VocaLive CS for iPad vs Cubasis LE 2
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VocaLive CS for iPad
This app provides singers with professional vocal effects, recording tools, and practice aids. It offers real-time processing, a multi-track recorder, and microphone emulations to enhance vocal performance and creativity.
- 12 real-time professional vocal effects
- 4-processor effects chain
- 2-track recorder (expandable)
- Voice Cancel for backing tracks
- Mic Room with 20 mic emulations
- Vocal warm-up tools
- Live Mode optimized GUI
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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 CS for iPad comes with the Reverb effect, and upon registration the Double effect is unlocked. You can add 10 additional effects à la carte from a selection that includes Pitch Fix (for tuning or stylized FX), Choir, Morph, De-Esser, Delay, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Phazer and Envelope Filter. 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. 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 iPad 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 CS for iPad features: • Real time vocal processor + recording app • 4-processor vocal effects chain • 12 professional studio-quality effects available - 2 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 • Full version available * 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/vocaliveipad Accessories information: www.ikmultimedia.com
Cubasis LE 2
This mobile music creation system allows users to record, edit, and mix audio and MIDI tracks. It features virtual instruments, effects, and editors for polishing songs. Projects can be exported to desktop versions for further refinement.
- Up to 4 audio and 4 MIDI tracks
- Virtual instrument with virtual keyboard
- Integrated editors and mixer
- Selected effects including reverb
- Export projects to Cubase
- MIDI over Bluetooth LE support
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*** CUBASIS LE 3 IS NOW AVAILABLE *** Enjoy a brand-new and fully redesigned Cubasis app, which runs on the iPhone and iPad, and adds many user-requested features and improvements! *** Please note that a supported hardware device is required to unlock the feature set of Cubasis LE (unless unlocked Cubasis LE runs in demo mode). Please visit http://www.steinberg.net/cubasisle for more details. *** Cubasis LE is the compact version of Steinberg’s streamlined, multitouch sequencer for the iPad, providing the same look and feel of its bigger brother Cubasis. Specially designed for quick and easy operation, Cubasis LE makes recording, editing and mixing a breeze. With MicroSonic, Cubasis LE includes a virtual instrument to be played in real-time using the flexible virtual keyboard. Song ideas can be captured with up to four audio and four MIDI tracks and further edited and polished to perfection with the integrated editors, mixer and selected effects. Thanks to the Cubasis project importer, Cubasis LE projects can be even opened in Cubase — both on Windows and OS X. With touch-intuitive production tools, Cubasis LE opens up a new world of possibilities for your creativity. Key features • Up to 4 audio and 4 MIDI tracks • 2 assignable physical inputs and stereo output • 32-bit floating point audio engine • Audio I/O resolution of 16-bit/44.1 kHz • iOS 32 and 64-bit support (depending on the device used) • MicroSonic with 25 virtual instrument sounds based on HALion Sonic and Allen Morgan drum kits • Mixer with 5 effect processors • Super-versatile RoomWorks SE reverb effect* with intuitive graphical display • Virtual keyboard with note repeat control • Sample Editor and Key Editor • Refreshed MIDI Editor with ultra-intuitive and spot on handling to edit MIDI tracks and compose • Track Duplicate • Export to Cubase • Core Audio and Core MIDI compatible hardware supported • MIDI Auto Quantize • MIDI over Bluetooth LE support • Import audio from your iTunes music library • Audio mixdown and MIDI export • Unlock all the features of the full Cubasis version via in-app purchase Technical support http://www.steinberg.net/cubasisleforum Polyphony: 48 voices: iPad 2, iPad mini 128 voices: iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro *User registration required to unlock RoomWorks SE reverb effect. Audio Unit extension (in-app purchase) requires iPad Mini 2, iPad 4 or later models. Audio Unit (in-app purchase) and Waves plug-in (in-app purchase) automation requires iOS 10 or higher. Audio Unit MIDI and Files app require iOS 11 or higher. Project export to Cubase requires Cubase Pro 9/Pro 9.5, Cubase Artist 9/9.5, Cubase LE/AI/Elements 9 or higher. Cubasis project importer extension must be installed and is available at http://www.steinberg.net/cubasisimporter Please check the Steinberg End User License Agreement on this website: http://www.steinberg.net/eula
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cubasis LE 2 at 36% against VocaLive CS for iPad's 17%. Cubasis LE 2 also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. VocaLive CS for iPad sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Cubasis LE 2 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
