# SampleTank CS vs LC4 Controller

The clearest difference is review sentiment: LC4 Controller at 100% against SampleTank CS's 29%. LC4 Controller also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 15). SampleTank CS's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 26 months) and ratings volume (143 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SampleTank CS sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. LC4 Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

LC4 Controller holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SampleTank CS has 143 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of SampleTank CS's written reviews are positive against 100% of LC4 Controller's.

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, LC4 Controller every 26 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SampleTank CS | LC4 Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (143 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lc4-controller-us/id1052405144/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **143** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 28.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 26 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 1.5 GB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [IK Multimedia US, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/323694278) | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) |

## What reviewers say

### SampleTank CS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965)

This professional mobile sound and groove workstation brings desktop-level virtual instrument power to your iPhone and iPad. It offers a vast array of world-class instruments and patterns for live performance and composition, with expandable sound libraries available for purchase.

**Highlights:** 23 free instruments in 16 categories, 8-part multitimbral sound module, Expandable sound library with 2300+ instruments, Over 1,200 melodic and rhythmic patterns, 8-track MIDI recorder with audio export, Intuitive interface and new sound engine, Song and Live environments

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Organ | $4.99 | one-time |
| Strings | $4.99 | one-time |
| Brass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Synth Leads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Synth Pads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Woodwinds | $4.99 | one-time |
| Acoustic Drums | $4.99 | one-time |
| Electric Piano | $7.99 | one-time |
| The Grid | $14.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade to SampleTank | $24.99 | one-time |
| Miroslav Philharmonik - Mobile Edition | $24.99 | one-time |
| Sample Moog - Mobile Edition | $24.99 | one-time |
| Sonik Synth - Mobile Edition | $24.99 | one-time |
| All Sounds | $64.99 | one-time |
| SampleTank PRO - All Sounds Pack | $64.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great sound quality
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Excellent for live performances

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔒 Issues with in-app purchases and restoring purchases
- 🔋 High memory usage
- 👎 Lack of updates and support

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatible with latest iOS versions
- MIDI issues and lack of device detection
- Purchased content not properly restored

**Requested features**

- Add AU/AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Improve MIDI functionality and mapping
- Allow importing custom samples
- Enhance performance controls (e.g., pitch bend, modulation)


### LC4 Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lc4-controller-us/id1052405144)

This app provides wireless control for a music lab, allowing educators to manage student interactions and broadcast music from anywhere in the room. It includes features like student icon customization, attendance tracking, and access to the iPad's music library for class-wide playback.

**Highlights:** Wireless control of Yamaha LC4 Music Lab, Customize and position student icons, In-app attendance tracker, Integrated notepad, Broadcast music from iPad library, Full hardware function access

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SampleTank CS free?

SampleTank CS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is LC4 Controller free?

LC4 Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SampleTank CS or LC4 Controller?

LC4 Controller is rated higher. SampleTank CS averages 3.1 out of 5 from 143 ratings, while LC4 Controller averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do SampleTank CS or LC4 Controller have ads?

Neither SampleTank CS nor LC4 Controller shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SampleTank CS or LC4 Controller?

SampleTank CS ships an update every 2 months, and LC4 Controller every 26 months. Most recently, SampleTank CS was updated on October 28, 2026 and LC4 Controller on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*