Comparison

PolySampler vs M

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

Head to head
About

PolySampler

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PolySampler is a powerful, easy to use sampling instrument for iOS devices. Import sound files or record high-quality audio using your built-in microphone, then map those samples to the on-screen pads. Each pad includes an independent EQ and processor which can manipulate the playback pitch, speed, and length. The main output also has built-in delay and reverb effects. Individual samples can be saved to the internal PolySampler sample library. Users can also create and save presets to quickly load a set of samples and parameter settings. Sampling on the go has never been easier. With PolySampler, the world is your instrument.

About

M

Features
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That 8-bit sound — with the real mechanism behind it. M-NES is a chiptune workstation that recreates the RP2A03 APU, the sound chip of the classic 8-bit game console, at the register level. Two pulse channels, a triangle, a noise channel, and 1-bit DPCM samples: the five channels the hardware actually has, laid out on a piano roll. You are not composing with presets that sound "close enough" — you are driving the chip itself. FIVE-CHANNEL APU SOUND ENGINE • Two pulse waves with four duty cycles, hardware sweep, and envelopes • Triangle with the linear counter — that round, fat bass • Noise with 16 periods plus the 93-step short mode; pick the period by note pitch • DMC channel playing 1-bit DPCM samples • Switchable NTSC, PAL, and Dendy clocks and frame rates • 48 kHz mono output, just like the hardware A PIANO ROLL THAT FEELS RIGHT • Tap to write, drag to move, pull the edge to resize • 8th, 16th, and 32nd quantize • Note velocity maps straight to the APU volume registers • Per-track mute and solo, undo and redo, autosave BUILT-IN NSF PLAYER • Open .nsf or .nsfe and the built-in 6502 CPU and APU emulation play the original • Multi-song files show a track list with titles and durations • Single, repeat, and play-all modes TURN A SONG INTO EDITABLE NOTES • Re-emulates the selected song and tracks every APU register write, frame by frame • Recovers pitch, timing, velocity, duty cycles, and noise periods into five editable tracks • Use it to study, remix, or continue a track — transcribed songs play back immediately DPCM SAMPLES • Import raw 1-bit .dmc data • Convert WAV, AIFF, and CAF to hardware-spec 1-bit DPCM automatically • Place drums and voice clips with a waveform preview HARDWARE-ACCURATE EXPORT • NSF and NSFe export with a built-in 6502 driver and APU register stream • 48 kHz mono WAV master • .nesseq project files containing all editing data PRIVACY • No account, no ads, no tracking • Composing, playback, and export all happen on your device, fully offline MADE FOR • Chiptune musicians who want the real sound, not an imitation • Game developers preparing hardware-spec music and sound effects • Anyone who wants to learn how 8-bit sound actually works — duty cycles, DPCM, noise periods — hands on --- M-NES is an independent product. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any video game console manufacturer. NSF and NSFe are community file formats used to preserve 8-bit game music. NSF files may contain third-party copyrighted material; import and export only within the rights you hold.

Screenshots

PolySampler4 screens
M4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PolySampler at $1.99 against M's $6.99. On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

PolySampler costs $1.99 and M $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
PolySampler versus M: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPolySamplerM
Price$1.99 — better$6.99
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.517.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB5 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperEuclidean Instruments, LLCCode and DESIGN inc.

In-app purchases

None

PolySampler

No in-app purchases

None

M

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PolySampler free?
PolySampler costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is M free?
M costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do PolySampler or M have ads?
Neither PolySampler nor M shows ads.

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