Comparison

Echo Pad vs Zigzag of Fifths

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

Head to head
About

Echo Pad

This app is a highly playable and flexible multi-effects processor focused on delay. It offers a vast range of sounds, from authentic dub echoes to chaotic analog delays and bit-crushed effects. It supports live audio processing, MIDI control, and synchronization with external clocks.

Highlights
  • Multi-effects processor
  • Delay FX
  • Loopers
  • MIDI control
  • Audiobus 3 compatible
  • Inter-App Audio compatible
  • Beat synced delays
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A highly playable and extremely flexible "echo centric" multi effects processor. Echo Pad is capable of an endless range of sounds including authentic dub echo, crystal echoes and multi-tap delay, to chaotic self-oscillating analog delays and bit crushed mayhem. Compatible with Audiobus 3 including full state saving, Inter-App Audio, and USB audio interfaces. Control Echo Pad's parameters via MIDI and sync to external MIDI clock or IAA clock for beat synced delays. Guitarists will appreciate features like delay ducking and gated feedback. Effects include: Tape Echo, Shimmer Delay, Oil Can Delay, Multi-Tap (up to 6 taps), Stereo Delay, Decimator, Flanger, Distortion,Smooth Filter, Loopers and more. >SmiteMatterMusic: "Echo Pad is so innovative all around. I never knew just how much I needed this until I had it in my hands. I recommend giving it a try." (www.smitematter.com) >Jordan Rudess/Wizdom Music: "This is a super fantastic - extremely trippy effects app, which harnesses the power of an iOS device to offer you control that is only possible on a multitouch device. " Process live audio from nearly any input source, including Audiobus and Inter-App Audio compatible hosts such as Auria and Cubasis, use the built in mic, professional audio interfaces such as the Apogee Jam, Apogee MIC, iRig HD, and more. Guitarists can use our effects live by connecting the output of their audio interface to an amp. Visit our YouTube channel for demonstration videos and tutorials on Echo Pad. https://youtube.com/holdernessmedia More info: www.holdernessmedia.com Check out our entire FX series including Caramel, Crystalline, Stereo Designer and Swoopster! COMPATIBILITY: • requires iOS 12.4 or later • iPad Mini/iPad 2 or newer recommended (performance may suffer on older devices) • iPhone 4s/iPod 5 or newer recommended (performance may suffer on older devices) • Audiobus 3 compatible (Effect, state saving ) • Inter-App audio compatible (effect node) • Compatible with DAW apps such as Auria, Cubasis, and Garageband • Export recordings and loops to AudioShare • Core MIDI compatible Features: • Supports Audiobus 3.0 state saving, Effect slot • Inter-App Audio compatible (effect node) • Stereo input and effects processing • Control Echo Pad via MIDI • Sync to external MIDI clock for beat synced delays • Realtime analog style delay/looper • Delay ducking and gated feedback • 18 Effects • 60 factory presets + save custom presets • Multi-touch XY control of effect parameters + stereo panning for expressive control • Automate effects parameters using the Motion Looper. • Sound on sound looper with feedback control for creating layered loops on the fly • Dual mini scratch loopers - record a loop, then scratch like a turntable • Universal app • Select presets via MIDI program change • Works with headphones as well as most iOS and professional USB audio interfaces including: • Apogee Jam • Apogee Mic • iConnectMidi 2+ • iConnectMidi 4+ • iRig • iRig iMic • Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (*requires USB hub) • Apogee ONE (*requires external power thru USB hub) • Apogee GIO (*requires external power thru USB hub) • many more Sharing/Exporting: • Audiobus 3.0 (Effect, State Saving) • Inter-App Audio compatible (effect node) • supports "Export to AudioShare" functionality. Loops and recordings created with Echo Pad can be exported directly to the AudioShare app for easy audio file management. • recordings & loops are also exported to iTunes File Sharing for access on your Mac/PC

About

Zigzag of Fifths

Features
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Key signatures are easy with this fun alternative to the circle of fifths! With the Zigzag of Fifths app, you can: - Instantly see which notes belong to every key signature, just by dragging the window across the zigzag. - Visualize how the notes change between key signatures by watching them move on the piano keys. - Listen to major and minor scales to hear how changing the tonic changes the sound, even when the key signature is unchanged. - Explore 7 different patterns in the Zigzag of Fifths, including the order sharps and flats are added to key signatures; relative minors; major 2nd and perfect 5th intervals; and more. - Pick your preferred way to name the notes: English note letter names, Fixed Do solfege, or German note letter names. - Change the color scheme: Match colored instruments, pick a scheme that is better for colorblindness, or use a monochromatic scheme if you prefer notes to be grayscale. To explore Note Teams: Simply drag the window along the Zigzag of Fifths to change which 7 notes are shown within the window. Each set of 7 notes is a Note Team with a unique key signature that shows which notes on the team are sharp or flat. Switch between major and minor modes to change the tonic note, or Team Captain. Listen to the scale to hear how changing the musical mode changes the sound of the Note Team. Make the piano visible to visualize how sharps and flats are added on the piano keyboard. To explore patterns in the Zigzag of Fifths: Cycle through all 7 patterns or jump to a specific pattern by opening the pattern menu (use the 'i' button on the main menu Explore Patterns icon or touch the "Pattern #" title to open the menu). Each pattern has a learn and apply mode. Switch between modes using the right of the 3 central buttons. Patterns: 1. Order sharps and flats are added 2. Note Teams 3. Relative minors 4. Number of sharps/flats in major keys 5. Number of sharps/flats in minor keys 6. Major 2nd intervals 7. Perfect 5th intervals

Screenshots

Echo Pad2 screens
Zigzag of Fifths4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Zigzag of Fifths at daily against Echo Pad's every 2 months. Zigzag of Fifths also leads on price ($2.99 vs $4.99). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Echo Pad costs $4.99 and Zigzag of Fifths $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Echo Pad ships an update every 2 months, Zigzag of Fifths daily. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Echo Pad versus Zigzag of Fifths: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEcho PadZigzag of Fifths
Price$4.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.9 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.412.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHolderness MediaLaura Gabrielson

In-app purchases

None

Echo Pad

No in-app purchases

None

Zigzag of Fifths

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Echo Pad free?
Echo Pad costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zigzag of Fifths free?
Zigzag of Fifths costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Echo Pad or Zigzag of Fifths have ads?
Neither Echo Pad nor Zigzag of Fifths shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Echo Pad or Zigzag of Fifths?
Echo Pad ships an update every 2 months, and Zigzag of Fifths daily. Most recently, Echo Pad was updated on September 5, 2026 and Zigzag of Fifths on September 10, 2026.

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