Comparison

Elastic Melody vs Relic Waves

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

Head to head
About

Elastic Melody

Create melodies with a fast and intuitive analog-style step sequencer. Features 3 synth channels, 4 master effects, and extensive automation capabilities for dynamic sound design. Supports AUv3 and Ableton Link.

Highlights
  • 3-channel analog synth sequencer
  • Parameter automation
  • 4 master effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, Reverb)
  • Song mode for arranging patterns
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Ableton Link integration
Read full description

Elastic Melody is a standalone iOS application and AUv3 plugin with 3 channels of synthetic sounds, an analog style step sequencer and 4 master effects. Almost all parameters can be automated and thus changed in an „elastic way“. The focus of Elastic Melody is on a fast and intuitive creation of melodies with a basic analog sound. Elastic Melody comes with a bunch of presets from well-known sound designers of the iOS scene, like "Sound of Izrael", "Red Sky Lullaby", "Nu-Trix", "JaKob Haq", "Another Machines" and others. Features: SYNTHESIZER / SEQUENCER – 3 channels, each with an analog synthesizer that is connected to an associated sequencer – Each sequencer channel has its own start/end and timing parameters for notes and automation – 14 parameters per synth engine (waveform, lowpass, highpass, env, etc.) – For each parameter, value changes can be drawn in an automation window – Solo or mute function for the 3 synth channels – Song Mode: Create easily longer sequences with setting pattern repeat and duplicating and altering a pattern MASTER FX – 4 master effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, Reverb) – Automation for most parameters of the effects – Each FX effect has its own start/end and timing parameters for automation SONG MODE - Arrange several Pattern to a longer sequence ... a Song - Repeat count for Song Elements/Pattern - Duplicate/Rename/Delete function for Pattern and Song Elements FUNCTIONS – Undo/Redo – Various randomise functions – option to share and import presets – AUv3 support – Ableton Link support

About

Relic Waves

Generate unique Lo-Fi sounds, pads, and effects using advanced synthesis algorithms. Explore billions of sonic possibilities with intuitive controls and real-time recording. Perfect for musicians and sound designers seeking experimental audio.

Highlights
  • Billions of unique Lo-Fi sounds
  • Random sound generation with search
  • Multiple keyboard input options
  • Real-time audio recording to WAV
  • Export to WAV, SunVox, and clipboard
  • MIDI control and processing
  • iOS Audio Unit Extension (AUv3)
Features
Read full description

Relic Waves is a generator of Lo-Fi noises, pads and effects based on unique synthesis algorithms from NightRadio. More than 4 billion samples from the depths of the Mathematical Universe! Features: * search for new sounds with three buttons: next random set, edit code, previous set; each set of 12 sounds corresponds to a code of 8 characters; * three types of keyboards for live performing: on-screen buttons, PC keyboard, MIDI input; * several processing parameters + control via MIDI; * real-time audio recording to WAV (32-bit); * export to: WAV (one file or a set), SunVox (samples + effects in one file), text clipboard; * the LCK button freezes individual samples - they will not change during the search for new sets; * iOS Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Double clicking on a parameter opens a window for setting the exact value. If you enable the Hold option, the notes will play endlessly, without reacting to key release (noteOff) events; turning the note on again works like turning it off; there are two ways to enable this option: 1) using the Hold parameter in the "MIDI Mapping" window; 2) by pressing the HOLD button, which appears in place of LCK while playing the musical keyboard: press HOLD, release the desired notes - then the released notes will continue to play.

Screenshots

Elastic Melody4 screens
Relic Waves1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Relic Waves at $1.99 against Elastic Melody's $12.99. Relic Waves also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Elastic Melody's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 11 months). On ads, monetization model 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

Elastic Melody costs $12.99 and Relic Waves $1.99 up front. Elastic Melody sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Relic Waves asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Relic Waves holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 43 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Elastic Melody's written reviews are positive against 100% of Relic Waves's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elastic Melody ships an update fortnightly, Relic Waves every 11 months. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Elastic Melody versus Relic Waves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElastic MelodyRelic Waves
Price$12.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.4 (12 ratings)5.0 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1243 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver Greschke (DE)Alexander Zolotov

Customer experience

Elastic Melody

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral20.0%
Negative6.7%

Relic Waves

All ratings42 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Elastic Melody

One-time1
  • Elastic Melody - Extra Modes IAP$4.99
None

Relic Waves

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Elastic Melody free?
Elastic Melody costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Relic Waves free?
Relic Waves costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Elastic Melody or Relic Waves?
Relic Waves is rated higher. Elastic Melody averages 4.4 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Relic Waves averages 5.0 from 43 ratings.
Do Elastic Melody or Relic Waves have ads?
Neither Elastic Melody nor Relic Waves shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elastic Melody or Relic Waves?
Elastic Melody ships an update fortnightly, and Relic Waves every 11 months. Most recently, Elastic Melody was updated on October 30, 2026 and Relic Waves on October 30, 2026.

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