Comparison

volumeCTRL vs SX1000

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

Head to head
About

volumeCTRL

Gain precise control over your device's audio levels with this utility app. Adjust volume by percentage or dBFS, fine-tune with incremental steps, and temporarily dim or mute sound. Ideal for music, podcasts, and late-night media consumption.

Highlights
  • Precise volume adjustment by percentage or dBFS
  • Keypad for exact value input
  • Fine-tune volume with customizable step sizes
  • Temporary dim and mute functions
  • Seamless integration with device volume controls
  • Universal app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Read full description

volumeCTRL is a simple utility that works alongside your iPhone/iPad’s built-in volume controls to give you precise control over its level. It is designed for anyone who needs or wants tighter, repeatable control over volume level. volumeCTRL lets you set the volume level using either Percent or dBFS (decibels from Full Scale). You can key in exact values with a handy on-screen keypad. Fine tune your setting using buttons which change the value in small steps. Dim or Mute the sound when you get interrupted temporarily. volumeCTRL is the perfect iPad Split View or Slide Over companion for listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Use it with your favorite music app, such as Apple Music, Spotify, Qobuz, TIDAL Music, or Pandora. With volumeCTRL, you can get your late night listening level just right when you stream movies or TV shows while everything else is quiet. If you're picky about exactly how loud your device audio is, volumeCTRL is the right app for you. FEATURES - volumeCTRL lets you set your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch volume precisely + New Favorite Volume options let you set preferred volumes for various listening cases - Selectable Units: Percent (%) or Decibels from Full Scale (dBFS) - Virtual Keypad allows you to key in exact values - Volume Up/Down Buttons let you change the volume in fine-grained 0.5 % or about 0.5 dB steps + New in Version 1.1 You can customize the step size - Dim and Mute Buttons let you temporarily lower the volume and easily get back to your previous level - Dim lowers the volume by a fixed amount (Customizable, Default: 18 dB) Super handy for quieting down loud commercials! - Mute silences the audio completely - volumeCTRL peacefully coexists with the device’s built-in volume controls — use either and the other follows seamlessly - Supports both Dark and Light Mode Appearances - Supports Hardware Keyboards connected to iPads - volumeCTRL is a Universal App - it works on iPad, iPhone, & iPod touch - User Guide embedded in App - no internet connection required to read it - auDSPr strives to design Apps for Everyone - Languages: All auDSPr audio apps support for 简体中文, Español, русский, 日本語, Français, Deutsch, Svenska, Latviešu - Accessibility Features - VoiceOver screen reader support assists visually impaired users APPLICATIONS - Setting impactful yet safe listening levels when using headphones or in-ear monitors - Setting repeatable reference volumes for studio control rooms or audiophile listening rooms - Setting precise levels for hearing aid intelligibility SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS - BUYER BEWARE: Some Bluetooth devices have coarse volume implementations (see picture above). The coarse hardware volume defeats volumeCTRL’s fine software volume setting and prevents performance from behaving optimally! - volumeCTRL is verified to work beautifully with Apple AirPods - Compatible with iOS 11.0 & up (iPhone 5S, iPhone SE (1st Generation), iPod touch (6th Generation) & up) - Compatible with iPadOS 11.0 & up (iPad (5th Generation), iPad Pro (1st Generation), iPad Air (1st Generation), iPad mini 2,& up)

About

SX1000

This app faithfully emulates a vintage analog synthesizer, offering musicians hands-on control. It expands upon the original with polyphonic mode, a sub-oscillator, and integrated effects.

Highlights
  • Faithful emulation of JEN SX1000
  • Polyphonic mode
  • Sub-oscillator (-3 octaves)
  • Integrated arpeggiator
  • Four flexible effects
  • AUv3 and Standalone support
Features
Read full description

SX1000 is a faithful emulation of the JEN SX1000, a vintage Italian synth released in 1978. The SX1000 was one of the earliest affordable analog synthesizers, designed for musicians seeking hands-on control without breaking the bank. We have carefully emulated the SX1000’s M110 chip, and also expanded its capabilities by adding features like polyphonic mode, a sub-oscillator (down to -3 octaves), and additional controls for legato modes. We’ve also integrated an arpeggiator borrowed from a vintage classic polysynth and enhanced the sonic possibilities with four effects featuring flexible routing. Available as AUv3 and Standalone.

Screenshots

volumeCTRL3 screens
SX10003 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: volumeCTRL at $4.99 against SX1000's $19.99. volumeCTRL also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). SX1000's advantage is review sentiment (91% vs 46%) and rating (5.0 vs 3.2). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

volumeCTRL costs $4.99 and SX1000 $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SX1000 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of volumeCTRL's written reviews are positive against 91% of SX1000's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

volumeCTRL ships an update every 9 months, SX1000 every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
volumeCTRL versus SX1000: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametervolumeCTRLSX1000
Price$4.99 — better$19.99
Rating3.2 (9 ratings)5.0 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews90.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings910 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperauDSPrAudioThing Ltd.

Customer experience

volumeCTRL

All ratings9 ratings
Positive55.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative44.4%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

SX1000

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

volumeCTRL

No in-app purchases

None

SX1000

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is volumeCTRL free?
volumeCTRL costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SX1000 free?
SX1000 costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, volumeCTRL or SX1000?
SX1000 is rated higher. volumeCTRL averages 3.2 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while SX1000 averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.
Do volumeCTRL or SX1000 have ads?
Neither volumeCTRL nor SX1000 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, volumeCTRL or SX1000?
volumeCTRL ships an update every 9 months, and SX1000 every 12 months. Most recently, volumeCTRL was updated on November 3, 2026 and SX1000 on October 30, 2026.

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