several times to create such choirs or double voices) - FF and REW tape, slow and fast (pressing FF and REW buttons the tape is rewinded or fast forwarded like in the old cassette recorder) - Animation for tape reel (simulates the old cassette player for REC, PLAY, FF, fast FF, REW, fast REW) - Volume control - Slider control to modify the song playback position (like in the default device player) - Controls, status display, playback time, level meter (for PLAY and REC), audio clipping leds (for PLAY and REC) - “OLD STYLE" tape recorder design

About

Scale Study

Improve your piano scale technique by practicing tempo and accuracy. Connect a MIDI keyboard to log your fastest clean tempos and track progress over time. A tapping mode is available for rhythm practice without a keyboard.

Highlights
  • Practice scales with MIDI keyboard
  • Log fastest accurate tempos
  • Track progress over time
  • Focus on speed and accuracy
  • Rhythm and timing tapping mode
Features
Read full description

Piano scale practice is a core part of building technique, but improving means more than playing the right notes. You need to increase tempo while staying accurate and in control. Scale Study helps you practice scales and improve your tempo in a clear and measurable way. Connect a MIDI keyboard or digital piano and play your scales as usual. The app listens to your playing, confirms when a scale is correct, and records the fastest tempo you can play it cleanly. This helps you see which scales are improving and which need more work. You can start slowly to build accuracy, then increase the tempo over time. Scale Study keeps a record of your progress so you can see your speed improve through regular practice. Practice Anywhere mode is also included for when you do not have a keyboard. This is a simple tapping mode that helps you practice rhythm and timing, but the full scale detection and tempo tracking requires a MIDI keyboard. Features • Practice major and minor scales using a MIDI keyboard • See the fastest tempo you can play each scale accurately • Track your progress over time • Focus on both speed and accuracy • Practice Anywhere tapping mode for rhythm and timing This is useful for piano students preparing for exams such as ABRSM, and for anyone who wants to improve their scale tempo and overall technique. Scale Study is a small, focused app made by an independent developer. I am Shane, and I read every review and message. The goal is simple. Help you improve your scales and increase your tempo through regular, focused practice. Try it free, then upgrade with a yearly or lifetime purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

tapeRecorder4 screens
Scale Study3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Scale Study at Free against tapeRecorder's $0.99. Scale Study also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.3) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 8 months). tapeRecorder's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On 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

Scale Study is free to download; tapeRecorder costs $0.99 up front. Scale Study sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. tapeRecorder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scale Study holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

tapeRecorder ships an update every 8 months, Scale Study every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
tapeRecorder versus Scale Study: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertapeRecorderScale Study
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating2.3 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.1 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGianluca NataliniDiem Limited

Customer experience

tapeRecorder

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%

Scale Study

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

tapeRecorder

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Scale Study

Subscriptions1
  • Scale Study Annual Subscription$0.991 Year
One-time1
  • Scale Study Lifetime Purchase$2.99

Questions

Is tapeRecorder free?
tapeRecorder costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scale Study free?
Scale Study is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, tapeRecorder or Scale Study?
Scale Study is rated higher. tapeRecorder averages 2.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Scale Study averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do tapeRecorder or Scale Study have ads?
Neither tapeRecorder nor Scale Study shows ads.
Which is updated more often, tapeRecorder or Scale Study?
tapeRecorder ships an update every 8 months, and Scale Study every 2 weeks. Most recently, tapeRecorder was updated on October 9, 2026 and Scale Study on October 10, 2026.

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