Comparison

Magic Tines vs Elpiano

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

Elpiano

This app offers a collection of ten distinct electric piano models, designed to capture the soul and character of vintage electromechanical instruments. It provides an expressive and dynamic playing experience with built-in effects, cabinets, and tone-shaping tools for sound customization.

Highlights
  • 10 distinct piano models
  • 5 cabinet models (mono/stereo)
  • 50 diverse presets
  • Multiple built-in effects
  • Traditional vintage EQ
  • Intuitive interface
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Electric soul, infinite control Elpiano (which simply means "Electric piano" in Swedish) is an electric piano plugin that feels alive under your fingertips. Designed to capture the soul and character of vintage electromechanical pianos, Elpiano delivers an expressive, dynamic playing experience that goes beyond static samples. It's both powerful and lightweight, delivering everything from silky-smooth, dreamy chords to punchy funk grooves with authentic feel and natural playability. A dream cast Ten distinct piano models are included in Elpiano, each with its own sonic identity. From pristine, silky tones to gritty, well-worn textures, every model responds with depth and realism. Explore warm, bell-like chimes, dusty vintage timbres, or raw, overdriven growls—each sound has been carefully crafted with an almost obsessive attention to detail. Built-in effects, cabinets, and tone-shaping tools offer even more ways to sculpt your sound into something personal and unique. Feel the groove Every detail of Elpiano’s playability has been fine-tuned to ensure a natural, expressive response. Whether you’re laying down delicate jazz voicings, digging into funky rhythms, or crafting experimental textures, the instrument reacts with precision and nuance. The intuitive interface keeps everything within reach, letting you focus entirely on your music. More than keys Elpiano includes five cabinet models in both mono and stereo configurations, a collection of inspiring and diverse presets, and a range of built-in effects like drive, reverb, room simulation, delay, tremolo, vibrato, chorus and phaser. A classic EQ section adds warmth and presence. Elpiano brings an unparalleled level of responsiveness to the electric piano world, delivering a truly expressive playing experience. Every model and preset has been designed to ensure that every nuance of your performance is captured just as it should be. Whether you're after a pristine studio tone, a gritty vintage character, or something completely unexpected, Elpiano has you covered. Features 10 different piano models 5 different cabinets, with mono- and stereo configuration 50 various presets Plenty of effects with smart functions (Reverb, Room, Delay, Chorus, Phaser, Tremolo, Vibrato) Traditional vintage EQ Drive control

Screenshots

Magic Tines4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Magic Tines at $19.99 against Elpiano's $29.99. Magic Tines also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Elpiano's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.7) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Magic Tines costs $19.99 and Elpiano $29.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Elpiano holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic Tines ships an update every 2 months, Elpiano every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Magic Tines versus Elpiano: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic TinesElpiano
Price$19.99 — better$29.99
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings33
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB169 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGenuine SoundwareKlevgrand Produkter AB

Customer experience

Magic Tines

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

Elpiano

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Magic Tines

No in-app purchases

None

Elpiano

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Magic Tines free?
Magic Tines costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Elpiano free?
Elpiano costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Magic Tines or Elpiano?
Elpiano is rated higher. Magic Tines averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Elpiano averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Magic Tines or Elpiano have ads?
Neither Magic Tines nor Elpiano shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Magic Tines or Elpiano?
Magic Tines ships an update every 2 months, and Elpiano every 6 days. Most recently, Magic Tines was updated on October 24, 2026 and Elpiano on October 24, 2026.

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