Dial Upstrum vs RedNova
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dial Upstrum
Transform classic modem sounds into a unique musical instrument. Explore phase and pitch variations to create distinctive audio and visuals, and integrate with AUv3 hosts for advanced music production.
- Play 56k modem handshake sounds as an instrument
- Adjust phase and pitch of sounds
- Modify visuals alongside audio
- AUv3 plugin support
- Inspired by ZX Plectrum
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Boot up that beige box, hear the sweet symphony of your 56k modem screeching into life, and prepare to surf the information superhighway like it's 1999! Play the 56k DialUp handshake sounds as a musical instrument on your iPhone or iPad! Change the modem sounds (and visuals) phase and pitch to make some weird, wonderful and familiar sounds! Plugin to your favourite AUv3 host and make unique music unlike anything else. Log on. Dial in. Based on the critically acclaimed ZX Plectrum! (but with more sounds and flexibility!) What people say about ZX Plectrum: "As seen on TV" on Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit Used by multi-Platinum band Placebo in their live events. "ZX Plectrum lets you make music Spectrum style on your iPhone" pocket-lint.com "Utterly pointless but also utterly engaging" bamm.tv "For Nostlagia lovers of a very specific demographic this will sound like heaven" calmdowntom.com "The Greatest iPad App of ALL TIME" conoroneill.net
RedNova
This audio plugin offers intelligent compression and spatial positioning for professional sound design. It adapts to your audio, allowing you to control dynamics and place sounds forward for presence or back for warmth. Transform recordings into spatially positioned compositions with intuitive controls.
- Intelligent adaptive compression
- VCA compressor with analog saturation
- Forward/back spatial positioning
- Visual position orb feedback
- Advanced sidechain control
- AUv3 plugin format
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RedNova: Intelligent Compressor + Spatial Positioning Welcome to a new genre of professional audio plugins. RedNova is the first of the Nova series of plugins by Simon Alexander that combines unique and musical audio effects with intuitive forward/back spatial positioning. Intelligent processing adapts to your audio while giving you complete control over effect dynamics and mix placement. From punchy upfront compression to warm distant textures, discover how one brilliantly designed plugin transforms flat or unruly recordings into professionally processed, spatially positioned compositions! Instantly Transform Your Dynamics & Depth: * Intelligent compression that adapts to your source material automatically * Professional VCA compressor with musical saturation and life-like analog circuitry dynamics * Move sounds forward for clarity and presence or back for warmth and space * Watch the position orb grow larger as sounds move forward, smaller as they recede * Advanced sidechain control over compression AND spatial positioning Made for Everyone: * Producers: Get broadcast and album-quality compression with professional spatial control * Beatmakers: Compress drums while positioning elements in mix depth * Singer-Songwriters: Gentle vocal compression to driving saturation with forward positioning for presence * Podcasters: Broadcast-safe compression with spatial separation for voice and music * Beginners: Set-and-forget intelligent processing with simple visual controls * Experts: Advanced sidechain routing with multi-parameter control Professional Features, Intelligently Simple: Intelligent Compressor: 1. Adaptive Processing - Content-aware compression that automatically adjusts to your source material 2. Safety-First Design - Multi-stage limiting ensures broadcast-safe output 3. Musical Response - Professional VCA style compressor with enhanced musical saturation 4. Thread-Safe Architecture - Lock-free processing prevents audio dropouts in demanding sessions SuperSitter Positioning: 1. Forward - Brings sounds closer with intelligent EQ and transient enhancement 2. Back - Creates warm distance with spatial processing and controlled filtering 3. Center - Complete transparency when positioning isn't needed 4. Visual Feedback - Dynamic orb scaling shows exact spatial position Advanced Sidechain Control: 1. Multi-Target Control - Route sidechain to compression threshold, ratio, AND forward/back position 2. Global or Individual - Control all parameters together or individually 3. Self-Signal Mode - Use the track's own signal for dynamic control (DAW dependent) 4. LED Indicators - Color-coded feedback shows which parameters are under sidechain control Technical Excellence: * AUv3 Plugin Format for all iOS/iPadOS DAWs that utilize them * Real-time intelligent content analysis with adaptive processing * CPU-efficient design allows multiple instances without performance issues * Zero-latency processing with automatic phase alignment * Broadcast-safe output limiting with extended dynamic range * Full parameter automation support with smooth transitions * Touch-optimized interface with floating value displays * 20 professionally crafted presets to get you started on any kind of track RedNova represents a new genre of audio plugins combining unique and intelligent audio effects with easy and intuitive spatial positioning. Download RedNova now and hear professional results in seconds! RedNova's intelligent design makes studio and broadcast-quality compression and spatial positioning accessible to everyone.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: RedNova at 5.0 against Dial Upstrum's 3.7. RedNova also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). Dial Upstrum's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $9.99) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). 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
Dial Upstrum costs $3.99 and RedNova $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
RedNova holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.
| Parameter | Dial Upstrum | RedNova |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | — | Every 4 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dave Sapien Ltd. | Simon Alexander |
Customer experience
Dial Upstrum
RedNova
In-app purchases
Dial Upstrum
No in-app purchases
RedNova
No in-app purchases









