Comparison

Scaler EQ vs Dahlia Tape Delay

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

Head to head
About

Scaler EQ

This application offers a unique approach to audio equalization by intelligently adjusting frequencies based on the detected key and scale of your music. It provides both musical enhancements and traditional EQ controls for detailed sound shaping.

Highlights
  • In-key EQ with harmonic band types
  • Automatic key and scale detection
  • Familiar EQ controls with added color
  • Magic Shelf for enhanced low and high frequencies
  • Mastering-grade limiters and meters
  • Dynamic band control and sidechain input
  • Standalone and AUv3 host compatibility
Features
Read full description

Following on from the award-winning Scaler music theory plugin, Scaler EQ offers a remarkable new way to EQ with musicality and colour. By detecting the key and scale of your audio and enhancing only note frequencies in key with your song, and reducing only note frequencies that aren’t, Scaler EQ can provide a new spin on working with cuts and boosts, increasing the tonality behind your music and providing new harmonic avenues. And for when you just want a regular, fully-featured, modern EQ, Scaler EQ has you covered with its familiar workflow, large choice of band types, mid/side operation, dynamic bands, peak limiters, and stereo enhancement. You can easily apply classic mixing and mastering techniques used by professionals, with an extra optional musical edge. NOTE: We have designed Scaler EQ for iPad. It works on iPhone too with identical functionality but relies more on the two finger tap to zoom function. -The World’s First In-Key EQ -Simple Key Detection -Musician- and Producer-Friendly Band Types -The Magic Shelf -Mastering Grade Limiters and Meters -All the Mod EQ Cons Main Features: Patent pending musical EQ with harmonic band types that boost in-key frequencies and cut out-of-key frequencies Familiar EQ controls translate to a regular workflow – but one that adds more colour Choice of band types for traditional boost/cut EQ or harmonic EQ Magic Shelf bands deliver punchier low end and smoother highs Simple key detection identifies the key and scale of your audio and sets the EQ’s target scale Scale Switching allows for scale and key changes in your track Dial in dynamics for any band (Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release) Control any shape dynamically via sidechain input Add or remove scale notes for a specific colour (eg, four-note chords or just fifths) Input And Output Peak Limiters Adjustable input and output levels with peak and RMS metering Create unique EQ responses by combining magic shelves, harmonic filters and cuts Each band can be set to work on stereo, mid or side channels Enhance stereo width and collapse low frequencies to mono Minimum phase, zero latency EQ Standalone and compatible with AUv3 host apps such as Logic Pro, GarageBand, Auria, AUM, and Cubasis. Closable Panels and iOS zoom functions What can Scaler EQ be used for? Music Production: Ideal for musicians and producers looking to enhance the musicality of their tracks by ensuring all instruments are in harmony with the chosen scale. Audio Editing: Simplify EQ processes by targeting and cleaning up frequency bands to remove audio that doesn’t belong and enhance audio naturally present with the chosen scale. Audio Engineering: Dynamically soothe audio by suppressing in-harmonic frequencies or expanding harmonic frequencies using dynamic compression and expansion. Mastering: Place on your master channel to broaden your stereo width, focus your bass, increase loudness, and enhance your mix. Sound Designers: Easily create playable instruments from any recorded sound source using the Sound Design presets and musical resonator FX. DJing: DJs can use it to ensure that the tracks they mix are in harmony by detecting the key and scale whilst balancing the mix of each track. -"Scaler EQ is plugin that offers an innovative way to equalise with musicality and colour. It is a plugin that deserves to be tried by anyone." DJ Mag Italia -"Scaler EQ is a groundbreaking advancement in the world of audio engineering. The harmonic EQ technology is a game-changer." Song Mix Master -"Scaler EQ can make subtle harmonic changes or be a hugely creative plugin, but either way it makes your mixes sound better." Computer Music July 2024 -"Scaler EQ delivers harmonic processing we didn’t know we needed, but once heard, we might just apply it to everything." Music Radar -"Scaler EQ is a valuable tool for musicians, producers and audio professionals. It just might be the only EQ you need going forward’ 24bit Electronic Music Production

About

Dahlia Tape Delay

This app emulates the warm, organic sound of vintage tape delay units. It offers advanced features like independent stereo controls, tape-like EQ, and modulation for unique sonic textures. Includes a classic version for nostalgic users.

Highlights
  • Tape wow & flutter modulation
  • Tape head EQ modeling
  • Independent stereo delay times
  • Ping-pong stereo with width control
  • Four delay time modes with host sync
  • Includes Dahlia Delay Classic AUv3
Read full description

Dahlia Tape Delay is an AUv3 effect built as a love letter to a bygone era. WOW & FLUTTER Noisy oscillators drive pitch modulation to give the same organic variation from tape aging. TAPE HEAD EQ A filter models the frequency response of the playback head of an analog tape delay, adding warmth and high-end roll-off in the feedback path. FEEDBACK Tape compression at the end of the signal path lets you push feedback to its limits without fear of runaway. STEREO / SPLIT Independent left/right delay times, ping-pong mode, stereo width, and spread controls using a mid/side splitter. FEATURES • Four delay time modes with host sync. • Independent left/right delay times. • Ping-pong stereo with adjustable width. • Tape wow + flutter modulation. • Feedback path with tape EQ and head response filtering. • Drift-compensating delay lines for stable long delays. • 12 factory presets. • Support for custom presets DAHLIA DELAY CLASSIC: The app includes a whole second AUv3 at no extra cost. Dahlia Delay Classic is a reincarnation of the original 2015 Dahlia Delay - it's a stereo delay with a resonant filter in the feedback path and a subtle pitch modulating warble. This new rendition has a more performant audio engine, host sync capabilities, improved presets and a more modern UI. Faithful to the original character, but with a new look and feel. COMPATIBILITY Runs standalone and as an AUv3 audio unit. Compatible with GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and any host that supports AUv3 effects on iOS 17 or later. — Timothy J. Barraclough / Horse Parade

Screenshots

Scaler EQ3 screens
Dahlia Tape Delay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Dahlia Tape Delay at 100% against Scaler EQ's 50%. Dahlia Tape Delay also leads on price ($3.99 vs $12.99) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Scaler EQ's advantage is ratings volume (27 vs 6) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

Scaler EQ costs $12.99 and Dahlia Tape Delay $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dahlia Tape Delay holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Scaler EQ's written reviews are positive against 100% of Dahlia Tape Delay's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Scaler EQ ships an update every 2 months, Dahlia Tape Delay every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Scaler EQ versus Dahlia Tape Delay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScaler EQDahlia Tape Delay
Price$12.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.6 (27 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings27 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScaler MusicFlora Creative Ltd.

Customer experience

Scaler EQ

All ratings27 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Dahlia Tape Delay

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Scaler EQ

No in-app purchases

None

Dahlia Tape Delay

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Scaler EQ free?
Scaler EQ costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dahlia Tape Delay free?
Dahlia Tape Delay costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Scaler EQ or Dahlia Tape Delay?
Dahlia Tape Delay is rated higher. Scaler EQ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Dahlia Tape Delay averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Scaler EQ or Dahlia Tape Delay have ads?
Neither Scaler EQ nor Dahlia Tape Delay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Scaler EQ or Dahlia Tape Delay?
Scaler EQ ships an update every 2 months, and Dahlia Tape Delay every 5 days. Most recently, Scaler EQ was updated on October 30, 2026 and Dahlia Tape Delay on October 24, 2026.

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