Comparison

Dawnbeat vs Tau DJ v1i

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Dawnbeat

This app lets you create music by sampling and sequencing audio. It offers advanced features like multi-touch pads, an always-recording buffer, and flexible routing for creative sound manipulation. Integrate with external MIDI devices and apply a wide range of built-in and AUv3 effects.

Highlights
  • Multi-touch and draggable pads
  • Always-recording buffer (Memorizer)
  • Advanced loop manipulation (BRIIKS)
  • Flexible mixer with assignable busses
  • Polyphonic pads for chords
  • MIDI IN/OUT for external control
  • AUv3 effects and instrument support
  • Auto-slicer for audio chopping
Features
Read full description

Dawnbeat inherits the best part of the classic hardware samplers and takes it further by adding features only possible on a multi-touch device.  Create more natural patterns by tapping and swiping pads.  Focus on creativity, you don't need to select a tempo before hit record to finally play a pattern until you get the right take, just play and forget about to record! Dawnbeat is always recording! Multi-touch and draggable pads: - Pads are multi-touch, play a single pad with two fingers at the same time! - Pads are individually configurable, allowing re-triggering when dragging for amazing fills, tone variations . - Mute and Solo buttons for pads available. - Mute groups. Memorizer: - DawnBeat is always recording pad events, you'll never miss a beat, play and experiment and when you hear something you like, it's already recorded! simply go to Memorizer and select the desired events. BRIIKS sampler: - Advanced loop manipulator. Rearrange and combine your loops. Also available as standalone, AUv3 and MacOS. Mixer: - 4 assignable BUSSES and one MAIN BUS. Assign pads to busses, assign internal effects or AUV3 effects to busses.  - Mute and Solo buttons. Polyphonic pads: - Pads can be turned polyphonic, import a piano-like sample and play and sequence chords with a single pad. MIDI IN and MIDI OUT: - Trigger samples from a MIDI controller, play melodies from a MIDI piano. - Sequence hardware drum machines and synths from Dawnbeat. - Use Dawnbeat as an intermediary between a midi keyboard and a synth, save the sequences you are playing. Dawnbeat can save poliphonic sequences! Pattern sequencer with piano editor. - Swing, count-in, metronome. Audio Units: - Dawnbeat support AUv3 effects and instruments! Built in Effects: - Reverb, Delay, Compressor, Flutter, Gate, Tremolo, Noise, Filter, Chorus, Equalizer, Stutter and Tape slow motion. - Effects can be rearranged. Built-In sample browser: - 6 drum kit sample libraries, and 1 bass sample library. Selectable internal sample rate: - Internal sample rate can be changed, choose between HI-FI and LO-FI sample rates. AUTO-SLICER: - AutoSlicer detects hit points and slices audio into individual files minimizing the need for manual editing. Chop up any audio file in a few seconds. Recording sample rate can be selected. Export movies with images and animated GIFs .

About

Tau DJ v1i

A sophisticated DJ system offering a boutique experience with advanced technology. It provides essential DJ features like multi-deck support, master tempo, waveforms, MIDI, and DVS.

Highlights
  • 2 or 4 decks
  • Master tempo
  • Waveforms
  • MIDI support
  • DVS support
  • Sophisticated alternative to other DJ software
Read full description

DJ technology is my passion. I created Tau to provide a sophisticated alternative to Serato, Rekordbox, Virtual DJ, Djay, and others. Tau features everything you expect: 2 or 4 decks, stems, master tempo, waveforms, MIDI, and DVS, to name a few. Its advanced technology provides a unique, boutique DJ experience.

Screenshots

Dawnbeat4 screens
Tau DJ v1i3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Dawnbeat at Free against Tau DJ v1i's $39.99. Dawnbeat also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.3) and review sentiment (70% vs 33%). Tau DJ v1i's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Dawnbeat is free to download; Tau DJ v1i costs $39.99 up front. Dawnbeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Tau DJ v1i asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dawnbeat holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dawnbeat has 115 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Dawnbeat's written reviews are positive against 33% of Tau DJ v1i's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dawnbeat ships an update every 3 weeks, Tau DJ v1i every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Dawnbeat versus Tau DJ v1i: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDawnbeatTau DJ v1i
PriceFree — better$39.99
Rating4.2 (115 ratings) — better2.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews70.3% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings115 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size504 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLuis RivasiMect Ltd.

Customer experience

Dawnbeat

All ratings112 ratings
Positive75.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews128 reviews
Positive70.3%
Neutral18.8%
Negative10.9%

Tau DJ v1i

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Dawnbeat

One-time1
  • Dawn Beat Complete$5.99
None

Tau DJ v1i

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Dawnbeat free?
Dawnbeat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tau DJ v1i free?
Tau DJ v1i costs $39.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Dawnbeat or Tau DJ v1i?
Dawnbeat is rated higher. Dawnbeat averages 4.2 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while Tau DJ v1i averages 2.3 from 4 ratings.
Do Dawnbeat or Tau DJ v1i have ads?
Neither Dawnbeat nor Tau DJ v1i shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dawnbeat or Tau DJ v1i?
Dawnbeat ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tau DJ v1i every 4 weeks. Most recently, Dawnbeat was updated on October 27, 2026 and Tau DJ v1i on October 27, 2026.

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