Comparison

501 Chorus Echo vs VAPolyMkII

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

Head to head
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.

About

VAPolyMkII

This virtual analog synthesizer offers a 16-voice bitimbral polyphonic sound engine with two distinct filter models and extensive modulation options. It includes a built-in sequencer, various effects, and supports AudioUnit Extension for integration with DAWs. Projects can be synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud.

Highlights
  • 16-voice bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer
  • Two analog-modeled filter types
  • Extensive modulation capabilities
  • Built-in piano roll sequencer
  • Multiple audio effects
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • iCloud Drive project syncing
Features
Read full description

VAPolyMkII is a virtual analog bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features 16 voice synthesizer, effects, sequencer and audio visualization tools. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. The synthesizer consists of two 8 voice synthesizer, which features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, resonant high pass and low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators features continuously variable wave shape and wide variety of modulation. The filters are modeled on the Sallen-Key filter circuit and cascaded OTA filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. The sequencer features piano roll and parameter automation editor to program 16 bar pattern per clip. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. - Main Features - Virtual analog 16 voice bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer Two type of Lowpass filter, cascaded OTA model and Sallen-key model. Patch points for modulation. Support MIDI 2.0 New User Interface built by SwiftUI for improved performance. Built-in Sequencer. 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 8 clips. Piano Roll and Parameter automation. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - System Requirements - A13 Fusion or above is recommended. 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

501 Chorus Echo1 screens
VAPolyMkII4 screens

Verdict

The call

501 Chorus Echo and VAPolyMkII both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 67% of VAPolyMkII's written reviews are positive against 0% of 501 Chorus Echo's. VAPolyMkII also leads on price ($3.99 vs $14.99) and update cadence (weekly vs every 17 months). On rating, ratings volume, 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

501 Chorus Echo costs $14.99 and VAPolyMkII $3.99 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 — 4.5 for 501 Chorus Echo against 4.5 for VAPolyMkII. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 11 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 0% of 501 Chorus Echo's written reviews are positive against 67% of VAPolyMkII's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

501 Chorus Echo ships an update every 17 months, VAPolyMkII weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
501 Chorus Echo versus VAPolyMkII: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter501 Chorus EchoVAPolyMkII
Price$14.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.5 (8 ratings)4.5 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings811 — better
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNembrini AudioRyo Togawa

Customer experience

501 Chorus Echo

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

VAPolyMkII

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

501 Chorus Echo

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyMkII

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 501 Chorus Echo free?
501 Chorus Echo costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyMkII free?
VAPolyMkII costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 501 Chorus Echo or VAPolyMkII?
VAPolyMkII is rated higher. 501 Chorus Echo averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while VAPolyMkII averages 4.5 from 11 ratings.
Do 501 Chorus Echo or VAPolyMkII have ads?
Neither 501 Chorus Echo nor VAPolyMkII shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 501 Chorus Echo or VAPolyMkII?
501 Chorus Echo ships an update every 17 months, and VAPolyMkII weekly. Most recently, 501 Chorus Echo was updated on October 18, 2026 and VAPolyMkII on October 27, 2026.

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