VR vs VB3m
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VR
This app offers graphical control over the parameters of specific Roland keyboard models, allowing for wireless adjustments to organ and synth tones via an iPad. A compatible Roland keyboard and optional wireless adapter are required for full functionality.
- Graphical parameter control
- Organ Tone adjustment
- Synth Tone adjustment
- Wireless control via iPad
- Large display interface
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VR-09 Editor provides graphical control of VR-09, VR-09-B or VR-730's parameters, such as Organ Tones and Synth Tones. * Sound generator is not included. * Any of Roland VR-09, VR-09-B or VR-730 is required to use this app. ● You can use the large display of iPad to control the parameters of Organ and Synth Tone. ● Roland Wireless Connect allows you to control the VR-09, VR-09-B or VR-730 wirelessly by your iPad. * In order to use the wireless connection, you'll need Roland WNA1100-RL, ONKYO UWF-1 or an equivalent wireless USB adaptor, and a wireless LAN access point (e.g., wireless LAN router) that supports WPS.
VB3m
This app is a virtual tonewheel organ emulator, meticulously recreating the sound and functionality of the classic Hammond B3. It offers advanced features like dual manuals, pedalboard, physical modeling, and a versatile rotary speaker effect, all controllable via MIDI.
- Dual manuals and pedalboard
- Physical modeling engine
- Rotary speaker effect
- Tube overdrive simulation
- MIDI CC mapping
- AUv3 plugin support
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GSi VB3m simulates the famous american tonewheel organ better known as the Hammond Organ B3. Main features: - Two manuals plus pedalboard - Two sets of 9 drawbars each for upper and lower manual - Two drawbars for the pedalboard - Physical modeling engine with full polyphony (91 tonewheels) - Rotary speaker effect with two variations plus one static amp - Virtual microphone positioning - Tube overdrive simulation - Two band equalizer - Digital reverb - Program bank with 32 memory locations - On screen keyboard (upper manual only) - Split function - Pedal-to-lower function - Pedal String Bass decay - Global tuning between A=430 Hz and A=450 Hz - Fully customizable Midi CC Mapping with Midi Learn function - Reverse all drawbar CC option - Sustain pedal support for sustaining notes - User selectable Midi channels - Freely assignable Program Change numbers - Low latency Core Audio support - IAA support - AUv3 plugin extension included - Background audio option - Free Cloud service to easily exchange Programs and Midi Maps Please note: to connect a USB-Midi controller, please use Apple's Camera Connection Kit (Lightning to USB-A). Don't connect your recharge cable to a USB host port, that won't transfer Midi data. For better performance, make sure your battery is fully charged or power your device wherever possible. For more details, please read this Q&A article: https://lnx.gsidsp.com/help/knowledgebase.php?article=1
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: VR at Free against VB3m's $14.99. VR also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). VB3m's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 2.0) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 29 months). On ads and in-app purchases 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
VR is free to download; VB3m costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VB3m holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VB3m has 40 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of VR's written reviews are positive against 78% of VB3m's.
VR ships an update every 29 months, VB3m fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VR | VB3m |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 2.0 (4 ratings) | 4.5 (40 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.8% of reviews | 78.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 40 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 29 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Roland Corporation | Genuine Soundware |
Customer experience
VR
VB3m
Bugs and requests
VR
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
VB3m
Reported bugs
14 issues- Sound gets stuck
- Non funziona più (stops working)
- Non riesco più a sentire il suono (no sound after iPad update)
- Sounds get stuck, developer not responding
- UI is pixelated and needs a refresh
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- Graphics are very low res (needs fixing!)
- Blurry graphics on iPad Pro 12”
- Problems recording with GarageBand iOS
- Difficulty connecting with MIDI keyboard and audio interface on iPad 9th gen
- App screen goes dark and no sound when connected to MIDI/audio interface
- Minor bug: sometimes the app seems to lose track of the (swell) expression pedal
- Problema GarageBand: not working as Audio Unit with native GarageBand keyboard
- Latency issues on older iPhone models
- Battery drains when in background
Requested features
30 requests- Add parametric EQ
- Adjustable sustain
- Adjustable Leslie transition speed
- Save drawbar registrations
- Reverse color keys for quick access
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- Toggle setting for rotary control
- Increase UI size
- Add sustain pedal triggers bass note
- Add percussion volume control
- Add black keys to keyboard view
- Add up/down selector buttons for presets
- Option to save parameters globally or per preset
- Add MIDI learn
- Clean setting on drive knob
- Leslie speed switch on organ page
- More presets
- Integrate half moon Leslie directly on organ screen
- Add mute function for use with other apps
- Option to decide buffer size
- Transpose +2 octaves for lower split
- More Leslie tweaks (speed, ramp-up times, amp models)
- Add reverse color keys to keyboard page
- Allow rotary control to have 'toggle' setting
- Increase UI size
- Add user saved presets
- Add MIDI learn
- Clean setting on drive knob
- Leslie speed switch on organ page
- More presets
- Expression pedal mapping improvement
In-app purchases
VR
No in-app purchases
VB3m
No in-app purchases
