Comparison

Secta vs RingsFX

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

Head to head
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
Read full description

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... ***

About

RingsFX

This music app emulates a renowned physical modeling synthesizer, offering diverse synthesis techniques and polyphonic capabilities. It allows for real-time parameter manipulation and can process external audio, creating unique sonic textures and rhythms.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling synthesis emulation
  • Multiple polyphony modes (Mono, Duo, Quad, True Polyphonic)
  • Supports MIDI MPE and velocity sensitivity
  • External audio excitation
  • Mod Matrix for real-time parameter control
  • 7 unique synthesis modes
  • 6 mod-able and 6 global effects
Features
Read full description

RingsFX is an AUv3 plugin based on the famous Mutable Instruments Rings, one of the most dedicated and fully-featured Physical Modeling Eurorack modules ever created. At its core is a resonator that needs to be 'excited' or 'strummed' by MIDI input, noise, or external audio excitation. RingsFX emulates vibrations of structures simulated by 3 different synthesis techniques that can be plucked or process external signals: Modal Synthesis, Sympathetic Strings, and Inharmonic Strings. Traditionally, Rings was only monophonic but used a unique approach to polyphony that allowed the previous note to 'ring' out and decay while a new note was played. Rings FX provides these same modes (Mono, Duo, and Quad), but expands it with a true Polyphonic mode. RingsFX also expands the capabilities of the original engine by adding support for velocity sensitivity and MIDI MPE mode. The new polyphonic mode allows RingsFX to play up to 12 notes of true polyphony, depending on the settings. Doing so requires RingsFX to use multiple Rings resonators, but the more true polyphony you use, the more processing power it requires. Running in the traditional Monophonic, Duophonic, or Quadrophonic modes may be preferred in order to keep CPU usage under control. RingsFX has 7 modes in total, by combining the 3 basic modes with additional properties such as chords or specially tuned reverbs. The original hardware also had a secret 'Easter Egg' mode, which in RingsFX is simply calling 'Synthesizer' mode, rumoured to be based on one of the early Korg synthesis methods. This mode supported a number of mutable effects which now work on in all resonator modes. RingsFX also has a Mod-Matrix which allows you to combine the built-in LFOs and FEGs to great effect by manipulating parameters and mutable effects in realtime. Finally, RingsFX can be loaded as an AUv3 effect plugin. Set the Exciter Source to 'INPUT', and you can pass any audio through RingsFX and use this audio as an external exciter. For example, it can be used to great affect on a drum beat to create some crazy rhythms. Use the Output Mix to combine the original audio with the synthesised resonator output to create some stunning effects. Features ○ 7 unique synthesis modes. ○ Supports Mono, Duo, Quad and true polyphony. ○ Supports 2 fluid LFO's per note. ○ Up to 4 FEG's per note. ○ External Exciter modes. ○ White noise Pulse Sequencer. ○ Supports 6 mod-able effects and 6 global effects. ○ Mod Matrix ○ Input and white noise filters. ○ Program Manager with drag and drop. ○ Preset Search and Favourites. ○ Easy export and import of banks and presets. ○ Extensive help manual. ○ Web Transfer for backing up to PC/Mac. ○ MPE Support.

Screenshots

Secta3 screens
RingsFX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Secta at $3.99 against RingsFX's $14.99. Secta also leads on iOS requirement (9.3 vs 13.0). RingsFX's advantage is ratings volume (27 vs 8). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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

Secta costs $3.99 and RingsFX $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Secta against 4.9 for RingsFX. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 27 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Secta versus RingsFX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSectaRingsFX
Price$3.99 — better$14.99
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better4.9 (27 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings827 — better
Update frequency—Fortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperK-Devices4Pockets.com

Customer experience

Secta

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

RingsFX

All ratings27 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Secta

No in-app purchases

None

RingsFX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Secta free?
Secta costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RingsFX free?
RingsFX costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Secta or RingsFX?
Secta is rated higher. Secta averages 5.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while RingsFX averages 4.9 from 27 ratings.
Do Secta or RingsFX have ads?
Neither Secta nor RingsFX shows ads.

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