Super Manetron vs Lines
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Super Manetron
Experience the authentic sound of a 1970s tape sampling keyboard. This app captures the unique character of a vintage instrument, complete with motor and mechanical noises. Enjoy a realistic performance feel with no looped sounds and a variety of pre-loaded instruments.
- Authentic 70s tape sampling keyboard sound
- Motor and mechanical noise simulation
- Core MIDI compatibility
- 8-second PCM full sampling per key
- Scrollable and dual keyboard options
- No looped sounds for real performance feel
- Built-in spring reverb effect
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”Big mistake not being able to turn off the background noise” "If one were to record this-heavy use of a noise gate would be needed!" - No,no, you can play with no motor sound. Do not turn on red switch when move to keyboard screen. "out of tune." - Yes, We know. But this is the real feeling of M400S serial number 761 manufactured in the '70s Super Manetron is the vintage tape sampling keyboard for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. Genuine sound sampled from the most famous white body tape sampling keyboard model number of M400S (serial number 761) manufactured in the 70's. You can see an internal mechanism (tape running animation) and can enjoy with eyes and an ear. Feel the live experience the motor noise and inner mechanical sounds were recorded. Features: - Core MIDI compatible - 35Kyes of sampled sounds from the M400S serial number 761 manufactured in the 70's. - 8 sec PCM full sampling sounds each Key - Scrollable Keyboard & dual Keyboards with switchable key width - No loop sounds (real performance feeling) - Pre-loaded with 7 instruments including Flute, 3violins (Strings), Cello, Oboe, 8-voice Choir, Vibes, Brass - 7 instrument sounds can be set as the favorite position of A,B,C position on setting screen - A+B, B+C mix sounds position - The sound of motor and tape rewind mechanical noise - Tape running animation - Pitch control by accelerometer - Built-in Reverb that simulates spring reverb - Original sounds source are recorded by 96KHz/24 bits - Compiled under the supervision of Fumitaka Anzai (Famous vintage keyboard player & collector of Japan)
Lines
This audio effect plugin transforms any signal into a wide spectrum of sounds, from lo-fi to distortion and feedback. It can also function as an experimental synthesizer, creating rhythms and soundscapes even without input.
- Creative signal mangling
- Experimental synthesizer
- Feedback-based sound design
- Wide range of audio effects
- Rhythm and soundscape generation
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Lines is an effect plugin that crosses borders: it can be used as a creative mangler of all kinds of signals, ranging from lo-fi telephone sounds, lush phasing, warm distortions, crushing feedback, ring modulation and unique frequency shifting. But even without any input, it can be an experimental synthesizer based on feedback, allowing for a wide range of inspiring rhythms, pulses, and organic soundscapes. If you combine input and internal engines an unheard spectrum of sounds appears.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Super Manetron at $0.99 against Lines's $19.99. Super Manetron also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 13 months) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 12.0). Lines's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (100% vs 62%). 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
Super Manetron costs $0.99 and Lines $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Lines holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Super Manetron's written reviews are positive against 100% of Lines's.
Super Manetron ships an update every 3 months, Lines every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Super Manetron | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (16 ratings) | 5.0 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 61.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 13 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 111 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | insideout ltd. | AudioThing Ltd. |
Customer experience
Super Manetron
Lines
Bugs and requests
Super Manetron
Reported bugs
15 issues- No audiobus implementation
- No MIDI settings
- App closes immediately upon launch
- App crashes on iPhone 6s
- Sound cuts out or becomes short during playback
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- App is out of tune (9-10 cents sharp)
- App closes on iPhone 6s title screen
- Audiobus not recognized
- Audiobus compatibility stopped working with iOS 8
- Notes cut off when not intended
- Keys keep moving while playing
- Sound cuts out after a second on iPad 2
- Brass sound becomes Oboe on iPad
- Mechanical noise volume control does nothing
- Background noise cannot be turned off
Requested features
29 requests- Audiobus implementation
- MIDI settings
- AUV3 support
- Virtual MIDI
- More instrument options
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- MIDI programmable pitch/tone/volume knobs
- More choir racks
- Inter-app MIDI
- Pitch wheel that doesn't snap back
- Ability to set up with keyboard via MIDI
- More sounds
- Background audio support
- Ability to import other libraries (wav, sf2)
- Virtual MIDI support
- MIDI Program Change implementation
- Sustain pedal support
- Fix scrolling effect
- Hold lock on screen piano keyboard
- Mix sounds options
- Tape animation option
- ADSR feature
- New tapes
- Fine-tuning feature
- Add old rhythms and grooves
- Add more tape samples
- Add MKII brass and guitar sounds
- Allow pitch to be adjustable and stay
- Fix brass sound becoming oboe on iPad
- Add more frames
Lines
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Super Manetron
No in-app purchases
Lines
No in-app purchases









