SessionBand Original vs GripBeats
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SessionBand Original
Create professional-quality music in minutes with this chord-based loop app. It converts selected chords into studio-quality audio across 71 genres, even if you have no musical experience. Build, mix, and share royalty-free tracks on the go.
- Chord-based audio loops
- 71 music styles
- Instant style flipping
- Track builder
- Auto-transpose
- Mix and record tracks
- Royalty-free music creation
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Create professional quality music in minutes with the original multi-genre version of the award-winning SessionBand – the world's only chord-based loop app. “Perfect for songwriters, producers, singers and music newbies“ 148 Apps SessionBand instantly converts the chords you select into studio-quality audio - wherever you are, whatever your level of ability and whatever your type of music. With over 80,000 chord-based audio loops created by the UK's top session musicians and producers now included as part of the download, creating your own royalty-free music is minutes away – even if you can't play a note! From cutting-edge Guetta-style Pop/Dance, to authentic Deep House, Britpop or Bluegrass. From Pop Rock to Grime, there are 71 styles to suit every taste with the SessionBand Original app and once you've created a track in one style, sit back and hear it played in all the other styles...instantly. Little wonder that SessionBand Original has reached No 1 in the paid music app rankings in 34 countries since launch. “Remarkably polished“ Forbes “Create like a master“ Engadget “This app has numerous features to make your track sound professional and stunning“ AppPicker Watch the video at sessionbandapp.com PLEASE NOTE – THE EXCLUSIVE MUSICAL CONTENT IN THIS APP IS NOT DUPLICATED IN ANY OF THE OTHER SESSIONBAND APPS. The fastest way to create studio-quality music... • Simply pick one of 71 styles • Choose your chords • Stretch or shorten loops in seconds • Build up a full track in minutes • Instantly hear your track across all the other styles! • Auto-transpose your entire track (not electronic pitch shift!) • Mix your track (manual or automated) • Adjust track tempo (+/- 15%) • Record direct to audio • Copy straight to other music apps (if you want to) • Share with the world! Unique features that revolutionise songwriting... • Create a track in one style and 'flip' it to hear it in all the other styles...instantly • Listen to your R&B track with a Reggae vibe or your Rock track in Dubstep. • Build a complete track in a few minutes with all-new 'Track Builder' • Mix, record and export your tracks in minutes Get the UK's best musicians and producers working on your songs! - Benefit from the people who record with some of the world's biggest stars including Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Mel C, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Sugababes and Cheryl Cole. - Over 80,000 copyright-free audio loops covering 71 diverse styles they have been created exclusively for SessionBand now included with the download. Create great sounding real music on the go... • No internet access required once the app and all the styles are downloaded • Create studio-quality music absolutely anywhere! Anyone can create and release professional tracks with SessionBand... • No musical experience required • Simple, intuitive interface allows easy chord/loop selection and manipulation • Audition loops as you go • Build a full track in minutes • Highly educational and great fun • All SessionBand loops are copyright-free so you can include them freely in your music whether it's for commercial release or not Get more for your money... - The download now includes all 71 sets of audio loops covering a wide range of styles from Acoustic, Blues and Dance all the way through to Hip Hop/Rap, Rock and Urban/R&B.
GripBeats
Create music using intuitive touch controls and motion. This application allows users to explore their creativity by making sounds through interactive gestures.
- Music creation
- Touch controls
- Motion input
- Sound generation
- Creative expression
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Music making through touch and movement.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: GripBeats at Free against SessionBand Original's $8.99. GripBeats also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8). SessionBand Original's advantage is ratings volume (87 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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
GripBeats is free to download; SessionBand Original costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
GripBeats holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SessionBand Original has 87 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | SessionBand Original | GripBeats |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (87 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 87 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1000 MB | 85 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | UK Music Apps Ltd | WTUS LLC |
Customer experience
SessionBand Original
GripBeats
Bugs and requests
SessionBand Original
Reported bugs
23 issues- App crashes when saving chord progressions
- App crashes when editing chords
- App crashes when adding more than one chord
- App crashes after importing files
- App crashes on iPhone X when returning to app
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- App crashes when headphones are connected
- App crashes frequently during normal use
- App fails to launch after updates
- App hangs during installation
- Downloads randomly stop after 5-10 seconds
- Audio distortion issues
- Tempo not matching set BPM
- Exported audio out of sync with metronome
- Exported files shorter than expected
- Lag when exporting to other DAWs like Cubasis
- Sharp/flat buttons not responding
- App freezes when scrolling text input
- Loop playback doesn't match visual GUI
- Exported audio includes muted channels
- Audio quality degradation when changing speed
- Timing issues when exporting
- BPM inconsistency between app versions
- Audiobus export sends entire mix despite muting channels
Requested features
25 requests- Audiobus compatibility
- MIDI file export functionality
- Pause/play button in edit mode
- Real-time MIDI keyboard input support
- Zoomed-out preview for full page view during performance
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- PDF export capability
- Slash chord support
- Song part coloring options
- Ability to mix and match styles between packs
- Key change within song functionality
- More chord variations (9ths, diminished, 6ths, etc.)
- Batch download for all styles at once
- Background audio playback capability
- More jazz, funk, fusion, and pop styles
- Melody line feature
- Tempo and style change during song
- Automation mode
- Copy/paste functionality for multiple measures
- Variations within same style
- Ableton Link support
- Ability to use saved chord progressions across all packs
- More Irish/Celtic jigs and reels styles
- Audio recording over backing tracks
- Pinch zoom functionality
- Scroll position marker on scroll bar
GripBeats
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SessionBand Original
No in-app purchases
GripBeats
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SessionBand Original free?
Is GripBeats free?
Which has better reviews, SessionBand Original or GripBeats?
Do SessionBand Original or GripBeats have ads?
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