Strokes vs ANALOGyGR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Strokes
This cross-platform audio workstation encourages rhythmic experimentation through sequencing, sampling, and synthesis. It offers intuitive controls for creating unique patterns and soundscapes, with cross-patched sequencers and modulation for cohesive results.
- Sequencing, sampling, and synthesis
- Intuitive design for experimentation
- Cross-patched sequencers and modulation
- Assign oscillators or samples
- Probability options for semi-random changes
- On-board reverb and delay effects
- VST3/AU plugin and standalone iOS app
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Sound On Sound (Jan 2023): ""Huge fun, and musically potent. A dedicated pattern sequencer for your DAW that opens up all sorts of polyrhythmic, pseudo-random, non-linear possibilities." Tom Rowlands [Chemical Brothers] : "Strokes is an amazing device for rhythmic inspiration. Its a lot of fun to play with and can lead to some very cool unexpected patterns and combinations" CDM : "Its just really elegant... a semi-modular powerhouse for exploring polyrhythms, both in musical note/percussion patterns and modulation. So, uh… whoa." DJ Mag: "DJs and producers wanting to create intricate sequencer patterns should look at Strokes" MusicRadar: "An instant inspiration generator" International Orange: "An elevated groovebox" ---------------------------------- Welcome to Strokes. An all-in-one, cross-platform workstation for sequencing, sampling and synthesis. The idea of this device is to encourage free-flow experimentation and exploration of rhythm and modulation. The architecture behind Strokes is complex, but on the surface it’s designed to be intuitive no matter what your experience level is. By setting up some sounds and turning the dials, anyone can create interesting and unique results. The sequencing and modulation are cross-patched, meaning the actions of one part impact on another - in this way, the patterns all form part of the greater whole, moving in symbiosis to create cohesive results. The first four sequencer channels can be set according to your wishes, while the other four behave in various ways according to those settings. Each channel can be assigned one of 16 oscillators from Mutable Instruments’ celebrated Plaits module. Alternatively, they can each be assigned to samples of your choice with various sound design options. There are probability options to add semi-random changes to the sequencers, and on-board reverb and delay add effects processing to the sounds being generated. Various modulation options allow these sounds and effects to be changed in subtle or significant ways, always in response to the other rhythmic behaviour taking place in the project. Rather than relying on methodical programming of patterns or computer-defined ‘randomness’, Strokes offers a way to create surprising music with an emphasis on fun. Nothing happens by accident, but you never quite know where a jam will take you. With the means to store patterns and melodic information within a project, one set up can produce different results every time. Strokes can run as a VST3 or AU plug-in within all major DAW environments, meaning the MIDI information generated can also be assigned to your own software and hardware instruments. On iOS, Strokes can run as a standalone application or from within a host such as AUM. Desktop VST3 & AU are a separate purchase, available at congburn.co.uk/strokes ---------------------------------- Video Manual - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUa8ZmeONjE Synth/iOS demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9IXqFBCa24 Sampler/iOS demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvLasl_wois PDF Manual - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hViEDttYSAIFygN1Y4kWXByMXfX5r3K4 ---------------------------------- Strokes contains DSP code provided under the MIT open source license by Mutable Instruments. Plaits © 2016 Emilie Gillet https://github.com/pichenettes/eurorack
ANALOGyGR
This virtual analog synthesizer generates experimental sound design and atmospheric textures using a unique 'granalog' approach. It features eight polyphonic voices with multiple oscillators and adjustable grain parameters for dynamic, evolving sounds. Designed for real-time performance and manipulation, it integrates with MIDI devices and hosts.
- Eight-voice polyphonic virtual analog synth
- Granular-inspired oscillator rendering
- Adjustable grain shape and length
- Randomized oscillator and grain parameters
- MIDI CC and polyphonic aftertouch support
- Real-time performance manipulation
- AUv3 plugin and standalone operation
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ANALOGyGR Granalog Synth (AUv3) ANALOGyGR is a virtual instrument plugin that can run standalone, or in any AU compatible host such as Logic Pro or GarageBand. Please note that the standalone version does not include a built-in keyboard - you need to connect a suitable MIDI device to play the synth. What's a "granalog" synth? It's granular... but (probably) not as you know it. ANALOGyGR (analog-ee gee are) is not a granular synth in the traditional sense, but it does borrow some ideas and terminology from granular synthesis. Please note that ANALOGyGR is not a file-based audio effects processor that allows you to load your own samples, and this is what makes it different, possibly even unique! At its heart, ANALOGyGR is an eight voice polyphonic virtual analog synth with oscillators that are rendered as "grains". While ANALOGyGR can get close to sounding like a "normal" synth, it's really aimed at people who prefer more experimental type sound design and atmospheric textures. For traditional analog sounds, I'd ask you to also take a look at the popular ANALOGyXS (poly) and ANALOGyX1 (mono) synths as all three cover slightly different sonic territory. Design Overview Each of the 8 voices in ANALOGyGR have 3 dedicated grain oscillators each (saw, triangle and square waveforms), and these 24 oscillators are used to generate grains of varying shape (saw, ramp and triangle envelopes) and variable length (50ms to 10 seconds). The oscillator and grain shape can also be randomly selected on each grain cycle for some really interesting dynamic textures, and grains are also randomly spread in the stereo field. ANALOGyGR also has a noise generator that can be applied to the main amplitude ASR envelope, or at the grain level. Grain notes can be pitched up or down an octave on alternate cycles or randomly per voice, and can also glide from one note to the next which can make even the simplest chord sound much more intriguing! ANALOGyGR also shares many of the "under the hood" features introduced in ANALOGyXS and ANALOGyX1 which can result is some very complex, evolving and dramatic sounds for a relatively small synth with just 16 parameters. Speaking of which... ANALOGyGR has been designed very much as a performance-based instrument to be played and manipulated in real-time. To facilitate this, all of the instrument parameters are controllable via dedicated MIDI CCs from your keyboard or another MIDI generator plugin. ANALOGyGR can also respond to channel and polyphonic aftertouch pressure MIDI messages for an enhanced and expressive playing experience. As the sounds of ANALOGyGR typically tend to evolve over time, it is perhaps better suited to sustained note passages and sparse / simple chord voicings combined with a dynamic playing style. Please note that while ANALOGyGR has been designed to be CPU-friendly, if you want to take advantage of the extended MIDI capabilities such as polyphonic aftertouch and parameter modulation, a fairly up to date hardware setup is recommended. More info: https://www.waverley-instruments.com/robjackson
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: ANALOGyGR at $2.99 against Strokes's $19.99. ANALOGyGR also leads on device support (4 vs 1). Strokes's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Strokes costs $19.99 and ANALOGyGR $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Strokes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 10 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Strokes | ANALOGyGR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $2.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (27 ratings) — better | 4.7 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 27 — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | John Howes | Rob Jackson |
Customer experience
Strokes
ANALOGyGR
In-app purchases
Strokes
No in-app purchases
ANALOGyGR
No in-app purchases





