Comparison

Magic Tines vs SFX Library

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

Head to head
About

Magic Tines

This app emulates a classic electric piano using a hybrid approach of sampling and synthesis. It offers a range of effects, adjustable parameters, and multiple instrument models for a versatile sound experience. Available as a standalone app or audio plugin.

Highlights
  • Hybrid Modeling engine (samples + synthesis)
  • Three EP models
  • Adjustable sampled and synthesis parameters
  • Multiple amplifier and phaser models
  • Mono or Stereo tremolo
  • Built-in programmer with unlimited Programs
Read full description

GSi Magic Tines is a Hybrid Modeling emulation of a Tine Electric Piano. INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND The Rhodes Piano was invented during WWII by an american music teacher, Harold B. Rhodes (1910 - 2000), and has been widely used for decades in nearly every genre of music ranging from soul music to jazz, blues, modern and pop. This instrument quickly became a legend, and is still used today. In 2007 it had a first rebirth thanks to an American entrepreneur who tried to restore the glory to this instrument, so the Mark 7 was born, but unfortunately his venture failed after a few years. In 2021, a group of British entrepreneurs acquired the brand and put a revamped edition of this instrument back into production, the Mark 8. In digital territory, the sound of a Rhodes piano is an important part of every digital piano / keyboard / workstation, and is reproduced mainly using samples, and in a few cases using some kind of synthesis. The Crumar Seven is one example of a hardware digital piano that uses real Physical Modeling to recreate the sound of a Tine Piano, i.e. it doesn't use any samples to recreate the sound, just real-time math calculations. GSi Magic Tines uses a different approach, which consists in both sampling and modeling, whereas all attack and release transients come from recordings of real life electric pianos, and the body of each note is recreated by a special synthesizer that uses math functions to simulate the exact behavior of a steel tine being struck by a rubber hammer tip. What is excluded by the synthesis engine is compensated by the sampled material. In other words, the best of the two worlds. Main features - Hybrid Modeling engine (samples + synthesis) - Full Polyphony (up to 88 keys) - Three EP models to choose from - Parameters for adjusting both the sampled part and the synthesis part separately - Three band semi-parametric EQ - Mono or Stereo tremolo with opto-coupler panner - Amplifier simulation with 5 different models - Tube overdrive effect - Adjustable stereo chorus - Phaser effect with six different models - Stereo Delay effect - Stereo Reverb effect - User programmable Velocity curve - Built-in programmer with unlimited Programs - Embedded user's manual - Available as Stand-alone application and audio plugin - Very low CPU and RAM usage - AUv3 for iPad and iPhone - Supports Background audio and Bluetooth Midi

About

SFX Library

Access a vast collection of copyright-free sound effects directly on your mobile device. Play audio clips instantly for your projects or enjoyment.

Highlights
  • Copyright-free sound effects library
  • Instant audio playback
  • On-device access
  • Wide range of audio clips
Features
Read full description

The SFX Library app allows you to quickly play sound effects from a library of copyright-free audio directly on your device.

Screenshots

Magic Tines4 screens
SFX Library2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SFX Library at Free against Magic Tines's $19.99. SFX Library also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.7) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Magic Tines's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On in-app purchases 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

SFX Library is free to download; Magic Tines costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SFX Library holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic Tines ships an update every 2 months, SFX Library every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Magic Tines versus SFX Library: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic TinesSFX Library
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGenuine SoundwareJonathan Stinson

Customer experience

Magic Tines

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

SFX Library

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Magic Tines

No in-app purchases

None

SFX Library

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Magic Tines free?
Magic Tines costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SFX Library free?
SFX Library is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Magic Tines or SFX Library?
SFX Library is rated higher. Magic Tines averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while SFX Library averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Magic Tines or SFX Library have ads?
SFX Library shows ads; Magic Tines does not.
Which is updated more often, Magic Tines or SFX Library?
Magic Tines ships an update every 2 months, and SFX Library every 3 weeks. Most recently, Magic Tines was updated on September 29, 2026 and SFX Library on October 9, 2026.

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