Super Manetron vs VB3
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)
VB3
This app emulates a classic tonewheel organ, offering advanced sound modeling and effects. It includes a session recorder, audio player for backing tracks, and extensive MIDI control for live performance and production.
- Tonewheel engine and rotary simulator
- Ring Modulator and Delay effects
- Session Recorder (MIDI & WAV)
- Built-in Audio Player
- Extensive MIDI control and mapping
- Touch-friendly interface with drawbar views
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Released in 2023, this is the second version of GSi's most famous product: VB3-II Tonewheel Organ emulator. This marks 20 years of research and development of this instrument. New VB3-II 2023 edition features: - Added both the tonewheel engine and the rotary simulator from VB3 v.1.4 - The V1 rotary simulator features 3 variations, for a total of 4 different amplifiers - Added 1 new tonewheel generator - Added Ring Modulator and Delay effects (pre) - Added FET Limiter (post) - Sub-Presets for Rotary effect and Digital reverb sections - Session Recorder: silently records everything is played and imports/exports standard Midi Files and renders to WAV files - Built-in Audio Player plays the most common audio formats to add a backing track to your music - Octave transposers for upper and lower separately - New Program browser shows full list with move, swap, delete functions along with import/export of banks and single Programs - Built-in function to import/export from/to VB3-II 2018 (and Crumar Mojo Desktop) Program and Bank formats - New Midi Map with reverse, latch and lock functions for each parameter - Quick Midi Learn for main screen/performance controls, normal Midi Learn for all other parameters - New advanced Midi Javascript processor for custom event transformations (supports SysEx and RPN/NRPN) - Multiple outputs (Main + Organ Only) - Separate plugin for remote Audio and Midi input - includes the exclusive VoMidiCoder - New bigger touch-friendly interface - Four different drawbar view styles - On-screen keyboards with two different viewing styles - Random program generator - Added rotary effect speed control from Channel Aftertouch - Supports Midi Output, can send whole "snapshots" when loading and when changing Programs - Supports different curves for the Swell Pedal - Built-in Midi Monitor for monitoring incoming Midi messages - Free Cloud service for sharing Programs, Midi Maps and Midi Processor Scripts with other users Features already present in the 2018 edition: - Full polyphony (61 upper + 61 lower + 25 pedals = 147 notes) - 91 modeled tonewheels with accurate phase synchronization - Adjustable leakage noise and cross modulation between tonewheels - A total of 22 different tonewheel generators to choose from - Generator shaping for a total of 154 generator combinations - Adjustable global tuning from 430 to 450 Hz - Foldback on 16" deactivatable - Complex wheels - Resistor wiring with multiple options - Realistic "run" motor wow and flutter - Busbars and 9 key contact simulation - Two separate sets of drawbars per manual - Full "inverted octave" presets - String Bass with adjustable release time - Loudness "robbing" effect - Single triggered percussion with natural capacitor discharge/recharge - Adjustable Percussion Level and Decay - Vibrato/Chorus virtual scanner - Adjustable Vibrato Scanner depth and mix - Separated Upper and Lower V/C tablets with smooth switching - Dynamic tube overdrive simulation - Spring Reverb (pre) and Digital stereo reverb (post) - Rotary speaker simulation with virtual microphone positioning, tube overdrive, tube feedback - Rotors "Front Stop" brake position with adjustable preferred position - Very low CPU consumption - Advanced MIDI Learn function with import/export of custom mappings - Upper and Lower manuals SPLIT with adjustable split point - Supports pedal sustain - Custom programmer with import/export of Programs and Banks Available for iPad as standalone App with IAA support or AUv3 plugin, compatible with all plugin hosts.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: VB3 at Free against Super Manetron's $0.99. Super Manetron's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ratings volume 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
VB3 is free to download; Super Manetron costs $0.99 up front. VB3 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Super Manetron asks for nothing beyond the download.
Super Manetron holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Super Manetron's written reviews are positive against 50% of VB3's.
| Parameter | Super Manetron | VB3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (16 ratings) — better | 3.5 (16 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 61.8% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 16 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | — |
| Ads | No | — |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | — |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 111 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | insideout ltd. | Genuine Soundware |
Customer experience
Super Manetron
VB3
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
VB3
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Super Manetron
No in-app purchases
VB3
- Log-in to your GSi account$0.99
- Unlock All Pro Features$99.99









