Moon Echo vs SPLmap
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Moon Echo
This free music app simulates echoes using the moon as a radio wave reflector. It creates unique, lively, and lo-fi effects modulated by celestial movements, offering a playful tool for both musicians and space enthusiasts.
- Moon-based echo simulation
- Lo-fi musical effect
- Celestial modulation
- Space education tool
- AUv3 and Standalone support
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In our seventh collaboration with Berlin-based musician Hainbach we listen to the stars: Moon Echo is a free to download delay based on a communications technique that uses our closest cosmic neighbor, the moon, as a reflector for radio waves. This results in some rather crunchy and lively echoes, modulated by the movement of Earth and moon. The moon's surface is an imperfect mirror and creates artifacts, unlike any other echo technique. Moon Echo is both a musical lo-fi effect and a playful tool for teaching about space. Available as AUv3 and Standalone.
SPLmap
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SPLmap: The Professional Standard for Spatial Acoustic Analysis 1. Introduction: A New Dimension in Sound SPLmap is not just a decibel meter; it is a geospatial acoustic engine designed for the modern sound professional. In an era where live events are under increasing scrutiny from local councils and where architectural acoustics define the success of a space, the ability to visualize sound in its physical context is no longer a luxury—it is a requirement. SPLmap provides a high-performance environment that allows users to plot, track, and manage Sound Pressure Level (SPL) data points across any geographic landscape. From the narrow confines of a jazz club to the sprawling fields of a three-day music festival, SPLmap turns the invisible physics of sound into a clear, actionable visual map. 2. The User Experience: Interface as an Instrument We believe that professional software should get out of your way. SPLmap is built with a "minimalist power" philosophy, utilizing macOS-native design patterns to ensure the learning curve is non-existent for industry veterans. 3. Visual Intelligence: The Color of Sound Data is only as good as its presentation. SPLmap uses a sophisticated color-coding logic that allows for "split-second" situational awareness. The Traffic-Light Legend The app utilizes a standardized, three-tier color scale to categorize acoustic intensity: 4. Technical Architecture: Built for macOS SPLmap is engineered from the ground up using Apple’s most advanced frameworks. This isn't a web-app wrapper; it is a native tool built for performance. Key Monitoring: A dedicated local event monitor listens for the Delete and Backspace keys, allowing for lightning-fast data pruning. MapReader Integration: Using the latest MapReader technology, SPLmap converts screen touches into precise geographic coordinates with sub-meter accuracy. Observation Framework: The app utilizes the latest Swift Observation patterns, ensuring that if one data point changes, the Legend, the Map, and the Detail View all update simultaneously with zero latency. Geographic Precision Leveraging MapKit, SPLmap supports: Standard, Satellite, and Hybrid Views. 3D Realistic Elevation: Essential for understanding how sound travels over hills or is blocked by urban structures. Local Fallback Logic: The app intelligently defaults to the user's real-world location but includes a London-centric fallback for pre-planning sessions when location services are restricted. 5. Professional Use-Cases Live Sound & Festival Management For FOH (Front of House) engineers, SPLmap is the ultimate tool for monitoring noise leakage. By placing measurement points at the venue's "Noise Sensitive Locations" (NSLs), engineers can ensure they are delivering maximum impact to the crowd while remaining strictly within the legal limits defined by local authorities. Architectural & Industrial Safety Safety officers can use SPLmap to create a permanent record of noise exposure on factory floors or construction sites. By mapping "Red Zones," companies can better design hearing protection protocols and environmental baffles to protect their workforce. Urban Planning & Hospitality Restaurant and venue owners can map the "acoustic footprint" of their spaces. This helps in identifying where tables might be too loud for conversation or where the sound system needs more distribution to eliminate "dead spots." 6. Conclusion: Your Venue, Decoded. SPLmap bridges the gap between the microphone and the map. It is an essential addition to the toolkit of any professional who works with sound in the physical world. By offering a blend of high-level geographic visualization and granular data management, SPLmap ensures that you are always in control of the environment. Download SPLmap today and start seeing sound in a whole new way.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Moon Echo at Free against SPLmap's $5.99. Moon Echo also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Moon Echo is free to download; SPLmap costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | Moon Echo | SPLmap |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (20 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | — |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AudioThing Ltd. | Ofer Dvir |
In-app purchases
Moon Echo
No in-app purchases
SPLmap
No in-app purchases









