Comparison

Soundbeam vs Moon Echo

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

Head to head
About

Soundbeam

Visualize sound in real-time with this audio analyzer. It displays sound as a classic oscilloscope and offers spectral visualization using Fourier transform. Connect instruments or use the built-in mic to explore audio frequencies and intensity.

Highlights
  • Spectrum and waveform views
  • Real-time audio analysis
  • High-resolution Fourier transform
  • Recording functionality
  • Gesture controls for adjustments
  • Connect external audio devices
Features
Read full description

Soundbeam helps you see what everyday sounds look like and visualizes sounds you can't even hear! Plug in your electric guitar, a mic or any other (hi-Z) device to your mini-jack input and get accurate measurements. You can always use the built-in mic. We paired stylish controls and an old-school interface with high precision signal processing algorithms, creating a new way to experience sound. Soundbeam is an real-time audio analyzer (RTA) that processes the input of your microphone displaying it like a classic oscilloscope. It also features a spectral visualization of the audio using high resolution fourier transform (FFT) for accurate measurements. Get a dose of nostalgia with Soundbeam now! Key Features: * Spectrum and waveform views * Recording functionality * Gesture support for frequency range and intensity levels adjustment * Visualization controls * ...and one more thing! Plug in your headset or guitar and watch what happens! Controls: * While in "spectrum mode", pinch the monitor vertically or horizontally to change frequency range and intensity levels respectively. You can also pan the soundwave with one finger. * In "waveform mode" pinch the screen vertically to adjust intensity levels. * Double tap on the screen to reset view. * Tap & slide the intensity knob horizontally to adjust it.

About

Moon Echo

This free music app simulates echoes using the moon as a radio wave reflector. It creates unique, lively, and lo-fi effects modulated by celestial movements, offering a playful tool for both musicians and space enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Moon-based echo simulation
  • Lo-fi musical effect
  • Celestial modulation
  • Space education tool
  • AUv3 and Standalone support
Features
Read full description

In our seventh collaboration with Berlin-based musician Hainbach we listen to the stars: Moon Echo is a free to download delay based on a communications technique that uses our closest cosmic neighbor, the moon, as a reflector for radio waves. This results in some rather crunchy and lively echoes, modulated by the movement of Earth and moon. The moon's surface is an imperfect mirror and creates artifacts, unlike any other echo technique. Moon Echo is both a musical lo-fi effect and a playful tool for teaching about space. Available as AUv3 and Standalone.

Screenshots

Soundbeam4 screens
Moon Echo1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Moon Echo at Free against Soundbeam's $0.99. Moon Echo also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (100% vs 89%). Soundbeam's advantage is ratings volume (74 vs 21). 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

Moon Echo is free to download; Soundbeam costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Moon Echo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 74 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Soundbeam's written reviews are positive against 100% of Moon Echo's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Soundbeam versus Moon Echo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoundbeamMoon Echo
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (74 ratings)4.9 (21 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings74 — better21
Update frequencyEvery 9 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPZ Mobile LimitedAudioThing Ltd.

Customer experience

Soundbeam

All ratings74 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral2.7%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews140 reviews
Positive88.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative8.6%

Moon Echo

All ratings21 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Soundbeam

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes on iPhone 5 with no waveform display
  • Waveform display not appearing despite controls working
  • Quarter-second latency between audio and display
  • Moving waveform displayed even when music is paused
  • iPhone reset during app usage
Show 1 more
  • Orientation rotation not intuitive (tap top-left corner undocumented)

Requested features

14 requests
  • Longer recording capability (with IAP option)
  • Horizontal zoom in waveform mode with time scale display
  • X/Y function for advanced analysis
  • Timebase adjustment controls
  • Trigger functionality
Show 9 more
  • iPad-specific universal app version
  • Absolute SPL (Sound Pressure Level) measurement
  • dB level display in waveform mode
  • Black background option for cleaner display
  • Support for internal audio playback monitoring
  • Music library integration as visualizer
  • Lower frequency range support (down to 10-20Hz)
  • Record and compare feature for sound matching
  • Adjustable scan rate for slow sampling

Moon Echo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Soundbeam

No in-app purchases

None

Moon Echo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Soundbeam free?
Soundbeam costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Moon Echo free?
Moon Echo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Soundbeam or Moon Echo?
Moon Echo is rated higher. Soundbeam averages 4.5 out of 5 from 74 ratings, while Moon Echo averages 4.9 from 21 ratings.
Do Soundbeam or Moon Echo have ads?
Neither Soundbeam nor Moon Echo shows ads.

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