Comparison

Cab ML vs 501 Chorus Echo

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

Head to head
About

Cab ML

This app generates custom impulse responses using a neural network, allowing interactive sound shaping. It also includes a poweramp and microphone reverb generator for further audio manipulation.

Highlights
  • Neural network impulse response generation
  • Interactive tag-based sound shaping
  • Poweramp with multiple options
  • Microphone reverb generator
  • AUv3 plugin support
Features
Read full description

Cab ML is both a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin that provides a neural network for impulse response generation. By moving tags in a window you can change the impulse response in an interactive way. Underlying a neural network will generate an impulse response based on the position of the tags. Instead of trying out all your impulse response files through a classic impulse response loader, you can now find the right sound interactively by moving the marks until you like what you hear. Furthermore Cab ML also provides a poweramp with many options and a microphone reverb generator. The free version allows you to test Cab ML completely, but every minute the plugin will be silent for 3 seconds. To remove these limits there is a one time in-app purchase. You need an audio interface to connect your instrument to your Mac. Known audio interface brands for guitar or bass are for instance Focusrite or iRig. If you don't have an audio interface, you can use the AUv3 plugin in a DAW such as GarageBand or Logic Pro. Any (guitar/bass) sound you have recorded can be fed through the Cab ML audio unit.

About

501 Chorus Echo

This audio plugin meticulously models the iconic Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo, offering authentic analog warmth with modern digital flexibility. It provides producers with classic tape delay, BBD chorus, and spring reverb sounds, enhanced by DAW tempo sync and expanded controls for any music genre.

Highlights
  • Authentic analog sound reproduction
  • Extended creative control with DAW sync
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Versatile for any music genre
  • Independent SOS timings
  • Linear preamp option
Features
Read full description

"Legendary Analog Warmth: Authentic Spring Reverb, Classic Tape Delay, and Lush BBD Chorus in a Cutting-Edge Plugin" Rediscover the iconic sound of the Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo*, now reborn as the NA 501 Chorus Echo plugin by Nembrini Audio. This meticulously modeled plugin captures the essence of the legendary tape echo, BBD chorus, and spring reverb, enhanced with modern digital functionality for today's music producers. Ideal for adding rich, analog textures to any genre, the NA 501 is a versatile tool for musicians and producers seeking that classic sound with contemporary flexibility. Key Features:: 1 - Authentic Sound Reproduction: Delivers the classic warmth and character of the Roland RE-501 through precise digital modeling. 2 - Extended Creative Control: Offers advanced features like DAW tempo sync, expanded chorus and delay parameters, and independent SOS timings. 3 - Intuitive User Interface: Designed for ease of use, blending vintage aesthetics with modern digital efficiency. 4 - Versatility for Any Genre: Whether you're producing rock, electronic, ambient, or beyond, the NA 501 fits seamlessly into any musical project. Equipped with features tailored for modern production, the NA 501 includes DAW tempo synchronization, a wide parameter range for the BBD chorus and analog tape delay, separate left and right SOS timings, and a linear preamp option. These technical enhancements ensure that the NA 501 not only emulates the classic sound but elevates it to new levels. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect Legal Disclaimer: RE-501 Chorus Echo is a registered trademark of Roland Inc. NA 501 Chorus Echo was developed by Nembrini Audio SRL based on its modeling techniques. Roland has not endorsed nor sponsored the NA 501 Chorus Echo in any manner, nor licensed any intellectual property for use in this product.

Screenshots

Cab ML4 screens
501 Chorus Echo1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cab ML at 50% against 501 Chorus Echo's 0%. Cab ML also leads on price (Free vs $14.99) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 17 months). 501 Chorus Echo's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Cab ML is free to download; 501 Chorus Echo costs $14.99 up front. Cab ML sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 501 Chorus Echo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

501 Chorus Echo holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Cab ML's written reviews are positive against 0% of 501 Chorus Echo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cab ML ships an update every 3 weeks, 501 Chorus Echo every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Cab ML versus 501 Chorus Echo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCab ML501 Chorus Echo
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)4.5 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings48 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJan MaesNembrini Audio

Customer experience

Cab ML

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

501 Chorus Echo

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cab ML

One-time1
  • Cab ML Activation$11.99
None

501 Chorus Echo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cab ML free?
Cab ML is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 501 Chorus Echo free?
501 Chorus Echo costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cab ML or 501 Chorus Echo?
501 Chorus Echo is rated higher. Cab ML averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while 501 Chorus Echo averages 4.5 from 8 ratings.
Do Cab ML or 501 Chorus Echo have ads?
Neither Cab ML nor 501 Chorus Echo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cab ML or 501 Chorus Echo?
Cab ML ships an update every 3 weeks, and 501 Chorus Echo every 17 months. Most recently, Cab ML was updated on September 27, 2026 and 501 Chorus Echo on October 13, 2026.

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