Comparison

Phase Monkey vs Secta

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

Head to head
About

Phase Monkey

Explore a versatile digital synthesizer inspired by 1980s phase distortion technology. Create a wide range of sounds from warm pads to aggressive basses with its unique engine and eight-stage envelopes. Optimized for touch interaction, it also supports MIDI controllers and runs across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Phase distortion synth engine
  • Eight-stage envelopes
  • Touch-first interface
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Universal Apple purchase
  • MIDI controller support
  • iCloud preset syncing
Features
Read full description

Phase Monkey is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by the classic phase distortion synthesizers of the mid-1980s. However, instead of being a direct copy, Phase Monkey presents a fresh take on the classic sound engine, including the rare eight-stage envelopes. The result is a surprisingly versatile digital instrument that can produce anything from warm pads to shimmering leads to snarling basses. Whatever you do, don’t have fun with it! Features: - Focused, fun, and characterful synth engine - Touch-first design, almost the entire screen is part of a control - Runs standalone or as AUv3 plug-in (in compatible host) - Universal purchase on Apple platforms: runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Presets synced across your devices via iCloud - Hook up a MIDI controller to play with a keyboard (optional) Details: - Eight classic phase distortion waveforms - Dedicated modulation oscillator for ring or noise modulation - Three rare eight-stage envelopes - Complex modulation of pitch and timbre possible via envelopes - LFO with five waveforms for classic modulation sounds - Master controls: portamento, random voice pan, onboard chorus, gain - Key behavior modes: poly, monophonic retrig, monophonic legato - Additional MIDI modulation sources: mod wheel, pitch bend, velocity, aftertouch (channel), key follow - Includes 40 highly usable factory presets to get you started making music Check out our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sketchaudio Read the manuals: https://sketchaudio.com/manuals/

About

Secta

This audio effect dynamically splits incoming sound into two distinct processing paths, allowing for independent sculpting of each layer. It shapes accents, amplifies details, and guides each sonic dimension for unique timbral results. Designed for sound designers and musicians seeking unconventional audio manipulation.

Highlights
  • Dynamic audio splitting
  • Independent effect processing per layer
  • Amplitude threshold control
  • Envelope shaping
  • Customizable sonic dimensions
  • Colorizer with no mix parameters
  • AUv3 extension compatibility
Currently charting
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Secta is an audio effect that dynamically splits incoming audio in two sections and processes each with an exclusive kit of effects, sculpting silence, shaping accents and amplifying hidden details, guiding each layer into a parallel sonic dimension.  A sound-designer (unforeseen) dream. Secta is part of totem/ series by K-Devices: unconventional audio effects coming in a compact format, easy to use, at a lower, convenient price. Building on the concept of a multidimensional gate, Secta processes the audio in a unique way, adding an ephemeral and dramatic touch to acoustic instruments, warmly disintegrating loops, injecting abrupt drops and re-texturizing your lines, or throwing down any beat into a dark path of fragmentation. Hard-to-describe with classic effect categories, Secta processes both sides of a gated source independently, acting as a counterpoint amplitude sculptor.
  Secta cuts to (re)generate.  Secta is a colorizer, no mix parameters are available: just load Secta onto your track and let it inspire you with its timbrical shades.  A gate, a dynamic multi-distortion, a double headed tectonic monster, a trembling detuned textures generator, and more… so many uses of Secta have yet to be discovered! HOW IT WORKS At first, Secta splits the incoming signal acting as a gate effect: the user sets an amplitude threshold using the Verge and Boost parameters. The signal’s amplitude portion greater than the threshold value generates an envelope which controls the Above and Below sections. The envelope itself controls the frequency of a lowpass filter in the Above section (resulting similar to a lowpass gate), while its inverse value controls the amplitude of the Below section. Such envelope can be shaped using several global parameters: Smooth, Retain, and S/C. Above and Below sections process sounds using a different set of effects each: the more rumbling Above, the more textural and looney Below. Using one section at a time holds interesting sculpting results, while combining and balancing them is great for creating richer textures. SHAPE THE ENVELOPE /// Set Verge and Boost to create the envelope that will control Above and Below; use Smooth and Mode to shape it in different ways. 2 WORLDS /// Above and Below, two sides of the same sound, individual paths (different effects and moods), which eventually converge in a new sonic entity. SCULPT /// Above and Below sections come with Drive and Lo/Hi pass filter the get the perfect shape for any sound project. MANDATORY PROCESS /// No dry/wet here: embrace the totem wisdom and get processed! LOCK PARAMETERS /// Enable lock toggle to preserve key parameters values while browsing presets. IN-GUI INFOS /// Enable Infos toggle to get all parameters details always in sight; just tap on a parameter. 2 FLAVOURS /// Dark and light skin. *** Please note: Secta is an Audio Unit extension (AUv3) – it only works in an AUv3 host app like AUM, Logic, Drambo, Cubasis, etc... ***

Screenshots

Phase Monkey3 screens
Secta3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Secta at 100% against Phase Monkey's 71%. Secta also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and chart position (#186 vs unranked). 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

Phase Monkey costs $5.99 and Secta $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Secta holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Phase Monkey's written reviews are positive against 100% of Secta's.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Phase Monkey versus Secta: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhase MonkeySecta
Price$5.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.8 (19 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19 — better8
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#186 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSketch Audio, LLCK-Devices

Customer experience

Phase Monkey

All ratings19 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Secta

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Phase Monkey

No in-app purchases

None

Secta

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Phase Monkey free?
Phase Monkey costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Secta free?
Secta costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Phase Monkey or Secta?
Secta is rated higher. Phase Monkey averages 4.8 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Secta averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Phase Monkey or Secta have ads?
Neither Phase Monkey nor Secta shows ads.

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