WOW Filterbox vs OtherDesertCities
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WOW Filterbox
This app offers a creative multi-filterbox with 21 filter types, analog and digital distortions, and powerful modulation options. It includes an integrated player and recorder, XY-pads for parameter control, and supports MIDI and Ableton Link.
- 21 filter types
- Analog and digital distortion
- Step sequencer & wobble generator
- LFO with multiple waveforms
- XY-Pads for parameter control
- Integrated player and recorder
- MIDI support & Ableton Link
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WOW2 is here! With a future-dripping user interface, 21 incredible filter types with the famous vowel mode. With distortions that cover your tracks with gas and put them on fire. Modulations that cause more trouble than your modular dark room. And finally that warm and juicy sound, that you were looking for. - 21 Filter types like Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass, Bandreject, Comb and much more. Low pass types up to 48 db, including flavors like SVF, Diode Ladder and Transistor Ladder. The filters and distortions have been designed for best harmonics without aliasing, for high definition audio quality. - Three different analog modeling overdrives and four digital distortion functions are included. Use them pre or post the filter. - Modulation is power. Power is ***. Create stunning trance gates with the step sequencer, do some giant wobbles with the wobble generator or let all the modulators interact with each other. The LFO offers many different wave forms, restart options and sync flavors. - Presets are just one click away. Randomize presets to inspire yourself. Features at a Glance: • Audio Unit v3 & Standalone • XY-Pads to control 6 Parameters simultaneously • Integrated Player (File Sharing, Music Library, Factory Loops) • Integrated Recorder (div. Optionen: Start/Stop/Sync/Länge) • Live Modus (Inputs & Outputs selectable) • MIDI Support, MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Midi Clock Sync • Ableton Link support • Audioshare Import & Preset Share (iCloud)
OtherDesertCities
Explore a versatile audio effect with six unique delay algorithms, offering everything from classic stereo delays to experimental granular pitch-shifting. Extensive modulation and I/O controls allow for deep sonic manipulation and creative sound design.
- Six unique delay algorithms
- Extensive modulation capabilities
- Tempo-synced LFOs
- Envelope follower
- Diffusor for feedback smearing
- Advanced I/O control
- Granular pitch-shifting
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Other Desert Cities is a multi-mode delay plugin built for sound designers, producers, and anyone who thinks regular delays are getting a little boring. Named after the famous sign on the I-10 leaving Los Angeles, Other Desert Cities takes you down less-traveled roads. Six algorithms, each with its own distinct personality. A full suite of modulation. A diffuser that smears feedback toward reverb. And gain-structure controls deep enough to duck, pan, and route almost anything. ALGORITHMS Desert Shores — a clean dual stereo delay with saturation, filtering, spread, and crossfeed. Mecca — a reverse delay with smooth crossfading and an optional Reflect mode that alternates playback direction on each repeat. Cactus — a dual-delta delay. Each side runs as a variable-speed looper, playing forward or backward at any speed from zero to 2x, with pitch quantized to octaves, fifths, or semitones. Thermal — a multi-tap delay with up to sixteen equally-spaced taps per side, each with its own level. Mirage — a variable-speed multi-head delay inspired by the 1967 Eltro Information Rate Changer. One to four rotating heads play through a circular buffer at any speed from -2 to +2. Sky Valley — a granular delay with independent control over grain size, scatter, and pitch randomization. Transpose from three octaves down to one octave up. MODULATION Two tempo-syncable LFOs with variable shape and skew, plus an envelope follower with sidechain input. Almost every parameter in the plugin can be modulated. Click any knob and assign modulation depth from each of the three sources independently. DIFFUSER A diffusion processor sits inside the feedback path, with controls for size, diffusion amount, modulation rate and depth, and a dedicated low-cut filter. At high settings it takes the delay into reverb territory, especially paired with the Thermal algorithm. LEVELS Full input/output gain control, stereo width, independent delay pan, regeneration balance, and wet balance. Input level and mute sit before the delay block, so the plugin works correctly as both an insert and a send, with proper tails behavior. PRESETS Factory presets from Chris Randall, Matthew Lyon, Red Means Recording, and Time Rival, plus a cross-platform XML-based preset manager with import, export, and clipboard paste. FEATURES Six distinct delay algorithms Two LFOs and an envelope follower with sidechain Diffuser with independent modulation Tempo sync on delay times and LFO rates Delay times up to two seconds free, ten seconds synced Cross-platform XML preset format AUv3 and standalone Also available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP formats from Audio Damage.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: WOW Filterbox at Free against OtherDesertCities's $4.99. OtherDesertCities's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (86% vs 64%). On ratings volume and ads 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
WOW Filterbox is free to download; OtherDesertCities costs $4.99 up front. WOW Filterbox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OtherDesertCities asks for nothing beyond the download.
OtherDesertCities holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 59 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of WOW Filterbox's written reviews are positive against 86% of OtherDesertCities's.
WOW Filterbox ships an update every 4 months, OtherDesertCities every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WOW Filterbox | OtherDesertCities |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (29 ratings) | 4.8 (59 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 64.3% of reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 29 | 59 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 83 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sugar Bytes GmbH | Audio Damage, Inc. |
Customer experience
WOW Filterbox
OtherDesertCities
In-app purchases
WOW Filterbox
- WOW Full Version$19.99
OtherDesertCities
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is WOW Filterbox free?
Is OtherDesertCities free?
Which has better reviews, WOW Filterbox or OtherDesertCities?
Do WOW Filterbox or OtherDesertCities have ads?
Which is updated more often, WOW Filterbox or OtherDesertCities?
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