SECTOR vs Sparkle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SECTOR
This app allows musicians to slice and sequence audio loops using a probability-based matrix and a classic step sequencer. It offers time-bending effects for unique sound manipulation and real-time performance tweaking, bridging the gap between controlled patterns and random sonic exploration.
- Probability-matrix sample slice sequencer
- Classic pattern step-sequencer
- Time-warping transfer functions
- Real-time performance tweaking
- Import custom loops
- Inter-App Audio and Audiobus support
- MIDI Clock sync
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Proud winner of a 2015 Electronic Musician Editors’ Choice Award! Slice and sequence your loops with a matrix of markov-chain connections. Introduce order with the probability based coin-flipping pattern sequencer. Bend time with warp functions for glitches and modulations. Tweak and trigger in real time performance. Get anything between rigid control and random chaos. • Unique probability-matrix sample slice sequencer • Classic pattern step-sequencer for absolute control • Time-warping transfer functions for various effects • Includes high-quality loops by Richard Devine, Sonic Mayhem, Arovane, Alex Matheu and Sunsine Audio • Import custom loops from other apps, AudioShare, Pasteboard or using iTunes FileSharing • Stream audio to other apps via Inter-App Audio or Audiobus • Synchronize to Inter-App Audio hosts such as AUM, Auria or Garageband • MIDI Clock slave/master to sync with other apps or hardware • MIDI control for triggers, volume, start/stop, and loading projects • Supports Audiobus Remote triggers • Record and export the results as perfectly synchronized loops • Audiobus state saving "One of the most innovative and entertaining audio apps you’ll ever encounter" - David Biedny at MacLife.com "Engrossing, beautiful, wild and a fine addition to the iPad studio" - Computer Music Magazine "This is already, I think, a must-buy. Going to have fun playing with it. Enjoy!" - Peter Kirn at CreateDigitalMusic.com "It is utterly brilliant" - John Walden at MusicAppBlog.com
Sparkle
Transform audio by transferring the temporal structure of one sound to another while preserving spectral properties. Create unique sound transformations with advanced spectral hybridization algorithms. Ideal for musicians and sound designers seeking innovative audio manipulation.
- Spectral hybridization
- Envelope preservation
- Phase-sync processing
- High-quality sound transformations
- Temporal structure transfer
- Spectral property preservation
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Sparkle is a tool for advanced spectral hybridizations made of several algorithms that operate on frequency domain. By means of envelope preservation and phase-sync processing it can creates high-quality sound transformations. The basic idea is to transfer the temporal structure of a sound (source) onto another sound (target) of which the spectral properties are preserved. Simply put, you can take a voice and make it sing a Beethoven’s symphony!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Sparkle at 5.0 against SECTOR's 4.7. Sparkle also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). SECTOR's advantage is price ($8.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, 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
SECTOR costs $8.99 and Sparkle $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sparkle holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 48 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of SECTOR's written reviews are positive against 96% of Sparkle's.
SECTOR ships an update every 3 months, Sparkle every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SECTOR | Sparkle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (87 ratings) | 5.0 (48 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.3% of reviews | 95.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 87 — better | 48 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kymatica AB | apeSoft |
Customer experience
SECTOR
Sparkle
Bugs and requests
SECTOR
Reported bugs
6 issues- Warp effects occasionally get stuck and repeat longer than intended
- Audio clicks and clipping between slices
- Does not appear as usable Audio Unit in AUM
- Incompatibility with newer iPad display sizes and gestures
- Occasional audio quality degradation with multiple jumps
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- App may not be updated for current iOS versions
Requested features
15 requests- AUv3 plugin support for use in DAWs and AUM
- macOS and desktop application version
- MIDI slave/sync capability and MIDI control mapping
- iPhone compatibility
- Multiple instance support for layering
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- Live audio input processing capability
- Longer sample duration support (beyond 3 minutes)
- Stereo panning controls for individual sectors
- Mute/silence individual sectors
- Ableton Link sync support
- In-app level control distinct from volume
- Smoother slice transitions without clicks
- More diverse preset variety
- Built-in effects processor per slice
- Home gesture support for newer iPads
Sparkle
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SECTOR
No in-app purchases
Sparkle
No in-app purchases








