Comparison

DR vs tardigrain

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

Head to head
About

DR

Explore a virtual synthesizer simulating a rare, hackable 70s science lab device. This app offers playable simulations of three distinct units, each with unique sonic characteristics due to component variations. Discover its experimental sound-shaping capabilities and unique tuning drifts.

Highlights
  • Virtual synthesizer simulation
  • Three distinct DR-OM unit variations
  • Mixable Low Frequency Oscillators
  • Voltage-Controlled Filter
  • Speed dial with tuning drifts and effects
  • Hackable device inspiration
Features
Read full description

DR-OM is a virtual synthesizer that simulates the hackable yard sale treasure of the same name. Dozens of DR-OM units have been adapted from a rare, limited science lab function generator that started turning up in flea markets in the 70s. DIY synth enthusiasts discovered the device was easily hackable, and closely-guarded photocopies of modding schematics have been handed around the community for years. The directions show how to rewire the generator into a nice little synth with two mixable Low Frequency Oscillators and a Voltage-Controlled Filter. This app is a complete and playable simulation of three different versions of DR-OM boxen that were discovered at a yard sale near Quonset Point along with a folder of photocopied schematics. Each DR-OM unit has its own characteristic sound because of degrading components or bad wiring by the owner. The Speed dial is the most finicky part of the assembly; depending on the box, the dial can cause tuning drifts, random events and gnarly effects. In the seventies, the noise generator was nicknamed "Doctor Om" for the meditation-friendly tones it generates. Others believe the name is an acronym for Drone Ready Oscillator Module or Dual Recirculating Oscillator Module, but no one knows for certain where the name comes from originally. Notes for iPad users: 1. You'll probably want to use more than 2 fingers with DR-OM, so try turning off Multitasking Gestures in the General Settings on your iPad. 2. Please check to make sure your side switch is "off" or in your General Settings disable the "Mute" function for the side switch. If your side switch is "on" and set to "Mute," your volume controls will be disabled and DR-OM will not be able to make sound. This is a universal app for iPhone 4+ and the iPad. It is produced by the Fluxama Group, purveyors of fine simulated synths like Noisemusick. Sound and video samples may be found on the support web site.

About

tardigrain

Create unique sounds by breaking down samples into small fragments and playing them back non-linearly. Explore granular synthesis with adjustable grain size, direction, and step size. Enhance your audio with built-in effects, filters, and modulation options.

Highlights
  • Granular synthesis engine
  • Adjustable grain parameters
  • Built-in effects (reverb, wave shaper, crush)
  • Resonant filter
  • MIDI and MPE modulation
  • Sequencer/arpeggiator
  • LFO modulation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Tardigrain is a granular synthesiser for iOS that runs standalone or as an AU plugin. Sounds are created by taking smaller fragments of a sample and playing them back in a non linear fashion, with settings for grain size, direction, step size and more. Process the sound further through effects like reverb, wave shaper and sample crush. Tardigrain supports connections with AudioCopy, AudioBus, Inter App Audio and AUv3. Plus all audio parameters can be modulated by MIDI, as AU parameters and by aftertouch on the build in keyboard. Now also a selected set of parameters can be modulated by LFOs och notes triggered by a new sequencer/arpeggiator. +++ Record your own samples or import using AudioCopy/drag'n drop +++ Chromatic granualar playpack +++ Effects (Wave shaper, Reverb, Sample crusher, Pitch and stereo spread) +++ Resonant filter (low, band and high pass) +++ Keyboard and MPE modulation of any audio parameters +++ Note trigger sequencer/arpeggiator +++ 4 LFO sources for modulating a selected set of parameters +++ Multiple factory presets to get you started +++ Save and load your own settings and samples +++ Inter App Audio, AudioBus and AUv3 +++ Core MIDI, Inter App Audio MIDI and AUv3 MIDI

Screenshots

DR4 screens
tardigrain4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: tardigrain at 4.6 against DR's 4.2. tardigrain also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and chart position (#178 vs unranked). DR's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 11.0). On ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

DR costs $1.99 and tardigrain $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

tardigrain holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44 and 98 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of DR's written reviews are positive against 76% of tardigrain's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DR ships an update every 4 months, tardigrain every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
DR versus tardigrain: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDRtardigrain
Price$1.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.2 (44 ratings)4.6 (98 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews75.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4498 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#178 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFluxamaErik Sigth

Customer experience

DR

All ratings44 ratings
Positive77.3%
Neutral6.8%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive63.9%
Neutral14.8%
Negative21.3%

tardigrain

All ratings96 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral9.2%
Negative14.9%

Bugs and requests

DR

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Display broken on iPad Pro M5
  • Cannot access whole GUI on newer iPads
  • Half controls inaccessible on iPad screen
  • App not centered on iPad screen
  • Plugin only partially visible on screen
Show 11 more
  • Does not react to screen rotation
  • UI skewed and unusable
  • Controls do not center on screen
  • Knobs off screen and unreachable
  • Display skewed and unusable
  • Screen orientation jumps randomly
  • Display massively off center
  • Buttons unusable
  • Affichage buggé avec dernier ios
  • Audiobus support broken since iOS8 upgrade
  • Audiobus issue on opening

Requested features

20 requests
  • Update UI for newer iPads
  • Fix display/GUI issues on iPad Pro
  • Add presets
  • Add record function
  • Add copy/paste function
Show 15 more
  • Add Audiobus support
  • Add inter-app audio
  • Add background audio
  • Add MIDI-In support
  • Add MIDI control
  • Add mixer for sounds
  • Smoother knobs
  • More aggressive filter
  • No-reverb option
  • Linear frequency controls
  • More accurate knob behavior
  • Save presets
  • LFO BPM sync
  • Programs and different presets
  • More dry option

tardigrain

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

DR

No in-app purchases

None

tardigrain

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DR free?
DR costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is tardigrain free?
tardigrain costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DR or tardigrain?
tardigrain is rated higher. DR averages 4.2 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while tardigrain averages 4.6 from 98 ratings.
Do DR or tardigrain have ads?
Neither DR nor tardigrain shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DR or tardigrain?
DR ships an update every 4 months, and tardigrain every 2 months. Most recently, DR was updated on October 23, 2026 and tardigrain on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons