Magic Tines vs VAPolyTZFM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
VAPolyTZFM
This app is a polyphonic synthesizer that utilizes Through Zero FM for musical sound generation. It offers a standalone mode with Ableton Link and MIDI support, as well as an AudioUnit Extension for use with other music software. Built-in effects and iCloud Drive integration enhance its creative capabilities.
- Through Zero FM synthesis
- AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
- Ableton Link and MIDI connectivity
- Built-in effects suite
- iCloud Drive project sharing
- Analog style step sequencer
- Up to 8 voice polyphony
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VAPolyTZFM is polyphonic synthesizer featuring Through Zero FM, which is a type of linear frequency modulation and it is capable to maintain the pitch therefore it can deliver more musical results. VAPolyTZFM operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features Through Zero FM Analog Style Step Sequencer. Eight Assignable Controllers. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Support MIDI 2.0. Support Foot Pedal and Per Note Control. Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Include 256 Factory Presets. Improvements Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) Support MIDI2.0 Per Note Control Messages MIDI CC Settings are saved. It will be recovered when the app launched in the next time. System Requirements iOS 17.0 or later Devices with Apple Silicon are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly recommended. if sound is distorted when using a device with less CPU power, reduce number of voices. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Magic Tines at 100% against VAPolyTZFM's 50%. Magic Tines also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). VAPolyTZFM's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.7) and price ($14.99 vs $19.99). 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
Magic Tines costs $19.99 and VAPolyTZFM $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VAPolyTZFM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Magic Tines's written reviews are positive against 50% of VAPolyTZFM's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Magic Tines ships an update every 2 months, VAPolyTZFM every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Magic Tines | VAPolyTZFM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $14.99 — better |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Genuine Soundware | Ryo Togawa |
Customer experience
Magic Tines
VAPolyTZFM
In-app purchases
Magic Tines
No in-app purchases
VAPolyTZFM
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Magic Tines free?
Is VAPolyTZFM free?
Which has better reviews, Magic Tines or VAPolyTZFM?
Do Magic Tines or VAPolyTZFM have ads?
Which is updated more often, Magic Tines or VAPolyTZFM?
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