VocaLive CS for iPad ships an update every 9 months, Cubasis LE 2 every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VocaLive CS for iPad | Cubasis LE 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 2.8 (41 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 17.3% of reviews | 35.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 41 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 135 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | IK Multimedia US, LLC | Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH |
Customer experience
VocaLive CS for iPad
Cubasis LE 2
User reviews
VocaLive CS for iPad
From App Store reviewsWhat we love
- 🎤 High-quality vocal effects and processing
- 💰 Affordable compared to professional equipment
- 🎵 Good reverb and audio effects
- 🔌 Works with external microphones (iRig)
- 🎚️ Useful for home recording and songwriting
Room to improve
- 💸 Aggressive in-app purchase model
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ Poor iOS compatibility after updates
- 📚 Confusing and complicated user interface
- 🔧 Inadequate customer support
Cubasis LE 2
From 41 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great DAW for iOS
- 👍 Good for MIDI and audio
- 👍 Stable on iPad Pro
- 👍 Works well with hardware
- 👍 Good value on sale
Room to improve
- 👎 Demo mode is restrictive
- 👎 Requires specific hardware to unlock
- 👎 Expensive full version
- 👎 Limited functionality in LE version
- 👎 Not intuitive for beginners
Bugs and requests
VocaLive CS for iPad
Reported bugs
15 issues- App crashes on iOS updates
- Cannot import songs from iTunes library
- Registration system malfunction
- Audiobus initialization errors
- Built-in microphone not functioning properly
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- Audio artifacts and noise in processed signals
- Track naming freezes
- Multi-track recording failures
- Export audio quality degradation
- Recording not working on some devices
- Latency issues with pitch detection
- App won't open after updates
- Glitchy inter-app audio compatibility
- Pop-up ads requiring dismissal
- File conversion issues
Requested features
14 requests- Update to Files app integration
- USB microphone support
- MIDI control for effects and presets
- Audiobus and inter-app audio compatibility
- Cross-device purchase transfer
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- Video tutorials and better documentation
- Facebook sharing capability
- Package deals for add-ons
- Cross-device discount pricing
- Simplified user interface
- Low-latency pitch detection
- iOS 7+ compatibility updates
- Looper functionality
- Bypass effects via MIDI/Bluetooth
Cubasis LE 2
Reported bugs
24 issues- Crashes on loading
- App crashes after update
- Demo mode does not unlock
- Hardware not recognized for unlocking
- Purchases not restoring
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- Bluetooth audio issues
- USB device disconnects frequently
- In-app purchases not working
- App not unlocking with specific hardware
- Audio interface not recognized
- App crashes on startup
- Upgrade not reflected in App Store
- Icon remains LE after upgrade
- MIDI device connection problems
- Audio routing issues
- AUv3 plugin display issues
- Purchase restoration problems
- Demo mode not unlocking properly
- Bluetooth audio quality issues
- Audio interface recognition problems
- In-app purchase errors
- Purchase not showing in App Store
- Demo song limitations
- Gesture control in score editor issues
Requested features
25 requests- Tempo track and markers
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Punch in/out function
- Tempo and time signature changes mid-song
- Chord track
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- Peak meter
- Step input via MIDI keyboard
- Vari Audio / pitch correct / DeEsser
- Vertical scroll in note editor
- Language support (Italian, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, German)
- Ability to import Cubase projects (.cpr files)
- More individual in-app purchase options
- Fix for AUv3 plugin display issues
- Fix for purchase restoration issues
- Fix for icon display after upgrade
- Fix for MIDI device connection issues
- Fix for audio routing issues
- Fix for crashes after updates
- Fix for demo mode not unlocking
- Fix for Bluetooth audio quality
- Fix for audio interface recognition issues
- Fix for in-app purchase errors
- Fix for purchase not showing in App Store
- Fix for demo song limitations
- Fix for gesture control in score editor
In-app purchases
VocaLive CS for iPad
- Chorus$4.99
- Compressor$4.99
- Delay$4.99
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- Parametric Equalizer$4.99
- Choir$5.99
- Morph$5.99
- PitchFix$5.99
- Recorder$19.99
- Recorder + Studio$24.99
- All FX Pack$24.99
Cubasis LE 2
- Micrologue ARP$4.99
- Waves Tune Real-Time$4.99
- FX Pack 1: Reverbs & Delays$6.99
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- FX Pack 2: Vintage FX$6.99
- Classic Machines$6.99
- Waves AudioTrack$7.99
- Waves L1 Ultramaximizer$7.99
- Waves Q10 Equalizer$7.99
- Cubasis LE 2 Full Feature Set$14.99
- Waves Plug-in Bundle$19.99
Questions
Is VocaLive CS for iPad free?
Is Cubasis LE 2 free?
Do VocaLive CS for iPad or Cubasis LE 2 have ads?
Which is updated more often, VocaLive CS for iPad or Cubasis LE 2?
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