Comparison

Drum vs SkateLoops

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

Head to head
About

Drum

This app recreates the distinctive sound of early 1980s electronic drum modules combined with sampled real cymbal sounds. It offers a virtual analog engine for drum synthesis and a separate engine for realistic cymbal playback, providing a unique sonic palette for music production.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog engine for 80s drum sounds
  • Sampled real cymbal sounds
  • Dual sound engines for drums and cymbals
  • Multiple output options
  • Built-in effects (limiter, delay, reverb)
  • Unlimited program storage
Features
Read full description

Please note: 1) This App comes with an AUv3 plugin extension. 2) To play the cymbal samples, a separate download (free, in-app) of ~180 MB is required. The App also works without the cymbal samples. INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND We all know and use electronic drums today, but at the beginning of the 80's the first electronic drums were a real novelty that revolutionized not only the sound of music of those years, but also the workflow in the recording studio. Many producers preferred to record the sound of electronic drums rather than acoustic drums because it saved time and money, avoiding having to mount microphones, find the right positions, spend hours equalizing and correcting the recorded material. With an electronic drum set it was quicker: it was enough to connect the cables and maybe find the right sound for the song, which was a perfect scenario especially for many low-cost productions, for example those of pop music. The first electronic drums were completely analog, they generated the sounds of the drums using only a few elements such as an oscillator and a white noise generator, plus a couple of envelopes and a filter. The sound wasn't exactly realistic but it was peculiar, and perfect for creating certain sounds never heard before. The downside was that electronic drums could only generate the sound of drums but not cymbals. For this reason, the sound of real cymbals was recorded alongside the sound of electronic drums. This kind of setup was also used live quite often. It was common to see a drummer on stage playing the typical hexagonal pads but combined with a set of real cymbals. GSi Drum-80 reproduces that exact scenario. It contains two separate sound engines that can play at the same time. One engine recreates the sounds of the famous electronic drum module known as the Simmons SDS-V (very similar to the later SDS-8 model); at the same time, the exclusive GSi WLF Engine plays a multi-sample of real cymbals recorded exclusively for Drum-80. Main features - Virtual Analog Engine based on the famous SDS-V drum module - Optional VCO phase reset - Supports multiple outputs (one stereo mix, six individual drum synth channels, one stereo channel for Cymbals) - Sampled Cymbal sounds (Hi-Hat, Ride, 4 Crashes, 3 Splashes) provided by the exclusive GSi WLF Engine - Full Polyphony - Separate section with adjustments for Cymbal sounds (tuning, leveling and EQ) - Stereo 1176-Style Limiter - Stereo Delay effect - Stereo Reverb effect - Built-in programmer with unlimited Programs - Embedded user's manual - Available as Stand-alone application and audio plugin (AUv3 for iPad) - Very low CPU and RAM usage Visit home page for audio and video demos.

About

SkateLoops

This app is a specialized MP3 player designed for figure skaters, roller skaters, dancers, and cheerleaders. It simplifies music management for practice sessions, allowing users to upload, customize, and control tracks with features like replay and delay.

Highlights
  • Custom music uploads
  • Track renaming for organization
  • Play and replay functionality
  • Delay feature for precise timing
  • Uninterrupted practice experience
Read full description

SkateLoops: Your Practice, Your Playlist Elevate your practice sessions with SkateLoops, the tailored MP3 player designed specifically for figure skaters, artistic roller skaters, dancers, and cheerleaders. SkateLoops simplifies your rehearsal process, allowing you to focus on perfecting your performance with seamless music control at your fingertips. Why SkateLoops? - Simplified Soundtrack Management: Upload your music and customize the displayed filenames to keep your practice sessions organized. - Effortless Control: Play, replay, and delay tracks with ease. Perfect your routines by controlling the music to match your practice needs without any distractions. - Designed for Artists: Whether you’re gliding on ice, rolling in rhythm, dancing ballet, or cheering in sync, SkateLoops is your backstage tech assistant that understands the unique needs of your discipline. Features: - Custom Music Uploads: Bring your own music. Upload the tracks you need and manage them intuitively. - Track Customization: Rename files within the upload window to match your routine segments or practice drills for quick selection. - Flexible Playback Options: Play and replay your tracks as needed. Use the delay feature to start the music when you’re ready, giving you time to get into position without assistance. - Uninterrupted Experience: Focus on your practice without fumbling for controls. SkateLoops makes it simple to manage your music so you can stay in motion. SkateLoops is more than just a music player—it’s a practice enhancer for dedicated athletes in visually and physically demanding arts. By integrating seamlessly into your rehearsal routine, it lets you concentrate on what truly matters: your performance. Download SkateLoops now and optimize your practice sessions with precision and ease!

Screenshots

Drum3 screens
SkateLoops4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SkateLoops at $1.99 against Drum's $14.99. SkateLoops also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). Drum's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Drum costs $14.99 and SkateLoops $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Drum against 4.8 for SkateLoops. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Drum's written reviews are positive against 75% of SkateLoops's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Drum ships an update every 7 months, SkateLoops every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Drum versus SkateLoops: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrumSkateLoops
Price$14.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.8 (5 ratings) — better4.8 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings514 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGenuine SoundwareShauna Panczyszyn

Customer experience

Drum

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

SkateLoops

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Drum

No in-app purchases

None

SkateLoops

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Drum free?
Drum costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SkateLoops free?
SkateLoops costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Drum or SkateLoops?
Drum is rated higher. Drum averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while SkateLoops averages 4.8 from 14 ratings.
Do Drum or SkateLoops have ads?
Neither Drum nor SkateLoops shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Drum or SkateLoops?
Drum ships an update every 7 months, and SkateLoops every 2 weeks. Most recently, Drum was updated on November 3, 2026 and SkateLoops on November 4, 2026.

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